VA-776

VA-772 / VA-776

Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). See FAQ/Research/Contact link under [SA] in the menu.

 
Provided by Jerry Kopff
 

Patch

No info yet.

Sources

David Weber

Jerry Kopff

Tailhook Association

Clay Jansson

Gary Verver

John Gabbard

Handle

VA-772 Red Devils?

VA-776 Golden Eagles

Heritage

VF-776, VA-776

January 27, 1968 Reserve Attack Squadron 776 was called to active duty.

October 18, 1968 Reserve Attack Squadron 776 was returned to reserve duty.

Home Ports

19XX - - - - - - Naval Air Station Los Alamitos, California.

June 1968- - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

Air Wings

1968 - - - - - - - - - - NR - - - - - - - - - - -

Aircraft

Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:

Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:

29 January 1968 - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk *

29 July 1968- - - - - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk *

5 June 1967 - - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk

17 July 1968- - - - - Douglas A4D-5 (A-4E) Skyhawk *

* November 30, 1962

The A4D-2 designation changed to A-4B

The A4D-2N designation changed to A-4C

The A4D-5 designation changed to A-4E

For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page:

Deployments

No info yet

Commanding Officers

1962 era - - - - - - - - - CDR H.A. McMillan.

January 1968 - - - - - - - CDR M. E. Johnson, Jr.

Awards

6 Jan 1962: RADM William I. Martin presented the "CNO Safety Award" Citations and a "Well Done!" to the 22 Naval Air Reserve squadrons at NAS Los Alamitos.

Awards continued

No additional info

Events

Drill Dates for VA776: 14-15 Apr 1961, 19-20 May 1961, ...., 21-22 Oct 1961, 18-19 Nov 1961, 16-17 Dec 1961, 20-21 Jan 1962, 17-18 Feb 1962, 17-18 Mar 1962, 14-15 Apr 1962, 19-20 May 1962, Jun 1962, 28-29 July 1962, 25-26 Aug 1962, 29-30 Sept 1962, 20-21 Oct 1962.
Reserve Squadron Drill Dates were taken from "The Crews News" U.S. Naval Air Station Los Alamitos by Jerry Kopff who served with VA-776.
Jerry Kopff served with VA-776 30 September 1961 to 30 Septemeber 1962 as a Plane Captain. At that time the aircraft were F9F-8s, but Jerry was being trained on A-4s. Jerry was transferred to active duty aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, CVA-63, as a ship company's photographer. Jerry also earned his "AC Wings".

Oct 1961: On Aug. 27 Clinton P. Randle, 2nd, enlisted in the Naval Air Reserve Program and as assigned to VA-776 with his father, LT Clinton Randle. LT Randle had enlisted in the program 21 years ago at the old station then located at Long Beach a year before NAS Los Alamitos found its new home on the present site. Young Randle will be under the wind of Chief Gordon P. Saunders, who enlisted at the same time with LT Randle and still serves in the same squadron with his old shipmate.
"The Crews News" U.S. Naval Air Station Los Alamitos by Jerry Kopff.

Recruits Graduate: Recruits Martin Fox and William Meyer last month garnered awards as recruit company honorman at graduation exercise conducted by Captain R.B. Buchan. Fox, 23 year old Compton resident, is an assistant film editor for ABC, and dirlls with VA-776.
"The Crews News" U.S. Naval Air Station Los Alamitos by Jerry Kopff.

1962: Kniss makes Chief.

August 5, 1966: Possible mid-air collision with VA-776 A-4B 139964 & VA-776 A-4B BuNo 144900 - Lt.Cmdr. Edward H Wood & Lt. Joseph Feldman perished near Starks, LA.
Lake Charles, LA, The Lake Charles American Press article
Lake Charles, LA, The Lake Charles American Press article
Wood was the squadron executive officer and (Lt.) Feldman was flying with him and two others, returning from a cross country at New Orleans. The flight got incredibly disoriented flying VFR in the clouds resulting in Feldman bailing out and breaking his neck, and Wood heading straight down. When he tried to pull out, the excessive g forces extended one of his slats and the high speed wind tore it off, turning the aircraft into a corkscrew. Wood couldn't bail out because he had a bad back and used to fly with parachute straps unconnected at the top (I don't exactly remember how you could do this) to allow him movement to ease his stiffness. I was supposed to be number five of this gaggle but my plane crapped out on me on our original departure from Yuma and I had to miss the trip. Good thing for me I did. Feldman was flying number 3 position and Wood #4. #5 was not a good place to be.
Both were great guys and I remember Joe at the O Club with his beautiful young wife and child one Sunday afternoon after our squadron drill weekend. I was a crossover from the Air Force and always walking around in a sea of confusion about Navy ways. I got to buy drinks one day for forgetting to remove my hat in the club bar. I wound up with Wood's g-suit bag which I carried with me for years on my airline flights (TWA) as a dirty clothes bag. Each time I looked at it, I promised myself I wouldn't get into a situation like Ed did!
A4s, and memories of those flown west, forever!
Bob Sackett

September 1, 1966: A-4B BuNo 142912 and A-4B BuNo 145042.
FALLON (UPI) - Two Navy jet fighters crashed near the Fallon Naval Auxiliary Air Station, killing one pilot while the other bailed out.
The two A-4 Skyhawks collided 9 miles southeast of here while returning to the base after a routine mission. They were attached to Reserve Squadron VA-772 at Los Alamitos, Calif., and were here for gunnery practice.
A base spokesman identified the dead man as Cmdr. Duane Anderson, Palos Verde, Calif: He is survived by his widow and six children. Lt. Cmdr. Henry Adema, Los Alamitos, bailed out and received minor Injuries.
A board of inquiry will investigate to determine cause of the crash, the spokesman said.
Reno, NV, Nevada State Journal, Friday, September 2, 1966

Naval Reserve Cmdr. Duane Anderson was killed Thursday as two jet fighters apparently collided and crashed near Fallon (Nevada) Naval Auxiliary Air Station when returning from routine missions
Anderson, assigned to the station with Reserve Squadron VA-772 at Los Alamitos, is survived by his widow and five children. The other pilot Lt. Cmdr. Henry Adema, assigned to the same squadron, bailed out before his plane crashed and suffered only minor injuries.
A board of investigation, headed by Cmdr. Walter McGreevy, left this morning from Naval Air Station, Los Alamitos, to investigate the accident.
Long Beach, CA, Press Telegram, Friday, September 2, 1966

FALLON, Nev. (AP) - A Navy Reserve pilot, the father of six children, was killed in a jet collision Thursday but a second pilot parachuted safely. Cmdr. Duane W. Anderson of Palos Verdes, Calif., assigned to reserve squadron VA-772 at Los Alamitos, Calif., was killed.
The A4 Skyhawk jets collided about 8,000 feet high, nine miles southeast of the Fallon Naval Auxiliary Air Station, the Navy said.
Pasadena, CA, Star News, Friday, September 2, 1966

January 27, 1968: Reserve Attack Squadron 776 was called to active duty following the capture of United States Ship Pueblo - AGER 2 by North Korea January 23, 1968.

March 7, 1968: LCdr. David Best, assigned to VA-776, perished in A-4B BuNo 142903 in a crash in the Arizona desert about 12 miles east of Needles, CA while flying a solo training mission.
Redlands, CA, Redlands Daily Facts, Friday, March 8, 1968
Long Beach, CA, Independent Press-Telegram, Friday, March 8, 1968

17 APR 1969: "On 4/17/68 the A-4A Skyhawk BUNo 137828 from the Reserve Attack Squadron 776, flying out of the Los Alamitos Naval Air Station crashed in Anza-Borrego after it’s engine failed. The pilot, Lt. Jerry P. Shafer was able ejected safely from 3000 feet."
Joe Idoni
Note that BuNo 137828 was assigned to NAS Los Alamitos (event prior to 1970 changes).

October 18, 1968: Reserve Attack Squadron 776 was returned to reserve duty.

April 25, 2015: My husband Commander John Brame has passed away. He is buried at Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Besides being called and assigned to VA-776, he engineered the all volunteer draft program for USN.
He also introduced the sport of Volleyball to Asia and earning the 4-Sport All American Award 4 years in a row. Veda Brame (surviving spouse)

Unit Photos

Webmaster note: Prior to 1970, reserve aircraft belonged to the local NARTU or 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.

March 1968:USNR VA-776 Skyhawk BuNo 142824, NR-5, tail section. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association

Circa 1968: Reserve squadron VA-776 Skyhawk BuNo 142682, NR-01. Douglas photo, Gary Verver Collection.

Los Alamitos Navy/Marine Reserve Skyhawk BuNo 137827 on display at an open house. Gary Verver Collection


Off-Duty Photos

No info yet.

A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to VA-776:

  • Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk
    • 142682 c/n 11744
      • 07 Apr 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 05 May 1968 - NAVAIRSYSCOM Rep - NAS Olathe, KS
    • 142704 c/n 11766
      • 01 Feb 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 24 Jul 1968 - NAS - NAS Glenview, IL
    • 142746 c/n 11808
      • 24 Jun 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 26 Sep 1968 - VA-125 - NAS Lemoore, CA
    • 142770 c/n 11832
      • 31 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 22 Jul 1968 - NAS - NAS New York, NY
    • 142775 c/n 11837
      • 31 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 04 Aug 1968 - NAS - NAS Glenview, IL
    • 142824 c/n 11886
      • 30 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 01 Aug 1968 - NAS - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
    • 142826 c/n 11888
      • 31 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 26 Jul 1968 - NAS - NAS New York, NY
    • 142828 c/n 11890
      • 30 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 30 Jul 1968 - NARTU - NAS Alameda, CA
    • 142847 c/n 11909
      • 31 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 27 Jul 1968 - NAS - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
    • 142876 c/n 11938
      • 29 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 03 Jul 1968 - NARF - NAS Alameda, CA
    • 142890 c/n 11952
      • 05 Apr 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 23 Jul 1968 - VA-125 - NAS Lemoore, Ca
    • 142903 c/n 11965
      • 30 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 07 Mar 1968 - Stricken - 1S
    • 142921 c/n 11983
      • 30 Jan 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 02 Aug 1968 - NAS - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
    • 144986 C/N 12232
      • 15 May 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 19 Jul 1968 - VC-7 - NAS Miramar, CA
  • Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk
    • 149978 c/n 13031
      • 02 Aug 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 24 Sep 1968 - VA-125 - NAS Lemoore, CA
    • 149979 c/n 13032
      • 02 Aug 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 30 Sep 1968 - VA-125 - NAS Lemoore, CA
    • 150060 c/n 13113
      • 29 Jul 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 30 Sep 1968 - VA-195 - USS Oriskany
  • Douglas A4D-5 (A-4E) Skyhawk
    • 151028 c/n 13198
      • 23 Jul 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 24 Sep 1968 - VA-125 - NAS Lemoore, CA
    • 151035 c/n 13205
      • 02 Aug 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 26 Sep 1968 - VA-125 - NAS Lemoore, CA
    • 151112 c/n 13282
      • 29 Aug 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 25 Sep 1968 - VA-144 - USS Bon Homme Richard
    • 151131 c/n 13301
      • 14 Aug 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 20 Sep 1969 - VA-144 - USS Bon Homme Richard
    • 151135 c/n 13305
      • 17 Jul 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 21 Sep 1968 - VA-144 - USS Bon Homme Richard
    • 151169 c/n 13339
      • 18 Jul 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 08 Oct 1968 - VA-144 - USS Bon Homme Richard
    • 151176 c/n 13346
      • 23 Jul 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 20 Sep 1968 - VA-144 - USS Bon Homme Richard
    • 151187 c/n 13357
      • 02 Aug 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 24 Sep 1968 - VA-125 - NAS Lemoore, CA
    • 151191 c/n 13361
      • 12 Sep 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 20 Sep 1968 - VA-144 - USS Bon Homme Richard
    • 151990 c/n 13378
      • 18 Jul 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 20 Sep 1968 - VA-144 - USS Bon Homme Richard
    • 152029 c/n 13417
      • 01 Aug 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 17 Oct 1968 - VA-144 - USS Bon Homme Richard
    • 152097 c/n 13485
      • 02 Aug 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 25 Sep 1968 - VA-125 - NAS Lemoore, CA
  • Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk
    • 152855 C/N 13501
      • 05 Jun 1967 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 25 Sep 1968 - VA-23 - USS Oriskany
    • 154320 c/n 13708
      • 03 Jul 1968 - VA-776 - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 27 Sep 1968 - VA-23 - USS Oriskany

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