VF-43

VF-43 was a Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was originally established as Fighter Squadron 74A (VF-74A) on 1 May 1945, it was redesignated Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) on 1 August 1945, redesignated VF-1B on 15 November 1946, redesignated VF-21 on 1 September 1948, redesignated as Attack Squadron 43 (VA-43) Challengers on 1 July 1959 and Fighter Squadron 43 (VF-43) on 1 June 1973. It was disestablished on 1 July 1994.

Operational history
VF-1B was assigned to Carrier Air Group One (CVBG-1), aboard USS Midway (CV-41) and was embarked on Midway's first deployment from 29 October 1947 to 11 March 1948 to the Mediterranean.

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 (CV-59) from 24 January to 31 March 1956 during her shakedown cruise in the Atlantic, and aboard USS Bennington (CV-20) for a Western Pacific deployment from 15 October 1956 to 22 May 1957.

VF-21 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61) in 1957 and served on Ranger's shakedown cruise from 4 October to 6 December 1957. This would be VF-21's last deployment. On 1 July 1959 VF-21 was redesignated VA-43 Challengers and became a fleet replacement squadron.

Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports:
 * NAS Oceana

Aircraft Assignment

 * F4U-5 Corsair
 * F8F Bearcat
 * F-9F8 Cougar
 * FJ-3 Fury
 * F-11 Tiger
 * T-2 Buckeye
 * A-4F Skyhawk
 * T-38 Talon
 * F-21A Kfir - 1985-88
 * F-16N Viper - 1987-1994