My tour with VA-126 began after I graduated from AT-A school, NATTC, Millington, TN in July of 1960. When I arrived at NAS Miramar in August of 1960, Cdr. C. J. Lee was CO and the squadron had three types of aircraft. – FJ-4B, A4D-1 and F9F-8T. The FJ’s and A4’s were used for training loft bombing and close air support techniques and the F9’s for instrument flight training. Our call sign was Cherry Coke.I don’t remember exactly when Cdr. Chapman became CO, but it was sometime in early to mid-1961. We made a trip to MCAAS, Yuma for bombing exercises in late 61 or early 62 with the last group of pilots to qualify with the FJ’s. The FJ’s were replaced with A4D-2’s. Shortly thereafter the squadron was split My tour with VA-126 ended in August 1962 with a transfer to VAH-8, |
VA-126 fly by formation
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![]() Lined up for take off – Photos by L.S. Garner |
Forming up off La Jolla |
![]() In formation |
![]() Over Ramona lining up for fly-by |
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