VA-64 Black Lancers |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
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 VA-64 Black Lancers |
 1964 World Cruise |
 VA-64 Black Lancers |
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Patch December 26, 1961: VA-64 adopted the Knight's Helmet patch. Shown above. |
Sources David Weber Harry S. Gann |
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Black Lancers, 1961 through 1969. Heritage li>Jan 1943, VB-17 established.
15 Nov 1946 VB-17 re-designated VA-5B. 27 Jul 1948 VA-5B re-designated VA-64. 08 Apr 1949 VA-64 re-designated VC-24. 20 Apr 1950 VC-24 re-designated VS-24. 01 Jun 1956 VS-24 dis-established. 02 Jul 1961, Attack Squadron SIXTY-FOUR (VA-64) established. 07 Nov 1969, Attack Squadron SIXTY-FOUR (VA-64) dis-established. |
Home Ports
Jul 1961 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Oceana Feb 1965 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil Field |
| Aircraft li>Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:
July 1961 - - - - - - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk* December 1961 - - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk(A-4B) *† * November 30, 1962 The A4D-2 designation was changed to A-4B The A4D-2N designation was changed to A-4C
† The A4D-2 was assigned to VA-64 Detachment 48. Three view drawings from Harry Gann, redrawn by Bud Southworth. For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
Air Wings
Jul 01, 1961 - - AF - - - - CVG-6 Feb 08, 1962 - - AB - - - - CVG-1 Jul 31, 1962- - - - - - - - COMFAIRNORFOLK Oct 01, 1962 - - AG - - - - CVG-7 Nov 18, 1962 - - AF/AE* - - CVG-6/CVW-6* Oct 16, 1967 - - AG - - - - CVW-7 * CVG-6 was re-designated CVW-6 when all Carrier Air Group (CVG) designations were changed to Carrier Air Wings (CVW) on December 20, 1963. CVG-6's tail code was changed from AF to AE late in 1962. |
| Deployments
02/06/63 to 09/04/63 - CVG-6 - CVAN 65 - A-4C - Mediterranean 02/08/64 to 10/03/64 - CVW-6 - CVAN 65 - A-4C - Mediterranean/World Cruise 11/30/65 to 07/10/66 - CVW-6 - CVA 66- - A-4C - Mediterranean 01/10/67 to 09/20/67 - CVW-6 - CVA 66- - A-4C - Mediterranean 04/30/68 to 01/27/69 - CVW-7 - CVA 62- - A-4C - Mediterranean 09/03/69 to 10/09/69 - CVW-7 - CVA 62- - A-4C - NorLant |
Commanding Officers
Jul 1961 - - - - - - - - LCDR Paul A. Anderson May 1962 - - - - - - - - CDR R. A. Uhwat Jun 1963 - - - - - - - - CDR F. E. Babineau Jun 1964 - - - - - - - - CDR David E. Scherrer Jun 1965 - - - - - - - - CDR Max D. Barr Jun 1966 - - - - - - - - CDR James E. Kneale Jun 1967 - - - - - - - - CDR Keith C. Spayde, Jr. May 1968 - - - - - - - - CDR Jerald W. Bucklin 1969 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Stuart T. Meredith |
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Awards AFEM 24 Oct 1962 to 20 Nov 1962 |
No more info. |
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Events July 1, 1961: Attack Squadron SIXTY-FOUR (VA-64) established at Naval Air Station Oceana. July 18, 1961: The Black Lancers were assigned the Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk -- later known as the A-4C Skyhawk. December 28, 1961: The Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (A-4B) was assigned to VA-64 Detachment 48. February 17, to June 17, 1962: VA-64 Detachment 48, formed to provide an air defense capability for Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Groups, deployed aboard USS Wasp CVS 18 for a North Atlantic cruise. The detachment officer-in-charge was LCdr. E.D. Herbert. April 1962: VA-64 Detachment 48 designation was changed to VA-64 Detachment 18B. October to November 18, 1962: The Black Lancers embarked in USS Independence CVA 62 operating in the Caribbean Sea in support of the Cuban quarantine. November 18 to December 5, 1962: VA-64 switched places with VA-34 and embarked in USS Enterprise CVAN 65. The complements of both squadrons were lifted between carriers by helicopters and continued operation in the Caribbean as part of the Cuban quarantine. March 1964: VA-64 conducted operations in the vicinity of Cyprus during a conflict between Turkish and Greek Cypriots. March 27, 1964: LCdr. Georges E. LeBlanc rescued … A4C aircraft, side number 303, BuNo 149613, from Attack squadron 64, with LCdr. George E. LeBlanc, USN as pilot in the process of landing broke his nose gear and skidded off the angle deck at 1240. Position: 42-12.2 N, 04-43.9 E wind 355R, 43 knots. Making 3 knots through the water and in heavy seas experiencing 1.5 to 2.5 pitch. At 1240:15 sec. plane was skidding. At 18 sec it crashed in the water at which time it flipped over. At 44 sec. pilot was out of the plane and in sight. At 1252 Helo, side number 20, in lifeguard station completed rescue of pilot. At 1311 injured pilot was on board. Apparent injuries laceration of left hand and face, broken right leg. At 1314 completed recovery. Detached USS Beale (DD-471) to sink debris from plane crash. Plane sunk in 1,075 fathoms of water. At 1342 received medical report on LCdr. LeBlanc: fracture of right thigh. USS Enterprise deck log, Friday, 27 March 1964. April 4, 1964: Lt.(jg) Edward Leonard Maas, Jr., 23, is reported missing and feared dead in the Tyrrhenian Sea southwest of Italy while flying night maneuvers off the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. 2201 A4C BuNo 149615 of VA-64, pilot Edward L. Maas, reported missing. USS Enterprise deck log, Wednesday, 8 April 1964. 00-04 This ship, Luce (DLG-7) and Beale (DD-471) are searching for missing a/c, datum at 39-45N, 12-45E. 0545 steering various courses at various speeds while launching search a/c. 0802 c/c 212 to investigate oil slick. 0835 spotted one wing tank in oil slick. 0900 Lookouts reported possible life pack and other debris. USS Enterprise deck log, Wednesday, 9 April 1964. The elder Maas said he was told that his son's crash helmet and a gas tank from his A4D attack plane were recovered but there was no hope of recovering his son's body. The News Herald of Willoughby, OH, April 10, 1964. July 31, to October 3, 1964: The Black Lancers participated in Operation Sea Orbit, the first circumnavigation of the world by a nuclear task force. The sixty-five-day voyage was accomplished without logistic replenishment. The squadron participated in numerous air power demonstrations during the voyage. February 15, 1965: VA-64 was transferred to NAS Cecil Field, Florida. June 16, 1966: Lt. Benjamin Russell Partin was lost. 1659 A-4C BuNo 147801 of VA-64 crashed into the sea off the port bow at latitude 38-16N, longitude 11-34.8E, and sank in 250 fathoms of water. 1700 USS Lowry (DD-770) and helicopter commenced search for pilot. 1830 Search completed. Results negative. Pilot presumed dead. Lowry recovered mass which appeared to be human tissue and miscellaneous equipment including a life raft, helmet, gloves, first aid kit and bits of metal. USS America Deck Log, Saturday, 28 December 1966. December 6, 1966: Lt.(jg) Joseph William Frenzel, Jr. was uninjured and VA-66 A-4C BuNo 147693 was heavily damaged aboard the USS America when it caught fire after landing. BuNo 147693 was SOC 28 December 1966. 1747 (hours) While landing on the flight deck of the USS America A4C Bureau Number 147693 from squadron VA-64 caught fire. The ship was at position 16-29.5N, 64-19.2W. There were no personnel injuries. The plane was heavily damaged. USS America deck log, 06 December 1966. Info from Peter Greengrass. June 8, 1967: Black Lancer aircraft were part of an Air Wing 6 strike group that was launched to defend USS Liberty AGTR 5 when she came under attack by the Israelis. When word was received that 75-minute attack had been a mistake on the part of the Israelis the aircraft were recalled. July 27, 1967: Lt.(jg). C.J. Kelaghan ejected when VA-64 A-4C BuNo 147811 crashed into the sea 130 miles from the ship and sank in 2100 fathoms of water. The pilot was recovered by the helicopter and suffered a fracture of his right arm. USS America deck log, Thursday, 27 July 1967. Nov 1968: The squadron provided an A-4C, two pilots and seven enlisted personnel to augment the VSF-1 detachment aboard Wasp. The detachment provided the ship with a daytime air defense capability. November 7, 1969: Attack Squadron SIXTY-FOUR (VA-64) dis-established. |
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Unit Photos 1962: USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) with aircraft from CVW-6 (NE) on deck including VF-102 Diamondbacks F4H-1 Phantom II, VF-33 Tarsiers F8U-2NE Crusaders, VA-66 Waldos A4D-2N Skyhawks, VA-65 Tigers AD-6 Skyraiders, VA-64 Black Lancers A4D-2N Skyhawks, VA-76 Spirits A4D-2N Skyhawks, VAH-7 Peacemakers A3J-1 Vigilantes, VAW-12 Det. 65 WF-2 Tracers, VFP-62 Eyes of the Fleet Det. 65 F8U-1P Crusaders and HU-2 Fleet Angels Det. 65 HUP-2 Retrievers, August-December 1962. NOV-DEC 1962: Skyhawks parked forward of the island on CVN-65 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. CVW-6 Tail Code was "AF" until late in 1962, when it changed to "AE". Normally VA-66 and VA-76 Skyhawks provided the light attack jets for CVW-6 aboard CVN-65; the "CE" A4-C Skyhawks are VMA-225 brought aboard for additional fire-power as were VA-64 Skyhawks. Shown are BuNo 148606 of VA-64, 149522 as AF-606 of VA-76, 149618 of VA-64, an AD-6 Skyraider "SPAD" of VA-65, 147769 as CE-12 of VMA-225, 145131 as CE-16 of VMA-225, 147776 as CE-02 of VMA-225 and 147739 as CE-14 of VMA-225. 1963 Black Lancers Skyhawk BuNo 148529, AC-511, heads down the cat track after the cat officers signal to launch. Naval Aviation News Photo. 1963: VA-64 A-4C Skyhawks flying off CVN-65 are, BuNo 148513, AE-310; 149618, AE-301; 148516, AE-309; 148529, AE-311. Pic 2 Pic 3 All from "Boom" Powell. 1963: VA-64 A-4Charlies are BuNo 148516, AE-309; 149618, AE-301 flying off CVN-65. BuNo 148529, AE-311; 148513, AE-310; 148516, AE-309 and 149618, AE-301 of VA-64 flying of CVN-65. Photo from "Boom" Powell.
15 September 1964: USS Enterprise hangar deck, VA-64 A-4C BuNo 147745, AE-307, and VA-66 Waldos A-4C BuNo 149543, AE-5xx, (right side of photo), VAH-7 Peacemakers A-5A Vigilante AE-700 in the foreground, the tail of VFP-62 RF-8A BuNo 146889 and VF-33 Tarsiers F-8E Crusaders BuNo 150860, AE-215, and BuNo 150845 at left. Official U.S. Navy photo. 1965: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149535, AE-614, comes over the stern of the USS America (CVA-66) with the hook down and the speed brakes out. USS America CVA66 Cruise Book from Jack R. Hansen. 1965: Flight deck of the USS America (CVA-66) in the Med, CW from left is VAH-10 Vikings A-3B Skywarrior AE-022, VA-66 Waldos A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149652, AE-511, VAW-12 E-1B "Willie Fudd", AE-750, VA-36 Roadrunners A-4C Skyhawks 148470, AE-308, & 149524, AE-304, VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C BuNo 148544, AE-612, and across the deck VA-36 Roadrunners A-4C BuNo 149634, AE-312. USS America CVA66 Cruise Book from Jack R. Hansen. 1965: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148529, AE-6, spotted on the deck of the USS America (CVA-66) as a VAH-10 Whale is launched from the waist cat. USS America CVA66 Cruise Book from Jack R. Hansen. 1965: VA-76 Spirits A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147792 AE-50, at right in a line of Skyhawks aboard the USS America (CVA-66). VA-36 Roadrunners A-4C Skyhawk AE-300 to the left of 147792 and to the right are two VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C Skyhawks and to their right a VA-66 Waldos A-4C Skyhawk. USS America CVA66 Cruise Book from Jack R. Hansen. 03 MAR 1966: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148598, AE-609, pilot LT D.B. Nichols on USS America (CVA-66). USS America CVA66 Cruise Book from Jack R. Hansen. 1965-66: VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147814, AE-606, traps aboard CVA-66 during trials for the first cruise. Jack R. Hansen USS America CVA66 Cruise Book. 13 DEC 1965: VA-64 Black Lancers centurion LT D.B. Nichols and A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147814 , AE-606, after trapping aboard CVA-66 during trials for the first cruise. Jack R. Hansen USS America CVA66 Cruise Book. 1966: VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147745, AE-607, in formation with BuNo 148304, AE-616, BuNo 148483, AE-610 and BuNo 147784, AE-605. Jack R. Hansen USS America CVA66 Cruise Book. 1966: VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147784, AE-605, in formation with BuNo 148304, AE-616, BuNo 148483, AE-610 and BuNo 147745, AE-607. Jack R. Hansen USS America CVA66 Cruise Book. 1966: VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148304, AE-616, in formation with BuNo 147745, AE-607, BuNo 148483, AE-610 and BuNo 147784, AE-605. Jack R. Hansen USS America CVA66 Cruise Book. 1966: VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148483, AE-610, in formation with BuNo 148304, AE-616, BuNo 147745, AE-607 and BuNo 147784, AE-605. Jack R. Hansen USS America CVA66 Cruise Book. 24 April 1965: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149619, AE-602, is positioned on a catapult aboard the USS America (CVA-66), as Carrier Air Wing Six (CWA-6) conducts attack squadron carrier qualification operations. A-3B Skywarrior BuNo 144628, AB-606, from the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt at left. U. S. Navy photograph by PH2 Robert Ekshian. 1965-66: Black Lancers Skyhawk BuNo 147734, AE-601, assigned to CDR Dave Scherer forms the backdrop for a squadron officers photo aboard the America. Third from right back row: Lt(jg) Benjamin Russell Partin per Thomas Partin. "Frenchy" LeBlanc. 1966-67: VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148544, AE-613, trapping aboard the USS America, 1966-1967. Official U.S. Navy photo. 1967 Black Lancers Skyhawk formation passes by the USS America, CVA-66. L-r: BuNo 147745 AE-607, BuNo 148483 AE-610 and BuNo 148544 AE-612. Naval Aviation News Photo. 1968: USS Independence and CVW-7 (AG) aircraft in 1968. The Air Group squadrons/aircraft were VF-41 Black Aces F-4J Phantoms, VF-84 Jolly Rogers F-4J Phantoms, VA-76 Spirits A-4C Skyhawks, RVAH-7 Peacemakers RA-5C Vigilantes, VAH-10 Vikings Det. 62(KA-3B Skywarriors, VSF-1 Warhawks A-4C Skyhawks, VA-64 Black Lancers A-4C Skyhawks, VAQ-33 Firebirds Det. 62 EA-1F Skyraiders, VAW-124 Bear Aces E-2A Hawkeyes and HC-2 Fleet Angels Det. UH-2B Seasprites, 1968. 1968-69: Black Lancers Skyhawk BuNo 149563, AG-601, ready to launch from a forward cat aboard the Independence. "Boom" Powell. June 1969: BuNo 147733, AG-610, in tow with the brake rider holding the boarding ladder. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. Off-Duty Photos None yet. |
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