{"title":"Fighter-Bomber Squadron 19 (VBF-19) WW2","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"collection-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eFighter-Bomber Squadron 19 (VBF-19) WW2\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFighter-Bomber Squadron 19 (VBF-19) flew the Vought F4U Corsair,the fastest \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/u-s-navy-aircraft-carriers\"\u003ecarrier-based\u003c\/a\u003e fighter of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/world-war-ii-merch\"\u003eWorld War II\u003c\/a\u003e. Serving aboard \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/uss-randolph-cv-15-merchandise\"\u003eUSS Randolph (CV-15)\u003c\/a\u003e in 1945, VBF-19 was part of the Navy's new fighter-bomber program that combined air superiority and ground attack capabilities in a single squadron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe VBF Concept\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUSS Randolph\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/uss-randolph-cv-15-merchandise\"\u003eUSS Randolph (CV-15)\u003c\/a\u003e was an Essex-class carrier that survived a kamikaze strike while anchored at Ulithi Atoll on March 11, 1945,one of the few carriers hit while not at sea. A twin-engine Japanese bomber, part of Operation Tan, crashed into Randolph's aft flight deck, killing 25 and wounding 106. She was repaired in two weeks and returned to combat for the Okinawa campaign and final strikes against Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVBF-19 participated in the Okinawa Campaign from April through June 1945, the last and bloodiest amphibious assault of the Pacific War, where the fleet absorbed nearly 1,900 kamikaze sorties, striking Japanese targets during Okinawa Campaign. Working alongside fighter squadrons like \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fighter-squadron-19-vf-19-ww2\"\u003eVF-19\u003c\/a\u003e, the VBF Corsair pilots handled both air-to-air combat and precision bombing missions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt for those who remember. Shop VBF-19 merchandise and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/world-war-ii-merch\"\u003eWorld War II veteran gifts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/tacticallyacquired.com\/collections\/fighter-bomber-squadron-19-vbf-19-ww2.oembed","provider":"Tactically Acquired","version":"1.0","type":"link"}