VT-24 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
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Patch The 1983, VT-24 patch features a snarling Bobcat's face. The 1990, VT-24 patch features a Bobcat's face snarling at a TA-4J Skyhawk flying below. |
Sources David Weber Ty Bass Ford J. Lauer III J.L. Meade ADJ-2 Frank J. Mirande Steve Linder John Gabbard CAPT. Jack Dodd. (ret.) |
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Handle Bobcats Heritage July 1, 1954 - - Advanced Training Unit 203 (ATU-203) established. May 1, 1960- - - ATU 203 was redesignated as Training Squadron 24 (VT-24). |
Home Ports 1954 - 1992? - - - - Naval Air Station Chase Field near Beeville, Texas. |
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Air Wings 1987 - - - - - - - C - - - - - - - Training Wing Three |
Aircraft Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: 19?? - - - - - - - - - - - - North American T-28 Trojan. 19?? - - - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-8T Cougar. 31 July 1972 - - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk. For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
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Deployments None. |
Commanding Officers Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer 1973-1974: CDR Gene Tetter (update by VT-24 AE, Doug Andrews) 1975-1976: CDR Barker (update by VT-24 AE, Doug Andrews) 1986-1988: Jack Dodd was XO then CO; now CAPT. USN (retired). |
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Awards No info yet |
Awards continued No additional info |
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Events March 27, 1974: 2nd Lt. Sheldon Norris was killed when his TA-4J BuNo 159099 from Chase Field crashed near Red Hill approximately 30 miles NE of Yuma. In 1983, an old salt VT-24 chief stated the VT-24 and VT-25 hangers were originally at Lakehurst, New Jersey. During World War Two they were dismantled and reassembled at Chase Field to support the WW-II effort. 1972: I was stationed at Chase Field from Jan 1972 to Dec 1975. The F-9 Cougars were flying when I got there, but by the early fall the A-4 Skyhawks were established and flying and the Cougars were phased out. That would be approx: Sept. 1972. 1974: When I was a flight instructor in VT-24 (Chase Field, Beeville, Texas) in 1974 we had 5-6 students from the Singapore AF going through transition training. I had the CO, Gary Yeo, as one of my students. They showed me pictures of the single and two-seat A-4s waiting for them back home. "Dwarf" March 27, 1974: 2nd Lt. Sheldon Norris, 24, was killed when his Skyhawk (BuNo 159099) from Chase Field crashed at 12:41 p.m. yesterday near Red Hill approximately 30 miles NE of Yuma. An MCAS spokesman said Norris didn't eject and was alone on a training flight when the plane crashed. Norris' squadron was temporarily assigned to MCAS Monday and was scheduled to return to Chase Field tomorrow. The wreckage was located by rescue helicopters from MCAS and YPG's Laguna Army Airfield. The Yuma Daily Sun, Yuma, Arizona, Thursday, March 28, 1974. August 30, 1978: Ens. Michael J. Kemph, 24, and Ens. Joseph K. Naworcki, 26, ejected after a midair collision between their NAS Chase, Beeville, TA-4J training jets (BuNo 158510 and BuNo 156931) during routine three plane training flight. The third plane in the formation piloted by instructor Lt. Eric A. Vancourt was not involved in the collision and returned safely to the Beeville airport. One plane crashed to earth in a field owned by the Victoria airport and the other plunged at least 10 feet under the earth on the O'Connor estate. Naworcki said his plane began losing power and he was descending in an attempt to regain power when the nose of Kempf's plane hit the tail section of his. Kempf was the most seriously injured with a concussion believed to have occured when his head hit the canopy upon ejection. The Victoria Advocate, (cont) Friday, August 31, 1978. Ens. Michael J. Kemph and Ens. Joseph K. Naworcki ejected after a midair collision between their NAS Chase, Beeville, TA-4J training jets. Both pilots were picked up by a Naval helicopter and transported to a local hospital. The crash involving two of the three jets participating in a three-plane training maneuver occurred about 5:20 p.m. about six miles N of Victoria, TX. An eyewitness said one aircraft was flying straight up and the other was crossing above it horizontally when the collision occurred. Longview News Journal, Thursday, 31 August 1978. Ens. Michael J. Kemph and Ens. Joseph K. Naworcki ejected after a midair collision between their NAS Chase, Beeville, TA-4J training jets during routine tactical maneuvers training shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. The planes crashed to earth about a half-mile apart in the vicinity of the Victoria airport and O'Connor ranch. The altitude at the time of the crash is believed to have been between 14,000 and 15,000 feet. Kempf remained in Citizens Memorial Hospital Thursday recovering from a concussion. The Victoria Advocate, Friday, September 1, 1978.
June 15, 1979: Paul E. Backs (USMC), IP, and Ens. Fred Rojek, SNA, ejected safely from TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155093 when the engine failed after what looked like a good relight resulted in a FIRE light at 14K feet and 220kts while in the holding pattern for a practice TACAN approach into NAS Beeville, TX. After slowing to 200kts the pilot initiated command ejection 23 miles West of the field. After they touched down they walked to each other and then went to a road to wait for a helo from Corpus Christi. From Paul E. Backs, 26 January 2016. Flight included a climb to FL 220, penetration at an intermediate facility and return to 15,000 feet enroute to NAS Chase initial approach. Prior to arrival at the IP fix SNA requested and was cleared for two turns in holding. Immediately following the inbound turn in a wings level attitude IP and SNA experienced a loud and distinct boom. IP perceived the explosion to emanate from directly under his seat and SNA stating that apparently originated from behind and to the left. IP immediately took control of the aircraft and observed rapidly decreasing engine RPM and felt loss of thrust. IP established 250kt descent and deployed emergency generator following loss of electrical power. IP initiated relight and evidence of a relight was immediate and IP declared an emergency and stated that he had a good relight. However EGT continued a steady rise to the gauge limit of 1,000 c and RPM rose to approximately 45 to 50 percent and within 30 seconds RPM decayed to 20 percent and EGT remained pegged. With Fire warning light illuminated IP secured engine, reduced airspeed to 200 KTS and initiated command ejection. AAR 10 July 1979. August 29, 1979: Capt. Gayle Adcock (USMC), IP, ejected safely after his Skyhawk (BuNo 158484) entered into an inverted spin. He was a solo instructor on a student solo ACM hop and lost situational awareness in his own cockpit when he was distracted by the SNA’s nose attitude and airspeed. From Paul E. Backs, 28 January 2016. February 13, 1980: TA-4J Skyhawks BuNo 156949 and 158719 were destroyed on the ground when VT-25 TA-4J 155101 crashed on takeoff at MCAS Yuma, AZ. Yuma Sun, Thursday, February 14, 1980. May 4, 1986: Lt. Greg Holthus (IP) and Ens. James Otto (student) ejected safely when their VT-24 TA-4J Skyhawk (BuNo 153460) crashed near Victoria, TX Sunday while on a routine training flight. The jet crashed and burned in a pasture off FM 446 and Staley Road approximately seven miles SE of Victoria at about 4:35 p.m. The Victoria Advocate, Tuesday, May 6, 1986. VT-24 TA-4J BuNo 153460 was destroyed at Chase Field when aircraft departed from controlled flight during zero airspeed maneuver. 04 May 1986. 0 fatalities. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. January 14, 1987: W.W. Nickels and B. Makridis . . . suffered minor injuries and were being treated at MCAS Yuma after their Navy A-4 (BuNo 158124) flying out of El Centro crashed during a practice bombing mission on a range 16 miles outside Yuma, AZ. Madison Capital Times, Thursday, Jan. 15, 1987. VT-24 TA-4J BuNo 158124 was destroyed at Yuma when aircraft experienced engine failure and fire. 14 January 1987. Aircrew ejected successfully. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. 1987: VT-24 and VT-25 maintenance departments combined into a TW-3 Maintenance Department. Squadrons remained separate entities. December 10, 1990: Two Navy pilots are missing after a mid-air collision during takeoff and landing practice from the carrier USS Lexington at 4:10 p.m. between their TA-4J Skyhawks (BuNo 158098 and 158125) 85 miles NW of Key West, FL. The New Mexican Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, December 11, 1990 and Lance Patterson. Ens. Troy A. Moore, 25, a student pilot assigned to VT-24, Chase Field and Cdr. Philip F. Palmatier Jr., 40, VT-25 CO from NAS Chase Field in Beeville were killed when their TA-4 Skyhawk jets collided about 3 p.m. CST Monday. The search for the pilots whose jets collided during takeoff and landing practice from the carrier USS Lexington was called off about 3:30 p.m. CST Tuesday. On Tuesday searchers found some debris from the jets which will be analyzed as part of the investigation. The single engine two seat TA-4 Skyhawks collided 86 miles NW of Key West and one plane was seen going down by other pilots in the area. A number of Navy helicopters, three USCG H-3 helicopters and the ISCG Cutter Padre, all from Clearwater also searched for the pilots. The Skyhawks were based at Beeville, but were operating out of Key West during carrier qualifications. Pensacola News Journal, cont., Wednesday, 12 December 1990. VT-25 TA-4J BuNo 158125 and VT-24 TA-4J BuNo 158098 were destroyed at AVT-16 from midair between two aircraft in carrier qualification pattern. 15 December 1990. 2 fatalities. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. I was an instructor pilot assigned to VT-22 and was at the Lexington the day this accident occurred. I was coming through the 90 position on my approach to Lex when the SNA and Cdr. Parmatier collided right above me at 3000 feet agl. I actually had to maneuver away and down the ships wake to avoid being hit by 1/2 of a TA-4J as it fell. JB Kilmer. 1993: Naval Air Station Chase Field closed around 1993, and the property turned over to the State of Texas. A Texas state prison was subsequently built on the site. As of 1996, the old VT-24 and VT-25 hangers were still standing. |
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Unit Photos MARCH 1972: VT-24 Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 153478, C-400, Commander Training Wing Three, Capt. T.C. Wimberly. Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.153474 right front view of VT-24 C-407, in-flight. Photo provided by former VT-24 Instructor, Steve Linder. BuNo.153474 - right front close-up view. Photo provided by former VT-24 Instructor, Steve Linder. MAR72: BuNo 158520, 3K-422, on the ramp. From Hill, Gary Verver Collection BuNo.156931 and students. Photo provided by former VT-24 Instructor, Steve Linder. 25 May 1974: BuNo 156892, 3K-441, parked on the flight line. G. Verver Collection. 10 Aug 1974: BuNo 156931, 3K-442, parked on the ramp. G. Verver Collection. 17 AUG 1974: right side view of Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 158721, 3K-403, assigned to LCDR Tim Hubbard, parked on the ramp and sporting MIG kill marks on the forward fuselage below the side number. LCDR Hubbard scored while with VF-211. C-Eddy. C-405 parked on the ramp. Dr. C.A. "Sketch" Eddy. 12 JUL 1975: VT-24 156931 on the ramp next to a VT-27 T-28 at NAS Glenview. The Whale at far right is 144852. By P. Stevens. OCT 1975: Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 158494, C-404, parked on the ramp. Dr. C.A. "Sketch" Eddy. 19 Oct 1975: BuNo 156941, C-419, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. SEP76: BuNo 143478, C-400, at Jacksonville. Gary Verver Collection. 1977: Bobcats Skyhawk C-403. Harry Gann. 1977: BuNo 158487, C-406, parked. Gary Verver Collection. JUL 1977: G. Verver collection, right front view of CNATRA Skyhawk BuNo 155097, C-000, assigned to RADM Burt Shepherd LT Bill Chambers parked on the flight line. OCT78: BuNo 153478, C-400, at Moffett Field. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 158520 as C-400. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 158512, C-400, TW-3 paint scheme. Gary Verver Collection. 1979: BuNo 153478, C-400, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. OCT 1979: in-flight view of Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 153478, C-400, Commander Training Wing Three, CAPT T.C. Wimberly. J.W. Alber. 1979: In-flight view of Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 153478, C-400, Commander Training Wing Three, CAPT T.C. Wimberly, in formation with C-401 and C-402 as they pass by Mount Rushmore. J.W. Alber. JAN80: JBuNo 158512, C-401, parked on the NAF Andrews ramp. Rob Mignard. FEB80: BuNo 158090, C-424, parked on the ramp . Photo by D. Remington, G. Verver collection. 1980: Bobcat TA-4J BuNo. 158524. Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 158524 side number C-403 from VT-24 at Naval Air Station Chase Field near Beeville, Texas flies high over Texas. 1980: George, Tom, Teddy, Abe and the Three Bobcats. Three Bobcat TA-4J Skyhawks fly formation past George, Tom, Teddy and Abe at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. The lead Skyhawk is side number C-401; Wingman is TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 158520 side number C-402; And 'ol "Tail End Charlie" is Skyhawk BuNo. 158524 side number C-403. USN picture from Ford J. Lauer III. 1981: Bobcat Alpha and Bravo Flight Lines. VT-24 Alpha and Bravo flight lines after summer rainstorm. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1981: Ford Lauer VT-24 Plane Captain. VT-24 Plane Captain Ford Lauer, fueling a TA-4J drop tank. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1981: VT-24 Plane Captain. VT-24 Plane Captain preparing and checking a TA-4J for a student's flight. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1981: VT-24 Bobcat Skyhawk BuNo. 154287. TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 154287, side number C-444, of the VT-24 "Bobcats" from Naval Air Station Chase Field, Texas, photographed on display at the Naval Air Station Atlanta airshow, July 5, 1981. This Scooter bears the relatively (for Training Command) uncommon gray and white scheme. From a photograph by Frank J. Mirande. 1981: Bobcats Center Skyhawk BuNo 152872, C-000, assigned to the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), parked on the flight line. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1981: The Tail End View. The "SIX" view of VT-24 TA-4J Skyhawk, BuNo. 158516 side number C 406. The VT-25 hanger is in the background at the left; VT-24 hanger at right. Building in between is AIMD welding shop. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1981: The front half. VT-24 TA-4J side number C 416 on the wash rack, having its engine bay washed prior to engine re-installation. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1982: Parachute Training. VT-24 Parachute Riggers fit Student Naval Aviators into their torso harnesses in the Squadron hanger. The final fitting is a test jump to check the fit under the scrutiny of riggers and a fight instructor. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1982: Bobcats Near Chase Field. Three TA-4J Bobcat Skyhawks in left eschelon. The Chase Field runways are barely visible in the haze are under the lead Skyhawk. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1982: Todd Woodard. VT-24 Plane Captain, Todd Woodard, changing the main landing gear wheel on VT-24 TA-4J Skyhawk. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 24 JUL 1982: Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 154297, C-444, parked on the ramp during an air show. D. Taghauer. Date unknown: BuNo 154297, C-444, marked with "Marines". Pic1, Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. 29 Jan 1983: VT-24 Bobcats TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155074, C-445, parked on the flight line. Photo from Werner Munzenmaier collection. 29 Jan 1983: Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 155074, C-445, parked on the Andrews flight line. Photo by T. Paskowski, Gary Verver Collection. 29 Jan 1983: Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 155113, C-416, parked on the Andrews flight line. Photo by T. Paskowski, Gary Verver Collection. May 1983: left side view of a Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 153474, C-407, parked on the Andrews AFB ramp. Photo by T. Paskowski, G. Verver collection. 11 June 1983: Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 156911, C-412, parked on the Andrews flight-line. Photo by T. Paskowski, G. Verver Collection. July 1983: left side view of a Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 153474, C-407, parked on the Andrews ramp. Photo by T. Paskowski, G. Verver collection. July 1983: Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 156942, C-426, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. 24 Jul 1983: Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 158718, C-422, parked on the Andrews ramp. T. Paskowski, G. Verver collection. 1983: The VT-24 Hangar. A view of the VT-24 hanger from the Bobcat flight line at Naval Air Station Chase Field, Texas. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. BuNo 158719 VT-24 3K-435 on the ramp. BuNo 158714, VT-24 C-431 on the ramp. BuNo 156931, VT-24 3K-422, taxi. BuNo 156933, VT-24 3F-429, on the ramp. The Bobcats - 1983. OK - so who are these guys and gals? Picture from Ford J. Lauer III. 1983: Bobcat Carlos Clavarino - 1983. Plane Captain, Carlos Clavarino, poses in the intake of VT-24 TA-4J C-409. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1983: VT-24 Skyhawk BuNo. 156935. Bobcat TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 156935 side number C-417 on a student hop. 1983: Bobcat in the Slot - 1983. Flying the slot position on a VT-24 TA-4J Skyhawk. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1983: United States Ship Lexington at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The United States Ship Lexington CVA-16 aircraft carrier parked at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, pier. The Lex was used as a training carrier by the VT squadrons, and fleet RAG (Replacement Air Group) squadrons. In the background is Forest Sherman Field the home of the Blue Angels and VT-4. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 1984: TA-4J BuNo. 158516. VT-24 TA-4J BuNo. 158516 side number C 406 parked near elevator with VRC-40 COD 136027 Grumman TS-2A Tracker on United States Ship Lexington is taxing on aft elevator. Pictures from Ford J. Lauer III. 10 MAY 1986: VT-24 TA-4J BuNo 158723, C-475. Name below the canopy is Executive Officer CDR Terry L. Anderson. Photo by R.R. Leader from Verver Collection. 1986: BuNo 158723, C-475 on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. Landing Signal Officers (LSO) observe a VT-24 TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft on board the carrier Enterprise (CVN 65). JUL86: 154297, C-430, parked on the ramp. Photo by Scott Van Aken. JUL86: BuNo 158487, C-406, parked on the ramp. Name below the canopy looks to be LCDR Ingram. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 158487, C-406, on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. OCT86: Bobcats Skyhawk BuNo 154297, C-430, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1988: Bobcat Skyhawk BuNo. 154631. VT-24 Bobcat Skyhawk TA-4J BuNo. 154631, side number C 443, finished in Israeli-type adversary camouflage is photographed on the Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georga, flight line in August, 1988. From a photograph by Frank J. Mirande. 1990: VT-24 Skyhawk BuNo. 154338. VT-24 Bobcat's TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 154338, side number C 457, finished in low vis camouflage paint is photographed on the Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georga, flight line on March 3, 1990. From a photograph by Frank J. Mirande. JUL90: BuNo 158527, C-483, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. BuNo 158723, C-475, parked on the ramp in a blue/gold/white paint scheme. Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. Probably VT-24. 10 OCT 1991: A "thumbs-up" for a TA-4J Skyhawk on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Forrestal, CVA-59. Photo by PH1 Scott M. Allen, from Gary Verver. 10OCT91: An aircraft handler stands by with a tiller bar on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) as a TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft (unknown) comes in for an arrested landing. Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to VT-24:
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