page_title: VF-11
section_title: 1950s
hierarchical_section_title: VF-11 / Operational history / 1950s
caption_attribution_description: Two U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee (BuNo 127578, 127598) from Fighter Squadron VF-11 "Red Rippers" in flight. VF-11 was assigned to Air Task Group 201 (ATG-201) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Western Pacific from 2 February to 17 November 1958.
context_page_description: Fighter Squadron 11 or VF-11 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. It was originally established as VF-5 on 1 February 1927, redesignated as VF-5S on 1 July 1927, redesignated as VF-5B in January 1928, redesignated VB-1B on 1 July 1928, redesignated VF-5B on 1 July 1930, redesignated VF-5S in July 1932, redesignated VF-5B in April 1933, redesignated VF-4 on 1 July 1937, redesignated VF-41 on 15 March 1941, redesignated VF-4 on 4 August 1943, redesignated VF-1A on 15 November 1946, redesignated VF-11 on 2 August 1948 and disestablished on 15 February 1959. It was the second US Navy squadron to be designated VF-11.
context_section_description: VF-11 flew the F2H-2 Banshee during the Korean War as part of Carrier Air Group 101 (CVG-101) deployed on USS Kearsarge from 11 August 1952 to 17 March 1953. During this deployment VF-11 lost 2 F2H-2s and their pilots to enemy fire.
  VF-11 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) aboard USS Coral Sea for a Mediterranean from 13 August 1956 to 11 February 1957.
  VF-11 operating the F2H-4 was assigned to Air Task Group 201 (ATG-201) aboard USS Essex for a deployment to the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific from 2 February to 17 November 1958. In the Mediterranean, USS Essex supported the US Marines landed in Lebanon.
  In 1959, VF-11 moved to NAS Jacksonville and was disestablished on 15 February 1959, their men and equipment being distributed to other squadrons and activities. The 3rd VF-11, redesignated from VF-43 on 16 February 1959 adopted the insignia and nickname of the disestablished second VF-11.
caption: VF-11 F2H-4s in 1958
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