US Navy Air groups - July 1943
INDEX

Carriers
Pacific Fleet
Saratoga Enterprise Essex Independence
Long Island Casablanca Sangamon Suwannee Chenango
Copahee Nassau Altamaha Barnes Breton
Prince William Glacier Pybus Baffins Bolinas

In transit to Pacific
Yorktown Lexington Princeton Belleau Wood


Atlantic Fleet
Ranger Bunker Hill Cowpens Monterey
Santee Bogue Card Core Block Island Croatan Charger


Air Groups

1 (West coast)
2 (East coast)
8 (East coast))
10 (to reform)
11 (TF 33)
12 (RAG Saratoga)

 3 (Saratoga)
4 (Ranger)
5 (Yorktown)
6 (Enterprise)
9 (Essex)
16 (Lexington)
17 (Bunker Hill)
22 (Independence)
23 (Princeton)
24 (Belleau Wood)
25 (Cowpens)
30 (Monterey)
31 (Cabot)
32 (Langley)
21 (TF 33)
26 (Sangamon)
27 (Suwannee)
28 (Chenango)
29 (Santee)


35 (RAG Chenango)
37 (RAG Sangamon)
38 (West coast)
40 (West coast)
60 (RAG Suwannee)



Composite squadrons

VC-1 VC-9 VC-13 VC-16 VC-17 VC-18 VC-19
VC-25 VC-31 VC-33 VC-34 VC-36 VC-39
VC-41 VC-42 VC-55 VC-58
VC-63 VC-64 VC-65 VC-66 VC-68 VC-69


Pacific Fleet

CV-3 Saratoga

Saratoga Air Group (-> Air Group 3):

VF-6 -> VF-3 36 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VB-3 36 SBD-3/5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-3 16 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger
88

Air Group aboard for New Georgia operation:

VF-6 Det. 12 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VB-3 36 SBD-3/5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-3 16 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger
832 (FAA) 16 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger
80

During the New Georgia operation HMS Victorious operated fighters and Saratoga attack planes.


CV-6 Enterprise

Air Group 6 (training in Hawaii):

VF-3 -> VF-6 ~36 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VB-1 -> VB-6 ~36 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-7 -> VT-6 16 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Air Group 10 (to reform NAS Seattle):

Enterprise operated with Air Group 10 from october 1942 till mid 1943.
When HMS Victorious arrived in south Pacific, Enterprise sailed to Hawaii. She trained new Air Groups 12 and 6.
In mid July, Enterprise departed for Puget Sound Navy yard for a big overhaul and refit.

CV-9 Essex

Air Group 9:
VF-9 ~35 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VB-9 ~32 SBD-4 Douglas Dauntless
VT-9 ~21 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Essex arrived in Pearl Harbor in may. Training in Hawaii.

CV-22 Independence

Air Group 22:

VF-22 12 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-22 9 SBD-4 Douglas Dauntless
    " 9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

West coast then Hawaii. Commissioned in january, to Pacific fleet in june. Designation to CVL-22 in July 1943.

ACV-26 Sangamon

Air Group 26:
VF-26 11 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VC-26 9 SBD-4 Douglas Dauntless
    " 9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Sangamon was involved in New Georgia landing. Air group aboard: 30 F4F (probably VF-26, VF-27, VF-28), 6 SBD. Her Air Group operated also from Guadalcanal.

ACV-27 Suwannee

Air Group 27:
VF-27 11 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VT-27 15 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Suwannee was not involved in New Georgia landing, but her air group operated from Guadalcanal.
Her attack squadron was composed only by Avengers, so it became a torpedo squadron instead of composite squadron.

ACV-28 Chenango

Air Group 28:
VF-28 11 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VC-28 9 SBD-4 Douglas Dauntless
    " 9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Chenango was not involved in New Georgia landing, but her Air Group operated from Guadalcanal.

Task Force 33

Air Group 11:
VF-11 ~36 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VB-11 ~18 SBD-3/4 Douglas Dauntless
VB-21 (ex VS-11) ~18 SBD-3/4 Douglas Dauntless
VT-11 ~16 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Land based in Guadalcanal. VB-21 merged with VB-11 in july.
Air Group 21:
VF-21 (ex VC-11) ~36 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VT-21 (ex VC-12) ~18 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Land based in Guadalcanal.
Air Group 12 (from Hawaii to New Caledonia aboard ACV-31 Prince William and HMS Athene, as replacement air group for Saratoga):
VF-12 ~36 F4U-1 Vought Corsair
VB-12 ~36 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-12 ~18 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

VF-12 was the first Navy F4U Corsair squadron, but due to problems with carrier landing features, the squadron received F6F Hellcat before combat tour aboard Saratoga.

ACV-1 Long Island

Long Island was training pilots in San Diego.

ACV-55 Casablanca

Commissioned in july 1943 as a training carrier.

ACV-12 Copahee

Refitting at Mare Island Navy Yard.

ACV-16 Nassau

Transport duty to Brisbane, Australia (45 USAAF P-38).

ACV-18 Altamaha

Transport duty to Brisbane, Australia.

ACV-20 Barnes

Transport duty for USAAF to Brisbane, Australia (36 P-38, 15 P-47). Commissioned in february 1943.

ACV-23 Breton

Transport duty (F4U and F6F for SOPAC). VC-16 was assigned to her. Commissioned in april 1943.

ACV-31 Prince William

Transport duty. VC-18 was assigned to her. Commissioned in april 1943.

ACV-33 Glacier

Commissioned in july 1943 and decommissioned at the end of the month for service with Royal Navy as HMS Atheling.

ACV-34 Pybus

Transport duty. VC-31 was assigned to her. Commissioned in may 1943 and decommissioned in august for service with Royal Navy as HMS Emperor.

ACV-35 Baffins

Commissioned in june 1943 and decommissioned in july for service with Royal Navy as HMS Ameer.

ACV-36 Bolinas

Commissioned in july 1943 and decommissioned in august for service with Royal Navy as HMS Begum.
Air Group 38:
VF-38 ~12 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-38 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Replacement air group for light carriers. Land based in Solomons from september.
Air Group 40:
VF-40 ~12 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-40 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Replacement air group for light carriers. Land based in Solomons from september.

CV-10 Yorktown

Air Group 5:
VF-5 (ex VF-1) ~36 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VB-5 (ex VB-4) ~36 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-5 ~18 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Yorktown was training her Air Group. In Pacific from july. Commissioned in april.

CV-16 Lexington

Air Group 16:
VF-16 ~36 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VB-16 ~36 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-16 ~18 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Lexington was coming from Atlantic with Princeton and Belleau Wood. Commissioned in february.

CV-23 Princeton

Air Group 23:

VF-23 ~12 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-23 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Coming from Atlantic with Lexington and Belleau Wood. Commissioned in february.

CV-24 Belleau Wood

Air Group 24:

VF-24 ~12 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-24 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Coming from Atlantic with Lexington and Princeton. Commssioned in march.

Atlantic Fleet

CV-4 Ranger

Ranger Air Group (-> Air Group 4):

VF-41 -> VF-4 ~27 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VB-41 -> VB-4 ~30 SBD-4 Douglas Dauntless
VT-4 ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Atlantic patrol off U.S. and Canada East coast.

CV-17 Bunker Hill

Air Group 17:

VF-17 ~36 F4U-1 Vought Corsair
VB-17 ~32 SB2C-1 Curtiss Helldiver
VT-17 ~18 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Bunker Hill Air Group was the first to get new type of planes. Anyway the bad landing behaviour of Corsair led to the replacement of VF-17 with Hellcat-equipped VF-18. VF-17 later was land based in the Solomons.
Commissioned in may. To Pacific in october.

CV-25 Cowpens

Air Group 25:

VF-25 ~12 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-2 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Training in Atlantic. To Pacific in September. Since VGS-25 became VC-25, her VS-25 became VC-2 instead of VC-25.

CV-26 Monterey

Air Group 30:

VF-30 ~12 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-30 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Training in Atlantic. Commssioned in july. To Pacific in October.

ACV-29 Santee

Air Group 29:

VF-29 12 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
VC-29 9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " 13 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Santee was performing ASW duty in Atlantic.

ACV-9 Bogue

VC-9 12 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
    " 8 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

ASW duty in Atlantic.

ACV-11 Card

VC-1 6 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
    " 11 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

ASW duty in Atlantic.

ACV-13 Core

VC-13 6 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
    " 12 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

ASW duty in Atlantic.

ACV-25 Croatan

VC-19 6 FM-1 Grumman Wildcat
    " 12 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Training in Atlantic. Commissioned in april 1943.

ACV-21 Block Island

(VC-25) ~6 F4F-4 Grumman Wildcat
    " ~12 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Transport in Atlantic for USAAF. She trained with VC-25 during april-may. Commissioned in march 1943.

ACV-30 Charger

Training british pilots off U.S. East coast. Originally intended for Royal navy. Ex BAVG-4.

Air Groups
 Air Group 1:
VF-4 -> VF-1 25 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VB-5 -> VB-1 20 SBD-3 Douglas Dauntless
" 12 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-1 15 TBM-1 Grumman Avenger
" 2 TBM-1P Grumman Avenger

Embarked in Yorktown in 1944. Commissioned in may. VF-1 to Tarawa in november 1943.
Air Group 2:
VF-2 26 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
" 8 FM-1 Grumman Wildcat
VB-14 -> VB-2 30 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-2 18 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Embarked in Hornet in 1944. Commissioned in june. VF-2 on Enterprise in october 1943.
Air Group 8:
VF-8 27 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VB-8 37 SBD-3/5 Douglas Dauntless
VT-8 15 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Air group planned for Intrepid, but embarked in Bunker Hill in 1944. Commissioned in june.
Air Group 31:
VF-31 10 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-17 9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " 9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Group for CV-28 Cabot.
Air Group 32:
VF-32 4 FM-1 Grumman Wildcat
    " 7 F6F-3 Grumman Hellcat
VC-32 9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " 9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Group for CV-27 Langley.
Air Group 35:
VF-35 ~12 FM-1 Grumman Wildcat
VC-35 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Replacement group for ACV-28 Chenango. Created from VC-35 (FM/TBF squadron).
Air Group 37:
VF-37 ~12 FM-1 Grumman Wildcat
VC-37 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Replacement group for ACV-26 Sagamon. Created from VC-37 (FM/TBF squadron).
Air Group 60:
VF-60 12 FM-1 Grumman Wildcat
VC-60 ~9 SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless
    " ~9 TBF-1 Grumman Avenger

Replacement group for ACV-27 Suwannee. Created from VC-60 (FM/TBF squadron).

Composite squadrons
CarrierSquadron F4F-4 FM-1 TBF-1/TBM-1 SBD-4
Solomons, land-basedVC-16 -> VF-33 (23 F6F-3) 1
VC-18 -> VF-36 13 10
(ACV-34 Pybus -> HMS Emperor,
ACV-61 Manila Bay)		VC-31 612
(ACV-57 Coral Sea)VC-33 612 1
VC-34 -> VF-34 116
(ACV-56 Liscome Bay [ex HMS Ameer])VC-39 1192
(ACV-58 Corregidor)VC-41 116
(ACV-63 Midway)VC-42 612
(ACV-62 Natoma Bay [ex HMS Begum])VC-55 612
(ACV-59 Mission Bay [ex HMS Atheling])VC-58 610
(ACV-65 Wake Island)VC-63 3 656
VC-64 -> VF-39 114
(ACV-67 Nassuk Bay -> Solomons [ex HMS Emperor])VC-65 2 65 5
(ACV-64 Tripoli)VC-66 103
(ACV-66 White Plains) VC-68 1 22 3
(ACV-69 Kasaan Bay) VC-69 62

All ACVs became CVEs on 15 july 1943.
CVE-56-58 were commissioned in august, CVE-59-60 in september, CVE-61-64 in october, CVE-65-68 in november and CVE-69-73 in december.
TOP page
Maxs75, 2005-2024.