VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 1 of 10

VA-152 FIGHTING ACES / MAVERICKS

VF-152 Vultures - 1951 Bob Stanek

VF-152 Fighting Aces - 1952 Bob Stanek

VA-152 Fighting Aces - 1968 John W. Hayes

VA-152 Mavericks 1970 Ernie Shuldhiess Patch VA-152/VF-152's first insignia, the "Hooded Falcon" was in use before 1951. Anyone out there have this patch?

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 2 of 10

The crest had a white and black background and was outlined in gold. The falcon was brown with white and light brown shadings; yellow feet and beak; the hood was crimson red with a gold edge and a white plume. The gauntlet was silver edged in blue with gray shadings. A second patch, the "Vulture Carrying a Bomb" appeared before 1952. The "Vulture Carrying a Bomb" patch is illustrated above. VA-152's third crest is the "Flying Ace of Spades." This patch appeared sometime before 1951 and was used until January 29, 1971, when VA-152 was disestablished. This patch was based upon Korean War Squadron experience. The Squadron's mission was close air support - by the end of the Korean deployment every squadron aircraft had be hit by enemy fire. Three VF-152 pilots lost their lives in the Korean combat. The lives of these three pilots is venerated in the patch design in the form of three drops of blood emanating from the spade that has been pierced by the arrow. Two Versions of "Flying Ace of Spades" patch is illustrated above. An unofficial fourth patch, the "Maverick Cow" appeared in 1970. The "Maverick Cow" patch is illustrated above.

Handle Falons - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World War II Vultures - - - - - - - - - - - - - - post World War II Fighting Aces - - - - - - - - - - - - 1952 to 1971 The Friendly Squadron (Friendlies) - 1957 to 1968 The 152 Light Bombardment Brigade - - 1968 to 1971 Twilight Pursuit Squadron - - - - - - 1968 to 1971 Mavericks - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1970

Heritage Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was established in 1943. Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was disestablished October 1945. Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was re-established in 1946. Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was disestablished October 1949. Reserve Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VF-713) was established sometime in the late 1940s. February 1, 1951, Reserve Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTEEN was called to active duty. February 4, 1953, was redesignated as VF-152 - Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO. August 1, 1958, was redesignated as VA-152 - Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO. February 9, 1968, VSF-3 Chessmen were disestablished and assets transferred to the VA-152 Mavericks. January 29, 1971, VA-152 - Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was disestablished.

Home Ports Prior to 1951: - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Denver April 11, 1951 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda June 5, 1952 - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Moffett Field November 1963- - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda

Air Wings April 11, 1951 - - - - - - H- - - - - - CVG-15 October 14, 1957 - - - - - ND - - - - - ATG-4 February 1959- - - - - - - NL - - - - - CVG-15 / CVW-15* October 1, 1964- - - - - - AH - - - - - CVW-16

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 3 of 10

February 1968- - - - - - - AA - - - - - CVW-17 April 1969- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COMFAIRALAMEDA December 1969- - - - - - - AJ - - - - - CVW-8 *CVG-I5 was redesignated CVW-16 when Carrier Air Groups (CVG were redesignated Carrie Air Wings (CVW) on December 20, 1963.

Deployments 1943 - 1945- - - - - - CVG-15 - Essex CV 9 - - - - - F6F- - - Pacific 1946 - 1949- - - - - - CVG-15 - Boxer CV 21- - - - - F8F- - - Pacific 1946 - 1949- - - - - - CVG-15 - Valley Forge CV 45 - F8F- - - Pacific 09-08-51 to 05-02-52 - CVG-15 - Antietam CV 36 - - - F4U-4- - Korea 01-24-53 to 09-21-53 - CVG-15 - Princeton CVA 37 - - F4U-4- - Korea/WestPac 07-01-54 to 02-28-55 - CVG-15 - Yorktown CVA 10- - - F2H-3- - WestPac 04-23-56 to 10-15-56 - CVG-15 - Wasp CVA 18- - - - - F2H-3- - WestPac 01-06-58 to 06-30-58 - ATG-04 - Hornet CVA 12- - - - F2H-3- - WestPac 08-21-58 to 01-12-59 - ATG-04 - Bennington CVA 20- - F2H-3 - -WestPac 08-01-59 to 01-18-60 - CVG-15 - Hancock CVA 19 - - - AD-6 - - WestPac 09-19-60 to 05-27-61 - CVG-15 - Coral Sea CVA 43 - - AD-6 - - WestPac 12-12-61 to 07-17-62 - CVG-15 - Coral Sea CVA 43 - - AD-6 - - WestPac 04-03-63 to 11-25-63 - CVG-15 - Coral Sea CVA 43 - - A-1H/J - WestPac 04-22-64 to 08-01-64 - * - - - - * - - - - - - - - - A-1H/J - South Vietnam 04-05-65 to 12-16-65 - CVW-16 - Oriskany CVA 34- - - A-1H/J - WestPac/Vietnam 05-26-66 to 11-16-66 - CVW-16 - Oriskany CVA 34- - - A-1H - - WestPac/Vietnam 06-16-67 to 01-31-68 - CVW-16 - Oriskany CVA 34- - - A-1H/J - WestPac/Vietnam 07-22-68 to 04-29-69 - CVW-17 - Forrestal CVA 59 - - A-4B - - Mediterranean 03-05-70 to 12-17-70 - CVW-08 - Shangri-La CVS 38- - A-4E - - WestPac/Vietnam *The squadron, along with 20 of its A-1s, was sent to Bien Hoa Air Force Base, South Vietnam, to train South Vietnamese pilots to fly the A-1. A detachment, VA-152 Det Zulu, was left at Naval Air Station Alameda. While operating in South Vietnam the squadron came under the control of Chief, Air Force Advisory Group, Saigon. On August 1, 1964 the squadron (VA-152) based at Bien Hoa was redesignated VA-152 Det Zulu and the detachment at Naval Air Station Alameda was designated VA-152. VA-152 Det Zulu continued to train South Vietnamese pilots until December 1, 1964

Aircraft 1943 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F6F Hellcat 1945 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F8F Bearcat April 16, 1951 - - - - - - - - - Vought F4U-4 Corsair I June 12, 1952- - - - - - - - - - Goodyear FG-1D Corsair I October 1953 - - - - - - - - - - McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee February 5, 1959 - - - - - - - - Douglas AD-6 (A-1H) Skyraider * December 1962- - - - - - - - - - Douglas A-1J Skyraider February 1968- - - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk * February 1968- - - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk * 20 February 1969 - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-5 (A-4E) Skyhawk * 23 June 1969 - - - - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk * November 30, 1962 The AD-6 designation was changed to A-1H The A4D-2 designation was changed to A-4B The A4D-2N designation was changed to A-4C The A4D-5 designation was changed to A-4E A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit Commanding Officers

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 4 of 10

February 1, 1951 - - - - - - - LCDR Robert L. Doering was Commanding Officer of Reserve Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTEEN prior to activation. May 2, 1952- - - - - - - - - - LCDR B. M. Richards July 4, 1952 - - - - - - - - - LT W. M. Doss (acting) August 5, 1952 - - - - - - - - LCDR Robert Stanek September 1953 - - - - - - - - CDR Frank G. Edwards Late 1954 or early 1955- - - - LCDR F. X. Bushner (acting) April 1955 - - - - - - - - - - LCDR Robert G. Nester September 27, 1956 - - - - - - CDR Robert M. Soule July 23, 1958- - - - - - - - - CDR Royce A. Singleton February 16, 1959- - - - - - - LCDR V. E. Sanderson February 8, 1960 - - - - - - - LCDR R. M. Sullivan (acting) March 4, 1960- - - - - - - - - CDR John A. Davenport June 21, 1961- - - - - - - - - CDR John R. Bicknell April 17, 1962 - - - - - - - - CDR Isaac N. Pell, Jr. April 1, 1963- - - - - - - - - CDR R. B. Bergner March 19, 1965 - - - - - - - - CDR Albert E. Knutson March 16, 1967 - - - - - - - - CDR Gordon H. Smith February 14, 1968- - - - - - - CDR Philip E. Johnson January 17, 1969 - - - - - - - CDR Elmer E. Sheeley, Jr. January 28, 1970 - - - - - - - CDR Gerard M. Sturm Events 1943: Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO established at Naval Air Station Denver. 1943 - 1945: VF-152 was part of Cdr. David McCampball's "Fabulous Fifteen," in the Pacific war against Japan. VF-152 participated in the famous "Marianas Turkey Shoot" where Navy pilots shot down 402 Japanese aircraft. VF-152 flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat was part of Navy strikes against Wake Island, Marcus Islands, Philippines Islands, Palau Island, Ryukyus Islands, Formosa, and the Bonin Islands. October 15, 1951 to May 2, 1952: VF-713 was activated as VF-152 flying the Vought F4U-4 Corsair. The "Vultures" participated in Korean combat operations based aboard the United States Ship Antietam CV-36. January 24, 1953 to September 21, 1953: The Squadron took the name of "The Fighting Aces" and deployed with their Goodyear F4U-4 Corsairs to the Korean War, this time aboard the United States Ship Princton CVA-37. February 1955: Squadron aircraft flew night surveillance operations from the "Fighting Lady the United States Ship Yorktown CVA-10 supporting the evacuation of Chinese Nationalists from the Tachen Islands. March 1958: Due to revolts and unsettled conditions in Indonesia and the concern for the safety of Americans in the country, United States Ship Hornet CVA 12 with the VF-152 Friendlies embarked, departed Hong Kong to operate in the South China Sea. September through October 1958: Due to the crisis between the Chinese Nationalists and Communists surrounding the Quemoy Islands, and the bombardment of these islands by the Chinese Communists, CVA 20, the United States Ship Bennington, with VF-152 embarked, operated in the area of Taiwan. January 1961: Due to the crisis in Laos and the capture of strategic positions in the country by the Pathet Lao force, United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43, with VA-152 embarked, was directed to operate in the South China Sea. July 11 & 12, 1962: The Friendlies participated in the first carrier flight operations in the Bering Sea since the end of World War II. April 22 through December 1, 1964: VA-152 with 20 of A-1H and A-1J Skyraiders, was sent to Bien Hoa Air Force Base, South Vietnam, to train South Vietnamese pilots to fly the Skyraider. A detachment, VA-152 Det Zulu,

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 5 of 10

was left at Naval Air Station Alameda. While operating in South Vietnam the Squadron came under the control of Chief, Air Force Advisory Group, Saigon. On August 1, 1964 the squadron (VA-152) based at Bien Hoa was redesignated VA-152 Det Zulu and the detachment at Naval Air Station Alameda was designated VA-152. VA-152 Det Zulu continued to train South Vietnamese pilots until December 1, 1964. Comments by Dave Fox. April 5 to December 16, 1965: the Friendlies with A-1H and A-1J Skyraiders embarked with CVW-16 on United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34 to the South China Sea near Vietnam.

Patch from Dave Fox November 6 & 7, 1965: Commander Gordon H. Smith was awarded the Silver Star for his participation as Flight Leader in directing and assisting in the first night rescue of a downed aviator in enemy territory on 6 November. This was followed by an attempt to rescue another aviator the following day in the same area. November 7, 1965: Lieutenant Gordon C. Wileen was awarded the Silver Star for his participation in an attempted air rescue of a downed aviator deep in enemy territory. November 13, 1965: Commander Albert E. Knutson was awarded the Silver Star for his attempt to locate and rescue a downed pilot in enemy territory. During the rescue attempt his aircraft sustained 26 hits. May 26 to November 16, 1966: VA152 with A-1H Skyraiders embarked with CVW-16 on United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34 to the South China Sea near Vietnam. October 26, 1966: While on Yankee Station and preparing to launch her first strike of the day United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34 suffered a disastrous fire on the starboard side of the forward hangar bay. The squadron lost two personnel in the fire and the damage to the carrier was so extensive that it returned to the States for repairs. June 16, 1967 to January 31, 1968: The Friendlies with A-1H and A-1J Skyraiders embarked with CVW-16 on United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34 to the South China Sea near Vietnam. VA-152 had been a A-1 Skyraider squadron. I don't know how many pilots made the transition to the A-4, but George Fenzl told me that at one point in Alameda 152 had a mix of A-1s, A-4B's and A-4E's. George was with me in VSF-3. VSF-3 only made one deployment and the personnel scattered with many going to VA-152. I have annotated the ones I know from VSF-3. Phil Johnson (XO?) was also VSF, but had stayed in VSF-1 when they deployed in Shangri la. Boom Powell February 1968: The VA-152 Friendlies were assigned a mixed bag of Douglas A-4B Skyhawk and Douglas A-4C Skyhawk aircraft. April 5, 1968: LCdr. Robert Lewis Elich (attached to VA-152) ejected safely from A-4C BuNo 147720 into San Francisco Bay 400 yards SW of Brooks Island following a flame out on takeoff. Oakland, CA Oakland Tribune article May 1969: VA-152 replaced the A-4B and A-4C Skyhawks with Douglas A-4E Skyhawks.

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 6 of 10

January 29, 1971: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO (VA-152) disestablished. Awards Presidential Unit Citation 1943 Korean Service Medal 10-04-51 to 04-15-52 02-27-53 to 05-16-53 05-29-53 to 09-07-53 Navy Unit Commendation 03-13-53 to 05-15-53 06-11-53 to 07-27-53 05-10-65 to 12-06-65 06-12-66 to 11-01-66 07-14-67 to 12-12-68 AFEM 11-24-58 to 12-03-58 09-14-59 to 09-17-59 04-25-61 to 04-28-61 04-30-61 to 05-01-61 05-04-61 to 05-09-61 01-12-62 to 01-19-62 01-24-62 to 01-27-62 04-22-64 to 07-31-64 05-07-65 to 06-02-65 06-10-65 to 07-03-65 09-17-65 to 09-18-65 AFEM (VA 152 Det Z) 07-31-64 to 09-01-64 MUC 04-11-70 to 11-06-70 VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL 07-04-65 to 07-18-65 08-09-65 to 09-11-65 10-28-65 to 11-27-65 07-06-66 08-07-66 to 09-08-66 09-24-66 to 10-26-66 04-10-70 to 05-02-70 05-12-70 to 05-29-70 06-13-70 to 07-04-70 07-28-70 to 08-19-70 08-30-70 to 09-30-70 10-20-70 to 11-07-70 RVNGC 10-02-65 10-30-65 11-01-65 11-03-65 11-11-65 to 11-12-65 07-06-66 to 07-07-66

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 7 of 10

Photographs
Fighter Squadron One Fifty-two, VF-152 pilots (1952). Photograph from Bob Stanek. Fighter Squadron One Fifty-two Chiefs. The Chiefs are pictured onboard the United States Ship Princeton CV-37 during the January 1953 to September 1953 Korean War cruise. Photograph from Bob Stanek. Fighter Squadron One Fifty-two Men. The Men are pictured onboard the United States Ship Princeton CV-37 during the January 1953 to September 1953 Korean War cruise. Photograph from Bob Stanek. United States Ship Princeton CV-37 Turns Into The Wind. Four F9F Panthers are spotted and ready to launch as Princeton turns into the wind during the January 1953 to September 1953 Korean War cruise. VF-152 Corsairs are parked over the fantail. Photograph from Bob Stanek. Fighter Squadron One Fifty-two Interesting Corsair Touch-N-Go. The T&G taking place on United States Ship Princeton CV-37 during the January 1953 to September 1953 Korean War cruise. Photograph from Bob Stanek.

Airframes and Powerplant. On the U.S.S. Oriskany, CVA-34 from 1964-1966. J.J. Buterbaugh, ADR2, USN Retired (1955-1975)

Carrier Air Wing Seventeen CVW-17 and United States Ship Forrestal patches from John Hayes. 18 MAY 1968: left front view of Fighting Aces Skyhawk BuNo 142676, AA-514, assigned to LT Ken Peters parked on the ramp. Clyde Gerdes VA-152 A-4B BuNo. 144994 Going Flying - 1968. Fighting Aces A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 144994 side number AA 504 is pictured lifting off the port catapult. This action took place on United States Ship Forrestal CVA 59 1968 - 1969 Mediterranean cruise. Photograph by and from Lieutenant Warren A. Harms, United States Navy Retired VA-152 A-4B BuNo. 145022 Skyhawk - 1968 VA-152 Fighting Aces A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 145022, side number AA 511 stands manned and ready to go. The United States Ship Forrestal CVA-59 and Carrier Air Wing 17, 1968 - 1969 Mediterranean cruise was probably the last ever A-4B Skyhawk cruise. In the background VALion A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 148543 readies for flight. This was VA-15's last cruise using the Skyhawk. Also in this picture is North American RA-5C Vigilante BuNo. 148281, side number 605. Photograph by and from Lieutenant Warren A. Harms, United States Navy Retired VA-152 Crew during CVA-59 MED Cruise highlighting the Co Johnson and XO Sheeley. David Sheeley VA-152 A-4B Pulls a Whale and Phantom - 1968 A favorite family day occupation is an air wing refueling fly-by. Here a Fighting Aces Tinker Toy's drogue is plugged by a Swordsman KA-3B Whale's probe --- while a Phantom pilot hunts for the

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 8 of 10

basket. While appearing to be fun and games, tanking becomes deadly serious in the night bolter pattern or when returning from a mission - all shot up and leaking (gushing) fuel. Photograph by and from Lieutenant Warren A. Harms, United States Navy Retired Warm and Sunny Mediterranean SNOW - 1969 The Forrestal's flight deck after a snowstorm near Istanbul in February 1969. Pictured are A-4B Skyhawks: BuNo. 142815, side number AA 515; BuNo. 147783, side number AA 514; BuNo. 147792; and BuNo. 147704, side number AA 504. Photograph from Ernie Shuldhiess. A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 145024 abeam the wires - 1969. A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 145024, side number AA 501 is abeam the numbers with gear, flaps and hook down in the warm, sunny Mediterranean skies -- ready for the ball. March 1969. Photograph from Ernie Shuldhiess. A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 144996 three wire - 1969. A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 144996, side number AA 510 in the Forrestal's three wire on a warm sunny Mediterranean afternoon. March 1969. Photograph from Ernie Shuldhiess. SEP 1969: Mavericks Skyhawk BuNo 151040, AJ-201, parked on the ramp.1 Jim Brady Beautiful scenic Subic Bay, Philippines - 1970. The Shang docked at the Cubi Point Naval Air Station pier in May 1970. Looking above the flight deck you can see the infamous Cubi Point Officer's Club on the hill overlooking Subic Bay. On the flight deck are a number of A-4E Skyhawks, a F-8 Crusader and a Willie Fudd. Photograph from Ernie Shuldhiess. A-4E Humpback BuNo. 150001, side number AJ 500 - 1970. The Skipper's A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150001, side number AJ 500 chained to the Shang's deck May 1970. The hump contained electronic gear used in combat. A-4E BuNo. 150001 was later used by Marine VMA-131 squadron based at El Toro, California. Photograph from Ernie Shuldhiess. Ernie's Scooter - A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149977 - 1970. In May 1970, Ernie Shuldhiess was responsible for A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149977, side number AJ 507. Ernie's Scooter Lives! Today A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149977 is on display near the Naval Air Station Key West Boca Chica Tower. Photograph from Ernie Shuldhiess. Flight Deck Punch - 1970 USS Shangri-La (CVS-38). Lieutenant (Junior Grade) William Belden ejects from his Douglas A-4E "Skyhawk" attack aircraft (Bureau # 150117) as it rolls into the carrier's port catwalk after suffering a brake failure following recovery, 2 July 1970. LtJG Belden ejected safely and was rescued by Shangri-La's helicopter. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Additional info from the Osprey Air Combat, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk book: The man on the right is Chief AB Joe Hammond who had been pushing on the stbd wing tip in an effort to turn the scooter after the stbd brake failed after disengaging the hook. The A-4 was pulled back on deck and flew again after repairs. See the entire sequence of events provided by 1970 Naval Aviation News. October 1970 from Ernie Shuldhiess. Taxi to the Cat - 1970. A-4E Skyhawk side number AJ 513, taxies up the Shang's flight deck to go flying in July 9, 1970. Photograph from Ernie Shuldhiess. VA-152 A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150087 - 1970

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 9 of 10

VA-152 Maverick A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150087, side number AJ 506, arrives at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan. CAG 8's birds flew to Atsugi during the Shang's May 10 to 24, 1970 port call at Yokosuka, Japan. The starboard drop tank was painted primer yellow. Later A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150087 - 1987, side number Quebec Papa-09, flew with VMA-124 "Whistling Death", at Naval Air Station Memphis, as viewed at a Dobbins Air Force Base (Atlanta) air show static display. The "Whistling Death" was among the last tactical users of the "Echo" Skyhawk model, transitioning to the A-4M immediately after this photo was taken in May 1987. Marine version photo by Frank J. Mirande. Navy version photograph by and courtesy of Masaaki Hayakawa. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150009 - 1970. Maverick AJ 510 approaching a landing at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, July 16, 1970. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. BuNo.150125 June of 1970 Jul 1970 Mavericks Skyhawk BuNo 149977, AJ-507, taxis by the photographer at NAS Atsugi, Japan. Photo by Masaaki Hayakawa. Jul 1970 Mavericks Skyhawk BuNo 150001, AJ-500, approaches the runway. Photo by Masaaki Hayakawa. Jul 1970 Mavericks Skyhawk BuNo 150009, AJ-510, approaches the runway. Photo by Masaaki Hayakawa. Excellent over the "rounddown" shot of Mavericks Skyhawk AJ-502 returning from a tanking mission during the WestPac Cruise of 05 March 1970 to 12 December 70 aboard the USS Shangri-La, CVS-38. Photo from Ernie Shuldhiess. JUN 1971: Mavericks Skyhawk BuNo 149978, AJ-513, with the gear and flaps down and the speed brakes out. Nick Williams

Off-Duty Info

J.J.Buterbaugh ADR2, served 1955-1975. On the U.S.S. Oriskany with VA-152 from 1964-1966.

VA 152 DET ZULU AND 65 WESTPAC I served with 152 Det Zulu in 1964. I had reported to VA 152 in Alameda the day before we left. My orders of transfer from NAS Brunswick to VA 165 had been changed while on travel and 15 days leave.I reported to NAS Alameda for the purpose of replacing lost ID card. I was escorted to the Skipper of 152. I had been asked by 4 Officers where had I been. By the time I met the

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013

VA-152 Fighting Aces / Mavericks | A-4 Skyhawk Association

Page 10 of 10

Skipper and answered the same question about being on travel and leave, it was explained that I was leaving for Viet Nam the next day at 0800 as a "special advisor." I asked if it was on Crash and Rescue, my previous billet at Brunswick. The Skipper said "NO, it was on the A-1". I asked what that was, and he said I would know by the time I got there. We got to Subic Bay with 33 A-1s delivered by Jeep Carrier that needed to be de-preserved. We than flew to Nam on a MAC 124. The purpose was to train Vietnamese pilots and crew on the A-1. We arrived about a month before Tonkin. That day we configured all A-1s to 2 hardpoint drop tanks for possible flights North. 33 AF B-57s arrived that night. We never deployed North, had to download all drop tanks that night. I volunteered to return to States to start up 152 for upcoming Westpac. I well remember the night Commander Smith returned from the RESCAP mission when Commander James Stockdale was shot down. His fuel cells were empty. I regret I never took the chance to shake his hand again. I hope Rear Admiral Gordon Smith will attend the Oriskany reunion in October. David A. Fox ABH2 7-May-2004 1966: SPAD Driver LTJG Bud Watson hanging out with VA-163 Saints. Pic1 Pic1 Photos from Wayne Cypress

Sources Jack Cain Harry S. Gann Warren A. Harms Masaaki Hayakawa John W. Hayes Takafumie Hiroe Ernie Shuldhiess Bob Stanek Dave Fox Gary Verver David Sheeley "Boom" Powell

http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/va152/va152.htm

5/23/2013