{"title":"Fighter Squadron 22 (VF-22) WW2","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"collection-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eFighter Squadron 22 (VF-22) WW2\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFighter Squadron 22 (VF-22) flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat during combat operations during Marcus Island. Serving aboard \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/uss-cowpens-cvl-25-merchandise\"\u003eUSS Cowpens (CVL-25)\u003c\/a\u003e as part of Carrier Air Group 22, VF-22 was one of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/u-s-navy\"\u003eUS Navy\u003c\/a\u003e fighter squadrons that secured American control of the Pacific skies during \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/world-war-ii-merch\"\u003eWorld War II\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAboard USS Cowpens\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/uss-cowpens-cvl-25-merchandise\"\u003eUSS Cowpens (CVL-25)\u003c\/a\u003e, nicknamed \"The Mighty Moo,\" earned 12 battle stars,tying Belleau Wood for the most of any light carrier. Named after the Revolutionary War battle, Cowpens fought from the Marcus and Wake Island raids of 1943 through the final strikes on Japan in 1945. She survived Typhoon Cobra in December 1944, which sank three destroyers and killed nearly 800 sailors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVF-22 deployed aboard USS Cowpens from 1943-1945, flying combat sorties during Marcus Island, Wake Island, Gilbert Islands and Central Pacific. The squadron provided fighter cover for the fleet, escorted bomber strikes against Japanese targets, and conducted fighter sweeps to destroy enemy aircraft on the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAircraft: The Grumman F6F Hellcat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Grumman F6F Hellcat compiled a 19:1 kill ratio against Japanese aircraft,the highest of any fighter in the Pacific Theater. Between its combat debut over Marcus Island on August 31, 1943, and VJ-Day, Hellcat pilots claimed 5,223 aerial victories, accounting for 56 percent of all Navy and Marine air-to-air kills. Armed with six .50-caliber Browning machine guns and capable of carrying 2,000 pounds of ordnance, the F6F was equally lethal in air combat and ground attack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pilots of VF-22 earned their place in history. Honor them with authentic \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/u-s-navy\"\u003eNavy\u003c\/a\u003e squadron gear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/tacticallyacquired.com\/collections\/fighter-squadron-22-vf-22-ww2.oembed","provider":"Tactically Acquired","version":"1.0","type":"link"}