The
VA-106 GLADIATORS
The Squadron Duty Officer
(SDO), is the unit's contact point. They maintain unit rosters, help
old friends link up, coordinate with unit reunions, and gather unit
information. The
SDO List.
The Association is particularly interested in your Skyhawk related
information and photos, but will gladly accept information about all
eras of the unit. e-Mail the Association Webmaster.
AND we welcome "anyone with an interest" in the Skyhawk to JOIN The Skyhawk Association.
Helmet & Shield -1952
Patch coutesy of Otto Krueger
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Helmet & Shield - 1982
Patch courtesy of VFA-106
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F/A-18 Shoulder Patch - 199x
Drawn by Bud Southworth
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F/A-18 Shoulder Patch - 199x
Drawn by Bud Southworth
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Patch
- November 23, 1945, Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN
created the "Skeleton Riding A Rocket" patch.
The Skeleton Riding A Rocket patch had deep purple sky, aquamarine
water and white clouds outlined in pale blue; the skeleton had a deep
purple sombrero, a white face with light green shading and deep purple
sockets, magenta shirt with an orange neckerchief, the hands were white
with light green markings, teal trousers with a light blue cuff, tan
boots with a brown sole, dark purple stirrups, tan saddle with pommel
and under-portions brown; light gray rocket outlined in purple with
yellow and orange lines emanating from the tail, light gray pistol
outlined in purple with yellow smoke, magenta bomb, and a brown belt
and holster.
- April 16, 1952, Fighter Squadron SIXTY-TWO initiated
the "Helmet and Shield" patch --- illustrated above.
- May 26, 1982, VFA-106 modified the "Helmet and
Shield" patch. This patch is illustrated above.
- 199x, VFA-106 Hornet pilots wear unofficial F/A-18
shoulder patches.
- Back to Table of Contents
Handle
- There is no recorded moniker for the 1945 to 1952
period.
- VA-106 Gladiators from 1952 to 1969.
- VFA-106 took the name "Gladiators" when established
in 1984, and has used it to the present.
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Heritage
- January 2, 1945, Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN
(VBF-17) established.
- November 15, 1946, VBF-17 redesignated as Fighter
Squadron SIX B (VF-6B).
- July 28, 1948, VF-6B redesignated as Fighter Squadron
SIXTY-TWO (VF-62).
- July 1, 1955, VF-62 redesignated Attack Squadron ONE
HUNDRED SIX (VA-106).
- November 7, 1969, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX
(VA-106) disestablished.
- Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VFA-106)
established April 27, 1984.
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Home Ports
- January 2, 1945* - - - - - Naval Air
Station Agana,
Guam
- July 8, 1945 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda
- September 1945 - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air
Station Fallon
- February 1946- - - - - - - Naval Air Station
Brunswick
- 1946†- - - - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Norfolk
- September 25, 1948 - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air
Station Oceana
- November 22, 1948- - - - - Naval Air Station Norfolk
- January 20, 1949 - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air
Station Oceana
- September 18, 1950‡- - - - Naval Auxiliary Air
Station Cecil Field
- October 13, 1952 - - - - - Naval Air Station
Jacksonville
- December 1954- - - - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil
Field
- April 27, 1984 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil
Field
- * Temporary shore assignment while the squadron
conducted training in preparation for combat deployment.
- † The squadron was transferred from Naval Air Station
Brunswick to Naval Air Station Norfolk sometime in July or August 1946.
- ‡ The squadron's home port changed to Naval Air
Station Jacksonville on September 5, 1950 and the move from Naval
Auxiliary Air Station Oceana was conducted between September 6 and 7.
On September 18, Commander Fleet Air Jacksonville changed the
squadron's home port to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Cecil Field.
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Air Wings
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing - January
2, 1945- - - - - - C - - - - -
CVG-17/CVBG-17/ CVBG-5/CVG-6*
- September 1950 - - - - - - F - - - - - CVG-4
- 1954 - - - - - - - - - - - P/AK† - - - CVG-10
- October 12, 1961 - - - - - - - - - - - CVG-1‡
- November 12, 1961- - - - - AK- - - - - CVG-10/CVW-10§
- January 1, 1966- - - - - - AC- - - - - CVW-3
- February 1, 1967 - - - - - AA- - - - - CVW-17
- January 10, 1968 - - - - - AK- - - - - CVW-10
- March 3, 1969- - - - - - - AG- - - - - CVW-7
- April 27, 1984 - - - - - - AD- - - - - COMLATWING ONE
- * CVG-17 was established on January 1, 1943,
redesignated CVBG-17 on January 22, 1946, then redesignated CVBG-5 on
November 15, 1946. CVBG-5 was then redesignated CVG-6 on July 27, 1948.
- † The tail code was changed from P to AK in 1957.
The effective date for this change was most likely July 1, 1957.
- ‡ The squadron was temporarily assigned to Air Group
1 for operation Blow Torch, simulated nuclear strikes against North
American targets, and for nuclear operational suitability tests aboard
United States Ship Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA 42.
- § CVG-10 was redesignated CVW-10 when Carrier Air
Group (CVG) designations were redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVW) on
December 20, 1963.
- *CVG-I5 was redesignated CVW-16 when Carrier Air
Groups (CVG were redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVW) on December 20,
1963.
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Deployments
Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier -Aircraft
- - Area of Operations:
- 02-10-45 to 06-13-45 - CVG-17 - CV 12- -
F6F-5 - -
Pacific
- 10-27-49 to 11-23-49 - CVG-6- - CVB 42 - F8F-2 - -
NorLant
- 05-15-51 to 10-04-51 - CVG-4- - CV 34- - F2H-2 - -
Mediterranean
- 04-19-52 to 10-12-52 - CVG-4- - CVB 43 - F2H-2 - -
Mediterranean
- 04-26-53 to 12-04-53 - CVG-4- - CVA 39 - F2H-2 - -
Korea/West Pac/Med
- 07-07-54 to 12-20-54 - CVG-10 - CVA 43 - F2H-2 - -
Mediterranean
- 08-13-56 to 02-11-57 - CVG-10 - CVA 43 - F9F-8B- -
Mediterranean
- 08-07-59 to 02-26-60 - CVG-10 - CVA 9- - A4D-2 - -
Mediterranean
- 09-06-60 to 10-20-60 - CVG-10 - CVA 38 - A4D-2 - -
NorLant
- 02-02-61 to 05-15-61 - CVG-10 - CVA 38 - A4D-2 - -
Mediterranean
- 02-07-62 to 08-28-62 - CVG-10 - CVA 38 - A4D-2 - -
Mediterranean
- 10-01-63 to 05-23-64 - CVW-10 - CVA 38 - A-4C- - -
Mediterranean
- 02-15-65 to 09-20-65 - CVW-10 - CVA 38 - A-4C- - -
Mediterranean
- 03-11-66 to 10-26-66 - CVW-3- - CVA 60 - A-4C- - -
Mediterranean
- 06-06-67 to 09-15-67 - CVW-17 - CVA 59 - A-4E- - -
WestPac/Vietnam
- 06-04-68 to 02-08-69 - CVW-10 - CVS 11 - A-4E- - -
WestPac/Vietnam
- 09-03-69 to 10-09-69 - CVW-7- - CVA 62 - A-4C- - -
NorLant
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Aircraft
Commanding Officers
- January 11, 1945 - - - - - - - Lieutenant
Commander
Hugh W. Nicholson
- May 14, 1945 - - - - - - - - - Lieutenant Edwin S.
Connant (acting)
- August 20, 1945- - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander
Edwin S. Connant
- July 1, 1947 - - - - - - - - - Commander C. E.
Houston
- 1948 - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander
Walter O. Zoecklein (acting)
- July 2, 1948 - - - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander
James E. Shew
- January 3, 1950- - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander
Hugh A. Kelly
- October19, 1951- - - - - - - - Commander Douglas A.
Clark
- November 25, 1952- - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander
William W. Kelly
- February 27, 1954- - - - - - - Commander Lewis W.
Jenkins
- July 1955- - - - - - - - - - - Commander Hollis H.
Hills
- February 1957- - - - - - - - - Commander O. L.
Dauphin
- April 25, 1958 - - - - - - - - Commander Newton P.
Foss
- December 5, 1959 - - - - - - - Commander S. O. Bach
- July 22, 1960- - - - - - - - - Commander L. W.
Baldwin, Jr.
- July 31, 1961- - - - - - - - - Commander L. E. Irvin
- July 25, 1962- - - - - - - - - Commander W. S. Nelson
- July 1963- - - - - - - - - - - Commander G. E. R.
Kinnear II
- August 1, 1964 - - - - - - - - Commander C. B.
Crockett
- June 1965- - - - - - - - - - - Commander James H.
Scott
- June 24, 1966- - - - - - - - - Commander S. R. Foley,
Jr.
- August 7, 1967 - - - - - - - - Commander S. E.
Latimer, Jr.
- November 17, 1967- - - - - - - Commander Walter L.
Clarke, Jr.
- March 3, 1969- - - - - - - - - Commander J. H. Harns
- April 27, 1984 - - - - - - - - Commander D. J.
L'Herault
- December 13, 1985- - - - - - - Commander J. W.
Peterson
- February 13, 1987- - - - - - - Commander L. G. Kappel
- June 3, 1988 - - - - - - - - - Commander W. O. King,
Jr.
- June 12, 1989- - - - - - - - - Commander W. N.
Deaver, Jr.
- March 19, 1991 - - - - - - - - Commander J. Barry
Waddell
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Events
- January 2, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN (VBF-17) was established at Naval Air
Station Agana, Guam, a month before it entered combat. Personnel from
VF-17 were the core of the newly established Bomber-Fighter Squadron
17. The squadron was assigned the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat.
- February 10, 1945 through June 13, 1945:
VBF-17 flying the F6F-5 Hellcat embarked on United States Ship Hornet
CV 12, for combat in the Pacific war.
- February 16 & 17, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN operating from United States Ship
Hornet CV 12, striking against targets in the Tokyo area.
- February 20 through 22, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN flew strikes against Iwo Jima and
provided air support for the landings on the island.
- February 25, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN flew strikes in the Tokyo area.
- March 18 & 19, 1945:
Major strikes were conducted by VFB-17 aircraft against Kanoya, the
largest airfield on Kyushu and against the Japanese Fleet anchored at
Kure Naval Base. On March 19, Lieutenant Edwin S. Conant was awarded
the Silver Star for his action as flight leader on a fighter sweep over
Kure Bay. He shot down three planes during an engagement with the enemy
and his flight group accounted for a total of 24 enemy planes downed
and probably eight or more damaged.
- March 21, 1945:
Lieutenant Junior Grade Henry E. Mitchell became an Ace when he shot
down five Betty twin engine bombers that were part of a sortie
attacking the squadron's task force. Henry was later killed in action
on April 3, 1945. For his action on March 21, LTJG Henry Mitchell was
posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
- March through May 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN operating from United States Ship
Hornet CV 12, flew strikes against Okinawa.
- April 6, 1945:
Ensign Harold Yeremain became an Ace when he added three more aircraft
to his total by downing two Mitsubishi A6M Zeke Fighters, more commonly
known as Zeros and an Aichi Val single engine carrier bomber during an
engagement near Okinawa. Ensigns John J. Gafeney and William J. Kostik
were awarded Silver Stars for their actions in shooting down three
Japanese aircraft each during this engagement.
- April 7, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN flew in the combined task force
strikes against the super battleship Yamato and its accompanying
escorts, resulting in the sinking of Yamato, two cruisers and three
destroyers.
- April 7, 1945:
Lieutenant Byron A. Eberts became an Ace when he brought his total to
five by shooting down a Yokosuka Francis Japanese Navy Night Fighter.
- April 12 1945:
Lieutenant Edwin S. Conant became an Ace when he shot down a Mitsubishi
A6M Zeke (Zero) and a Japanese Army Nakajima Tojo Fighter and brought
his tally to six aircraft downed.
- April 14, 1945:
Ensigns Robert A. Clarke and William J. Kostik became Aces when they
each shot down a Mitsubishi A6M Zeke (Zero).
- April 16, 1945:
Lieutenant John M. Johnston became an Ace when he shot down four
Mitsubishi A6M Zekes (Zeros), bringing his total to eight aircraft. For
John's action during this engagement he was awarded the Silver Star.
- May 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN flew strikes against Kyushu and
Shikoku, hitting aircraft plants and airfields.
- May 14, 1945:
Lieutenant Commander H. W. Nicholson, Bomber-Fighter Squadron
SEVENTEEN's Commanding Officer, was killed in action during a strike
against Kyushu.
- May 14, 1945:
Lieutenant Junior Grade Carl V. Stone became an Ace when he added two
Japanese fighters to his total of downed aircraft.
- September 1945:
VBF-17 was assigned the Vought F4U Corsair I.
- November 15, 1946:
VBF-17 redesignated as Fighter Squadron SIX B (VF-6B).
- June 30, 1948:
VF-6B was assigned the Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat.
- July 28, 1948:
VF-6B redesignated as Fighter Squadron SIXTY-TWO (VF-62).
- August 3, 1950:
VF-62 was assigned the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee.
- July 1, 1955:
VF-62 redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VA-106).
- October 1955:
VA-106 was assigned the Grumman F9F-8B Cougar.
- August 1956:
Following the nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egypt on July 26,
the United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43, with Attack Squadron ONE
HUNDRED SIX aboard was ordered to the eastern Mediterranean as tensions
increased and France and the United Kingdom began preparations for
military action against Egypt.
- October and November 1956:
On October 29, Israel invaded Egypt and a day later France and the
United Kingdom joined in the invasion, with the intent of reoccupying
the Suez Canal. United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43, with Attack
Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX aboard was on station in the eastern
Mediterranean during the American evacuation of Western nationals from
Egypt and Israel.
- June 4, 1958:
VA-106 was assigned the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk.
- Jan. 1959:
In One Hour, 46
Landings. VA-106 Smashes Intrepid Record.
From John Gabbard.
- July 1959:
During the NATO exercise Riptide, held off the east coast of the United
States, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX conducted cross deck operations
with the British carrier HMS Victorious.
- November 15 through 28, 1960:
Following a request from Guatemala and Nicaragua, a Navy patrol was
established off the coast of these Central American countries to
prevent infiltration by communists from Cuba. Attack Squadron ONE
HUNDRED SIX operated from United States Ship Shangri-La CVA 38, as part
of the patrol force.
"Emergency Loading of CVG-10", from Otto Krueger's Cruise Book:
"Shangri-La, typical of our versatile Navy, was ordered to the
Caribbean on less than twelve hour's notice, to carry out an alert off
the coast of Guatemala and Nicaragua. ADM Robert L. Dennison, Atlantic
Fleet Commander, acted quickly after President Eisenhower called for a
show of force to stop communist aggression in that area. Shangri-La was
called in to serve as a means of asserting American policy and of
reaffirming America's support of the Monroe Doctrine. It was our "short
of war" answer to the communists' "short of war tactics."
Details:
In 1960, it was a nite hop from Cecil Field to NAS Mayport
(Jacksonville) on 11/14/60. Planes were hoisted aboard USS Shangri-La
(CVA-38). Steamed to Caribbean with flight ops in Caribbean and areas
off Guantanamo, Cuba from 11/18 'till 11/22/60, then back to Cecil on
11/26/60 ... flying 145011(what else?)!. During that time, we conducted
routine day/night flight ops ... show of force only ... for the folks
in question. Logged about 11 hours flt time and 5 arrested landings on
Shangri-La.
AirWing 10 again loaded aboard Shangri-La at NAS Mayport on 6/1/61.
Steamed to the Caribbean, operated in & out of Guantanamo at
NAS Leeward Point from the 6-3-61 to 6-29-61. From 6-29 to 7-16 we were
steadily at sea conducting airops, including live ordnance drops at
Vieques & Culebra 14/15 June. On the 18th of July we flew off
the Shang and home to Navy Cecil. No notable events that I can recall
...
logbook shows I logged 41.4 hours flight time, 19 carrier landings (
including a couple nite landings). Also 18 landings and 16 FCLP
landings at Leeward Point during that time. No hostile shots fired ...
We were ready for Castro's folks, but nothing occurred. We stayed on
our side of the fence ... they stayed on theirs!
The A-4 definitely was assigned to VA-106 throughout both these
periods. I first flew with VA-106 on April 25th, 1960. My first time in
145011 was May 11th ... a nite FCLP hop and my final flight in the
Little Scooter was on July 7, 1961, the last day in VA-106 before being
detached with orders to Naval War College, Newport, RI.
Captain Otto E.Krueger (ret.)
Additional remarks:
Memories, memories. I was with VA-43 and as a member of a detachment we
had left Mayport on the Shang for a week's worth of carqualin' in the
Caribbean when all this Guatemala episode began to unfold. We spent a
total of 36 hours aboard. The Shang turned around, we launched our A-4s
for Oceana and we steamed back to Mayport. Upon arrival we were met by
the entire air wing ready to hoist aboard. Wow!
John "Gabby" Gabbard
- June 2 through 19, 1961:
Following the assassination of the Dominican Republic's dictator,
General Rafael Trujillo, VA-106 operated from Shangri-La off the coast
of Dominica until the domestic situation stabilized.
- October 22 through November 28, 1962:
During the Cuban Missile Crisis VA-106 was assigned to the U.S. Air
Force's 19th Tactical Air Force, in an alert status.
- May 1963:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX operated from United States Ship
Shangri-La CVA 38, in the Caribbean during the period of unrest in
Haiti and the civil strife with the Dominican Republic.
- July 8, 1967 through September 15, 1967:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX Gladiators flying the Douglas A-4E
Skyhawk from the from United States Ship Forrestal CVA 59, deployed for
their first of two WestPac/Vietnam combat cruises.
- July 29, 1967:
After four days on Yankee Station tragedy struck United States Ship
Forrestal CVA 59. While aircraft were being prepared for the
second launch of the day against targets in Vietnam, a Zuni rocket was
accidentally fired on the flight deck causing a chain reaction of
explosions among the aircraft loaded with bombs and fuel. Flames
engulfed the fantail and spread below decks touching off bombs and
ammunition. Heroic efforts by VA-106 personnel, along with other
members of CVW-17 and ship's company, brought the fires under control.
Damage to the carrier and aircraft was severe and VA-106 lost eight men
out of the 132 dead, two missing and presumed dead and 62 injured.
Those VA-106 killed were Petty Officers H. Fontenot, W. W. Stewart, R.
N. Plesh, J. A. Earick and Airman C. R. Rich, J. A. Velez, A. R. Metz
and G. E. Wall. Numerous squadron personnel were cited for their acts
of heroism during the fire.
Eleven A-4E Skyhawks were lost in the fire:
- BuNo. 149996
- BuNo. 150064
- BuNo. 150068
- BuNo. 150084
- BuNo. 150115
- BuNo. 150118
- BuNo. 150129
- BuNo. 152018
- BuNo. 152024
- BuNo. 152036
- BuNo. 152040
- June 4, 1968 through February 8, 1969:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX flying the A-4E Skyhawk from United
States Ship Intrepid CVS 11, the second of two combat cruises to
WestPac/Vietnam.
- September 23, 1968:
Gladiator A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152091 was lost in an operational
accident. The pilot, LCDR David F. Callahan was killed.
- October 21, 1968:
Gladiator A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151160 AK 217 was shot down by anti
aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The pilot, Lieutenant K. K. Knabb is
missing in action.
- November 7, 1969:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VA-106) was disestablished.
- April 27, 1984:
Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VFA-106) was established. The
squadron's mission is the training of F/A-18 replacement pilots and
maintenance personnel for east coast F/A-18 fleet squadrons.
- February 9, 1985:
Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX was assigned the McDonnell
F/A-18A Hornet.
- October 7, 1985:
The first Replacement Pilot Class arrives at VFA-106 to begin training
on the F/A-18 Hornet.
- 2005:
VFA-106
dedicates a new briefing room to the Skyhawk.
- Back to Table of Contents
Awards
Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates:
- Pacific Unit Commendation
- Campaign Medal WW-II Asiatic-Pacific Area
- NAVE
- 07-01-49 to 06-30-50
- 07-01-55 to 06-30-56
- 07-01-59 to 06-30-60
- 07-01-65 to 12-31-66
- KPUC
- KSM
- VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
- 07-15-67 to 07-17-67
- 07-23-67 to 07-31-67
- 08-12-67 to 08-13-67
- 09-05-68 to 09-27-68
- 10-14-68 to 11-14-68
- 12-03-68 to 12-27-68
- NEM
- 06-03-61 to 06-11-61
- 06-14-61 to 06-18-61
- NUC
- MUC
Sources:
- Harry S. Gann
- Takafumi Hiroe
- Otto Krueger
- Jack Woodul
- John Gabbard
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