NARF
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Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
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NAS Jacksonville Provided by James Frederick |
FASron-6 Provided by John Gabbard |
Overhaul & Repair Provided by James Frederick |
Heritage-Patches No info yet |
Sources David Weber John Gabbard Jim Fredreick Bill Borgmann |
Commanding Officers No info yet. |
Awards No info yet. |
Base Tail ID No info yet. |
Hosted Units NARF, O&R, FASron-6 |
Aircraft
NARF 22 July 1968- - - - Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk * 8 June 1966 - - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk * 4 March 1966- - - - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk * 30 January 1967 - - Douglas YA4D-5 (A-4E) Skyhawk * 25 January 1966 - - Douglas A4D-5 (A-4E) Skyhawk * 25 January 1966 - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk O&R 25 June 1958- - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk * 12 September 1961 - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk * 24 January 1966 - - Douglas A4D-5 (A-4E) Skyhawk * FASron-6 28 February 1958- - Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk * * November 30, 1962 The A4D-1 designation changed to A-4A The A4D-2 designation changed to A-4B The A4D-2N designation changed to A-4C The YA4D-5 designation changed to A-4E The A4D-5 designation changed to A-4E For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
Events Late '60s In the (above) article that we sent you it says that we didn't wear aircrew wings, but that's not true, at the time the Navy didn't have a designation for air crew of an attack aircraft and our requests were never completed before we were transferred out. We had engine start-up and taxi cards, completed all flight requirements (I think I still have my "O-my-ass-card"). And we did a pretty good job driving those scooters!!!! I was stationed at NARF JAX in the late 60's with Jim Frederick. As Jim mentioned there were 4 of us enlisted men who flew on a regular basis in the backseat of the TA-4Fs and RA-5Cs. That was our sole job. We had on occasion the opportunity to fly down to Cape Canaveral when they launched the astronauts on moon missions. It's quite a site to see a space launch from the ground but to see one from the air was spectacular. The memories are unforgettable and I'm sure I speak for Jim when I say that if we could have done that for 20 years we would have been LIFERS. The TA-4F holds many a fond memory. We were able to grab some stick time and a few "touch and goes". And it was the perfect aircraft to watch the moon launches from. I am proud to have been a contributing part of the NARF. I will have to dig very deep, in my mind the '60's were just a few months ago, but any records kept are in the dungeon, oh well!! I believe we were the only group at the time. We received returning combat pilots as they were cycling out, some with as little as three months and some with as much as 9 months. I believe there were five billets for pilots and a Commander as the chief test pilot. Our cockpit training and flight training was held at NARF and in the cockpit with our flight officer. The Navy company was about 50 to 75 enlisted and officers that ran the flight line, supply, flight test, weight & balance, leading chief and his staff, etc. Maybe we can ask the membership if there is a ferry pilot or squadron pilot that either served at NARF JAX or picked up a plane at Jax. We did receive a plane or two from the Forrestal while I was assigned there. Over the years I have lost contact with most of the guys, I remember a Bill Borgman (was living in Florida) and will try to find others. January 27, 1983: LCdr. Michael Awood was killed when his A-4F Skyhawk crashed in a cypress swamp 1.7 miles SE of Foley, AL during a post rework test flight from NAS Pensacola. The pilot radioed that he was in trouble moments before the crash. Tuscaloosa News, Saturday, Jan 27, 1983. LCdr. Michael Atwood, 39, was killed when his A-4F Skyhawk crashed in a cypress swamp 1.7 miles SE of Foley, AL at 10:56 a.m. The plane had been reconditioned at Pensacola's Naval Air Rework Facility. Detroit Free Press, Monday, 31 January, 1983. This aircraft was on a PMCF just out of rework. The aileron trim tab was hooked up backwards and not caught on preflight. The airplane went out of control after the flight control disconnect. Pilot David Awood was killed because his ejection seat was incorrectly installed. From John Patterson. NARF Pensacola A-4F BuNo 154979 was destroyed at Barin Field when aircraft crashed during PMCF, 28 January 1983. Ejection attempt failed; pilot fatally injured. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester.
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Photos Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk NARF NAS Jacksonville Assignment
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A-4 Skyhawk O and R NAS Jacksonville Assignment
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A-4 Skyhawk FASron-6 Assignment
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