VMAT-102 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
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 Courtesy of Jimmy R. Little |
 Courtesy of Fred Lewis |
 Courtesy of Fred Lewis |
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Patch No info yet. |
Sources Robert Siddall Steve Kurt Harry S. Gann Steve Kurt Fred Lewis Jimmy R. Little Bruce Trombecky John Gabbard |
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Handle Sierra Charlie Heritage Late 60's: merging of VMT-102, and VMA-103. |
Home Ports 1970's: MCAS Yuma, Arizona |
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Air Wings 1970's: - - SC - - MAG 10 |
Aircraft Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: 20 March 1969 - - - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk * 10 March 1970 - - - Douglas A-4L Skyhawk 20 January 1970 - - Douglas A4D-5 (A-4E) Skyhawk * 9 August 1973 - - - Douglas A-4F Skyhawk 2 Jul 1967- - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk 1 June 1972 - - - - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 18 July 1974- - - - Douglas A-4M Skyhawk * November 30, 1962 The A4D-2N designation changed to A-4C The A4D-5 designation changed to A-4E A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to VMAT-102 see below: |
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Deployments No info yet |
Commanding Officers 1982: - - Lt.Col. Thomas Bowditch 19??: - - Lt.Col. R.T. Edwards |
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Awards No info yet |
Awards continued No info |
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Events Yuma Arizona was the first base I was stationed at after finishing my "A" school in Lakehurst N.J. My MOS was 6064 "Flight Equipment Marine", responsible for the Parachutes, and other Survival Equipment installed on the aircraft. In March of 1977 I reported into Headquarters and was asked if I had a preference in Squadrons. MCAS Yuma, you see, was a multi unit base. It had the F-4J's of VMFAT-101, the AV8-A Harrier's of VMA-513, and the A-4M and TA-4J's of VMAT-102. I liked the sound of "Ground Attack" so I selected the A4 unit, and was never sorry I did.
April 23, 1969: Lt. Graham E. Tharp, 22, a student pilot with VMAT-102,was killed yesterday when his A-4C Skyhawk (BuNo 148474) crashed 7 miles NW of Blythe, CA. The Arizona Republic, Thursday, April 24, 1969. During the flight his Skyhawk experienced a flame out. After unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the instructor who was accompanying him in another aircraft advised him to eject. Lt. Tharp made an attempt to eject, but only the canopy jettisoned, the seat remained in the aircraft. As he was quickly losing altitude, he felt he could pull off a wheels up belly landing and picked a flat open area of desert and set the plane down. The jarring from the belly landing shook something in the egress system causing the seat eject. Unfortunately the seat did not go high enough for the chute to deploy and he was killed. Joe Idoni. The accident I remember (and it happened before I got there) involved the failure of the aircraft's engine up over Blythe, CA. The student pulled the rat and begin gliding down - setting up for a controlled ejection (I don't remember why the engine quit.) When the IP read the check list for controlled ejection, he left out the step calling for depressurizing the cockpit. When the student pulled the ejection handle, there was a puff of smoke but nothing happened. It seems the bottle on the side of the canopy bungee was empty - no gauge, it had to be weighed to see if it was full of nitrogen. The student tried the canopy ejection handle, but that failed too - it needs the same bottle to separate the bungee. The IP then read him the bailout procedure - again omitting the depressurize the cockpit step. When the student tried to open the canopy with the manual handle, pressurization prevented the canopy from opening. The student then pulled the manual seat separate handle to bail out, but with the canopy on the aircraft that wasn't going to work either. At about 8,000 feet MSL the canopy separated from the aircraft, but the student was too low to bail out (the sink rate is a bit high.) He tried to ditch at Blythe, and the seat fired when the airplane hit the ground. Since he wasn't attached to the seat, he was killed. From S/F Larry Wood "Nickel" 14 July 1970: Two Navy Skyhawks collided on the ground at Dobbins AFB Tuesday, but both pilots escaped injury -- one by ejecting and parachuting back to the runway. The lead plane was piloted by VRF-32 Lt. Owen Haggard (BuNo 148508) and the second by VRF-32 Lt. Charles King (BuNo 148472). Both are assigned to NAS North Island and were enroute to Boston from North Island. Cdr. Williams (USN spokesman) said the lead plane piloted by Haggard had slowed to the point at which it was almost ready to turn off the runway when the crash took place. King landing behind Haggard, was unable to brake his plane, and the additional complication of a flat tire, reduced his directional control and made the collision unavoidable. The rear end of the lead plane burst into flames on impact, and King immediately ejected. The Atlanta Constitution, Wednesday, July 15, 1970. BuNo 148472 was sent to NARF Jacksonville on 10 November 1970 and was stricken by NARF on June 2, 1971. May 3, 1979: Lt. Gene Murphy, 25, was killed when his VMAT-102 A-4 Skyhawk (BuNo 159491) crashed near Fallon, NV, Thursday afternoon. Murphy and some of his fellow pilots were supporting a training mission near Fallon. Yuma Sun, Friday, 04 May 1979. Lt. Gene Murphy was killed when his VMAT-102 A-4 Skyhawk crashed near Fallon, NV, while on a routine training mission. Arizona Republic, Friday, 04 May 1979. June 22, 1979: Capt. Kevin Leffler, 29, (BuNo 159787) and Capt. William Bain, 28, (BuNo 158412) ejected and were critically injured when their A-4Ms collided during a training mission over the Great Salt Lake Desert Friday. Both were on an air-combat training mission from MCAS Yuma. Capt. Leffler was admitted to the neurosurgical ICU at LDS Hospital and Capt. Bain was admitted to the shock-trauma ICU in the Salt Lake City Hospital. Arizona Republic, Saturday, June 23, 1979. Capt. Kevin Leffler, 29, was critically injured Friday in the mid-air collision of two A-4Ms over Utah. Capt. Leffler's A-4M collided with a second A-4M piloted by Capt. William Bain, 28, on a training exercise. The accident occurred about 2 p.m. near Granite Peak over the Utah Test Range north of the Dugway Proving Ground. Both men ejected and were picked up by a helicopter summoned by a third pilot in the air during the exercise. Capt. Leffler was reported in critical condition at the at LDS Hospital's neurosurgical ICU unit where he is being treated for a broken neck and leg. Jacksonville Courier, Sunday, June 24, 1979. Capt. Kevin Leffler, 29, and Capt. William F. Bain, 28, ejected and were critically injured when their A-4Ms collided during a training mission over the Great Salt Lake Desert Friday. Capt. Leffler was admitted to the neurosurgical ICU at LDS Hospital and Capt. Bain was admitted to the shock-trauma ICU in the Salt Lake City Hospital. Hill AFB Information Officer Bob Bowman said the pilots were flown by helicopter to the hospital. Bowman also said the collision occurred near Granite Peak over the Utah Test Range north of the Dugway Proving Ground while the planes were on an air-combat training mission from MCAS Yuma. Newport Daily News, Sunday, June 24, 1979. Two USMC A-4 jet fighters collided in flight during maneuvers over the Great Salt Lake Desert, A Army Dugway Proving Ground spokesman said the collision occurred over the Utah Test Range north of the Dugway at about 2 p.m. Spokesman Dick Whitaker said the two pilots escaped with only minor injuries and were being airlifted to LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. European Stars and Stripes, Sunday, June 24, 1979. June 18, 1982: Capt. Brian S. Dinwiddie, 30, ejected safely from an A-4 Skyhawk (BuNo 158189) Friday shortly before it crashed about 5 miles east of Fort Apache. A PAO at MCAS Yuma said Dinwiddie was taken to the Whiteriver Hospital and was reported in stable condition. The Valley Independent, Saturday, June 19, 1982. Capt. Brian S. Dinwiddie, 30, ejected safely Friday just before his A-4 Skyhawk crashed about 5 miles east of Fort Apache and 40 miles south of Show Low. A spokesman for NAS Yuma said Dinwiddie was taken to the Indian Hospital in Whiteriver and was reported in good condition with minor injuries. MSgt. Ken Long said Dinwiddie is assigned to the Marine Attack Training Squadron in Yuma. Arizona Republic, Saturday, June 19, 1982. VMAT-102 A-4M BuNo 158189 was destroyed at Yuma when aircraft crashed into ground following engine failure, 18 June 1982. Pilot ejected. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. January 18, 1984: Capt. John C. Rader, 29, IP, and student pilot 1st Lt. Steve N. Bixler, ejected safely before their TA-4 (BuNo 154652) attached to VMAT-102 crashed into an open field about four miles NE of MCAS Yuma, AZ, shortly after takeoff Wednesday evening according to 1st Lt. Robert Rosa. Both pilots escaped injury after ejecting, said GSgt. Kevin Nagel. Fayetteville Northwest Arkansas Times, Thursday, 19 January 1984. Capt. Rader ejected safely a mile or so off the end of the runway when he hit something on the runway with a drop tank which came loose from the aft latch and rolled over the top of the wing after takeoff, burst and ignited catching the aircraft on fire. He said the whole right side of the aircraft was on fire so fast he didn’t have time to do anything but punch out. VMAT-102 TA-4F BuNo 154652 was destroyed at Yuma when aircraft caught fire after takeoff for air to ground mission. 18 January 1984. Aircrew ejected. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. June 12, 1985: Michael J. Wells, 35, XO, H&MS-10, ejected safely yesterday before his A-4M (BuNo 158187) crashed Wednesday while on a routine training flight about 40 miles north of Yuma in The Chocolate Mountains bombing Range. Arizona Daily Star, Thursday, 13 June 1985. unknown USMC pilot ejected safely before his A-4M assigned to VMAT-102 crashed Wednesday while on a routine training flight about 40 miles north of Yuma in The Chocolate Mountains bombing Range. Reno Gazette-Journal, Thursday, 13 June 1985. lost oil pressure, engine flamed out, crashed near Yuma, AZ unknown source. VMAT-102 A-4M BuNo 158157 was destroyed at Yuma when aircraft crashed into ground following initial turn during ACM. 12 June 1985. Pilot ejected. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. |
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Unit Photos
31 JUL 1971: Skyhawks Skyhawk BuNo 150039, SC-23, parked on the Andrews AFB ramp. J.G. Handelman. JAN72: Skyhawks Skyhawk BuNo 149979, SC-7, parked on the ramp. Nick Williams. 1972: Left side in-flight view of VMAT-102 Skyhawks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159789, SC-5, seconds from touchdown. Photographer unknown. 1973: Skyhawks Skyhawk BuNo 153510, SC-00, assigned to COL Hal V. Vincent, CO MCCRTG-10, parked on the Andrews AFB flight-line. At right is VMAT-102 TA-4F BuNo 154313, SC-1. Unknown via W. Mutza. 1976: VMAT-102 Skyhawk BuNo 159488, SC-1, in-flight with under-wing drop tanks and a centerline MBER with Snakeyes. Douglas photo by Harry Gann. 1976: VMAT-102 (Skyhawks) Skyhawk BuNo 159488, SC-1, and Skyhawk BuNo 159789, SC-15. Harry Gann. 1976: VMAT-102 (Skyhawks) Skyhawk BuNo 159789, SC-15. Harry Gann. Circa 1976: VMAT-102 BuNo 159491 SC-2 A-4M. Photo by Steve Kurt. AUG 1976: VMAT-102 TA-4F BuNo 154306, SC-16, August 1976. Photo by D. Slowiak, from Gary Verver. 23 Oct 1976: BuNo 159491, SC-2, parked. Gary Verver Collection. OCT76: BuNo 159782, SC-10, parked at Yuma. Gary Verver Collection. 1977: MAG-10 formation of VMAT-102 A-4M 159491, SC-2, VMAT-102 TA-4F BuNo 153510, SC-25, VMFAT-101 F-4B Phantom BuNo 152288, tail code SH and an unknown VMA-513 AV-8 Harrier. Harry S. Gann photograph. 1977: BuNo 159491, SC-2, dropping two napalm canisters over a mountain area near MCAS New River, NC. U.S. Navy Photo. AUG 1977: Three A-4Ms in formation. BuNo 159786 SC-13, SC-4, and BuNo 150026 SC-11. Photographer unknown. NOV77: BuNo 159492, SC-3, parked on the ramp. A. Swanberg, G. Verver collection. NOV77: Nov 1977 BuNo 160026, SC-11, parked on the ramp with a center-line tank. Gary Verver Collection. NOV77: BuNo 159789, SC5, parked. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 159789, SC5, parked. Gary Verver Collection. 11 JUN 1977: VMAT-102 Skyhawks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159493, SC-4, on the ramp at McGuire AFB. Name below the canopy is MAJ Ron Hellbusch and the pc is SGT Boemker. Photo by D. Sperring. 1977: BuNo 154991, SC-2, A-4M of VMAT-102 parked with canopy up. Gary Verver Collection. 10 APR 1978: VMAT-102 Skyhawks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159786, SC-13, location unknown by. At left is SC-5 which could be BuNo 159789. Photo by J. R. Owen. 09 NOV 1978: VMAT-102 Skyhawks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159788, SC-12, on the ramp with the hook & flaps down, location unknown. Photographer unknown. 09 NOV 1978: VMAT-102 Skyhawks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160026, SC-11, on the ramp, location unknown. Name below the canopy is CAPT A.J. Rauchle and the p/c is SGT Corona. Photographer unknown. 1978: In-flight view of Avengers Skyhawk BuNo 158418, CF-14, VMAT-102 Skyhawks BuNo 159786, SC-13, VMA-223 Bulldogs BuNo 159486, WP-16 & VMA(AW)-242 Bats Intruder BuNo 152953, DT-14. Harry Gann. 10 APR 1978: VMAT-102 Skyhawks TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154306, SC-22, being refueled, location unknown. Photo by J. B. Owen. APR 1978 VMAT-102 SC-25 TA-4F, BuNo 153510. Photo by Steve Kurt. Nov 1978: BuNo 159782, SC-10, parked on the ramp with a centerline tank. Gary Verver Collection. Nov 1978: BuNo 154306, SC-22, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 09 Nov 1978: Left side view of VMAT-102 Skyhawks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159781, SC-15, on the AMARC flight-line with a centerline tank, 09 November 1978. Name below the canopy rail is CAPT D.M. Mitchell. Gary Verver Collection. 09 Nov 1978: BuNo 160024, SC-7, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. Dec 1978: BuNo 158196, SC-16, parked on the flight-line with a pair of under-wing fuel tanks. She sits next to A-4M BuNo 159781. Gary Verver Collection. Dec 1978: BuNo 153510, SC-25, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 23 JUN 1978: Right side view of VMAT-102 Skyhawks TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 153529, SC-27, on the ramp next to VA-127 TA-4F BuNo 154335, 23 June 1978, Kirtland AFB. J. Sheets, Gary Verver Collection. JAN 1979: VMAT-102 TA-4F BuNo 153531, SC-26, JAN 1979. B. Curry photo, Gary Verver Collection. 1979: BuNo 153529, SC-34, TA-4F parked on the line. Gary Verver Collection. 31 MAR 1979: VMAT-102 A-4M BuNo 159787, SC-14 on the ramp next to VMAT-102 TA-4F BuNo 153483, SC-24. Photo by Bill Curry from Verver collection. 1979: BuNo 153483, SC-24, parked on the ramp with canopy up. Gary Verver Collection. 12 JUL 1979: VMAT-102 TA-4F BuNo 154307, SC-30. Photo from R.R. Leader, Verver Collection. 1979: VMAT-102 Barracks 1979. Photo by Steve Kurt. 1979: VMAT-102 Hanger 1979. Photo by Steve Kurt. 1979: VMAT-102 Hanger, 1979 Photo by Steve Kurt. 02 Oct 1979: SC-2, parked on the Fallon flight line. Gary Verver Collection. 1979: VMAT-102 Skyhawks in the Hanger. Photo by Steve Kurt. 1979-82: BuNo 159487, SC-02, parked with a centerline tank. Gary Verver Collection. 1979-84: BuNo 158182, SC-1, parked with intake covers installed. Pic2. Loaded up for a mission? ary Verver Collection. 1979: Lt. Kennedy in the Ready Room. Photo by Steve Kurt. Lt. Kennedy starting pre-flight. Photo by Steve Kurt. Lt. Kennedy continues pre-flight. Photo by Steve Kurt. Intake check Photo by Steve Kurt. In the Drivers Seat. Photo by Steve Kurt. BuNo.158196, A-4M, VMAT-102 SC-16. Photo by Steve Kurt. VMAT-102 SC03 A-4M. Photo by Steve Kurt. VMAT-102 A-4M taxing. Photo by Steve Kurt. Two VMAT-102 A-4M taxing. Photo by Steve Kurt. VMAT-102 A-4M at the end of the runway. Photo by Steve Kurt. TA-4F gets a final check before taxing. Photo by Steve Kurt. 15 MAR 1980: Pic1 BuNo 154331 on the ramp at Andrews AFB. Stephen Miller. Pic2. Pic3. Stephen Miller. JUN80: VMAT-102 Skyhawks TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154622, SC-32, parked on the ramp, location unknown. Photographer unknown. June 1980: BuNo 154622, SC-32, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. July 1980: VMAT-102 Skyhawks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159487, SC-2, MCAS Yuma, AZ. Unknown source. July 1980: VMAT-102 Skyhawks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159493, SC-4, MCAS Yuma, AZ. Unknown source. Date unknown: BuNo 159493, SC-4, in-flight. Gary Verver Collection. August 1980: BuNo 159783, SC-24, parked on the ramp with a center-line tank. Gary Verver Collection. BuNo 159783, SC-05, parked with canopy up. Gary Verver Collection. 1980s: 1980s BuNo 158187, SC-25, as it is being serviced by the ground crew. Gary Verver Collection. DEC80: BuNo 159789, SC-5, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 1981: A-4M Skyhawk BuNo. 159786 SC-13. Early in the spring of 1981, Steve Kurt got a ride in the back seat of a VMAT-102 TA-4J Skyhawk, to chase a student flying an A-4M familiarization flight. Fortunately Steve brought along his Canon AT-1 camera with 50mm lens and using Ektachrome 200 film. The following is a photo study of 159786 during that flight from MCAS Yuma. This picture shows the port side of 159786 in level flight. A-4M Skyhawks of Marine training squadron VMAT-102, enjoying the air and asking the question - "Which A-4M Skyhawk is flying upside-down?" Photograph by Harry Gann. Photograph scan by Fred Lewis. A-4M Skyhawk of Marine training squadron VMAT-102, dropping two canisters of napalm on the range near MCAS Yuma. Photograph by Harry Gann. Photograph scan by Fred Lewis. A-4M Skyhawk of Marine training squadron VMAT-102, firing a Zuni air to ground missile near MCAS Yuma at sunset. 1981: Skyhawks Skyhawk BuNo 160025, SC-00, parked on the ramp next to VT-10 T-2C Buckeye BuNo 158310. Rob Mignard. 1981-84: BuNo 154652, SC-36, being prepped for a flight. Gary Verver Collection. 02APR82: Two A-4 Skyhawk aircraft from Marine Attack Training Squadron 102 (VMAT-102) take off simultaneously during a training exercise. Sgt Bob Cordes. JUN83: BuNo 158187, SC-25, as it taxis by the photographer. Photo by Joe Cupido. 1983-87: BuNo 158164, SC-07, parked on the line. Gary Verver Collection. 1983-87: BuNo 158414, SC-2, parked, Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. 1984-87: BuNo 158416, SC-14, parked, Pic1, Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. FEB84: BuNo 158166, SC-2, parked on the ramp in a ghost gray paint scheme. Photo by Doug Remington. G. Verver collection. MAR84: TA-4F BuNo 153459 with a center line drop tank. Photo taken by John Freeman at MCAS Yuma. 1984: BuNo 158178, SC-15, A-4m parked and tied down. Gary Verver Collection. 25 July 1987: BuNo 159478, SC-00, parked on the ramp. Photo by D.S. McGarry, G. Verver collection. 1987: Skyhawks Skyhawk BuNo 158419 SC-07, parked on the line next to a USAF T-33,. Jeff Cultice. 1987: Skyhawks Skyhawk BuNo 153459, SC-35, parked on the flightline. P/c is LCpl Dickson. Jeff Cultice. 1987: BuNo 159473, SC-01, parked and chocked. Gary Verver Collection. A-4M Skyhawks of VMAT 102 has flown off into the sunset but our lady is not forgotten. Photograph by Harry Gann. Photograph scan by Fred Lewis. BuNo 153483, SC-24, on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. A-4M Skyhawk, SC-4, of Marine training squadron VMAT-102, firing Zuni air to ground rockets near MCAS Yuma. Photograph by Bruce Trombecky. Photograph scan by Fred Lewis. 12 MAR 1983: VMAT-102 A-4M BuNo 159783 (at right). Photo by D. Slowiak from Verver collection. 14MAR83: VMAT-102 A-4M BuNo 158169, SC-16. Photo by D. Slowiak from Verver collection. 15 JAN 1984: A new emblem for VMAT-102 Skyhawks painted on the side of squadron A-4M Skyhawk SC-6. 23 FEB 1984: Left side view VMAT-102 Skyhawks TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152877 , SC-33, parked on the ramp at McChord AFB, WA. Photo by D. Remington. 27 JUL 1985: VMAT-102 A-4M BuNo 158427, SC-04, 27 July 1985 at McChord AFB. A-4M behind it is VMAT-102 BuNo 158419, SC-07. Photo by D. Remington. 15 AUG 1987: VMAT-102 A-4M BuNo 159478, SC-00, at Peterson AFB. Photographer unknown from Verver collection. 1981-84: VMAT-102 BuNo 158184, SC01. Pic2, Inbound. 1981-84: BuNo 158184, SC-15, waiting on a maintenance check of ? Perhaps pinning the left main gear after a flight? Note the maintenance crew position in front of the tire, not beside it. Good safety procedure. Gary Verver Collection. 20MAR08: Flight Gear. From former VMAT102 personnel; "first time the squadron was allowed to det to NAS Fallen Nv. This is the rear det. I can't remember all the names, but I am the guy up on the forward wing just behind the intake. The picture with the group of Marines, is the metal shop crew with Gysgt Sheeran. The windup key on top was a joke we used to tell newbees that they needed to start the aircraft. PFC Thurman was getting the aircraft ready. I was one of the lucky few to have skins and able to fly. I also had a turnup license, which made my time that much more memorable." VMAT-311 WL-00, BuNo 160031, over Death Valley. Photos Willam H. "Blacky" Blackburn. VMA-311 BuNo 160040, WL-17, over the NorthWest U.S. Photos Willam H. "Blacky" Blackburn. Air to Air of CS-24, BuNo 159723 of VMAT-102. Pic 1, Pic 2. Photos Willam H. "Blacky" Blackburn. VMAT-102 158182 Air to Air of VMAT-102 CS-12, BuNo 158423. Date unknown: VMAT-102 A-4M nose section. From Gary Verver. Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to VMAT-102:
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