page_title: VF-13 (1948-1969)
section_title: Operational history
hierarchical_section_title: VF-13 (1948-1969) / Operational history
caption_attribution_description: A U.S. Navy Vought F-8D Crusader from Fighter Squadron VF-13 Night Cappers (pilot LCdr. William J. Brandell) is readied for the 46,000th launch from the circraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). VF-13 was assigend to Attack Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8) aboard the Shang for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 29 September 1966 to 20 May 1967. Original description:': "Aboard the Attack Aircraft Carrier USS Shangri La (CVA-38) with the U. S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, May 1, 1967 -- CDR William John Brandell, Jr., XO of VF-13 looks on as his plane is bridled for the 46,000th launching from the starboard catapult of the USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). Aviation Boatswain's Mate Second Class (ABE-2c) Gale "Abe" Abresch notifies him of his feat, as Petty Officers Third Class Glenn Sturtevant and Alkivivaeis Diakowmakis hook the F8B Crusader to the Catapult groove."
context_page_description: VF-13 was a Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Navy, established on 2 August 1948 and disestablished on 1 October 1969. It was the second squadron to be assigned the VF-13 designation, the original VF-13 Black Cats was established on 2 November 1943 and disestablished on 20 October 1945.
context_section_description: In late 1954, VF-13 became the first operational squadron to receive the F-9F8 Cougar.
  VF-13 was assigned to Air Task Group 201 (ATG-201) aboard USS Bennington for her voyage around South America from 8 September to 20 October 1955 and for the subsequent deployment to the Western Pacific from 31 October 1955 to 16 April 1956.
  In the 1960s VF-13 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) and embarked on board USS Essex for a Mediterranean deployment from 7 August 1959 to 26 February 1960. VF-13 was embarked aboard USS Shangri-La for Mediterranean deployments from 2 February to 15 May 1961 and from 7 February to 28 August 1962.
  VF-13 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8) aboard USS Shangri-La for Mediterranean deployments from 29 September 1966 to 20 May 1967, from 15 November 1967 to 4 August 1968 and from 7 January to 29 July 1969.
caption: VF-13 F-8D preparing to launch from USS Shangri-La in 1968
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