VF-71 (Fighter Squadron 71 / Fighting Squadron 71) is a designation that refers to two distinct aviation squadrons of the United States Navy.
First VF-71 (1939–1943)
The first squadron to bear the designation was established as Bombing Squadron 7 (VB-7) on 1 July 1939, redesignated as VF-71 on 5 November 1940, and disestablished on 7 January 1943. It was the first U.S. Navy squadron to be designated VF-71. The squadron flew the Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat and was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-7). In April 1942, it supported Operation Calendar, delivering Supermarine Spitfire fighters to Malta. Following Wasp's transfer to the Pacific Fleet in June 1942, the squadron supported the invasion of Guadalcanal in August 1942. Many of its aircraft were lost when Wasp was sunk on 15 September 1942. The squadron subsequently operated from Palikulo Bay Airfield on Espiritu Santo, with some elements supplementing the defense of Guadalcanal as part of the Cactus Air Force. VF-71 scored seven aerial kills before its disestablishment.
Second VF-71 (1942–1959)
A second squadron designated VF-71 was established through a series of redesignations: originally established as Escort-Scouting Squadron 18 (VGS-18) on 15 October 1942, it was redesignated as Composite Squadron 18 (VC-18) on 1 March 1943, then as VF-36 on 15 August 1943, VF-18 on 5 March 1944, VF-7A on 15 November 1946, and finally VF-71 on 28 July 1948. It was disestablished on 31 March 1959.
During World War II, as VF-18 (the "Two-a-Day 18" squadron), it was credited with 172 enemy aircraft shot down and produced several ace pilots, including Cecil E. Harris. The squadron participated in strikes against Japanese-held Formosa on 12 October 1944 and was among the first pilots to strike Admiral Takeo Kurita's Center Force during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The squadron operated from USS Intrepid (CV-11) and USS Hancock (CV-19).
As VF-71, the squadron was assigned to Carrier Air Group Seven (CVG-7) aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) and deployed to Korea from 20 May 1952 to 8 January 1953, participating in the Attack on the Sui-ho Dam in June 1952. It later participated in Operation Strikeback (3–12 September 1957) aboard USS Intrepid as part of Carrier Air Group Six, and conducted a Mediterranean deployment aboard USS Randolph (CVA-15) from 2 September 1958 to 12 March 1959.
Aircraft flown by the second VF-71: F9F-2 Panther, F2H-4 Banshee (and earlier: F4F-4, F6F-5 Hellcat, F8F-1/-2 Bearcat, F9F-5 Panther).
Home ports: NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island; NAS Oceana, Virginia.
