{{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Fighter Squadron 43 |image= |caption= |dates= 1 May 1945 – 1 July 1994 |country= United States |branch= United States Navy |type= |role= |size= |command_structure= Inactive |current_commander= |garrison= |ceremonial_chief= |colonel_of_the_regiment= |nickname= Mach Busters<br />Challengers |patron= |motto= |colors= |march= |mascot= |equipment= F4U-5 Corsair<br />F8F Bearcat<br />F-9F8 Cougar<br />FJ-3 Fury<br />F-11 Tiger<br />T-2 Buckeye<br />A-4F Skyhawk<br />T-38 Talon<br />F-5 Tiger II<br />F-21A Kfir<br />F-16N Viper |equipment_label= Aircraft |battles= |anniversaries= }}
'''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.<ref>{{cite vf lineage|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref>
==Operational history== [[File:F4U-4 VF-1B CVB-41 1947-48.jpg|thumb|right|250px|VF-1B F4U-4 on {{USS|Midway|CV-41|6}} c.1947]] [[File:Grumman F11F-1 Tigers of VF-21 in flight, in 1959.jpg|thumb|right|250px|VF-21 F-11Fs in 1959]] [[File:A4D-1 of VA-43 on USS Antietam (CVS-36).jpg|thumb|right|250px|VA-43 A-4D lands on {{USS|Antietam|CV-36|6}} in 1959]] [[File:T-38 Talons of VF-43 in flight with VF-142 F-14A Tomcats over Arizona 1977.jpg|thumb|right|250px|VF-43 T-38 Talons with VF-142 F-14As in 1977]] [[File:DN-ST-85-08601.jpg|thumb|right|250px|VF-43 F-21A Kfir in 1985]] [[File:T-2C VF-43 taking off NAS Oceana 1989.JPEG|thumb|right|250px|VF-43 T-2 Buckeye taking off from NAS Oceana in 1989]] [[File:F-16N Vipers of VF-43 taking off from NAS Oceana in 1990.JPEG|thumb|right|250px|VF-43 F-16N Vipers taking off from NAS Oceana in 1989]] VF-1B was assigned to Carrier Air Group One (CVBG-1), aboard {{USS|Midway|CV-41|6}} 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|6}} from 24 January to 31 March 1956 during her shakedown cruise in the Atlantic, and aboard {{USS|Bennington|CV-20|6}} 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|6}} 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 as Attack Squadron 43 (VA-43) and became a fleet replacement squadron for the F-11 Tiger and later the A-4 Skyhawk. The squadron subsequently adopted the moniker of the "Challengers" in 1961.
In June 1973, the squadron was redesignated as Fighter Squadron FORTY-THREE (VF-43) and was assigned as an Atlantic Fleet adversary squadron at NAS Oceana, Virginia in support of training Atlantic Fleet fighter squadrons collocated at NAS Oceana. In this role, the squadron would fly the A-4F/J and TA-4F/J Skyhawk II, the T-38A Talon, the F-16N Fighting Falcon, and the F-21A Kfir, the latter being an Israeli-built modification of the Dassault Mirage 5. The squadron also conducted instrument proficiency training and spin training in the T-2C Buckeye.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://a4skyhawk.info/article-unit/va43 |title=VA-43 {{!}} A-4 Skyhawk Association |website=a4skyhawk.info |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531150443/http://a4skyhawk.info/article-unit/va43 |archive-date=2017-05-31}} </ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-43.htm|title=VA-43 Challengers Mach Busters attack squadron ATKRON FOUR THREE - US Navy}}</ref> Following the end of the Cold War and subsequent reductions in the U.S. defense budget, VF-43 was identified for disestablishment. Following VF-43's inactivation in July 1994, its mission was assumed by strike fighter and fighter composite squadrons in the Naval Air Reserve.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/11910/legislators-want-to-know-fate-of-navys-reserve-fa-18-aggressor-squadrons|title = Legislators Want to Know Fate of Navy's Reserve F/A-18 Aggressor Squadrons}}</ref> At NAS Oceana, this mission is primarily accomplished by Fighter Composite Squadron 12 (VFC-12).
The squadron was homeported from NAS Oceana throughout its existence.
== Aircraft used == *Vought F4U Corsair (F4U-5 model) *Grumman F8F Bearcat *F-9F8 Cougar *FJ-3 Fury *Grumman F-11 Tiger *North American T-2 Buckeye *Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (A-4F model) *T-38 Talon *F-21A Kfir - 1985-88 *F-16N Viper - 1987-1994
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{US Navy navbox}} {{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vf-43}} Category:Fighter squadrons of the United States Navy Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1994