VF-43

VF-21 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Six (CVG-6) and deployed to the Mediterranean aboard USS Midway from 9 January to 5 May 1952.

VF-21 was assigned to Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) aboard USS Forrestal from 24 January to 31 March 1956 during her shakedown cruise in the Atlantic, and aboard USS Bennington for a Western Pacific deployment from 15 October 1956 to 22 May 1957.

In this role, the squadron would fly the A-4F/J and TA-4F/J Skyhawk II, the T-38A Talon, the F-16N Fighting Falcon, and the F-21A Kfir, the latter being an Israeli-built modification of the Dassault Mirage 5.

[2][3] Following the end of the Cold War and subsequent reductions in the U.S. defense budget, VF-43 was identified for disestablishment.

[4] At NAS Oceana, this mission is primarily accomplished by Fighter Composite Squadron 12 (VFC-12).

VF-1B F4U-4 on USS Midway c.1947
VF-21 F-11Fs in 1959
VA-43 A-4D lands on USS Antietam in 1959
VF-43 T-38 Talons with VF-142 F-14As in 1977
VF-43 F-21A Kfir in 1985
VF-43 T-2 Buckeye taking off from NAS Oceana in 1989
VF-43 F-16N Vipers taking off from NAS Oceana in 1989