VSF-86 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). See FAQ/Research/Contact link under [SA] in the menu. |
Patch VSF-86 Gator caricature provided by "Boom" Powell |
Sources David Weber "Boom" Powell Jim Vaughn Tom Kloves |
Handle Gators Heritage 19xx: VSF-86 established. 01 SEP 1973: VSF-86 assets moved and unit dis-established |
Home Ports NAS New Orleans, LA |
Air Wings 1971: USS Ticonderoga - Tail Code NW. |
Aircraft Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: 03 JUN 1970: Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk * * November 30, 1962 The A4D-2N designation was changed to A-4C For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
Deployments Circa 1971: USS Ticonderoga CV14. CVSGR-80 |
Commanding Officers No info yet. |
Awards No info yet |
Awards continued No additonal info |
Events 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 in 1971. 30 JUN 1970: "I am a "plank" owner with VSF-86 having served from 6/30/70 until 7/1/73. I was a AMH2 and a plane captain on the A4s. Jim Vaughn. Circa 1970: VSF-86 deploys with CVSGR aboard CV-14. Jim Vaughn August 15, 1971: VSF-86 change of command, Kloves to Etheridge aboard CV-14. 01 SEP 1973: VF-753 absorbed VSF-76 and VSF-86 and the conglomeration was re-designated Fleet Composite Squadron Thirteen (VC-13). |
Unit Photos 1971: BuNo 148463, NW-601, moving towards the cat. Photo Ed Moir. 1971: Gators pilot Ed Moir in Skyhawk NW-601, BuNo 148463, on a forward cat and ready to launch from the Tico. Photo Ed Moir. 1971: Gators pilots pose in front of Skyhawk NW-601, BuNo 148463, assigned to CDR Kloves aboard the Tico. L-R: John Parks, Ed Moir, Dave Griggs, NASA Astronaut killed doing an air-show for a buddy (Admiral no less) & Dale Sisley of Lafayette, LA. Photo Ed Moir. AUG 1971: Gators Skyhawk NW-602 aboard the Tico as a deck crewman inserts the tillie bar into the nosewheel. "Boom" Powell Gators pilots pose next to Skyhawk NW-602 at NAS New Orleans. Photo by NavNews. 1972-73: VSF-86 Skyhawk BuNo 149563, NW-605, parked on the ramp. "Boom" Powell Circa AUG71: VSF-86 Gators A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149563, NW-605, being guided onto the cat with a tillie bar aboard the USS Ticonderoga. Circa AUG71: VSF-86 Gators A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149618, NW-603, aboard the USS Ticonderoga. Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit:
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