VF-43 was established on June 1, 1955, and was one of several fighter squadrons in the U.S. Navy tasked with air superiority missions.
The squadron operated various fighter aircraft during its active years, primarily focusing on fleet defense and air-to-air combat capabilities.
- VF-43 was known for flying several aircraft types throughout its operational history, notably:
- F-4 Phantom II: A tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber. The F-4 served as a critical multirole aircraft for the Navy during the Vietnam War and beyond.
- Various models of the F-8 Crusader: Another significant aircraft of the squadron, the F-8 was known for its exceptional dogfighting capabilities and was the last of the gunslingers in the Navy's fighter jet lineup.
VF-43 was primarily tasked with defending naval fleets and engaging enemy aircraft. The unit played a vital role in maintaining naval air superiority during Cold War tensions and later conflicts. The squadron participated in numerous deployments, gaining operational experience and skills that contributed to readiness in various theaters of operation.
VF-43 was ultimately deactivated on March 31, 1994, as part of a broader restructuring and modernization effort within the Navy. The missions previously assigned to VF squadrons were realigned into naval strike fighter squadrons.