VA-112 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
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 VBF-11 Eagle and Dragon |
 VBF-11 Eagle and Globe |
 VF-112 Custode Pacis Armis - 1948 |
 VA-112 Custode Pacis Armis - 1959 |
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Patch August 28, 1945, the squadron's first patch was the two-headed eagle and dragon. The patch has a yellow background; black dragon; sky blue eagle with white heads and red tongues; other markings and outlines were black. November 9, 1945, a new squadron patch was created displaying a two-headed eagle & globe showing North and South America. Clouds surrounded the globe. There appears to be no color description of this patch. July 12, 1948, VF-112 Fighting Twelve selected a new Custode Pacis Armis (Armed Keeper of the Peace) patch. The patch is displayed above. February 15, 1959, the Broncos continued to use the Custode Paris Armis patch following re-designation to VA-112. The patch is displayed above. |
Sources David Weber Harry S. Gann R. W. Dick) Twilde, Capt. USNR TAR (Ret). |
| Handle li>1946, Fighting Twelve.
1959, Broncos. 1966, Bombing Broncos. 1960s: Callsign = Montana Heritage April 9, 1945, Bomber-Fighter Squadron ELEVEN (VBF-11) established. November 15, 1946, VBF-11 was redesignated Fighter Squadron TWELVE A (VF-12A). July 15, 1948, VF-12A was redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VF-112). February 15, 1959, VF-112 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VA-112). October 10, 1969, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE dis-established. |
Home Ports Date - - - Location:
April 9, 1945 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda April 30, 1945- - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Fallon July 31, 1945 - - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Santa Rosa February 21, 1946 - - - - - Naval Air Station Kahului, Hawaii November 25, 1946 - - - - - Naval Air Station San Diego April 7, 1951 - - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Miramar/NAS Miramar* September 11, 1961- - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore * Naval Auxiliary Air Station Miramar was redesignated Naval Air Station Miramar on March 1, 1952. |
| Aircraft
Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: April 1945 - - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F6F-3/5 Hellcat December 11, 1946- - - - - - - - Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat January 3, 1949- - - - - - - - - Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat January 11, 1950 - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-2 Panther* July 1950- - - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-2B Panther May 31, 1951 - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-3 Panther July 12, 1951- - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-2B Panther October 1952 - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-5 Panther February 1954- - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-6 Cougar* July 1955- - - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-8 Cougar April 1956 - - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-8B Cougar April 5, 1957- - - - - - - - - - McDonnell F3H-2M Demon May 1959 - - - - - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk ** April 1959 - - - - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk ** March 28, 1961 - - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk ** October 19, 1968 - - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk ** * The squadron's F9F-2s were modified at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii and equipped with rocket launchers and bomb racks and designated F9F-2Bs. The F9F through the F9F-5 Panther have straight wings; The F9F-6 through the F9F-8 Cougar have swept wings. ** November 30, 1962 The A4D-1 designation was changed to A-4A The A4D-2 designation was changed to A-4B The A4D-2N designation was changed to A-4C For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
Air Wings
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| Deployments
Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations: 10-09-47 to 06-11-48 - CVAG-11- CV 45* - F8F-1- - World Cruise 07-05-50 to 04-07-51 - CVG-11 - CV 47 - F9F-2B - WestPac/Korea 12-31-51 to 08-08-52 - CVG-11 - CV 47- - F9F-2B - WestPac/Korea 07-01-53 to 01-18-54 - CVG-11 - CVA 33 - F9F-5- - WestPac 10-07-54 to 05-12-55 - CVG-11 - CVA 33 - F9F-6- - WestPac 07-16-56 to 01-26-57 - CVG-11 - CVA 9- - F9F-8B - WestPac 10-04-58 to 02-16-59 - ATG-1- - CVA 14 - F3H-2M - WestPac 07-16-60 to 03-18-61 - CVG-11 - CVA 19 - A4D-2- - WestPac 09-13-62 to 04-02-63 - CVG-11 - CVA 63 - A-4C - - WestPac 10-17-63 to 07-20-64 - CVW-11 - CVA 63 - A-4C - - WestPac 08-24-65 to 04-07-66 - CVW-8- - CVA 59 - A-4C - - Med 11-05-66 to 06-19-67 - CVW-11 - CVA 63 - A-4C - - WestPac/Vietnam 11-18-67 to 06-28-68 - CVW-11 - CVA 63 - A-4C - - WestPac/Vietnam 02-01-69 to 09-18-69 - CVW-16 - CVA 14 - A-4C - - WestPac/Vietnam * Before the cruise started in January 1948 the squadron operated primarily from Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii with occasional exercises aboard United States Ship Valley Forge CV 45. † March 30, 1951, the squadron transferred, while docked at Yokosuka, Japan, from United States Ship Philippine Sea CV 47 to United States Ship Valley Forge CV 45, to return to the United States embarked in Valley Forge. Philippine Sea continued its duty in Korea with another air group. |
Commanding Officers
Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer April 1945 - - - - - - - LT Richard E. James (acting) April 1945 - - - - - - - LCDR Ralph W. Cousins June 1945- - - - - - - - LCDR George E. Savage October 1945 - - - - - - LCDR Norman W. Ackley January 1947 - - - - - - LCDR Melvin C. Hoffman July 1948- - - - - - - - CDR Joseph T. Lawler May 1950 - - - - - - - - CDR R. Weymouth August 1950- - - - - - - LCDR J. L. Butts, Jr. June 1951- - - - - - - - LCDR J. V. Rowney August 1952- - - - - - - LCDR James Ferris October 1952 - - - - - - LCDR R. W. Jackson (acting) October 1952 - - - - - - LCDR C. E. Lair March 1954 - - - - - - - CDR George S. Morrison October 1955 - - - - - - CDR Marcel N. Piller April 1957 - - - - - - - LCDR M. M. Casey, Jr. March 1959 - - - - - - - LCDR J. J. Konzen (acting) March 1959 - - - - - - - CDR Clyde J. Lee February 1960- - - - - - CDR Hugh N. Batten March 1961 - - - - - - - CDR James T. Parady April 1962 - - - - - - - CDR J. F. Kirklighter April 1963 - - - - - - - CDR F. L. Leib May 1964 - - - - - - - - CDR P. E. Russell June 1965- - - - - - - - CDR J. A. Chalbeck July 1966- - - - - - - - CDR J. H. Alvis December 1966- - - - - - CDR Marion L. Minnis November 1967- - - - - - CDR Charles H. Brown September 1968 - - - - - CDR Tommy L. Gatewood |
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Awards Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates: KPUC 01 August 1950 to 16 March 1951 20 January 1952 to 12 July 1952 NUC 04 August 1950 to 16 March 1951 AFEM 20 April 1969 to 27 April 1969 29 June 1969 07 July 1969 to 13 July 1969 24 July 1969 04 August 1969 16 August 1969 to 24 August 1969 30 August 1969 03 September 1969 13 September 1969 to 14 September 1969 |
MUC 18 February 1969 to 07 September 1969 PUC 23 December 1967 to 01 June 1968 VNSM 03 December 1966 to 03 January 1967 02 March 1967 to 28 March 1967 12 April 1967 to 28 April 1967 08 May 1967 to 23 May 1967 04 March 1968 to 27 March 1968 12 April 1968 to 01 May 1968 13 May 1968 to 01 June 1968 03 March 1969 to 20 March 1969 29 March 1969 to 16 April 1969 09 May 1969 to 04 June 1969 25 June 1969 to 01 August 1969 |
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Events April 9, 1945: Bomber-Fighter Squadron ELEVEN (VBF-11) established at Naval Air Station Alameda, California. The Broncos were assigned the F6F-3/5 Grumman Hellcat. April 30, 1945: VBF-11 homeport was changed to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Fallon, Nevada. July 31, 1945: VBF-11 homeport was changed to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Santa Rosa, California. February 21, 1946: VBF-11 homeport was changed to Naval Air Station Kahului, Hawaii. November 15, 1946: VBF-11 was redesignated Fighter Squadron TWELVE A (VF-12A). November 25, 1946: VF-12A homeport was changed to Naval Air Station San Diego, California. December 11, 1946: VF-12A was assigned the Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat. March 25, 1948: USS Valley Forge CV 45, operated in the Persian Gulf with Saudi Arabian Prince Ibn Saud embarked to view air operations. However, the air display was canceled because of a sandstorm and hazy conditions. April 29, 1948: USS Valley Forge CV 45, moored port side to Dokkeskjaerkaien Dock, Bergen, Norway. The mooring was conducted without the aid of tugs, using the engine power of the squadron's eight F8Fs spotted on the forward deck and eight other aircraft on the aft deck. The mooring operation was called "Operation Pinwheel." The "Pinwheel" type operation can be viewed in the movie Bridges of Toko-Ri. July 15, 1948: VF-12A was redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VF-112). January 3, 1949: The Broncos were assigned the F8F-2 Grumman Bearcat. January 11, 1950: The Broncos were assigned the F9F-2 Grumman Panther. July 1, 1950: The Broncos were assigned the F9F-2B Grumman Panther. July 5, 1950, to March 29, 1951: VF-112 flying the F9F-2B Panther from USS Philippine Sea CV 47, first combat tour to WestPac/Korea. August 5, 1950: VF-112 flew its first Korean campaign combat mission, striking land and sea targets southeast of Kunsan, and Mokpo harbor area of South Korea. September 12 through 19, 1950: The squadron Panthers participated in the pre-assault strikes against targets in and around Inchon, Korea, in preparation for the landings there on September 15, 1950. These strikes included road, rail, and airfield sweeps and Combat Air Patrol. During and after the invasion the squadron continued to fly daily air sweeps, striking at targets of opportunity and the enemy's lines of communications. November 10, 1950: The Bronco's first encounter with MiG-15s occurred during a sortie over Sinuiju, Korea. One MiG-15 was damaged during the engagement. March 30, 1951, to April 7, 1951: VF-112 cross-decked from USS Philippine Sea CV 47 to USS Valley Forge CV 45; to continue combat in the WestPac/Korea theater and later returned to the States embarked in Valley Forge. April 7, 1951: VF-112 was home based at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Miramar, California. December 31, 1951, to August 8, 1952: The Broncos flying the F9F-2B Panther from USS Philippine Sea CV 47, conducted a second combat tour to WestPac/Korea. June 23 and 24, 1952: VF-112 Panthers participated in coordinated strikes against North Korean hydroelectric power plants, the first heavy attack conducted against these installations. Nine different hydroelectric power plants were struck by forces from Carrier Air Groups 2, 7, 11, 19, and the 5th Air Force. This was the first time that enemy power plants had been so heavily targeted. It also marked the first time that four carriers were online off the coast of Korea since the fall of 1950. July 1, 1953, to January 18, 1954: The Broncos flying the F9F-5 Grumman Panther from USS Kearsarge CVA 33, a tour to WestPac/Korea. February 1954: VF-112 was assigned the swept wing F9F-6 Grumman Cougar. October 7, 1954, to May 12, 1955: The Broncos flying the F9F-6 Cougar from USS Kearsarge CVA 33, a tour to WestPac/Korea. February 6 through 13, 1955: The squadron was on station and available for air support during the evacuation of over 26,000 personnel from the Tachen Islands which had come under bombardment by the People's Republic of China in January 1955. April 5, 1957: VF-112 was assigned the F3H-2M McDonnell Demon. February 15, 1959: VF-112 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VA-112). April 1959: VF-112 was assigned the Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk. October 14, 1959: The Broncos flying the A-4C Skyhawk from USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63, a WestPac tour. October 14, 1959: Cdr. C.J. Lee (VA-112 CO) ejected safely (BuNo 139948) following an inflight fire and hydraulic failure on a practice bombing run over one of the Navy's bombing ranges in the Imperial Valley. He landed about four miles south of Holtville, CA and his plane crashed several miles away. The Yuma Daily Sun, Yuma, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 1959. December 10, 1959: Lt. David Callahan departed NAS Miramar on an acceptance test flight and commenced to climb to 40,000 feet. During the climb the pilot made contact with the local GCI unit to ascertain positive radar control. When the aircraft was rolled wings level, the pilot experienced an explosion and immediately noted the TPT at 900 degrees. The pilot reported the explosion to the GCI site and switched to guard frequency. TPT remained the same at idle so the pilot secured the engine with the throttle and extended the speed brakes arriving over ALF El Centro in a clean configuration at 27,000 feet. At 25,000 feet the radio cut out and the RAT was extended giving power to the radio. During the descent oil pressure was at 13 psi and all engine indications were reported on guard frequency. At 16,000 feet a restart was attempted in primary fuel control which resulted in a 900C temp at idle so the pilot secured the engine. The pilot shifted to manual fuel control and attempted a second restart which resulted in a 900C temp at idle, so the pilot secured the engine and prepared to eject. At 5,000 feet the pilot ejected and was picked up by people working the targets adjacent to ALF El Centro. The aircraft made contact with the ground approx. 23 miles WNW of ALF El Centro. Cause believed to be stress corrosion with subsequent failure of third stage compressor blade which had 563 hours and resultant wipeout of the 4th and 5th stage and ultimate engine seizure. AAR ser 2-59 A4D-2 BuNo 142845. Also NAN, Grampa Pettibone, March 1960. March 4, 1960: Lt. William P. Lee, 25, ejected safely from his A4D at about 11,000 feet about 14 miles off Point Loma following an explosion while refueling another A4D over the ocean. Five A4D Skyhawks were on a refueling mission from NAS Miramar. Lee, pilot of the tanker, was picked up by a torpedo recovery boat. Lt(jg). James H. Bechtel, 25, pilot of the other A4D is missing. The Bridgeport Telegram, Thursday, March 3, 1960. Lt. William P. Lee, 28, ejected safely from his Navy bomber at about 20,000 feet about 14 miles off Point Loma following a mid-air explosion while refueling another A4D over the ocean. Lee, pilot of the tanker, was picked up by a torpedo recovery boat. Lt(jg). James H. Bechtel, 25, pilot of the other A4D is missing. Corpus Christi Times, Friday, March 4, 1960. Lt(jg) James H. Bechtel, 24, is presumed dead. He had been missing since Thursday when the Navy plane he was flying exploded during refueling operations over the Pacific Ocean. Lt. William P. Lee who was piloting the tanker plane ejected himself and parachuted to safety. The Morning Call, Tuesday, March 8, 1960. A4D-2 BuNo 142841 & BuNo 142949 were both lost. July 22, 1961: Lt(jg). Donald Kent Law, 24, ejected (BuNo 147849) safely after a mid-air collision with Lt. David Francis Callahan, 26, about 10 miles SE of NAS Millington, TN, early today. The pilots were on a night training mission and were enroute from NAS Miramar, CA, to NAS South Weymouth, MA, when they collided at an altitude of about 2,500 feet. Lt(jg). Law's aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Austin Peay Highway about 23 miles SE of Memphis. Lt. Callahan returned to Millington with a badly damaged fuselage and right-wing tip. Press Telegram (Long Beach, CA), Saturday, July 22, 1961. September 11, 1961: VF-112's homeport was changed to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Lemoore, California. December 6, 1961: 1454 Aircraft, A4D, BuNo 148457 of VA-112, Pilot LT J.J. Freely caught fire. Pilot ejected. 1500 Aircraft crashed into the sea off starboard quarter at latitude 32013, longitude 118-43 W and sank in 850 fathoms of water. 1507 Pilot hit the water. USS King (DLG-10), having been assigned as rescue destroyer by OTC, commence approach to pick up pilot. 1524 Commenced maneuvering to stay within vicinity of pilot and rescue ship; USS Mahan (DLG-11) assigned by OTC to assist in Search and recovery of pilot. 1611 USS Mahan sent boat to this ship to pick up 2 divers. 1628 USS Mahan boat departed to deliver divers to USS King. 1732 USS King recovered the body of LT Freely. USS Oriskany deck log, Wednesday, 6 December 1961. A Navy fighter pilot attached to NAS Lemoore died Wednesday when his plane crashed at sea. Lt. John James Freely, 29, of Chicago, became the second Lemoore flyer to die in a sea crash since the base opened last summer. Freely was attached to VA-112 at Lemoore. Base spokesmen said Freely was "lost at sea during routine carrier operations." He had taken off in an A4D Skyhawk from the carrier USS Oriskany about 30 miles SW of San Diego. His body was recovered. Survivors include Freely's widow, Carol, who lives at the base, and his parents in Chicago. The same day. Lt. (jg) Henry E. Kramer, 23, of Nashville, Kan., was ejected safely from a Skyhawk six miles west of Lemoore Wednesday. Causes of both crashes are being investigated. Tulare Advance Register, Thursday, 7 December 1961. September 13, 1962, to April 2, 1963: The Broncos flying the A-4C Skyhawk from USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63, a WestPac tour. October 17, 1963, to July 20, 1964: The Broncos flying the A-4C Skyhawk from USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63, a WestPac tour. November 3, 1965: Lt.(jg) John Charles Burch was killed when he crashed through the elevator barrier and fell to the hangar deck level. He ejected from his aircraft before it hit the elevator and he went into the sea at position Lat. 39 degrees 34.3’ N., Long. 07 degrees 07.8’ E. 1314 A4D BuNo 149488 crashed through elevator barrier and fell to hangar deck level. Pilot LTJG Burch, VA-112, ejected from a/c before it hit elevator, and went into sea at position 39-34.3N, 07-07.8E. Manned all fog foam stations. 1412 detached USS Zellars (DD-777) to search area for pilot. USS Forrestal deck log, Wednesday, 03 November 1965. What is not recorded is that there was a helo rescue attempt made, and a debrief of the rescue man revealed that LTJG John Burch was completely wound up in parachute shrouds after the cherry picker strike spun him around. He stated that Burch was lifeless and that he felt he was already dead when he attempted to cut him away from his ejection seat, from which he had not separated. I think the rescue attempt was abandoned due to safety risk to the rescue man who was also becoming entangled in the shrouds. Burch's body was not recovered. From LTJG David French VA-112. I was the deck edge operator of catapult #3 when this happened. The plane was taxied to close behind catapult #4, and the jet blast pushed the nose wheel off the deck edge. Then, the pilot ejected. From Gerald Jones V-2 Division. August 24, 1965, to April 7, 1966: The Broncos flying the A-4C Skyhawk from USS Forrestal CVA 59, a Med tour. January 11, 1966: Lt. James D. Bradford was killed when A-4C BuNo 149501, AJ-501, crashed. 2145 received MAYDAY bearing 060, 43 miles from USS Forrestal’s position of 36-50.5 N, 16-31.6E. Planes position 37-15N, 17-14E. Lt. Bradford was not recovered. From USS Forrestal Historian Ken Killmeyer. 2145 Received Mayday 060 deg., 42 miles, from this ships position of 36-50.5N, 16-31.6E. Plane A-4C, modex 501, BuNo 149501, of VA-112, Pilot Lt J.D. Bradford. Planes position 37-15N, 17-14E. USS Forrestal deck log, Tuesday, 11 January 1966. 0836 Yellow helmet and debris sighted astern this vessel. 0934 This vessel discontinued search. USS Forrestal deck log, Wednesday, 12 January 1966. April 1, 1966: Lt.(jg) Charles E. Galloway was killed when A-4C BuNo 147840 crashed into the water off the port bow 34-26.5N, 11-34.8 E. From USS Forrestal Historian Ken Killmeyer. 1302 A/C in water off port bow. Datum of a/c 34-26.5N, 11-34.8E. Maneuvering while conducting rescue operations. USS Owens assumed rescue station. 1307 a/e stop. 1309 a/c in water pilot name LTJG Charles E. Galloway, VA-112, a/c BuNo 147840, side number 502. 1325 Pilot of crashed a/c reported dead by USS Owens. USS Forrestal deck log, Friday, 1 April 1966. August 12, 1966: Cdr. John H. Alvis ejected safely and was rescued by a Cannon AFB helicopter late Friday when his A4 (BuNo 148567) attack jets engine flamed out enroute from NAS Lemoore to Dyess AFB. He was attempting to glide into Cannon AFB and ejected at 8,000 feet when he realized he couldn't make it. The plane continued for several miles and crashed three miles N and two miles W of Melrose, about 14 miles NE of the Melrose Bombing Range. Clovis News Journal, Sunday, August 14, 1966. October 19, 1966: LCdr. J.C. Eichinger, of NAS Lemoore, ejected safely from his Skyhawk (BuNo 147674) following a collision with VF-114 F-4B Phantom BuNo 152995, piloted by Lt. H.D. Wisely and flight officer Lt.(jg). G.L. Anderson, both from NAS Miramar. The men ejected from their crippled planes about 120 miles SW of San Diego and were picked up by helicopters. The planes were participating in Operation Baseline II off the coast. Long Beach Press Telegram, Thursday, October 20, 1966. November 5, 1966, to June 19, 1967: The Broncos flying the A-4C Skyhawk from USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63, a WestPac/Vietnam combat tour. January 21, 1967: Lt.(jg) Jerry Franks Hogan was killed when his Skyhawk flew into the ground on a night attack on barges near Hoang Xa illuminated by flares. Montana 415, an A-4C (BuNo 145144), LT(JG) Jerry F. Hogan, VA-112, was lost during an armed reconnaissance mission over the Song Yen River, North Vietnam, 19°37'N, 105°48'E. While dropping flares over a ferry landing, LT(JG) Hogan noted several barges, calling "Rolling in" over his radio for his bombing run. Following the impact of his bombs, however, he emitted no further transmissions. That same day, Montana 406, an A-4C, ENS John A. Lockard, VA-112, was hit by enemy flak while on a three-carrier strike against the rail and bridge complexes at Ninh Binh. With his fire warning light on, a loss of hydraulic pressure and his tail hook damaged, Lockard made the ship's first barricade arrestment, during the morning watch. March 27, 1967: Lt. Alexander J. Palenscar III disappeared after a bomb run on the Dao My bridge. His remains were recovered on August 28, 1996. Montana 415, an A-4C (BuNo 148519), LT Alexander J. Palenscar, VA-112, was lost (probably at sea) following a strike against the Dao My Highway Bridge, North Vietnam. His wingman, Lt. Gump in Montana 410, transmitted Montana 4 are you in without a response and then transmitted Montana 4 are you clear? Lt. Palenscar replied Affirmative, Montana 4 is off and clear. Lt. Gump called feet wet. Lt. Gump called Montana 4 and asked if he was feet wet. No reply, he repeated the transmission. No reply. At 1722 Lt. Zimmer (strike lead) told Lt. Gump to inform the SAR units of Lt. Palenscar's last known position ... Personnel Casuality Report of LT Alexander John Palenscar, III. 1967. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress. April 24, 1967: Squadron aircraft based on USS Essex CVA 9, participated in a multi-carrier coordinated strike against North Vietnam's MiG base, Kep Airfield, northeast of Hanoi. This was the first time a strike had been conducted against a North Vietnam MiG airfield. May 10, 1967: Cdr. M. L. Minnis, Sr., was awarded the Silver Star for action during a strike into North Vietnam against the thermal power plant at Haiphong. November 18, 1967, to June 28, 1968: The Broncos flying the A-4C Skyhawk from USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63, a WestPac/Vietnam combat tour. January 3, 1968: LCdr. Edward Dale Estes was leading an Iron Hand flight and as he approached Haiphong from the North at 11,000 feet he saw three SA-2s tracking towards their flight. The Skyhawks dived towards the SA-2s in an attempt to break the radar lock but one of them hit Estes' aircraft. His A-4 (BuNo 148486) began to disintegrate and LCdr. Estes ejected about eight miles SW of Kien airfield and he became the first POW of 1968. February 1, 1969, to September 18, 1969: The Broncos flying the A-4C Skyhawk from USS Ticonderoga CVA 14, a WestPac/Vietnam combat tour. April 1969: Following the shoot down of a Navy EC-121 aircraft by the North Koreans, USS Ticonderoga CVA 14, along with two other attack carriers, was ordered to the Sea of Japan. July 22, 1969: Lt. F.K. Helmsin ejected safely when VA-112 AH-410 BuNo 148310 crashed into the sea close aboard to starboard following an incomplete catapult launch and sank in 30 fathoms of water at latitude 17-46N longitude 107-33.5E at 0855. Pilot recovered by reserve helo no apparent injuries at 0907. USS Ticonderoga deck log, 22 July 1969. (bridle failed) July 26, 1969: Lt. Richard David Brenning was killed when VA-112 A-4 BuNo 147833/416 crashed into the sea off the port bow at latitude 18-06N, longitude 107-27E and sank in 40 fathoms of water. The pilot was not recovered. USS Ticonderoga deck log, 26 July 1969. (bad cat shot) August 1969: FASU Danang to Ticonderoga, Bon Voyage October 10, 1969: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE disestablished. |
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Unit Photos 1960: A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 144871, NH-201, moments before being catapulted from the USS Hancock in 1960. Name below the canopy rail is CDR H. N. Batten. Captain Hook. 1960-61: A4D-2 BuNo 144871, moments after becoming airborne. Douglas. 1960-61: close-up tail section view of A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 144972 as the refueling drogue is reeled out. Douglas. 1961: VA-112 Drivers at China Lake. Gary Verver Collection. 1960-61: A4D-2 BuNo142832 serves as a backdrop for the Pilots during the 1960-61 U.S.S. Hancock Cruise. Photo courtesy of Jim Walthers. April 1961: VA-112 A4D-2Ns over Sequoia National Park in April 1961. Lead is Montana 201, BuNo 148447. Also, in the photo are 148449 as NH-207, 148442 as NH-204, and 145127 as NH-213. Submitted by Sam Lattimer. July 1961: A4D-2N BuNo 148447 on display at the opening day at NAS Lemoore. December 1961: A4D-2N Skyhawk BuNo 148447, NH-2xx, inside one of the new modern Lemoore hangars. Naval Aviaton News Photo. July 1962: A4D-2N Skyhawk BuNo 147828, NH-211, tied down on deck aboard the Kitty Hawk. Gary Verver Collection. Aug 1962: Sundowners Crusader seconds from making an arrested landing aboard the Kitty Hawk. Stingers BuNo 148438, NH-306, Bats A3D BuNo 142242, GP-604 & Bombing Broncos BuNo 147688, NH-206, at left. Gary Verver Collection. Aug 1962: Aardvarks Phantom seconds from making an arrested landing aboard the Kitty Hawk. Stingers BuNo 148438, NH-306, Bats A3D BuNo 142242, GP-604 & Bombing Broncos BuNo 147688, NH-206, at left. Gary Verver Collection. Aug 1962: AW-11 Det. C Willy Fudd seconds from making an arrested landing aboard the Kitty Hawk. Stingers BuNo 148438, NH-306, Bats A3D BuNo 142242, GP-604 & Bombing Broncos BuNo 147688, NH-206, at left. Gary Verver Collection. Aug 1962: L-r: Stingers A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149495, NH-309, & Bombing Broncos A-4C Skyhawks BuNo 147833, NH-209, BuNo 148537, NH-204 & BuNo 148441, NH-209 and two unknown Stinger Skyhawks forward aboard the Kitty Hawk. Gary Verver Collection. Aug 1962: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147842, NH-305, seconds from an arrested landing aboard the Kitty Hawk. Stingers BuNo 148438, NH-306, Bats A3D BuNo 142242, GP-604 & Bombing Broncos BuNo 147688, NH-206, at left. Gary Verver Collection. Aug 1962: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149507, NH-202, tied down at the head of a group of Stingers and VA-112 Bombing Broncos Skyhawks on the flight deck of the Kitty Hawk. Gary Verver Collection. Sep 1962: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149507, NH-202, tied down on the flight deck of the Kitty Hawk. Gary Verver Collection. Oct 1962 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147828, NH-211, tied down on deck aboard the Kitty Hawk between VA-113 Stingers BuNo 147759, NH-312, and BuNo 147842, NH-305. VAH-13 Whale BuNo 142249, GP-612 at left. Gary Verver Collection. Oct 1962: A-4C BuNo 147828, NH-211, tied down on deck aboard the Kitty Hawk between VAH-13 Bats A3D GP-603 at left & VF-114 Aardvarks F4D-1 149454. Gary Verver Collection. OCT 1962: A4's being launched off the USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63. Jerry Kopff was on his first West Pack cruise as ships company photographer. Squadrons VA 112 Broncos and VA 113 Stingers were aboard at the time. Jerry Kopff. 1962-1964: A VA-112 or VA-113 Scooter just off of one of the forward cats. Jerry Kopff. 1962-64: CVA-63 Under-way Replenishment. Jerry Kopff Photo. 1963: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148577, NH-215, on the port cat aboard the Kitty Hawk. Jerry Kopff. Circa 1963: the USS Kitty Hawk & embarked squadrons. VA-113 Stingers Skyhawks at left (BuNo 149495, NH-309 at front) and VA-112 Bombing Broncos Skyhawks at right (BuNo 147688, NH-206 at front). Jerry Kopff. 1962-64: A-4C BuNo 147759, NH-312, as the pilot prepares to man his Scooter with the assistance of the plane captain. Bombing Broncos BuNo 148437, NH-203, in the background. Jerry Kopff. 1962-64: A-4C BuNo 147759, NH-312, as the pilot mans his Scooter with the assistance of the plane captain. Bombing Broncos BuNo 148437, NH-203, in the background. Jerry Kopff. Circa 1963: A-4C BuNo.148437 Skyhawk in flight with two drop tanks and a centerline buddy store. Courtesy of Tom Bispo. 1965 CVA-59 MED Cruise: Formation of Bombing Bronco's lined up behind a tanker. Left to right: BuNo 149489 as AJ-508, 147688 as AJ-506, 147833 as AJ-509, 147714 as AJ504 and 147783 as AJ-500. Tom Meyers via "Boom" Powell. 1965 CVA-59 MED Cruise: Overhead shot of formation of Bombing Bronco's lined up behind a tanker. Left to right: BuNo 149489 as AJ-508, 147688 as AJ-506, 147833 as AJ-509, 147714 as AJ504 and 147783 as AJ-500. Tom Meyers. Circa 1965-66: VA-112 Officers. Circa 1965: Bombing Broncos Ordies Peter Dickinson, Donald Hopkins, David Smith and Marlow Gunderson prepare to lift Aero 7D rocket pack into place. Naval Aviation News. Circa 1965: Bombing Broncos ADJ-1 Hershell Webb supervises John Brimlow and Paul Rosetta's J-65 engine work while Claude Chavis makes QC check. Naval Aviation News. Circa 1965: Bombing Broncos pilots pose in front of Skyhawks NH-201 and NH-202 to commemorate 14,000 flight hours, 4,432 carrier landings including 1,042-night landings over three accident-free years. Naval Aviation News. Circa May 1966: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149488, AJ-501, crashed through the elevator barrier and fell to the hangar deck level, USS Forrestal, November 3, 1965. This was taken after it was offloaded. 1967: BuNo unknown, piloted by ENS John A. Lockhard about to engage the arresting barrier aboard the USS Kitty Hawk after being hit by AA fire. Naval Aviation News. Circa 1967: BuNo 150587, NH-416, parked on the line. W. Mutza. 1965: A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 144874, NH-I, aboard the HMAS Melbourne for the 1st USN Skyhawk catapult from that ship. Unknown Photographer. 1965: A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 144874, NH-I, on the HMAS Melbourne's catapult for the 1st USN Skyhawk cat from that ship. Description: U.S. Navy A-4C BuNo 144874, NH-I, launches from HMAS Melbourne. NOV 1964 to OCT 1965 VA-113 provided a detachment (Q) of personnel and Skyhawks for use as fighter protection for the Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group embarked on United States Ship Bennington. Unknown Photographer. Fall 1967: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 145077. A pair of VA-112 Bombing Bronco Douglas A-4F Skyhawks pose on the Lemoore ramp. These Skyhawks are in United States Ship Kitty Hawk CVA-63 and Carrier Air Group 11 colors. In the late sixties the Bombing Broncos made several cruises on the Kitty Hawk. A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 145077 was one of the first A-4Cs produced. Photograph by Gary "Buck" Rodgers. April 1968: NAN photo of a launch on CVA-63. APR 1968 NAN photo. 1968: USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) with aircraft from CVW-11 (NH) including VF-213 Black Lions F-4B Phantoms, VF-114 Aardvarks F-4B Phantoms, VA-75 Sunday Punchers A-6A and A-6B Intruders, VA-112 Bombing Broncos A-4C Skyhawks, VA-144 Roadrunners A-4E Skyhawks, RVAH-11 Checkertails RA-5C Vigilantes, VAW-114 E-2A Hawkeyes, VAH-4 Fourrunners Det 63 KA-3B Skywarriors, VAW-13 Zappers Det 63 EA-1F Skyraiders, and HC-1 Fleet Angels Det 63 UH-2C Seasprites, circa 1968. 1967-68: A-4C BuNo 147734, NH-412, on the cat aboard CVA-63 on WestPac. 1969: VA-112 A-4C traps on the "Tico". 1969: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147833, AH-416, being guided onto the cat assisted by a tillie bar, USS Ticonderoga, CVA-14, 1969. VA-25 Fist of the Fleet A-7B Corsair II BuNo 154436 in the background. Official U.S. Navy photo. 07 JUL 1978: CDR Ed Estes' A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142678, on display, city of Purdy, MO, in the markings of the VA-112 Bombing Broncos and the VA-66 Waldomen. Plane Captain AMS-3 L.F. Eungard. Pic2; Pic3; Pic4; Pic5; Pic6.Photographer unknown. Off-Duty Photos None yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit:
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