VMT-103 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). See FAQ/Research/Contact link under [SA] in the menu. |
Patch No info yet. |
Sources David Weber Graphics files created by and courtesy of Fred Lewis. Harry S. Gann Mike Perna SSgt. Fred N. Townsley USMC Ret. Michael E. Sandlin (Col. Ret USMCR) Steve Linder Marvin E. Coffey John Gabbard |
Handle No info yet. Heritage Korea: VMT-10 flew (and/or) F9F-2Bs, F9F-4s, F9F-5s as a training squadron supporting the Marine Corps involvment in Korea. Oct 1954: VMT-10 was at Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California. 1956: Marine Training Squadron VMFT-10 was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. April 1958: VMFT-10 was re-designated VMT-2, and assigned to the Air Fleet Marine Force Pacific. May 1966: VMT-2, relocated from Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. July 1, 1966: VMT-2, was re-designated VMT-103 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. October 1967: VMT-103 was reassigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. |
Home Ports Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location: 1956 - - - - - - - - - - - Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California. May 1966 - - - - - - - - - Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. |
Air Wings Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing 19? (was in use 1969-70 [Linder]) - SC 19? (was in use VMT-2 from Sept. 1961- June 30, 1964 At El Toro [Coffey]) - - - - - - - - SD |
Aircraft Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: 1 November 1966 - - - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk 22 October 1971 - - - - - - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk * November 30, 1962 The A4D-1 designation changed to A-4A For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
Deployments No info yet |
Commanding Officers No info yet. |
Awards No info yet |
Awards continued No additonal info |
Events VMT-103's primary mission is to provide attack training for newly designated aviators and attack refresher training for previously qualified Naval Aviators. It also provides jet transition refresher and instrument training for selected pilots. September 11, 1967: Capt. Walt Dozier, 27, (IP) and 1st Lt. Arnold Corbett, 25, both members of MCAS Yuma based VMAT-103 ejected safely from their stricken TA-4F Skyhawk (BuNo 153665) Monday afternoon after it lost it's canopy during take-off and became uncontrollable after aborting the 1st landing attempt. The Skyhawk crashed into the edge of a citrus grove a quarter mile short of the runway clipping trees and cartwheeled into a field of newly planted trees. The jet 1st crashed into a grove owned by Ralph McGill and ended up on the McMillan Citrus Nursery 1/4 mile east of the fairgrounds and 1/4 mile south of Highway 80. The Yuma Daily Sun, Tuesday, September 12, 1967. The Yuma Daily Sun, (photo), Tuesday, September 12, 1967 January 23, 1969: LCol. Marvin T. Garrison, 37, (VMT-103 CO) and 1st Lt. J.D. Lawson, 24, ejected safely when their TA-4F Skyhawks (BuNo 154324 & TA-4F BuNo 153673) collided at 8:52 a.m. while on a routine practice bombing mission about 42 miles west by northwest of Yuma. Both officers were picked up by the MCAS Yuma SAR helicopters. One of the Skyhawks landed in the target area while the 2nd fell north of Holtville, CA. Yuma Daily Sun, Thursday, January 23, 1969. LCol. Marvin T. Garrison, 37, and 1st Lt. J.D. Lawson, 24, ejected safely when their TA-4F Skyhawk jets collided on a training flight over Imperial Valley near Brawley, CA. The Press-Courier, Friday, January 24, 1969. February 1, 1969: 1st Lt. R.P. Keller ejected safely (suffered a broken leg) when his A-4 Skyhawk (BuNo 153485) crashed and burned on take-off from Webb AFB Saturday. Lt. Keller was enroute from MCAS Yuma to NAS Pensacola and had stopped at Webb to refuel. Big Spring, TX, Big Spring Herald, (photo), Tuesday, February 4, 1969 October 23, 1969: Capt. John A. Drew, 29, ejected safely Thursday and copilot, 1st Lt. Kirby L. Williams, 24, was killed when their TA-4F Skyhawk (BuNo 153666) crashed about 4 miles south of Joshua Tree, CA, while on a navigation training exercise from MCAS Yuma, AZ. Lt. Williams tried to eject but failed. The Bakersfield Californian, Saturday, October 25, 1969. Capt. John A. Drew (IP) ejected safely and 1st Lt. Kirby L. Williams (student) did not eject received fatal injuries when TA-4F BuNo 153666 crashed and was destroyed on 23 October 1969 at 1506(T). Their TA-4F departed MCAS Yuma at 1440(T) on an Instrument Syllabus Check Flight. 1st Lt. Williams accomplished a simulated instrument departure and climb to FL 310. After level off Capt Drew informed 1st Lt. Williams that he was going to "check out" the AFCS, but would not take control. Capt. Drew engaged the AFCS and upon selecting altitude hold the aircraft pitched nose up to about 45 degrees. Capt Drew took control of the aircraft and attempted to lower the nose and disengage the AFCS. While holding full forward stick he repeatedly pushed the AFCS emergency disconnect button. The aircraft entered a stall and fell off to the right. Capt. Drew pulled the power disconnect T handle as the aircraft entered an upright spin to the right and he applied anti-spin corrections. As they passed through 14,000 feet in uncontrolled flight Capt. Drew initiated command ejection. AAR, 04 December 1969. VMAT-103 TA-4F BuNo 153666... The automatic flight control system (AFCS) failed, causing a violent pitch-up and stall resulting in a spin. 1st Lt. William's ejection seat had a fractured reducer fitting that caused his seat to fail. Approach page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6, February 1970. I flew with VMT 103 at Yuma, AZ. in 1969 through 1970. I was the 7th pilot in the squadron and we called ourselves the "Sky Chicken's" as our modex was SC. We were attached to the newly formed MCCRTG (Marine Corps Combat Readiness Training Group) and had a bunch of cast me down Navy A4-C's that all had leaky fuel tanks because of the thousands of traps made aboard ship. We got rid of all of the Charlies in late 69 (think they went to Argentina) and started getting the Super E's. Michael E. Sandlin (Col Ret USMCR) This unit was formed as a specialized training unit for those of us who, after basic school, went into the USAF undergraduate pilot training (UPT) program because the Navy could not handle the volume of Marine pilots in the 1969-1971 time-frame. We received the AF lead wings after 53 weeks of training and went on to VMT-103 (TA-4Fs) to get air-to-ground, air-to-air, and carqual before receiving naval aviator wings. Anyway, this was at MCAS Yuma and was definitely a "training" squadron and not an "attack training" squadron. Steve Linder June 11, 1971: Capt. John Danskin and Capt. Dennis Murphy made a safe ground-level ejection today when their Skyhawk (BuNo 153668) had a flameout as the jet was practicing carrier-type touch-and-go landings and crashed on the runway at NAF El Centro. The Yuma Daily Sun, Yuma, AZ, Friday, June 11, 1971. Following briefing and pre-flight two Marine Captains manned their TA-4F for a scheduled day carrier landing practice hop. Following takeoff from the sixth touch-and-go landing, at approximately 200 feet, the engine began to unwind and run rough. The IP took control and attempted to push the throttle forward but it was already at military power. The nose began to fall through the horizon as both pilots ejected. The aircraft impacted approximately 4,500 feet down the runway and slid to a stop. The TA-4F was a total loss and investigation revealed a pair of water pump pliers in the compressor section. NAN, Pettibone, February 1972. September 10, 1971: 1st Lt. R(obert) D. Strouse was reported killed today while the back seater Capt D(avid) R. Pia escaped when their TA-4 Skyhawk (BuNo 154326) crashed and burned on takeoff coming to rest about 500 yards east of Bet-Ko-Air and some 100 yards from the highway. The Yuma Daily Sun, (photo), Friday, Sept. 10, 1971. Names from Bill Egen. |
Unit Photos Circa 1967-69: BuNo 153485, side no. 11, on the ramp location unknown. Gary Verver. 1971: VMT-103 Personnel. Formal protrait of the officers and men on VMT-103. USMC photograph from Mike Perna. 1971: VMT-103 Flightline. Six Douglas TA-4J Skyhawks bake in the Yuma sun. Photograph from Mike Perna. FEB68-MAR69: VMT-103 Skyhawk BuNo 154340, SD-18, parked on the ramp. Photographer unknown, via W. Mutza. MAY 1971: VMT-103 TA-4F BuNo 153487, SD-15. Photographer unknown, Verver Collection. MAY71: VMT-103 TA-4F BuNo, 153664, SD-3, MAY 1971. Photographer unknown, Verver Collection. Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to VMT-103:
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