VF-302: Difference between revisions

Fighter Squadron 302
Fighter Squadron 302
	VF-302 Insignia
Active	21 May 1971 - 11 September 1994
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Navy Reserve
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Reserve fighter squadron
Part of	Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Miramar
Nickname(s)	"Stallions"
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F-8L Crusader; F-4B/N/S Phantom; F-14A Tomcat

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Fighter Squadron 302 (VF-302) was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve in service from 1971 to 1994. The squadron's nickname was Stallions.

History

VF-302 was activated on 21 May 1971 and assigned to Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30 (CVWR-30) (tail code "ND") at Naval Air Station Miramar, California (USA). From its inception until November 1973 they operated the F-8K Crusader, at this point trading in their F-8s for F-4B Phantoms. Like their sister squadron VF-301, VF-302's time with the B model was short, the squadron moved to the F-4N in January 1975. During their time with the F-4N, VF-302 won the USNR Battle 'E', signifying them as the best fighter squadron in the Naval Reserve.

In 1981 they transitioned to the F-4S. VF-302 was based at NAS Miramar, near San Diego, California at hangar number 5. Due to its location near the fuel pits, VF-302 operated the transient flight line along with their own flight line. Hangar 5 was the smallest facility on NAS Miramar but managed to accommodate two other squadrons, her sister squadron VF-301 and VAW-88, which flew the Grumman E-2C Hawkeye in the 1980s.

After four years operating the last F-4 variant, VF-302 began to receive the F-14A Tomcat in February 1985. VF-302 and VF-301 deployed onto USS Ranger in January 1986, performing their first carrier qualifications in the F-14. Two years later the squadron got more carrier experience by spending 12 days on board USS Enterprise between 10 and 22 August 1988.

1986 had seen VF-302 pick up the TARPS mission, the first reserve squadron to do so. In 1986, only eight months after receiving their first TARPS pod, and then again in 1988 they had the chance to practice these skills as part of the biennial, World Reconnaissance Air Meet (RAM) at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Texas, both times achieving first place victories among all participating USN/USMC squadrons. As well as other TARPS equipped F-14 units the meet allowed VF-302 crews to meet Air Force reconnaissance crews, to train together.

After the end of the Cold War CVWR-30 and VF-302 were disestablished on 11 September 1994.

References

External links

Tomcat Squadrons: VF-302

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox military unit
+{{No citations|date=July 2024}}{{Infobox military unit
-|unit_name= Fighter Squadron 302
+| unit_name                     = Fighter Squadron 302
+| image                         = Fighter Squadron 302 (US Navy) insignia, 1971 (NH 101859-KN).png
-|image= [[Image:Vf302.jpg|200px]]
+| image_size                    = 200
-|caption= VF-302 Insignia
+| caption                       = VF-302 Insignia
-|dates=21 May 1971 - 11 September 1994
+| dates                         = 21 May 1971 - 11 September 1994
-|country= [[United States]]
+| country                       = {{flag|United States}}
-|allegiance=
+| allegiance                    = {{nowrap|[[File:Seal of the United States Navy Reserve.svg|25px|United States Navy Reserve Seal]] [[United States Navy Reserve]]}}
-|branch= [[United States Navy]]
+| branch                        = {{flag|United States Navy}}
-|type= reserve fighter squadron
+| type                          = Reserve fighter squadron
-|role=
+| role                          =
-|size=
+| size                          =
-|command_structure= Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30
+| command_structure             = Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30
-|current_commander=
+| current_commander             =
-|garrison= [[Naval Air Station Miramar]]
+| garrison                      = [[Naval Air Station Miramar]]
-|ceremonial_chief=
+| ceremonial_chief              =
-|colonel_of_the_regiment=
+| colonel_of_the_regiment       =
-|nickname= "Stallions"
+| nickname                      = "Stallions"
-|patron=
+| patron                        =
-|motto=
+| motto                         =
-|colors=
+| colors                        =
-|march=
+| march                         =
-|mascot=
+| mascot                        =
-|battles=
+| battles                       =
-|anniversaries=
+| aircraft_fighter              = [[Vought F-8 Crusader|F-8L Crusader]]<br>[[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4B/N/S Phantom]]<br>[[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A Tomcat]]
+| anniversaries                 =
 }}
-'''Fighter Squadron 302 (VF-302)''' was an aviation unit of the [[United States Naval Reserve]] in service from 1971 to 1994. The squadron's nickname was ''Stallions''.<ref>[http://gonavy.jp/navy/sqn/VF302.html GOnavy: VF-302 Lineage]</ref>
+'''Fighter Squadron 302 (VF-302)''' was an aviation unit of the [[United States Naval Reserve]] in service from 1971 to 1994. The squadron's nickname was ''Stallions''.
 ==History==
-VF-302 was activated on 21 May 1971 and assigned to [[Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30 (CVWR-30)]] (tail code "ND") at [[Naval Air Station Miramar]], California (USA). From its inception until November 1973 they operated the [[F-8 Crusader|Vought F-8L ''Crusader'']], at this point trading in their Crusaders for [[F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas F-4B ''Phantom II'']]s. Like their sister squadron VF-301, VF-302's time with the B model was short, the squadron moved to the F-4N in January 1975. During their time with the F-4N, VF-302 won the USNR Battle 'E', signifying them as the best fighter squadron in the Naval Reserve.
+VF-302 was activated on 21 May 1971 and assigned to [[Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30 (CVWR-30)]] (tail code "ND") at [[Naval Air Station Miramar]], California (USA). From its inception until November 1973 they operated the [[Vought F-8 Crusader|F-8K Crusader]], at this point trading in their F-8s for [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4B Phantoms]]. Like their sister squadron [[VF-301]], VF-302's time with the B model was short, the squadron moved to the F-4N in January 1975. During their time with the F-4N, VF-302 won the USNR Battle 'E', signifying them as the best fighter squadron in the Naval Reserve.
-[[File:F-4S Phantoms Naval Reserve 1983.jpeg|thumb|left|Phantoms of VF-301 and VF-302 in 1983.]]
+[[File:F-4S Phantoms Naval Reserve 1983.jpeg|thumb|left|VF-301 and VF-302 F-4s in 1983]]
-[[File:F-14 VF-302 USS Constellation 1987.jpeg|thumb|left|A VF-302 F-14A on the USS ''Constellation'' in 1987.]]
+[[File:F-14 VF-302 USS Constellation 1987.jpeg|thumb|left|VF-302 [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A]] on {{USS|Constellation|CV-64|6}} in 1987]]
-In 1981 they transitioned to the F-4S. VF-302 was based at NAS Miramar, near San Diego, California at hangar number 5. Due to its location near the fuel pits, VF-302 operated the transient flight line along with their own flight line. Hangar 5 was the smallest facility on NAS Miramar but managed to accommodate two other squadrons, her sister squadron VF-301 and VAW-88, which flew the [[E-2C|Grumman E-2C ''Hawkeye'']] in the 1980s.
+In 1981 they transitioned to the F-4S. VF-302 was based at [[NAS Miramar]], near San Diego, California at hangar number 5. Due to its location near the fuel pits, VF-302 operated the transient flight line along with their own flight line. Hangar 5 was the smallest facility on NAS Miramar but managed to accommodate two other squadrons, her sister squadron VF-301 and [[VAW-88]], which flew the [[E-2C|Grumman E-2C ''Hawkeye'']] in the 1980s.
-After four years operating the last F-4 variant, VF-302 began to receive the [[F-14 Tomcat|Grumman F-14A ''Tomcat'']] in February 1985. VF-302 and VF-301 deployed onto the [[USS Ranger (CVA-61)]] in January 1986, performing their first carrier qualifications in the F-14. Two years later the squadron got more carrier experience by spending 12 days onboard the [[USS Enterprise (CVN-65)]] between 10 and 22 August 1988.
+After four years operating the last F-4 variant, VF-302 began to receive the [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A Tomcat]] in February 1985. VF-302 and VF-301 deployed onto {{USS|Ranger|CVA-61|6}} in January 1986, performing their first carrier qualifications in the F-14. Two years later the squadron got more carrier experience by spending 12 days on board {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}} between 10 and 22 August 1988.
 [[Image:Vf-302 stallions tomcat tail.jpg|thumb|VF-302 F-14 tail markings]]
-had seen VF-302 pick up the [[TARPS]] mission, the first reserve squadron to do so. In 1986, only eight months after receiving their first TARPS pod, and then again in 1988 they had the chance to practice these skills as part of the biennial, World Reconnaissance Air Meet (RAM) at [[Bergstrom AFB]] in [[Texas]], both times achieving first place victories among all participating USN/USMC squadrons. As well as other TARPS equipped F-14 units the meet allowed VF-302 crews to meet Air Force reconnaissance crews, to train together.
+had seen VF-302 pick up the [[Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System|TARPS]] mission, the first reserve squadron to do so. In 1986, only eight months after receiving their first TARPS pod, and then again in 1988 they had the chance to practice these skills as part of the biennial, World Reconnaissance Air Meet (RAM) at [[Bergstrom Air Force Base]] in [[Texas]], both times achieving first place victories among all participating USN/USMC squadrons. As well as other TARPS equipped F-14 units the meet allowed VF-302 crews to meet Air Force reconnaissance crews, to train together.
 After the end of the [[Cold War]] CVWR-30 and VF-302 were disestablished on 11 September 1994.
-Between 1989 and 1993 this was the primary unit of Mark Lodge, plane captain and Aviation Electricians Mate. He was not only the bestest plane captain ever but he also won the outstanding janitor award for the squadron on November 12th, 1992. Known as "flightsuit" to the pilots, Seaman Lodge was considered a valuable moral booster for his services rendered. Unlike most ground crew, Seaman Lodge never progressed beyond plane captain and consequently was released from the Naval Reserve on October 3, 1993. According to internet research, Seaman Lodge is not only the most famous member of VF-302 but also singlehandedly clean every tire and wiped every window of every Tomcat. He is truly an American hero and ace building maintenance worker. Uh.
-If Seaman Lodge would have stayed in and put some effort towards his military career, he could have been a Command Master Chief, much like CMC Mike Maley. Chief Maley is a real veteran and has had a number of important posts over his impressive service. Unlike Seaman Lodge, Chief Maley is a winner. And a fine example of a Navy enlisted man.
 ==See also==
-{{portal|United States Navy}}
 *[[History of the United States Navy]]
 *[[List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
 *[[List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
+*[[United States Navy Reserve]]
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
-*[http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vf302.htm Tomcat Squadrons: VF-302]
-*[http://www.public.navy.mil/navres/vr55/Pages/cmcbio.aspx Biography of Command Master Chief Mike Maley]
-*[http://www.ijcsanetwork.com/Find-A-Cleaning-Service-Janitorial-Service International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association]
 ==External links==
-*[http://www.tomcatalley.com/squadron/vf302his.htm VF-302 History]
+*[http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vf302.htm Tomcat Squadrons: VF-302]
 {{US Navy navbox}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Vf-302}}
 [[Category:Military units and formations in California]]
-[[Category:United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
+[[Category:Strike fighter squadrons of the United States Navy]]