VA VMA |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). See FAQ/Research/Contact link under [SA] in the menu. |
 VC-13 Black Cats |
 VF-753, VC-13 |
 VFC-13 Saints Courtesy of Kenneth Angst |
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Patch VFC-13 Saint Adversary Patch about 1976, courtesy of Kenneth Angst. |
Sources David Weber Kenneth Angst. Jim Clark. Harry S. Gann. Frank J. Mirande. Gary Verver. Mike “Ratman” Ranftle |
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Handle Hellcats Saints Saint Adversary Heritage 1946, Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VF-753) established at Naval Air Facility Detroit, Michigan. September 1, 1973, VF-753 absorbed VSF-76 and VSF-86 and the conglomeration was re-designated Fleet Composite Squadron Thirteen (VC-13). April 22, 1988, VC-13 re-designated Fighter Composite Squadron Thirteen (VFC-13). |
Home Ports Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location: 1946 (established) - - - Naval Air Facility Detroit, Michigan. September 1, 1973- - - - Naval Air Station New Orleans, Louisiana. February 1976- - - - - - Naval Air Station Miramar, California. April 1996 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. |
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Air Wings No info yet. |
Aircraft Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: 1946 - - - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F6F Hellcat 1971 - - - - - - - - - - - - Chance Vought F-8H Crusader 4 March 1974 - - - - - - - - Douglas A-4L Skyhawk 14 March 1976- - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk 18 May 1976- - - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk 7 September 1983 - - - - - - * Douglas A-4E Skyhawk 4 April 1988 - - - - - - - - * Douglas A-4F Skyhawk 1993 - - - - - - - - - - - - McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18 Hornet 1996 - - - - - - - - - - - - McDonnell Douglas F5-E/F Tiger II * Some Echo and Foxtrot Skyhawks modified to "Mongoose" configuration. For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
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Deployments None. |
Commanding Officers Sep 73 – Mar 75 - - - - - - Ray Carter (F-8H & A-4L) Mar 75 – Apr 77 - - - - - - Pat McGirl (Relocated to Miramar, TA-4F/J) Apr 77 – Dec 77 - - - - - - Pat Burke Dec 77 – Jun 79 - - - - - - Bill Goff Jun 79 – Dec 80 - - - - - - Norm Justesen Dec 80 – Mar 82 - - - - - - Jere Rivers Mar 82 – Aug 83 - - - - - - Red Scott Aug 83 – Mar 85 - - - - - - Tom Smisek (A-4E) Mar 85 – Mar 86 - - - - - - Pete Hunt Mar 86 – Sep 87 - - - - - - Charlie Lowry Sep 87 – Mar 89 - - - - - - Bob Wendt (Redesignated VFC-13, A-4F) Mar 89 – Mar 90 - - - - - - Mike Rishel Mar 90 – Sep 91 - - - - - - Mike Ranftle Sep 91 – Jan 93 - - - - - - Jerry Harris Jan 93 – Mar 94 - - - - - - Wally Baker (F/A-18 Transition) |
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Awards Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates: C.N.O. Safety Awards (2) Golden Wrench Maintenance Award |
Awards continued 1994 Battle "E"
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Events 1971: VFS-76 and VFS-86 were two NAS New Orleans, Louisiana, based squadrons tasked with the mission to provide fighter cover for the ant-submarine carriers. Previously flying early-model A-4 Skyhawks, the squadron transitioned to the F-8H. 1973: perating the F-8H Crusader, the squadron had 17 officers and 127 enlisted men. April, 1974: VC-13 transitioned to the A-4L Skyhawk. February 1976: VC-13 was moved to N.A.S. Miramar. Summer of 1976: VC-13 transitioned to the TA-4J. 1983: VC-13 transitioned to the A-4E. August 3, 1984: Unknown pilots ejected safely ... VFC-13 TA-4J BuNo 154653 was destroyed over the North Pacific ocean (above Lat 45 Deg. N) when the aircraft experienced sudden catastrophic engine failure. 03 August 1984. Aircrew ejected. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. May 22, 1985: LCdr. Neil Shafer ejected safely when he came out of an ACM engagement, received fire warning lights and his wingman notified him he had flames coming out of the aircraft. From Ken Angst. LCdr. Neil Shafer ejected safely when his A-4E Skyhawk jet crashed into the Pacific off Baja, CA, about 78 miles south of San Diego, Wednesday. The crash occurred at 8:42 a.m. while participating in a routine training exercise with VFC-13. He was rescued within minutes by a helicopter and flown to NAS Miramar. Eureka Times Standard, Thursday, May 23, 1985. Unknown Navy pilot ejected safely when his A-4E Skyhawk jet crashed into the Pacific about 78 miles south of San Diego Wednesday. The crash occurred at 8:42 a.m. while participating in a routine training exercise with VFC-13. Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Indiana, Thursday, May 23, 1985. VFC-13 A-4E BuNo 149655 was destroyed at Miramar when aircraft crashed into water following inflight fire. 22 May 1985. Aircrew ejected. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. April 22, 1988: VC-13 squadron was renamed to VFC-13 October, 1993: VFC-13 transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet April 1996: VFC-13 relocated to N.A.S. Fallon and transitioned to the F-5E/F Tiger II and continued to provide adversary support to the Navy. |
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Unit Photos BuNo.153495 parked on the ramp. From Gary Verver. 1974-1975: VC-13 Saints A-4L Skyhawk BuNo 145092, UX-1, parked on the ramp, location unknown. Unknown photographer. 21 SEP 1975: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 145092, UX-1, parked on the ramp. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza. 02 Nov 1976 to 13 Aug 1987: During 1987 BuNo 155087, UX-06, a TA-4J parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1977: Unique 1977 photograph showing eleven VC-13 TA-4J Saints in-flight. Feb 1975: BuNo 145092 tail section. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. 1975: VC-13 active service crew, from "Hays". Circa 1975: BuNo 145122 on the ramp, from "Hays". 24 Sept 1975: BuNo 149555, UX-6, parked on the ramp. Photo by R. Leader, G. Verver collection. 15 Nov 1975: BuNo 147825, UX-3, parked on the ramp. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. Nov 1975: BuNo 149551, UX-5, parked on the Saints flight line next to BuNo 145122 and three other Saints Skyhawks. Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. 05 JUN 1976: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 154653, UX-8, parked on the line. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza. JUL76: 159798, UX-4, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. Nov 1976: 153504, UX-01, parked on the ramp next to T-2C Buckeye BuNo 157043, location unknown. Name below the canopy is RED. Gary Verver Collection. 24 Sept 1977: Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155096, UX-07, parked on the flight line. Photo by G.B. Rhodes, Gary Verver Collection. 03OCT77: Left rear view of Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155096, UX-07, parked on the flight line. Photo by T. Waddington, Gary Verver Collection. 18 NOV 1977: VC-13 TA-4J BuNo 153479, UX-09. Right side view of VC-13 Saints TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153479, UX-09, on the ramp with a huffer and elec. cart, location unknown. Photo by J. Sheets from G. Verver collection. BuNo 153479, VF-126 NJ-615, on the ramp. Pic 1, Pic 2. 1978: Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 154653, UX-08. Photo by Harry Gann. MAR 1978: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 159798, UX-04, parked on the ramp. Bill Curry. 1978: VC-13 Fighting Saints pilots pictured with TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152855, UX-05, on the flight line at NAS Miramar, CA, in 1978. Official U.S. Navy photo. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection. Circa 1979: VC-13 Saints TA-4J Skyhawks BuNo 155094, UX-01, BuNo 155085, UX-02, and BuNo 155080, UX-04, in formation with Canadian Air Force 409 Nighthawk Squadron CF-101B Voodoos serial numbers 101026 and 101059, circa 1979. Official U.S. Navy photo. 02 Oct 1980: BuNo 155080, UX-04, parked on the flight line configured with a pair of drop tanks and a buddy store on the center-line. Gary Verver Collection. 1980 to 1989: BuNo 155094, UX-01, a TA-4J parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 1981: Skyhawk BuNo 155092, UX-03, assigned to "Cobra", parked on the ramp next to BuNo 154653, UX-08. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza. 01 APR 1982: Skyhawks parked on the line by the VFC-13 Saints Hangar at Miramar. Official photo. MAY81: BuNo 155081, TA-4J, UX-05 parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection./sites/default/files/images-a4-unknown2/a4f-vfc-13-ux-22.jpg 04 May 1982: VC-13 Saints TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155081, UX-13, painted in a 2 tone grey scheme taxiing at Hill AFB. Copyright photo by Joe Cupido. JUN82: BuNo 154653, TA-4J, UX-08 parked on the Davis Monthan ramp. Gary Verver Collection. Dates unknown: BuNo 154653, TA-4J, UX-08 parked on the ramp. PIc1, Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. 1983: BuNo 153512, TA-4J, UX-14 parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1984: BuNo 149666, A-4F, UX-23 parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1984: BuNo 151059, A-4E, UX-22 parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1985-87: BuNo 155102, UX-08, a TA-4J parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. July 1986: BuNo 155094, UX-01, based at NAS Miramar. Photo byJ.L. Wannepain, G. Verver collection. 1986: BuNo 154976, aggressor paint side no. 24 parked. Gary Verver Collection. 14 Sept 1987: BuNo 154976, UX-20 carrying an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pod, which transmits details of air-to-air engagements to a ground station for later analysis. U.S. Navy Photo. March 1988: Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155094, UX-01, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. 01 AUG 1988: Pic1, Pic2. A TA-4J aircraft (BuNo 155081, UX-05) of Composite Fighter Squadron 13 (VFC-13) on the flight line. Photos from Angelo Romano. 09 OCT 1988: BuNo 154976 on the ramp with VFC-13. Photographer unknown from Verver Collection. 18 Oct 1989: Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155034, UX-21, departs NAS Miramar, CA. US Navy Photo by B. Trombecky. 30 June 1990: BuNo 154206, UX-26. Photo by D. Slowiak, G. Verver collection. 1991: A-4F Skyhawk 155013. A-4F BuNo. 155013 and side number 24 of VFC-13 "Saints" based at Naval Air Station Miramar. This Foxtrot is in low vis sea gray paint when photographed April 22, 1991 at Naval Air Station Atlanta while pausing for fuel. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 1991: A-4F Skyhawk 155034. Detail of the tail of A-4F BuNo. 155034 and side number 21 of VFC-13 "Saints" based at Naval Air Station Miramar near San Diego, California. This Foxtrot is in low vis sea gray paint when photographed April 22, 1991 at Naval Air Station Atlanta. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 22 APR 1991: Two A-4F of VFC-13 "Saints" taxiing "Blue Angel" style from the Naval Air Station Atlanta transit-line. In the lead is BuNo 155034. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 1991-92: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155085, UX-02, parked on the ramp as the ground crew re-fuels the fuselage tank. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza. Saint TA-4F Skyhawk 153492 TA-4F BuNo. 153492, side number JY 10, of VFC-13 "Saints", Naval Air Station Mirimar, California. 1992: BuNo 153479, side no. 03, in aggressor paint parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 21 APR 1992: Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155028, UX-25, parked on the ramp. Photo by W. Munzenmaier. Date unknown: BuNo 155028, UX-25 taxing. Gary Verver Collection. 21 May 1992: VFC-13 Saints TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155081, UX-05, on the ramp, NAS Miramar. Photo by W. Munzenmaier. SEP 1992: VFC-13 Saints TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155096, UX-01, painted in a lo-vis grey scheme taxis by the photographer at NAS Fallon. Names on the canopy rail are LT "Smurf" Murphy and LCDR "Raoul" Ralston. Copyright photo by Joe Cupido. 1993: Saint TA-4F Skyhawk 153495. TA-4F BuNo. 153495, November Delta, side number 04, of VFC-13 "Saints", Naval Air Station Mirimar, California. Photographed on the Naval Air Station Atlanta Transit line on March 9, 1993. VFC-13 was transferred from the Fleet Logistics Support Wing in 1992, to Carrier Air Wing 30, therefore exchanging their "UX" tailcode for CVWR-30's stylized "ND". In a bit of a twist, CVWR-30 stood down at the end of 1994, so the "orphaned" Saints then moved to CVWR-20. By then they had re-equipped with Hornets, then became the Navy's last F-5 squadron. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 1993: Close-up of Saint TA-4J Skyhawk 153495 Tail Section. TA-4J BuNo. 153495 side number ND 04, of VFC-13 "Saints", of Naval Air Station Mirimar, California, at Naval Air Station Atlanta on March 3, 1993. The photograph clearly shows the fancy CVWR-30 "ND" tailcode on the standard Tactical Paint Scheme Ghost Gray. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 24 April 1993: BuNo 155096, ND-01, parked on the flight line. Another shot. Gary Verver Collection. 14 June 1993: Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155034, UX-21, and Skyhawk UX-23 taxi to the runway prior to an air combat maneuvers training mission against Carrier Air Wing 17. US Navy Photo by B. Trombecky. BuNo 153512, UX-04 in flight. Gary Verver Collection. VC-13 Saints Skyhawk BuNo 145092, UX-1, parked on the ramp. Wings Magazine, photo by Ron Picciani. 17 JUN 1984: BuNo 155081, UX-05. Name below the camopy LCDR "Ramrod" Elrod. Photographer unknown, from Gary Verver Collection. SEP 1988: VC-13 TA-4J BuNo 155096, UX-06. Name on the canopy rail is LCDR "Rodney" (C,G)ro(y,t)er. Photo by R. Greby from Gary Verver Collection. 21 APR 1992: 155039, UX-27, at NAS Miramar. Name on the canopy is LCDR Lee Cleaver. P/C name on the nose gear door is ATAN "Stuffy" Stauffer from Youngwood, PA. Photo from W. Munzenmaier. 21 APR 1992: VFC-13 A-4F BuNo 155037, UX-22, 21 APR 1992 at NAS Miramar. Photo from W. Munzenmaier. 04 JUN 1993: VC-13 TA-4J BuNo 155087, UX-10. From Gary Verver Collection. 21 APR 1992: BuNo 155028 on the Miramar ramp. W. Munzenmeier. Date unknown: BuNo 155037 UX-24 sporting aggressor paint job parked on the ramp next to a F-14 Tomcat. Photo from JD Stewart. Date unknown: TA-4 Skyhawks parked in front of the VC-13 Hangar at NAS Miramar. From Gary Verver. BuNo 149551, VC-13 UX-05, on the ramp. 14 June 1999: VFC-13 Fighting Saints TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155080, ND-00, on the ramp, NAS Fallon. Names below the canopy rail are AZ-1 "Soy" Chance and Capt "CAG" Laflair. Photographer unknown. Date unknown: BuNo 155080 parked next to the grass. Gary Verver Collection. BuNo unknown: A-4F VFC-13, UX-22 parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit:
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