The F6F Hellcat was the US Navy's primary carrier fighter during the second half of World War II. Assigned to the Fast Carrier Task Force, Hellcat-equipped fighter squadrons wrested air superiority from Japanese Zero-sen fighter units and dominated air combat from the introduction of the F6F-3 in late 1943 through to war's end. The Hellcat's combat record during this period was outstanding, with the F6F being credited with downing more Japanese aircraft than any other type of Allied fighter - Naval Aviators claimed in excess of 5,000 aircraft destroyed. In this book, Edward M. Young details the key role played by units flying the Hellcat during the Fast Carrier Task Force's strikes against the Philippines in September-October 1944. Using after action reports and specially commissioned ribbon diagrams, the author analyzes the highly effective tactics used by Naval Aviators, and reveals the training that underpinned their success during this campaign. Tactical ribbon diagrams, Battlescene artwork, Armament views, Fully illustrated throughout Book jacket.