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VT-25

VT-25 Cougars



1957
Provided by Craig Stebbins
Drawn by Bud Southworth
Tom Stephenson

Patch
  • The "Correy Field" VT-25 patch comes from the effects of Lt. Cdr. Donald J. Stebbins, who was an instructor attached to VT-1 & NABTC (3/63 to 3/66) between Patrol Squadron and ASW squadron stints. He was killed during an operational flight accident while flying off the Yorktown in Jan 1968 with VS-23, in S-2E's. His son believes this patch may have come from his primary flight training at Pensacola in 1957.

Handle
  • No additonal info yet

Heritage
  • 01 JULY 1954 - - Advanced Training Unit 204 (ATU 204) established.
  • 1955 - - - - - - ATU 204 redesignated Advanced Training Unit 213 (ATU 213).
  • May 1960 - - - - ATU 213 was redesignated as Training Squadron 25 (VT 25).
  • 1987 - - - - - - VT 24 and VT 25 were combined into Training Squadron 25 (VT-25).
  • 1987 - - - - - - VT 25 was redesignated Training Wing 3 (TW 3).
  • 1993 - - - - - - TW 3 was disestablished.

Home Ports
Air Wings
  • Training Air Wing Three

Deployments
  • None

Aircraft
Commanding Officers
  • May 1960 to July 1961 - - Cdr. L.R. Bemis
  • July 1971 to July 1962- - Cdr. R.J. Rosen
  • July 1962 to Feb 1964 - - W.L.Cranney (rank unknown)
  • Feb 1964 to Jan 1965- - - J.L.O'Neil (rank unknown)
  • Jan 1965 to Feb 1966- - - J.T. Cover (rank unknown)
  • Feb 1966 to Jan 1967- - - G.J. Ketchmark (rank unknown)
  • Jan 1967 to Jan 1968- - - E.R. Hallett (rank unknown)
  • Jan 1968 to Jan 1969- - - B.T. Sutherlin (rank unknown)
  • Jan 1969 to Dec 1969- - - S.T. Zink (rank unknown)
  • Dec 1969 to Dec 1970- - - CDR L.H. Wells
  • Dec 1970 to Dec 1971- - - CDR C.T. Lusk
  • Dec 1971 to Oct 1972- - - A.C. Stallings (rank unknown)
  • Oct 1972 to Jan 1974- - - W.F. Propst (rank unknown)
  • Jan 1974 to Apr 1975- - - N.W. Melnick (rank unknown)
  • Apr 1975 to Jul 1976- - - W.D. Jones (rank unknown)
  • Jul 1976 to Oct 1977- - - W.R. McGowen (rank unknown)
  • Oct 1977 to Jan 1979- - - E.G. Redden (rank unknown)
  • Jan 1979 to Apr 1980- - - W.L. Alcorn (rank unknown)
  • Apr 1980 to Jul 1981- - - R.L. Kiem (rank unknown)
  • Jul 1981 to Oct 1982- - - D.W. Scott (rank unknown)
  • Oct 1982 to Jan 1984- - - R.J. Holberg (rank unknown)
  • Jan 1984 to Apr 1985- - - M.B. Scott (rank unknown)
  • Apr 1985 to Sep 1986- - - B.J. Craig (rank unknown)
  • 1990 to 10 Dec 1990 - - - P.J. Parmetier (rank unknown)
  • - CDR W. Slighter

Events
  • January 10, 1977:
    An unidentified pilot ejected safely after his TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 158511 exploded in mid-air due to suspected engine failure while he was practicing landings at Chase Field.
    Victoria, TX, Victoria Advocate, Wednesday, January 12, 1977.

  • December 17, 1979:
    Ens. Patrick Coyle ejected from TA-4J BuNo 158720 when he had to abort the takeoff from Yuma International Airport. His TA-4J left the runway and slammed into a hanger at 280 mph, killing one person and injuring three others in a fiery mass of spewing fuel and exploding ammunition.
    Tyrone Daily Herald, Tuesday, December 18, 1979.

  • February 13, 1980:
    With 5198tfh. 1st Lt. Steve Scott lost control on take off & and ejected, the a/c flies through VT-24 line at MCAS Yuma, damaging 2 other a/c).
    Thomas Bass

  • February 13, 1980:
    1st Lt. Steve Scott perished in a takeoff accident in TA-4J BuNo 155101at MCAS Yuma, AZ.
    JET PILOT KILLED IN CRASH.
    Yuma (AP) -- The California pilot of a Navy jet trainer carrying live ordnance was killed when his plane plunged into a line of parked aircraft shortly after takeoff at the Marine Corps Air Station here and burst into flames, authorities said.
    Officials Wednesday identified the pilot as Marine 1st Lt. STEVE SCOTT, 25, Daley City, Calif. Marine Maj. Dan Dorn said the A-4 Skyhawk was assigned to VT25 Squadron based at the Navy Air Station in Beeville, Texas.
    He said cause of the crash was undetermined but apparently involved "mechanical failure of some kind" following takeoff. Witnesses said the aircraft appeared to lose power just before it plummeted into the parked planes. Dorn also said some of the Navy jet's ordinance exploded during the crash.
    The two planes into which the Navy jet plunged, also A-4 Skyhawks from the Beeville base, were destroyed. Dorn estimated the loss at $3 million.
    Casa Grande Dispatch Arizona 1980-02-14

  • February 14, 1980:
    BuNo.156916 of VT-25, (C-5xx), SOC (1DA2) with 5343tfh. hit a radio tower at Port O’Conner, TX, both LT Dave Hankins & student LTJG Dave Huckaba were killed.

  • September 7, 1987:
    Cmdr. Michael R Gass & Lt. Thomas S. Crafton ejected from TA-4J BuNo 153681 20 miles north of Beeville, TX.
    Del Rio, TX News-Herald article

  • July 10, 1989:
    Lt(jg). Bryce Gearhart perished in TA-4J BuNo 153521 20 miles west of Goliad, TX while practicing carrier field landings.
    Del Rio, TX News-Herald article

  • September 14, 1989:
    Instructor Lt Jim Myers and a student in TA-4J BuNo 159100 got into an inverted spin and ejected. The student was uninjured but Myers broke his left arm.

  • December 10, 1990:
    Cdr. Philip J. Palmatier Jr., CO of VT-25 at Chase Field, Beeville, TX, was killed and the student pilot involved returned to base safely after a mid-air collision between their TA-4J Skyhawks (possibly 158098 & 158125) during takeoff and landing practice from the carrier USS Lexington 85 miles NW of Key West, FL.

  • April 1, 1991:
    23 year old student pilot, U.S. Navy Ensign James R. Ronka, attached to: NAS Chase Field, Texas USA, was to fly a solo peacetime training mission with three other aircraft on 11th April 1991.
    His Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk, BuNo 156950, from VT-25 (CTW-3), NAF El Centro, California USA was to take off from runway R26 NAF El Centro.
    Second to take off in winds 360 at 13 knots gusting to 18 knots caused his aircraft to drift. When it became evident to Ensign Ronka that the aircraft was not going to make it he found himself having to eject.
    Using the lower ejection handle he initiated the sequence. At Approximately 60 KIAS, at ground level the canopy separated and he soon followed in his Douglas Escapac 1G-3 seat.
    " I consciously acknowledged each phase of the ejection sequence: pulled handle…noted that nothing is happening…boom! Canopy blows…delay…boom! Back seat goes…delay…I feel a swift kick in the rear as my seat goes. What took a couple of seconds seemed to take 3-4 times as long. I don't remember anything from the moment I felt my seat rocket motor engage until I was nearing the apex of the ejection trajectory."
    Ens. James R. Ronka

Awards
  • 1969- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Selected Top Jet Squadron.
  • 1973, 84- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CNO Safety Award.
  • 1979, 83 and 85 - - - - - - - - - - - CNATRA Award for training effectiveness.
  • November 17, 1984 to June 1, 1985 - - Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC).
  • 1985- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CNATRA Golden Wrench.
  • May 23, 1985- - - - - - - - - - - - - Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award.
  • July 1983 to May 1985 - - - - - - - - MUC
  • 1 October 1987 to 30 September 1988 - Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation.

Photographs


FEB 1974: Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 158482, 3J-528, as she accelerates down the runway.
Dr. C.A. "Sketch" Eddy

01 FEB 1974: Skyhawk 3J-534 departs Chase Field.
Dr. C.A. "Sketch" Eddy

JUN 1974: Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 155089, 3J-515, parked on the ramp next to 3J-516.
Dr. C.A. "Sketch" Eddy

Dave Dollarhide as a student next to a AF-9-2.
Provided by Dave Dollarhide.

VT-25 Formation.
Photo from Tom Stepehson and also a copy came from Richard Dean.

Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 156950, C-503, parked on the flight line.
Gary Verver Collection

JUL 1975:
VT-25 TA-4J BuNo 158100, C-508.
Photo by D. Slowiak from Gary Verver Collection.

19 Oct 1975 Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 156892, C-515, parked on the flight.
Gary Verver Collection

Nov 1975 Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 158723, C-501, assigned to the XO parked on the ramp.
P. Mancus, G. Verver collection.

12 June 1976 BuNo 158084, C-511, parked on the ramp.
Gary Verver Collection

Change of Command, July 01, 1976.
Photo from Tom Stepehson.

26 Nov 1976 Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 158521, C-501, assigned to LT Mike Sweltor parked on the flight line.
Gary Verver Collection

FEB 1977: Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 158102, C-514, parked on the ramp.
Dr. C.A. "Sketch" Eddy

APR 1977: BuNo 158527, C-526, parked on the ramp.
Rob Mignard

Circa 1977: Cougars formation, top to bottom, BuNo unknown 3J-500, BuNo 158716, 3J-501, BuNo 158527, 3J-502 and BuNo 158481, 3J-503.
Nava; Aviation News via "Boom" Powell.

Change of Command, October 1, 1977.
Photo from Tom Stepehson.

10 Nov 1978 BuNo 156937, C-521, parked on the flight line.
Gary Verver Collection

10 Nov 1978 BuNo 156921, C-520, parked on the flight line.
Gary Verver Collection

10 Nov 1978 Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 159100, C-532, assigned to 1/LT A. G. Reynolds parked on the flight line.
Gary Verver Collection

1977-79: Chase Field TA-4s.
Mark Kreeger

Chase Field: VT-25 Pilots sun bathing, 1977-79.
Mark Kreeger

1977-79: front cockpit of a TA-4J.
1977-79: blow up of front cockpit of a TA-4J.
1977-79: rear cockpit of a TA-4J.
1977-79: blowup of rear cockpit of a TA-4J.
Mark Kreeger

Chase Field: VT-25 T-Bird shadow, taken from the rear cockpit by Mark Kreeger. 1977-79.
Mark Kreeger

26 JAN 1979: Change of Command.
Mark Kreeger

01 SEP 1979:
VT-25 TA-4J BuNo 155101, C-506, at NAS Brunswick.
Photographer unknown, from Gary Verver Collection.

April 1980 BuNo 153675, C-528, parked on the flight line.
Gary Verver Collection

April 1980 BuNo 158513, C-522, parked on the flight line.
Gary Verver Collection

29 AUG 1981:
VT-25 TA-4J BuNo 156922, C-517, at Buckley ANG. Name below the canopy is LTJG Huss.
Photo by J. Sheets, from Gary Verver Collection.

APR 1982: BuNo 158100, C-000, assigned to RADM Booth & LT Langford parked on the line.
Rob Mignard

15 May 1982 Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 154319, C-527, parked on the ramp.
Photo by T. Paskowski, Gary Verver Collection.

Aug 1982 158100, C-000, parked on the ramp.
Photo by R.E. Kling, G. Verver collection.

A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142834 Chase Field Gate Keeper - 1983
A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142834, has gate duty at Naval Air Station Chase Field, Beeville, Texas.
From a photograph by Ty Bass.

Feb 1983 BuNo 154319, C-527.
Photo by T. Paskowski, Gary Verver Collection.

May 1983 Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 158521, C-516, parked on the flight line.
T. Paskowski, G. Verver collection.

June 1983 BuNo 158081, C-511, parked on the ramp.
Photo by T. Paskowski, G. Verver Collection.

01 OCT 1983: Flight deck personnel refuel a Cougars Skyhawk C-507 aboard the aircraft carrier
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).
U.S. Navy photo by PHAN R. Eslinger

Cougar TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 158523 - 1984.
A Cougar Student Naval Aviator is giving VT-25 Skyhawk TA-4J BuNo. 158523, side number C 516, a go-round preflight on the Naval Air Station Chase Field, Beeville, Texas, flight line.
From a photograph by Ty Bass.

Circa 1985 Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 155106, C-000, assigned to RADM J.S. Disher & LT D.L. Schultz parked on the flight line.
Gary Verver Collection

Dec 1985 BuNo 155106, C-000, assigned to RADM B.S. Bisher parked on the flight line.
Photo by R.E. Kling, G. Verver collection.

Training Squadron 25 (VT-25) Skyhawk BuNo 155103, #575, on display during the celebration of the 75th anniversary of naval aviation.
U.S. Navy photo dated May 1986 by PH1 Doty.

1986: Cougars Skyhawk BuNo 155103, #575, parked on the ramp and sporting it's 75th Naval Aviation anniversary paint scheme.
Len Lundh

TA-4J BuNo.155103 with VT-25, dressed up in Naval Aviation "Diamond Anniversary" paint.
Dated July 1986, provided by Gary Verver.

TA-4J BuNo.155103 dated 04Oct96.
Photo is by W. Brabant, Gary Verver Collection.

Engine Change at Pensocola.
Thomas Bass.

Squadron Off-Duty


VT-25 Barracks Parking Area

Beer time, Sept.02, 1976

Beer time, Sept.02, 1976

SEP 1981:
VT-25 Cougars TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153675, C-528, taxiing by the photographer, unknown location. Name below the canopy rail is LT Rob Nelson.
Photographer unknown.

SEP 1981:
VT-25 Cougars TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153675, C-528, on the ramp, unknown location. Name below the canopy rail is LT Rob Nelson.
Photographer unknown.

26 FEB 1983:
VT-25 TA-4J BuNo 158147, C-518, 26 FEB 1983.
Photo by D. Slowiak, from Verver Collection.

JUL 1985:
right side view of VT-25 Cougars TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155103, #575, painted in the Diamond Anniversary scheme on the ramp with a pair of drop tanks.
Photographer unknown.


Sources
  • Ty Bass
  • Harry Gann
  • Craig Stebbins
  • Tom Stephenson
  • Mark Kreeger
  • John Gabbard
  • Jack Jennings Lt Col USMC (ret)



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