Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191) was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. It was established in 1943 and disestablished in 1978. The squadron was nicknamed Satan's Kittens. A second VF-191, bearing the same designation and nickname was established for a short time again between 1986 and 1988.

Fighter Squadron 191
VF-191 insignia
Active15 August 1943 – 1 March 1978
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Typefighter squadron
Nickname(s)"Satan's Kittens"
EngagementsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam

History

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F6F-5s on the USS Lexington in 1944
 
F9F-2s during the Korean War
 
F-8Js from the USS Oriskany
 
F-4J on the USS Coral Sea in 1977
 
F-14 Tomcat of VF-191 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in 1988
 
VF-191 F-14 tail markings

VF-191 was established as fighter squadron VF-19 on 15 August 1943. On 15 November 1946 it was re-designated VF-19A. On 24 August 1948 it was finally re-designated VF-191 and adopted the new nickname Satan's Kittens. It was disestablished on 1 March 1978.

The squadron took part in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During the latter conflict the squadron took part in several combat cruises, flying variants of the F-8 Crusader. After Vietnam VF-191 continued operations with the F-8 until 1976, when they transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II. A single cruise in the F-4 followed, as VF-191 was disestablished in 1978.

Deployments

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from to aircraft carrier air wing tail code area
July 1944 November 1944 F6F-5 CV-16 CVG-19 no code Pacific War
20 April 1946 9 August 1946 F6F-5 CV-36 CVG-19 A-1xx WestPac
June 1947 June 1947 F8F-1 CV-21 CVAG-19 B-1xx not deployed
11 January 1950 13 June 1950 F8F-2 CV-21 CVG-19 B-1xx WestPac
9 November 1950 29 May 1951 F9F-2 CV-37 CVG-19 B-1xx Korean War
21 March 1952 3 November 1952 F9F-2 CV-37 CVG-19 B-1xx Korean War
14 September 1953 22 April 1954 F9F-6 CVA-34 CVG-19 B-1xx WestPac
2 March 1955 21 September 1955 F9F-6 CVA-34 CVG-19 B-1xx WestPac
9 March 1957 25 August 1957 FJ-3 CVA-10 CVG-19 B-1xx WestPac
1 November 1958 19 June 1959 F11F-1 CVA-31 CVG-19 NM-1xx WestPac
21 November 1959 14 May 1960 F11F-1 CVA-31 CVG-19 NM-1xx WestPac
26 April 1961 13 December 1961 F8U-1 CVA-31 CVG-19 NM-1xx WestPac
12 July 1962 11 February 1963 F8U-1 CVA-31 CVG-19 NM-1xx WestPac
28 January 1964 21 November 1964 F-8E CVA-31 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam War
21 April 1965 13 January 1966 F-8E CVA-31 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam War
19 October 1966 29 May 1967 F-8E CVA-14 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam War
28 December 1967 17 August 1968 F-8E CVA-14 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam War
16 April 1969 17 November 1969 F-8J CVA-34 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam War
14 May 1970 10 December 1970 F-8J CVA-34 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam War
14 May 1971 18 December 1971 F-8J CVA-34 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam War
5 June 1972 30 March 1973 F-8J CVA-34 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam War
18 October 1973 5 June 1974 F-8J CVA-34 CVW-19 NM-1xx Vietnam
16 September 1975 3 March 1976 F-8J CVA-34 CVW-19 NM-1xx WestPac
15 February 1977 5 October 1977 F-4J CV-43 CVW-15 NL-1xx WestPac

See also

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References

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