Military Wiki
Fighting Squadron 8
Active 2 September 1941-28 August 1942
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
Part of Inactive
Aircraft F4F Wildcat
Engagements World War II

Fighting Squadron 8 or VF-8 was an aviation unit of the U.S. Navy. It was originally established 2 September 1941 and disestablished on 28 August 1942.[1]

Operational history[]

F4Fs VF-8 launch USS Hornet 2 1942

VF-8 F4Fs prepare to launch from USS Hornet in 1942

VF-8 was deployed as part of Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the USS Hornet. Initially equipped with the F4F-3 Wildcat, in February 1942 VF-8 reequipped with the F4F-4 at Naval Air Station Alameda while the Hornet embarked the 16 B-25B Mitchell medium bombers to be used in the Doolittle Raid.[2]

During the Battle of Midway 10 VF-8 F4Fs were forced to ditch due to lack of fuel while searching for the Japanese fleet. Two of the pilots were lost at sea.[3] Following the battle in June 1942 Hornet returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor where VF-8 was disembarked and replaced by VF-72.[4][5]

Home port assignments[]

  • NAS Alameda
  • Naval Station Pearl Harbour

Aircraft assignment[]

See also[]

References[]

External links[]



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The original article can be found at VF-8 (1941–1942) and the edit history here.