| Unit Name: | Fighting Squadron 9 |
| Dates: | 1 March 1942 – 28 September 1945 |
| Country: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Navy |
| Command Structure: | Inactive |
| Equipment: | F2A-3 Buffalo F4F Wildcat F6F-3/5 Hellcat |
| Equipment Label: | Aircraft |
| Battles: | World War II |
Fighting Squadron 9 or VF-9 was an aviation unit of the U.S. Navy, originally established on 1 March 1942, it was disestablished on 28 September 1945.[1]
VF-9 established at NAS Norfolk on 1 March 1942 as part of the new Carrier Air Group 9 (CVG-9) which was to be deployed aboard the new carrier .[2] Originally equipped with the F2A-3 Buffalo, VF-9 began reequipping with the F4F-3 Wildcat in April 1942.[2]
In late August 1942 VF-9 was deployed aboard to support Operation Torch.[2] By late November 1942 Ranger had returned to NAS Norfolk and VF-9 rejoined the rest of CVG-9.[3] VF-9 became the first Navy squadron to receive the F6F-3 Hellcat in February 1943.[2]
In April 1943 CVG-9 embarked on the Essex for deployment to the Pacific Fleet.[4] By mid-June 1943 Essex had arrived at Naval Station Pearl Harbor and CVG-9 was based at Naval Air Station Barbers Point.[5] In September Essex left Pearl Harbor with CVG-9 embarked.[6]
VF-9 scored over 250 kills in the Hellcat, making it the second most successful Hellcat squadron of the war.[2]