VC-8 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
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Patch First patch is of a WWII unit, and not affiliated with the Redtails. Second (GMS-2), third, fourth patches are from Scott "Scooter" Siedschlag Fifth patch = 1965, courtesy of VC-8 Sixth patch = 1998 from Captain Steve Kornatz, former Redtail CO. The Redtails wore this Skyhawk Patch below their Redtails Patch. |
Sources David Weber LTJG Jared Allen, VC-8 PAO Harry S. Gann Frank J. Mirande LTJG Tariq Rashid John Tyner LT Scott "Buster" Armstrong, VC-8 PAO Captain Steve Kornatz, former Redtail CO. Wynn "Captain Hook" Foster Scott "Scooter" Siedschlag Dennis "Phantom" Fandey Rod Whalen John Patterson (Skyhawk Assn VC-8 SDO) Berny Forester |
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Handle Redtails Heritage JUL 1958: Guided Missile Service Squadron TWO established at Naval Air Station Chincoteague, Virginia. JAN 1959: Guided Missile Service Squadron TWO was transferred to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. 1960: Guided Missile Service Squadron TWO was re-designated Fleet Utility Squadron EIGHT (VU-8) at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. 1965: Fleet Utility Squadron EIGHT (VU-8) was re-designated Fleet Composite Squadron EIGHT (VC-8) at Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. |
Home Ports JUL 1958: Guided Missile Service Squadron TWO was based at Naval Air Station Chincoteague, Virginia. JAN 1959: Guided Missile Service Squadron TWO was transferred to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. 1965: Fleet Utility Squadron EIGHT (VU-8) was re-designated Fleet Composite Squadron EIGHT (VC-8) at Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. 2001 to MAY 2003: Fleet Composite Squadron EIGHT (VC-8) was based at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The squadron also spent time assigned to Barbers Point, HI and NAS Guantanamo Bay |
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Air Wings Tactical Support Wing One, NAS Norfolk (VC/VRF/VAQ squadrons) - 1973 - ? |
Aircraft Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: 26 June 1965: - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk * 26 May 1969 - - - - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk * 26 June 1975: - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawks assigned: * November 30, 1962 The A4D-2 designation changed to A-4B The A4D-2N designation changed to A-4C For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
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Deployments No info yet |
Commanding Officers JUL 1958: - - - - - - - - - - CDR H.J Silbertstein (GMSRON-2) JUL 1959 to FEB 1960: - - - - CDR J.E. Braun FEB 1960 to JUL 1960: - - - - CDR S.N. May JUL 1960 to FEB 1961: - - - - CDR S.N. May (VU-8) FEB 1961 to FEB 1962: - - - - CDR W.G. Andrews FEB 1962 to FEB 1963: - - - - CDR D.A. Kribs FEB 1963 to JAN 1964: - - - - CDR T.J. Cross JAN 1964 to APR 1965: - - - - CDR T.D. Fosdick APR 1965 to JUL 1965: - - - - CDR J.R. Geer JUL 1965 to FEB 1966: - - - - CDR J.R. Geer (VC-8) FEB 1966 to APR 1967: - - - - CDR J.H. Foxgrover APR 1967 to JUL 1968: - - - - CDR M.E. Smith JUL 1968 to MAY 1969: - - - - CDR D.E. Lashbrook MAY 1969 to MAY 1970: - - - - CDR M.L. Johnson MAY 1970 to MAY 1971: - - - - CDR R.E. Zapalc MAY 1971 to MAY 1972: - - - - CDR R.C. Nicholson 1972 - 1973: - - - CDR Fred Spelman 1973 - 1974: - - - CDR Bob Carlson 1974-75: - - - - - - - - - - CDR Stephen B. Sloane. Naval Academy graduate 1957. 1975-76: - - - - - - - - - - CDR Paul H. Molenda. Grad. of Erie County Comm. Coll. Entered Navy as NAVCAD. 1976-77: - - - - - - - - - - CDR Keith A. Boatright. Entered Navy as NAVCAD. 1977-78: - - - - - - - - - - CDR Ralph W. Chandler. Grad. of Indiana Univ. 1957. 1977 to 1978: - - - - - - - - CDR Chamberland 1978 to 1979: - - - - - - - - CDR Dan Duda 1979 to 1980: - - - - - - - - CDR Scripick (sp?) 1992 to Aug 1994 - CDR Randy Sweeney Sep 1994 to Jan 1996 - CDR Bernd Foerster 01 JAN 1998 to 21 AUG 1998: - CDR J. G. Speer 21 AUG 1998 - - - - - - - - - CDR S.D. Kornatz MAR 2000: - - - - - - - - - - CDR B. Steele MAR 2001: - - - - - - - - - - CDR V. Drouillard 13 JUL 2002 - - - - - - - - - CDR Thomas McDonough |
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Awards HUM AUG through NOV 1979 15 SEP through 31 OCt 1995 SOS 15 JAN 1993 through 28 NOV 1994 AFEM 16 SEP 1994 through 29 OCT 1994 Meritorious Unit Commendation 02 AUG 90 through 18 MAR 91 17 OCT 93 through 25 OCT 94 23 JAN 96 through 5 SEP 98 Bronze Hammer Special 1992 SECNAV Energy Conservation 1992 1993 1994 Admiral's Cup 1993 1998 The Golden Anchor 1993 1994 Operational Readiness Command Battle 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 |
- Awards continued - U. S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation 15 JAN 1993 -- 28 NOV 1994 15 AUG -- 31 DEC 1996 Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety 1994 1996 1997 1998 Safety Achievement 1997: VC-8 had accumulated 12 years and over 109,000 hours of mishap-free flying Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation 31 DEC 1996 Captain's Cup 1998 Battle E 1994 |
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Events JUL 1958: Guided Missile Service Squadron TWO established at Naval Air Station Chincoteague, Virginia. JAN 1959: Guided Missile Service Squadron TWO was transferred to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. 1960: Guided Missile Service Squadron TWO was re-designated Fleet Utility Squadron EIGHT (VU-8) at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. 1965: Fleet Utility Squadron EIGHT (VU-8) was re-designated Fleet Composite Squadron EIGHT (VC-8) at Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. You might like to know that a VC-8 helo detachment deployed April 16-21, 1976 aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) for Mobile Sea Range 76. This was the only deployment of a VC-8 helo detachment. Its purpose was to test the idea of a mobile sea range whereby drones would be launched by a support ship at sea and have the recovery helos aboard an adjacent ship. The detachment recovered all drones (a dozen or so?) in a matter of minutes. Only one drone went astray and was never recovered. If you would like to see a photo of the crew, you can search "VC-8 Redtail Country," then click on "REDTAIL COUNTRY-A TRIBUTE TO FLEET COMPOSITE SQUADRON EIGHT;" click on "photographs," left menu; then click on "1971-1980 Photos," Photo menu; the photo is on the top row, far right photo. The crew and pilots are: (back row) LTJG Ray Welsh, LTJG Tom Rose, Rodriguez, Rudder, LCDR Rod Whalen (OINC), LT Larry Graves, LTJG Troy DeGroot, Edwards, Garcia, and O'neal: (front row) Bernicken, Laminoza, Chief Nelson, Pence, Bugay, and Averion. February 14, 1974: A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 150583 . . . Lt. Thomas Ben West, USN, died on 14 February at sea off the USS Colorado near Puerto Rico as a result of an aircraft accident. Memorial services with full military honors and a missing man formation fly-by were held. Tom West was killed in an aircraft accident on 14 February. He was flying for VC-8 out of Roosevelt Roads, P. R. May 23, 1974: Lt. Ronald Steven Hill ejected safely from Roosevelt Roads A-4C BuNo 149586, Salt Spray 32, after the main generator failed and the engine center main bearing failed causing an inflight fire while on a post maintenance check flight about 8 miles south of the airfield. At 0705 the intensity of airframe vibrations increased significantly with the EGT increasing through 800C and a slight delay in RPM shortly after this peak in vibration. He reduced the throttle from 75-80% to about 70% and selected manual fuel. After RPM increased from 58-60% to about 65%, it decreased again to about idle RPM with EGT over 900C. SS 32 was visually spotted and observed to be on fire with a flame pattern confined to the tailpipe and extending out about 10-20 feet. As SS 32 initiated a starboard turn away from land he passed directly underneath USCG Air Station Aguadill P.R. HH-3F Pelican Rescue 1490 with about one-half the helo's altitude of 1500 feet. Just prior to passing underneath and behind the helo, the flames and sparks shot out to 20-30 feet behind the tail. At 0708 Lt. Hill initiated his successful ejection. There was a large splash of water, but no explosion when SS 32 hit the water. At 0709 Rescue 1490 notified the tower that they have the pilots chute in the water. The chute is floating and we have the pilot in sight. Lt. Hill was hoisted into the helo and returned to the VC-8 hangar. . AAR 3-74A.
1977 to 1980: The rest of the Story Many of us bachelors, in those days, lived on the hill below the BOQ in the old pre-WWII Army housing/condos or over on "Dental Hill". "Rainbow Hills" housing was fairly new and later the NEX Commissary moved from the Mariposa site near the base gym and theater to the hill/site above "Rainbow Hills". The Squadron Logo/Patch that is shown on the bottom row, middle one, on this site is the one I designed and submitted for the Command to the CNO for approval, which we got. At the time I was the Squadron's Assistant Admin Officer. Somewhere in my stuff, if it wasn't lost in my many moves, I still have the original drawing that I kept. I also was TAD'd to the Station Public Works Dept, under CDR Poole at that time, as the air station architect to design the Enlisted Club/Disco (in those days) across the road from the barracks in a former bowling alley in my off hours when not flying. I also did the design for classroom additions to the Base Chapel but funding never was available while there and so don't know if it was ever done. Also, I noticed that the CO's during my tour of duty are missing: CDR Keith Boatwright ('76-'77), CDR Chamberland ('77-'78), CDR Dan Duda ('78-'79) CDR Scripick (sp?) ('79-'80) ADM Flannagan was the COMNAVFORCARIBE during much of that time. In addition the A-4 Skyhawk and P-2V Neptune, we also had and flew the SH-3G in support of the AFWTF (Atlantic Fleet Weapons Testing Facility) Range/Target Retrieval, Flight Testing, SAR, Logistics flights of personnel and equipment to all the islands including St Thomas, St Croix, Culebra, Vieques and ships on the range and flew numerous special Secret/Top Secret classified CNO Ops. We had six SH-3G's. I also still have several of the Squadron Plaques. Many of the pilots I can still name too. Circa 1990: VC-8 spelled out by the squadron members. 1997: The VC-8 Redtails were assigned the Fleet Adversary mission. The Redtails send adversary detachments to Naval Air Stations to train local units. Some of the bases the Redhawks deploy to: Naval Air Station Oceana, Naval Air Station Key West, Naval Air Station Fallon, and Naval Air Station Pensacola. JUN 2000: The Redtail Fleet Replacement Detachment Training Facility better known as the Skyhawk Training Facility became fully operational. Training equipment such as wall-sized training panels, as well as other training aids and a flight simulator was brought from VT-7 at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi. 2001: The Redhawk scooters are painted camouflage, mimicking potential adversary aircraft. Three Skyhawks painted desert brown camouflage and the remaining four Skyhawks painted sky blue camouflage. All VC-8 Skyhawks will be painted in the sky blue camouflage. 13 JUL 2002: Change of Command occurred with CDR Thomas McDonough USN taking command of the Redtails. XO is CDR John Cosmos Peter Fristachi USN. 03 MAY 2003: Last USN active duty Skyhawks are retired! 23 AUG 2003: VC-8 Disestablished, and the last active Skyhawks are honored, at NAS Oceana |
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Unit Photos Redtails Skyhawk BuNo 144901, GF-33, parked on the ramp. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza. AUG67: VC-8 Skyhawk BuNo 144932, GF-31, parked on the ramp. Naval Aviation News Photo. 144901.jpg BuNo. 144901 Lonnie Simmons. BuNo. 145061. Joe Killough. BuNo. 150583. Joe Killough. BuNo. 150591. Joe Killough. BuNo. 150599. Joe Killough. JUN 1972: Left side view of VC-8 Redtails A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 150599, GF-35, on the ramp next a sister Skyhawk, NAS Willow Grove. Copyright R.W. Harrison. BuNo 154342 of VC-8, numbered GF-04. BuNo 154342 of VC-8, numbered GF-04. Circa 1976: VC-8 Redtails TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 154618, GF-31, location unknown. Photographer unknown. 1976: BuNo 152871, GF-33, TA-4J parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1976: BuNo 153496, GF-35 on the ramp. Rick Morgan provided photo. 1978: BuNo 153527 assigned to the Marines sits on the ramp. NOV78: BuNo 154649, GF-31, parked on the line. Gary Verver Collection. 20 APR 1980: VC-8 Redtail Aircraft Types. An EP-2H Neptune leads two TA-4J Skyhawks on April 20, 1980 at an airshow flyby at Puerto Rico. Composite Squadron Eight operated both aircraft types at that time. Photograph from the Harry Gann Collection. TA-4F, GF-1, BuNo unknown, from Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) is towed by an MD-3A tow tractor. Note: Skyhawk at right is TA-4F BuNo 153502, GF-? U.S. Navy Photo from Gary Verver. Date unknown: BuNo 153502, GF-32, TA-4J parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 23 SEP 1990: A right side view of a Fleet Composite Squadron 8 (VC-8) TA-4J Skyhawk (BuNo 153498, GF-105) aircraft parked on the Andrews AFB, Maryland flight-line. Photo by PH2 Bruce R. Trombecky. 23 SEP 1990: VC-8 TA-4 parked on the flight line. Offical photo, from Gary Verver. 26 Jun 1975 to 1993: BuNo 152867, VC-8 GF-4, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1992: BuNo 153486, GF-05, taxi on the ramp. Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. 1994: VC-8 TA-4J Skyhawk Visits Atlanta. TA-4J BuNo. 154312, side number Golf Foxtrot 104 from Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, photographed on a rain-soaked Naval Air Station Atlanta transit line on October 2, 1994. The Skyhawk is painted in Tactical Paint Scheme "low-vis" grays. Photograph by Frank J. Mirande. 1994: TA-4J Skyhawk Detail. TA-4J BuNo. 154312, showing redtail hawk design on drop tank detail. Naval Air Station Atlanta, October 2, 1994. Photograph by Frank J. Mirande. OCT 1997: VC-8 TA-4J BuNo 154649, GF-01, OCT 1997. D. Brown photo, Verver Collection. 30 APR 1998: VC-8 TA-4J BuNo 153486, GF-05, 30 APR 1998 at NAS Oceana. Photo from C. Kaston, Verver Collection. 25MAY94 to 31MAR98: BuNo 153525 TA-4J, GF-02, Pic1, Pic2, Pic3, Pic4, Pic5, Pic6. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 154616, 00, parked and tied down on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 21 OCT 1999: VC-8 TA-4J BuNo 153485, GF-05, 21 OCT 1999. Name below the canopy is LCDR Mick Mc(something). Photographer unknown from G. Verver collection. 21OCT00: VC-8 TA-4J BuNo 154616, GF-00, 21 OCT 2000. Name below the canopy is CDR "Cold" Steele. Photographer unknown, from Verver Collection. 21OCT00: BuNo 153525, VC-8 GF-02, on the ramp. Name below the canopy is LCDR "Scarface" Fontana. 21OCT00: VC-8 TA-4J BuNo 154342, GF-04, 21 OCT 2000. Name below the canopy looks like LCDR Frankenberger. Photographer unknown, from Verver Collection. NAS Roosevelt Roads. TA-4J Redtails in formation. In a composite photograph Composite Squadron Eight flyby in a "V" formation under a squadron patch. Photograph from LTJG Tariq "Turk" Rashid. TA-4J Redtails in formation. Six Composite Squadron Eight fly over Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, in a "V" formation. Photograph from LTJG Tariq "Turk" Rashid. JAN01: Douglas TA-4J BuNo. 153526 GF 103 - 2001. Commander Vince Drouillard drives TA-4J BuNo. 153526 GF 103 high over the Caribbean near Puerto Rico late in January 2001. Photograph from LTJG Jared Allen. 2001: Douglas TA-4J BuNo. 154616 - 2001. Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 154616 is the second VC-8 bird to receive a new "baby blue camo" paint job at NADep. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. All seven VC-8 aircraft are scheduled for the "baby blue" paint scheme. Photograph from John Tyner. 2001: VC-8's Aircraft "03" waits for it's aircrew in between missions at NAS Oceana in August of 2001. Photo by Ed Rivera 2001. 01APR02: VC-8 Line Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. VC-8 Sunset Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 06MAY02: VC-8 formation on May 06, 2002. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 06MAY02: VC-8 Skyhawk dumping fuel. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. VC-8 formation. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.153486 tanking. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.153525 TA-4F #102. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.153526 TA-4F #103 and #102. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 29AUG02: BuNo.154312 TA-4F #104, August 29, 2002. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 29AUG02: BuNo.154312 TA-4F #104, August 29, 2002. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.154342 TA-4F #104. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.154342 TA-4F #104. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 01APR02: BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101 April 01, 2002 with bombload. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 01APR02: BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101 April 01, 2002 with canopy up. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 01APR02: BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101 April 01, 2002 ready to taxi. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 01APR02: BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101 April 01, 2002 with Mk-8x bombs. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 01APR02: BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101 April 01, 2002 with BQM-74E. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 13AUG02: BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101 August 13, 2002. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101 with FA-18. Right side in-flight view of VC-8 Redtails TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154649, GF-101, with a "War Party" drop tank in formation with a F/A-18A Hornet (might be BuNo 164663) AJ-403 assigned to the "War Party" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, date unknown. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.154649 TA-4F #101. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107. Gary Verver Collection. 05SEP02: BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 05SEP02: BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107. Left rear in flight view of Redtails Skyhawk BuNo 158137, GF-107, in a blue on blue camouflage scheme. AQM-37 on the center-line.Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 05SEP02: BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107, September 05 2002. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 05SEP02: BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107. right rear in flight view of Redtails Skyhawk BuNo 158137, GF-107, launching an AQM-37 painted in a blue on blue camouflage scheme. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. 05SEP02: BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107, September 05 2002 with an AQM-37 Launch. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. NOV02: BuNo 153526, VC-8 #03 on the ramp. Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. NOV02: BuNo 154342, 04, on the line. Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107, shutting down. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107, slush tanking. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.158137 TA-4J #107, with tanker. Photo by John Slezak, Gary Verver Collection. TA-4s: above Castillo del Morro in Old San Juan, P.R. Aixa Owens. LT Pickney returns from his last Skyhawk flight. VC-8 TA-4J BuNo 158137. A TA-4 Skyhawk from the Redtails of Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) taxis to a stop in front of Alaska Airlines’ maintenance facility after a ferry flight from Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The aircraft will be de-milled (rendered incapable of flight) and then put on display aboard the U.S.S. Hornet museum at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Alameda, Calif., a few miles away. VC-8, which has been awarded the Battle Efficiency Award and Search-and-Rescue Award this year (2003) is also in the running for the Chief of Naval Operation’s Safety Award. The unit will disestablish by Sept. 30, after more than 40 years of service. U.S. Navy photo by Erick McCarthy. (Apr. 8, 2003) Provided by Gary Verver. 30 Apr 2003: AN Carrie Bradshaw exchanges salutes with Cmdr. Tom McDonough, Redtails CO, prior to the departure of the last active TA-4 Skyhawk in the U.S. Navy. U.S. Navy by Journalist 3rd Class Landon Mason. Last of the Skyhawks fly off to museums. AUG03: Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. (Aug. 23, 2003) -- Honored guests and participants render honors during the singing of the national anthem at the disestablishment ceremony for Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) “Redtails,” the last TA-4J “Skyhawk” squadron. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Anthony M. Koch. (RELEASED) Marker for VC-8 that will be placed outside the Officers Club at NAS Oceana. It is made of a windscreen for a TA-4 Skyhawk. Photo provided by "Boom" Powell. Y2003: One of the last Navy Skyhawks from VC-8 is put to rest at AMARC. VC-8 DOUGLAS TA-4J BuNo. 153526 GF-103. AND THEN there is this at "Roosie". SAD! Suspect this bird is BuNo 153486, GF-05. Another image of the abandoned T-Bird thought to be BuNo 153486 at Rosy.
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Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit:
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