Carrier Air Group Sixteen (CVG-16)
| Carrier Air Group Sixteen | |
|---|---|
| Active | 16 November 1943 – 6 November 1945 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Carrier air group |
| Engagements | World War II |
Carrier Air Group Sixteen was a carrier air group of the United States Navy. It was established on 16 November 1943 and was disestablished on 6 November 1945, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command.[1] A period with an earlier start, which is consistent with the lifetime of the USS Lexington, from 11 May 1942 to 15 October 1945 appears in an unofficial source.[2]
It is distinct from the 1960-1971 Carrier Air Wing Sixteen; the various Wings and Groups are discussed in the list of United States Navy aircraft wings.
History
The group served aboard USS Lexington from its creation. That ship's Presidential Unit Citation[3] includes "AG-16" participating in various actions at Tarawa, Wake, the Gilberts, Palau, Hollandia, Truk, and the Marianas from 18 September 1943 to 5 July 1944.
It moved to USS_Randolph_(CV-15) no later than 10 July 1944[4][2], at which time it raided airfields around Tokyo.
Composition
CVG-16 included the following during at least 1943 and 1944,[5] and probably over its full existence from 1942 through 1945.[2]
- Fighting Squadron VF-16
- Bombing Squadron VB-16
- Torpedo Squadron VT-16
A Scout Squadron (VS-16) may have existed from 11 May 1942 to 8 June 1943.[6] A night fighter squadron, VF(N)-76 Det. C, was deployed with CVG-16 from 3 March 1944 to 9 July 1944.[7] From 10 July 1945 to 15 October 1945 on the USS_Randolph_(CV-15), a Bombing Fighter Squadron (VBF-16) existed as well.[8]
References
- ^ Roy A. Grossnick. "Appendix 15 Evolution of Carrier Air Groups and Wings". Naval History and Heritage Command: Naval Aviation History » United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995. Naval Historical Center. p. 617. Archived from the original on 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ^ a b c Fader, Michael E. "CVG-16". Archived from the original on 2024-07-14. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ Forrestal, James. "Presidential unit Citation, USS Lexington". The Secretary of the Navy. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ^ "Randolph II (CV-15)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
Randolph continued her support of the occupation of Okinawa Shima until 29 May [1945], when she retired via Guam to the Philippines. On her next war cruise, as a part of Admiral Halsey's famed 3d Fleet, Randolph made a series of strikes up and down the Japanese home islands. With Air Group 16 replacing Air Group 12, the ship launched eight raids on 10 July against airfields in the Tokyo area...
- ^ Forrestal, James. "Presidential unit Citation, USS Lexington". The Secretary of the Navy. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ^ Fader, Michael E. "Scout Squadron 16". Archived from the original on 2024-05-21. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ Fader, Michael E. "Night Fighter Squadron 76". Archived from the original on 2024-07-22. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ Fader, Michael E. "Bombing Fighter Squadron 16". Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
The Bomber Fighter Squadrons, were created to reduce the Fighter Squadrons in an Air Group to an acceptable size. Fighter Squadrons had up to 60 planes and 100 pilots. Normal[l]y a Fighter Squadron was split in two to creat[e] a Bomber Fighter Squadron.