VF-101 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
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Patch The patch was originally used by VF-10 of WWII era and approved on 17 DEC 1952. It was slightly modified on 31 DEC 1984 and used by VF-101. |
Sources David Weber Gary Verver |
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Handle Grim Reapers Possible also known as the Red Barons? Heritage 01 MAY 1952 - - VF-101 established. JUN 1960: - - - Detachment "A" is formed at NAS Oceana. FEB 1963: - - - Detachment "A" is disestablished. 01 MAY 1966 - - Detachment formed at NAS Oceana. 05 AUG 1977 - - VF-101 is split into: VF-101 as the F-14 Fleet Readiness Squadron VF-171 as the F-4 Fleet Readiness Squadron 30 SEP 2005: VF-101 is disestablished |
Home Ports 01 MAY 1952 - - NAS Cecil Field as VF-101 FEB 1963: - - - NAS Key West (F4 training) FEB 1971: - - - NAS Norfolk with a detachment at NAS Key West |
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Air Wings APR 1958: CAW-4 JUL 1971: Commander Fighter Wing One |
Aircraft Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: 01 MAY 1952 - - - - FG1-D Corsair 1952: - - - - - - - F2H-1 Banshee AUG 1956: - - - - - F4D-1 Skyray (Skyray phased out in MAR 1962) APR 1958: - - - - - F3H-2 Demon (Demon phased out in DEC 1962) JUN 1960: - - - - - F4H-1 Phantom II (later the F-4J) JAN 1976: - - - - - F-14A Tomcat 1 February 1971 - - Douglas A-4E Skyhawk 4 October 1967: - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk 15 October 1976 - - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
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Deployments Korean War |
Commanding Officers No info yet. |
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Awards 1975 and 1976 CNO Aviation Safety Award |
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Events August 30, 1971: LCdr. J.G. James, VF-101 Det. Key West ejected safely when the engine exploded on takeoff. At 0933, 30 August 1971, the participating crew members briefed for a two plane ACM flight. LCdr. Jon Gordan James was the A-4 adversary pilot against the friendly F-4 fighter. At 11:07 LCdr James took off in A-4E BuNo 150123 with lift off at 3,000 feet when an explosion occurred as the landing gear were retracting. Pilot noted that landing gear were retracting very slowly, when the fire warning light illuminated. Pilot attempted radio com with tower, however radios were inoperative. Several seconds later the fuel boost warning light illuminated. Pilot extended RAT and checked emergency generator bypass switch. The aircraft then commenced an uncontrollable roll to the right. Pilot ejection using face curtain was initiated when the aircraft reached a bank angle of about 45 degrees at 500 feet and 300 knots. The pilot landed in a small canal and was picked up by an ambulance dispatched from NAS Key West. The aircraft crashed about 6120 yards from lift off in shallow water near Bird Key. Several witnesses reported white smoke trailing the aircraft shortly after takeoff and J-52 turbine parts were found on the runway. Initial failure believed to be J-52 2nd stage GE turbine vane retention ring lugs which secure the 2nd stage nozzle vanes. AAR 1-72A April 14, 1972: Lt. Bill Byers ejected safely from his Navy A4 jet (BuNo 151061) Friday while on a routine training flight from NAS Key West. The plane crashed near Smith Shoals. Tampa Bay Times, Sunday, April 16, 1972. December 06, 1972: LCdr. Fred Hubbard and student pilot Lt(jg) Jeff Hawkins ejected safely TA-4J BuNo 152870 following a mid-air collision with a Navy F-4 Phantom 40 miles NW of Key West Wednesday while on a training mission from NAS Boca Chica. The Phantom piloted by LCdr. Tom Davis and student pilot Ens. Jerry Emigh landed safely at Boca Chica. Charleston WV Daily Mail article AUG 1977: VF-101 was split into VF-101 and VF-171: Both squadrons were also east coast adversary units with A-4 and TA-4 aircraft, the Skyhawks mostly being based at NAF Key West. 30 SEP 2005 |
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Unit Photos January 1972: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151061, AD-072, NAS Key West. February 1972: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152008, AD-071, NAS Key West. Photo by D. Heartmann. March 1972: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151066, AD-074, NAS Jacksonville. Photo by B. Sides. 16 October 1974: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149666, AD-072. Note the clean wing and gun port fairings. Gary Verver Collection. 1974: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149666, AD-072, parked on the ramp with the intake screens installed. P/C is ADJ-3 Cooper. Gary Verver Collection. 16 October 1974: TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 154305, AD-073, p/c Sanclementi, on the ramp in a white paint scheme with green trim, location unknown. At left is VF-11 Red Rippers F-4J Phantom BuNo 157275, AA-107. Gary Verver Collection. 1974-1976: TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 154305, AD-073, on the ramp, circa 1974-1976. P/C is ADJ2 Jackson. 1974-1976: TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 154305, AD-073, on the ramp, circa 1974-1976. 1978: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152067, AD-071, AD-071, on the ramp. Gary Verver collection. circa 1980: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149653, AD-072, NAS Oceana, VA, circa 1980. Official U.S. Navy photo. Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit:
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