VF-162

{{Use American English|date=February 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Fighter Squadron 162 |image= Fighter Squadron 162 (US Navy) patch 1962.png |image_size= 150px |caption= VF-162 squadron patch |dates= 1 September 1960 – 29 January 1971 |country= United States |allegiance= |branch= United States Navy |type= |role= Fighter aircraft |size= |command_structure= Inactive |current_commander= |garrison= |ceremonial_chief= |colonel_of_the_regiment= |nickname= Hunters |patron= |motto= |colors= |march= |mascot= |battles=Vietnam War |aircraft_fighter= F4D-1 Skyray<br>F-8 Crusader |anniversaries= }} '''Fighter Squadron 162''' or '''VF-162''' was an aviation unit of the United States Navy established on 1 September 1960 and disestablished on 29 January 1971.<ref>{{cite vf lineage|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref>

===Vietnam=== VF-162 served 6 Vietnam deployments:<ref name=USNVN>{{cite web|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/pdf/app26.pdf|title=Carrier, Carrier Based Squadrons and Non-Carrier Based Squadron Deployments to Vietnam|publisher=Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy|year=1995|location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>

*1 August 1963 – 10 March 1964, operating F-8As from the {{USS|Oriskany|CV-34|6}} *5 April-16 December 1965, operating F-8Es from the USS ''Oriskany''. On 5 October F-8E #150848 was hit by a SA-2 Guideline SAM over North Vietnam, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH656>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/F_8_Crusader/PART_TWO_CRUSADER.htm|publisher=ejection-history.org|title=Vought F-8 Crusader Losses & Ejections Part 2: 1965 - 1966|accessdate=5 January 2016}}</ref> *29 May-16 November 1966, operating F-8Es from the USS ''Oriskany''. On 11 July F-8E #150902 was hit by anti-aircraft fire over North Vietnam, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH656/> On 14 July F-8E #150908 was damaged in a dogfight with a Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) MiG, the pilot CDR Dick Bellinger ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH656/> On 19 July F-8E #150919 was shot down southeast of Hanoi, the pilot LT Terry Dennison was captured but died in captivity, his remains were returned in March 1974.<ref name=EH656/><ref name=DPMAAAF>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpaa.mil/portals/85/Documents/VietnamAccounting/pmsea_acc_p_name.pdf|title=U.S. Accounted-For from the Vietnam War (Sorted by Name) Prisoners of War, Escapees, Returnees and Remains Recovered|publisher=Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency|accessdate=5 January 2016}}</ref> On 6 August F-8E #150300 was hit by antiaircraft fire, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH656/> On 6 October F-8E #145924 was hit by antiaircraft fire, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH656/> On 9 October CDR Dick Bellinger shot down a VPAF MiG-21.<ref name=Mersky>{{cite book|last=Mersky|first=Peter|title=F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War|publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=2012|isbn=9781782006527|page=101}}</ref> *16 June 1967 – 31 January 1968, operating F-8Es from the USS ''Oriskany''. On 16 July F-8E #150925 was hit by an SA-2, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH678>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/F_8_Crusader/PART_THREE_CRUSADER.htm|publisher=ejection-history.org|title=Vought F-8 Crusader Losses & Ejections Part 3: 1967 - 1968|accessdate=5 January 2016}}</ref> On 19 July F-8E #150899 was damaged by antiaircraft fire and crashed on landing, the pilot CDR Herbert Hunter was killed.<ref name=EH678/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virtualwall.org/dh/HunterHP01a.htm|title=CDR Herbert Perry Hunter|publisher=The Virtual Wall|accessdate=5 January 2016}}</ref> On 20 July F-8E #150916 crashed into the sea on launch, the pilot ejected underwater and was rescued.<ref name=EH678/> On 11 September F-8E #150910 crashed due to lack of fuel the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH678/> On 26 October F-8E #150310 was hit by an SA-2, the pilot LTJG Charles Rice ejected successfully, was captured and released on 14 March 1973.<ref name=DPMAAAF/><ref name=EH678/> On 14 December LT Richard Wyman shot down a VPAF MiG-17.<ref name=Mersky/> On 4 January F-8E #150865 was hit by an SA-2, the pilot LTJG Richard Minnich was killed and his remains were returned in December 1985.<ref name=DPMAAAF/><ref name=EH678/> *1 February-18 September 1969, operating F-8Js from the {{USS|Ticonderoga|CV-14|6}} *5 March-17 December 1970, operating F-8Hs from the {{USS|Shangri-La|CV-38|6}}. On 30 April F-8H #148650 crashed into the sea on launch the pilot ejected successfully and landed on the carrier deck.<ref name=EH6973>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/F_8_Crusader/PART_FOUR_CRUSADER.htm|publisher=ejection-history.org|title=Vought F-8 Crusader Losses & Ejections Part 4: 1969 - 1973|accessdate=5 January 2016}}</ref> On 8 May F-8H #147916 crashed into the sea while landing, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH6973/> On 12 August F-8H #148660 experienced fuel problems while on a combat air patrol, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH6973/> On 20 October F-8H #148643 suffered engine failure on takeoff, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.<ref name=EH6973/>

VF-162 had the second highest combat loss rate after VF-111 of the F-8 fighter units deployed to Vietnam.<ref name=Mersky/>{{rp|103}}

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

==Aircraft assignment== *F4D-1 Skyray *F-8A/E/J/H Crusader

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{US Navy navbox}} * [http://www.vf-162.org/ Website for former squadron members]

{{DEFAULTSORT:VF-162}} Category:Strike fighter squadrons of the United States Navy