FIGHTER SQUADRON THREE THREE, VF-33 TARSIERS

VF-33 F8U-1E 145517 on board the In¬trepid on 4-6-61. The rudder, wing tips, and lighting bolt were yellow. All the other markings were in black. (Som. merlon via Jan nson)

Fighter Squadron Thirty Three was first commissioned in 1943, flying Grumman F6F Hellcats. The squad¬ron was then decommissioned during the post-war demobilization. VF-33 was recommissioned in October 1948 at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, Flying the F8F Bearcat.
The squadron transitioned to the Chance Vought F4U Corsair and sailed aboard the USS Leyte (CV-32) to Korea. From September 1950 until February 1952, the squadron sup¬ported ground operations as part of CVG-3.
VF-33 transitioned to the Grum¬man F9F Cougar in May 1953 and deployed with CVG-6 aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41). Following their 1954 Mediterranean deployment, VF-33's homeport was changed to NAS Oceana, Virigina, where the squadron transitioned to the North American FJ-3 Fury. In November 1957, VF-33 received the supersonic Grumman F11F-1 Tiger and subse¬quently deployed to the MED aboard the USS Intrepid (CVA-11). The squadron also took part in the Domin¬ican Republic Crisis in July 1960.

VF-33 F8U-2NE 149191 with ENTER¬PRISE on the fuselage. The markings are the same as those for the F8U-1E above. (USN via Barry Miller)

VF-33 F8U-1 E (F-8B) 145490 from the 1155 intrepid (CVA-11) in flight in August 1961- USS INTREPID was written in large capitols above the yellow lighting bolt on the fuselage side. (USN via Barry Miller)

The short-legged but nimble Ti¬gers were replaced by F8U-1 E (F-8B) Crusaders, starling in February 1961. VF-33 then deployed their new mounts aboard the lntrpid in August 1961.
1962 brought about an equipment change to the new F8U2-NE (F-8E), as-well-as assignment to the Navy's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). As a element of CVW-6 the Tarsiers look part in the Cuban blockade, followed by Mediterranean and World Cruises during 1963 and 1964.
In November 1964, the squadron transitioned to the McDonnell F-4B
Phantom. From 1962 through 1967, VF-33 won five CND Safety Awards, of which four were consecutive. This set a NAVAIRLANT record.
In September 1967 the F-4Bs were replaced by the newer F-4Js. The squadron then deployed aboard the USS America (CVA-66) to Viet¬nam as part of CVW-6. In 1969, the Tarsiers were transferred to CVW-7 and the USS Independence (CVA-62). VF-33 continued to fly Phantoms off the Indy until they were replaced by Grumman F-14A Tomcats in July 1981. In early 1988 the squadron changed its name to the Starfighters.

VF-33 F-8E 149170 takes the barrier on the flight deck of the USS Enter¬prise (CVAN-65) on 8-23-62. (USN)