U.S.A. Navy A-4 Skyhawk Units
 Mission - Patches - Lineage |
 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-209 Air Barons flew demonstrations from 1967 to 1971 with the A-4L. |
| This page is
dedicated to Captain Michael J. Estocin, USN. Please read about him below. |
ATTACK SQUADRONS: An * (asterick) 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, LA | VSF-86 Gators - NAS New Orleans, LA |
SUPPORT UNITS:
AIR BASES:
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 Sqadron) 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.
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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 |
| 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-26 Flying Tigers NAS Chase Field, Beeville, TX. |
| VT-35 Sting Rays NAS Corpus Christi, TX. |
VT-86 Sabrehawks NAS Glynco, GA NAS Pensacola, FL |
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| JTTU NAS Kingsville, TX |
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. On this site you will find all era reserve combat aircraft images in the appropriate squadron photo page (when it is known what unit was flying it), and only non-combat support aircraft images in the reserve station photo page. 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 BuNo 142121, 142850, 142855 and 142916 were assigned to NART, NAS Glenview in 1964. This photo was published in the CNAVRES in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation. From Dave Dollarhide. VA-861 and NAS Norfolk BuNo 142708 was assigned to NATRU, NAS Norfolk in 1962; and BuNo 142780 in 1965. This photo was published in the CNAVRES in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation. BuNo 142784 (1963), 142771 (1965), 142708 (1962) and 142780 (1965) were assigned to NATRU, NAS Norfolk. This photo was published in the CNAVRES in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation. From Dave Dollarhide. VA-792 and Memphis BuNo 142759 and BuNo 142699 were assigned to NARTU, NAS Memphis in 1964. This photo was published in the CNAVRES in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation. From Dave Dollarhide. VA-811 and Twin Cities BuNo 144916 was assigned to NARTU, NAS Twin Cities in 1963. This photo was published in the CNAVRES in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation. From Dave Dollarhide. Twin Cities BuNo 142762 was assigned to to NARTU, NAS Twin Cities in 1963. This photo was published in the CNAVRES in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation. From Dave Dollarhide. VA-881 and NAS Olathe BuNo 142722 and 144965 were assigned to NAS Olathe, KS in 1965. This photo was published in the CNAVRES in 1966 to commemorate 50 years of Naval Reserve Aviation. From Dave Dollarhide. VA-821 and NAS New Orleans BuNo 142901 and 142913 were 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. 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. VA-741 and NAS Jacksonville BuNo 145056 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 are two tactical reserve squadrons left, VFA-204 (New Orleans) and VFA-201 (Fort Worth). |
| NAS Alameda, CA: (NARTU - Pre-1970 Tail Code = 6G)
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NAS Atlanta, GA (NARTU - Pre-1970 Tail Code = 7B) |
NAS Dallas, TX (NARTU - Pre-1970 Tail Code = 7D) |
| NAF Detroit, MI (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7Y) |
NAS Glenview, Chicago IL (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7V)
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NAS Grosse Ile, MI. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7Y) |
| NAS Jacksonville, FL (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 6F)
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NAS Key West, FL. | NAS Los Alamitos, CA Los Angeles CA. (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7L) |
| NAS Memphis, TN (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 6M) |
NAS New Orleans, LA (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7X)
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NAS New York, NY (Floyd Bennet Field), Brooklyn, NY.
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| NAS Norfolk, VA (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 6S) |
NAS Olathe, KS (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7K)
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NAS Sand Point, Seattle WA |
| NAS South Weymouth, MA (NARTU - Pre 1970 Tail Code = 7Z)
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NAS Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN | Units that utilized the Skyhawk on a limited basis: CAW-12 RVAH-3 VF(AW)-3 Naval Aircraft Torpedo Unit at Quonset Point, RI. No.1 No.2 No.3 04 APR 1962: 3 shot sequence of a Mk-46 torpedo being dropped from A4D-1 137818, the photos were taken by Tony Tambini from BuNo 139937. Pic1 Pic2 Pic3 Photos by Tony Tambini via Gary Verver. |
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Captain Michael J. Estocin, USN.  
Citation:Leading a three plane flight in support of a coordinated strike against two thermal power plants in Haiphong, North Viet Nam, on 20 April 1967, Captain (then Lieutenant Commander) Estocin provided continuous warnings to the strike group leaders of the surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats, and personally neutralized three SAM sites. Although his aircraft was severely damaged by an exploding missile, he re-entered the target area and relentlessly prosecuted a Shrike attack in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. With less than five minutes fuel remaining he departed the target area and commenced inflight refueling which continued for over 100 miles. Three miles aft of Ticonderoga, and without enough fuel for a second landing approach, he disengaged from the tanker and executed a precise approach to a fiery arrested landing. 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; neverless, 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 powerplants 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. Six days later, on another strike against Haiphong, Estocin once again pitted himself against the deadly missiles. Hit by an exploding SAM, he managed to retain control of his now burning aircraft to launch his Shrikes. Engulfed in the fireball of a detonating SAM, Estocin’s Skyhawk was seen to commence four of five aileron rolls in a 45 degree nose-down attitude. Recovering, Estocin called he had a fire-warning light and headed for the safety of the sea with fire streaming behind his aircraft. However, before he could reach this haven, the stricken A-4 once again began a series of rapid rolls disappearing inverted into the undercast at 3,500 ft. Listed as MIA, Estocin was declared dead after the war and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.] Mike Estocin is remembered on "The Wall" panel 18E row 092. A-4E Memorial to Mike Estocin at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Picture of Mike at NAS Cubi Point shortly before being shotdown. Webmaster Emeritus note on Mike Estocin's official status. |
