VF-171

VF-17A became the Navy's first fully operational jet carrier squadron when it deployed aboard USS Saipan on 5 May 1948.

[2][3] Due to the shortcomings of the FH-1, VF-171 became the first squadron to be equipped with F2H-1 Banshees in March 1949.

[4] The first emergency use of an ejection seat by a U.S. aircraft occurred in August 1949 when a VF-171 pilot successfully ejected from his F2H-1 after losing control due to aircraft icing at high altitude.

VF-171 and CVG-17 embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt for a Mediterranean deployment from July 1957 to March 1958.

During this deployment it participated in Operation Deep Water in September 1957.