Fighter Squadron 51 | |
---|---|
Active | 15 February 1943 – 31 March 1995 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Navy |
Nickname(s) | Screaming Eagles |
Engagements | World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Restore Hope Operation Southern Watch *January 1993 airstrikes on Iraq 1994 North Korean nuclear crisis |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Macgregor Kilpatrick Robert F. Willard |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | FJ-1 Fury F9F-3 Panther F-8 Crusader F-4 Phantom II F-14A Tomcat |
VF-51, Fighter Squadron 51 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy known as the "Screaming Eagles". It was originally established as VF-1 on 1 February 1943, redesignated as VF-5 on 15 July 1943, redesignated as VF-5A on 15 November 1946, redesignated VF-51 on 16 August 1948, and disestablished in March 1995.[1] Until its disestablishment, VF-51 was the oldest fighter squadron in continuous service with the Pacific Fleet.