Fighter-Bomber Squadron 16 (VBF-16) WW2

Fighter-Bomber Squadron 16 (VBF-16) flew the Vought F4U Corsair,the fastest carrier-based fighter of World War II. Serving aboard USS Lexington (CV-16) in 1945, VBF-16 was part of the Navy's new fighter-bomber program that combined air superiority and ground attack capabilities in a single squadron.

The VBF Concept

The VBF (Fighter-Bomber) designation was introduced on January 2, 1945, when the Navy split enlarged fighter complements into pure fighter (VF) and fighter-bomber (VBF) units. The kamikaze threat demanded more fighters on carriers, while the declining Japanese surface fleet reduced the need for dedicated dive bombers. VBF squadrons flew the Vought F4U Corsair, handling both air superiority and ground attack roles from the same aircraft.

USS Lexington

USS Lexington (CV-16), the "Blue Ghost," earned 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation during World War II. Named to honor the Lady Lex sunk at Coral Sea, the new Lexington was reported sunk by Tokyo Rose so many times that the Japanese propagandist gave up trying,earning her the nickname Blue Ghost. She served from the Gilberts through the final strikes on Japan. Today she is a museum ship in Corpus Christi, Texas.

VBF-16 participated in strikes against the Japanese home islands in 1945, when American carriers operated within sight of the enemy mainland, hitting airfields, factories, and warships in harbors across Honshu and Kyushu, striking Japanese targets during Japan homeland strikes. Working alongside fighter squadrons like VF-16, the VBF Corsair pilots handled both air-to-air combat and precision bombing missions.

The Vought F4U Corsair compiled an 11:1 kill ratio in the Pacific, claiming 2,140 aerial victories during World War II. Originally deemed unsuitable for carrier operations due to poor forward visibility on approach, the Corsair first saw combat as a land-based Marine fighter over Bougainville in February 1943. By 1945, carrier landing techniques had been refined and the Corsair became the Navy's primary fighter-bomber, armed with six .50-caliber guns and up to 4,000 pounds of bombs or eight 5-inch rockets.

From the flight deck of USS Lexington to your collection. Browse VBF-16 gear and naval aviation merchandise.