| This page is dedicated to Captain Michael J. Estocin, USN. Please read about him below. |
|
|
Skyhawks and Blue Angels |
Before the Blue Angels traded in their Phantom IIs for Skyhawks in 1973, other Navy units realized the flight demonstration qualities of the A-4. In 1967 the VC-5 Checkertails formed an unofficial demonstration team flying the A-4B Skyhawk, and the VA-725/VA-209 Air Barons flew demonstrations from 1967 to 1971 with the A-4L. |
ATTACK SQUADRONS: An * (asterisk) indicates a Replacement Air Group (RAG) Training Squadron. These units provided the final "fleet attack aircraft" training for a pilot prior to fleet unit assignment. VA43, 44, and 45 served the east coast fleet (RAG Atlantic), and VA125, 126 and 127 served the west coast (RAG Pacific).
| VA-12 Flying Ubangis | VA-15 Valions | VA-22 Fighting Redcocks | VA-23 Black Knights | VA-34 Blue Blasters |
| VA-36 Roadrunners | VA-43 * Challengers - VF-43 Challengers | VA-44 * Hornets - VF-44 Hornets | VA-45 * Blackbirds - VF-45 Blackbirds | VA-46 Clansmen |
| VA-55 Warhorses | VA-56 Champions | VA-64 Black Lancers | VA-66 Waldos | VA-72 Blue Hawks |
| VA-76 Spirits | VA-81 Sunliners | VA-83 Rampagers | VA-86 Sidewinders | VA-93 Blue Blazers |
| VA-94 Mighty Shrikes | VA-95 Green Lizards | VA-106 Gladiators | VA-112 Broncos | VA-113 Stingers |
| VA-125 * Rough Raiders | VA-126 * Nulli Secondus - VF-126 Bandits | VA-127 * Batmen - VF-127 Desert Bogeys | VA-133 Blue Knights | VA-134 Scorpions |
| VA-144 Roadrunners | VA-146 Blue Diamonds | VA-152 Fighting Aces | VA-153 Blue Tail Flies | VA-155 Silver Fox |
| VA-163 Saints | VA-164 Ghost Riders | VA-172 Blue Bolts | VA-192 Golden Dragons | VA-195 Dambusters |
| VA-212 Rampant Raiders | VA-216 Black Diamonds |
FLEET DEFENSE FIGHTER SQUADRONS:
The Anti-Submarine Fighter Squadron concept was to have a large squadron that provided a detachment to each CVS (anti-submarine warfare) aircraft carrier. The VSF detachment was to be responsible for CAP (Combat Air Patrol) over the CVS carrier. The VSF detachment was also responsible for the light attack mission and on occasion to pass fuel. Because of the war in Vietnam the expanded fighter concept was scrapped and VSF detachments took on the regular attack mission.
| VSF-1 Warhawks | VSF-3 Chessmen | VSF-76 Saints - NAS New Orleans | VSF-86 Gators - NAS New Orleans | VF(AW)-3 |
SUPPORT UNITS:
AIR BASES: ('named for' list)
Adversary Skyhawks (modified to "Mongoose"
The A-4 Skyhawk, in several versions, was used extensively in the adversary role. Units that used the Skyhawk in that role were : VC/VFC-12, VC/VFC-13, VA/VF-43, VA/VF-45, VA/VF-126, VA/VF-127, NFWS.
The "Adversary Skyhawk" and the VF-101 and VF-171 squadrons: VF-171 was initially formed by splitting the Phantom FRS (Fleet Replacement Squadron) VF-101 in August 1977. The squadrons were first a RAG (Replacement Air Group) for the F-4 (171) and F-14 (101), but were also an east coast adversary unit with A-4 and TA-4 aircraft, the Skyhawks mostly being based at NAF Key West.
| VF-101 Grim Reapers (Red Barons?) NAS Oceana, VA. |
VF-171 Det Key West NAS Key West, FL. |
Navy Adversary Pilot Association, Po Box 1139 Severna Park , MD 21146 (VFC-12*, VFC-13*, VF-43*, VF-45*, VFC-111, VFA-126*, VFA-127*, VFA-201, VFA-203, VFA-204, VMFT-401, NFWS*) |
|
Douglas Poster courtesy of Gary Verver |
|
FLIGHT TRAINING COMMAND SQUADRONS:
| TW-1 (Training Wing One) | TW-2 (Training Wing Two) | TW-3 (Training Wing Three) |
| TW-6 (Training Wing Six) | VT-4 Mighty War Bucks NAS Pensacola, FL (Forest Sherman Field) |
VT-7 Eagles NAS Meridian, MS. |
| VT-21 Fighting Red Hawks NAS Kingsville, TX. |
VT-22 Golden Eagles NAS Kingsville, TX. |
VT-23 Professionals NAS Kingsville, TX. |
| VT-24 Bobcats NAS Chase Field, Beeville, TX. |
VT-25 Cougars NAS Chase Field, Beeville, TX. |
VT-35 Sting Rays NAS Corpus Christi, TX. |
| VT-86 Sabrehawks NAS Glynco, GA NAS Pensacola, FL |
JTTU NAS Kingsville, TX |
The below listed training units were never "assigned" the Skyhawk. They did provide training for many Skyhawk Pilots.
VT-1: Flying the: North American SNJ Texan - Harvard - T6. (194x), Temco TT-1 Pinto Jet (195x), Beechcraft T-34 Mentor (Teenie Weenie) (1956). VT-1 EagletsVT-1 Eaglets at Naval Auxillary Air Station Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida.
VT-2: Doer Birds at Naval Air Station Whiting North Field, Milton, Florida.
VT-3: Red Knights at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, South Field, Milton, Florida.
VT-5: Flying the: North American SNJ Texan - Harvard - T6. (194?) and North American T-28C Trojan. (1956) VT-5 Tigers at Naval Auxillary Air Station Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida.
VT-9: Flying the: North American T-2A Buckeye(1961), North American T-2B Buckeye (1968), North American T-2C Buckeye (1969). VT-9 Tigers , and VT-19 Attack Frogs at McCain Field, NAS Meridian, Mississippi.
VT-26: VT-26 Flying Tigers NAS Chase Field, Beeville, TX.
VT-27: Flying the: TS-2A, T-25 Trojan, Beechcraft T-34C Mentor; and a single TA-4J Skyhawk for less than thirty days.
VT-27 Boomers of Texas.
VT-31: Flying the Martin P-5M Marlin, Lockheed P-2V Neptune, Grumman S-2F Tracker (1961) and the T-44A (19xx).
VT-31 Wise Owls at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. Although the Skyhawk was never assigned to VT-31 some VT-31 students and instructors later went on to fly the Skyhawk.
Douglas Poster courtesy of Gary Verver.
NAVY RESERVE SQUADRONS: Webmaster note: Prior to 1970, reserve aircraft belonged to the local NARTU (Naval Air Reserve Training Unit) aka Reserve Naval Air Station. Except for those squadrons on active duty, as in Korea, no reserve squadron "owned" their aircraft, as they were assigned to the NARTU/Station. In 1970, during that reorganization of the reserves into the "Reserve Force" concept, each new squadron was made independent of NARTU (later called NAR), and assigned either to CVWR-20 or CVWR-30. All squadrons were then made in the image of active duty units, with the reserve unit Commanding Officer owning the aircraft and reporting to the CAG.
In a book published by "CNAVRES" in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation, there were 23 reserve A-4 squadrons and 11 fighter squadrons listed. The below photos were copied from this book. Dave Dollarhide.
|
VA-725 (va209) and NAS Glenview VA-861 and NAS Norfolk VA-792 and Memphis VA-811 and Twin Cities Twin Cities |
VA-881 and NAS Olathe VA-821 and NAS New Orleans VA-876 and NAS Alameda BuNo 144949 was assigned to NARTU, NAS New Orleans in 1963. This photo was published in the CNAVRES in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation. From Dave Dollarhide. In 2010, there were two tactical reserve squadrons left, VFA-204 (New Orleans) and VFA-201 (Fort Worth). |
|
NAS Alameda, CA: (NARTU - Pre-1970 Tail Code = 6G) 1966: VA-202; other reserves VA20G1, VA-876, VA20G2 (see VA-303), VA-879 Leaping Lizards 70s era: VA-303 Golden Hawks NAS Atlanta, GA (NARTU - Pre-1970 Tail Code = 7B) NAS Dallas, TX NAF Detroit, MI. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7Y) NAS Glenview, Chicago IL.NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7V) 1966: VA-5Y1, VA-5Y2, VA-724 VA-725. (see VA-209), VA-727 70s era: VA-209 Air Barons NAS Grosse Ile, MI. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7Y) |
NAS Jacksonville, FL. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 6F) 1966: VF-741, VA-741, VA-2F1. (see VA-203) 70s era: VA-203 Blue Dolphins NAS Key West, FL. Volunteer Attack Squadron VA-0686 NAS Los Alamitos, Los Angeles CA. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7L) 1966: VA-771, 772, 773, 776 1970: VA-305 Later moved to Pt. Mugu. NAS Memphis, TN. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 6M) 1966: VF/VA-791 Fighting Rebels, VA-792 70s era: VA-204 River Rattlers Later moved to New Orleans. NAS New Orleans, LA. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7X) 1966: VA-821, VA 822 70s era: VA-204 River Rattlers Moved from NAS Memphis. |
NAS New York, NY. (Floyd Bennet Field), Brooklyn, NY. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7R) 1966: VA-831 Mohicans, VA-832 Blue Lightning NAS Norfolk, VA. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 6S) 1966: VA-861 NAS Olathe, KS. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7K) 1966: VA-881, VA-882 70s era: VA-204 River Rattler later moved to Memphis. NAS Sand Point, Seattle WA NAS South Weymouth, MA.(NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7Z) 1966: VAJ-911, VA-911, VA2Z1-1, VA-912 Old Pros, VA6Z-2 70s era: VA-210 Black Hawks |
Units that utilized the Skyhawk on a limited basis: RVAH-3
|
CAW-12: CAW-12 BuNo 153468, NJ-600, assigned to Capt Lou Page parked in a Miramar hangar. Tailhook Association Photo. Naval Aircraft Torpedo Unit at Quonset Point, RI. Description: Douglas Skyhawk BuNo 137820 last served with the Naval Aircraft Torpedo Unit at Quonset Point, RI before it was retired to Litchfield Park 20 February 1963. Photo by Harry Gann |
Skyhawks present NAS Jacksonville 24SEP62 to 31MAY63. Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk; BuNo.142109 24SEP62, HU-2 Det 3, NAS Jacksonville, FL. to 30NOV62 and again 28FEB63, HU-2 Det 3, NAS Jacksonville, FL. to 31MAY63. Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk; BuNo.142116: 01OCT62, HU-2 Det 3, NAS Jacksonville, FL. to 27OCT62 and again 28FEB63, HU-2 Det 3, NAS Jacksonville, FL. to 31MAY63. Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk; BuNo.142801 28FEB63, HU-2 Det 3, NAS Jacksonville, FL. to 24 APR63. Skyhawks present NAS Lakehurst 04OCT62 to 31AUG63. Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk; BuNo145145 04OCT62, HU-2, NAS Lakehurst, NJ. to 30NOV62. Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk; BuNo.147777 08OCT62, HU-2, NAS Lakehurst, to NJ. 17OCT62. Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk; BuNo.147784 18OCT62, HU-2, NAS Lakehurst, NJ. to 08NOV62. Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk; BuNo.148505 08OCT62, HU-2. NAS Lakehurst, NJ. to 30NOV62. Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk; BuNo.148511 04OCT62, HU-2, NAS Lakehurst, NJ. to 31AUG63. Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk; BuNo.148514 31OCT62, HU-2, NAS Lakehurst, NJ. to 30NOV62. Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk; BuNo.148533 31OCT62, HU-2, NAS Lakehurst, NJ. to 04NOV62. |
|
Captain Michael J. Estocin, USN.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 20 and 26 April 1967 as an A-4 Skyhawk pilot in Attack Squadron One Hundred Ninty-two embarked in USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). On 26 April 1967, in the support of a coordinated strike against the vital fuel facilities in Haiphong, Estocin led an attack on a threatening SAM site, during which his Skyhawk was seriously damaged by an exploding SAM missile; never-less, he regained control of his burning Skyhawk and courageously launched his Shrike missiles before departing the area By his inspiring courage and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Captain Estocin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. [Dueling with SAMs was not ‘choice duty’ and those aviators who performed this mission braved fierce odds. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Michael J. Estocin, of VA-192’s ‘Golden Dragons’. On 20 April 1967, Estocin was flying an ant-SAM (Iron Hand) mission from the Ticonderoga against thermal power-plants at Haiphong. Providing continuous SAM warnings to other members of the strike group, he personally neutralized three SAM sites. Estocin’s A-4E received extensive damage, but he elected to remain over the target area and made another Shrike attack, all the while receiving heavy flak fire. Depleting his ordnance, the Skyhawk pilot managed to return the crippled plane safely to the Ticonderoga. Mike Estocin is remembered on "The Wall" panel 18E row 092. A-4E Memorial to Mike Estocin at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.
 Marilyn Holmlund took this picture of Mike at Cubi Point shortly before his last flight. USS Estocin Decommissioned Story Number: NNS030406-02 Release Date: 4/6/2003 9:19:00 PM From Naval Station Mayport Public Affairs NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- In a ceremony held April 4 at Naval Station Mayport, the crew of USS Estocin (FFG 15) lowered the stars and stripes one last time and decommissioned the ship in preparation for her transfer to the government of Turkey. Estocin was named in honor of CAPT Michael J. Estocin, a .... pilot during the Vietnam conflict. Attached to Attack Squadron 192, "The World Famous Golden Dragons," then LCDR Estocin gallantly flew over Haiphong, destroying fuel depots vital to the enemy. Even after taking on heavy damage from a mirage of surface-to-air missiles, Estocin continued to fly into the target area. Estocin's aircraft, badly damaged, went down April 26, 1967. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by Congress. His award read: "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." For more than two decades, the various crews of Estocin have strived to uphold the dedication and vigilance that earned her namesake our armed forces' highest honor. Rank and organization: Captain (then Lieutenant Commander), of U.S. Navy Attack Squadron 192, operating from the USS Ticonderoga (CVA14) Place and date: Haiphong, North Vietnam, 20 and 26 April 1967 Entered Service at: Akron, Ohio Born: 27 April 1931, Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania |
