The VA-125 Rough Raiders


Death from Above - 1952
Drawn by Bud Southworth
Nuclear Torch of Learning - 1959
Courtesy of Bobert Grappi
Rough Raider - 2000
Courtesy of Wayne Oetinger


W.A. Lacy/Sean Keenan


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with former squadron members about squadron information, sea stories,
squadron pictures, scuttlebutt, and gathers information about squadron buddies.
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The Table Of Content:
Patch:
  • 1946 to 1952, there is no record of a Rough Raiders Reserve Attack Squadron FIFTY-FIVE E (VA-55E) patch.
  • 1952, the "Mors ab Alto" or "Death from Above" or "Snake Around the World" patch was used by Rough Raider Reserve Attack Squadron NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VA-923) during its Korean deployment aboard United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34. The patch is displayed above.
  • December 18, 1956, the Skylancers created the "Cougar Head" patch. The patch had a dark blue back-ground outlined in black; white scroll out-lined in black with black lettering; white stars; the cougar's face is brown and white with black markings; the lightning bolt whiskers were yellow and out-lined in black; the tongue and inside of the mouth is red.
  • May 13, 1959, when the Rough Raider mission changed a "Nuclear Torch of Learning" patch was created. This patch is displayed above.
  • October 3, 1980, Fighter Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE (VFA-125) adoped the "Nuclear Torch of Learning" patch with a few color modifications. The new patch had a black background outlined in gray; yellow scroll with black lettering and a gray outline; white torch with gray outlines; yellow flame outlined in gray followed by red, outlined in gray; gray electron rings.
  • January 29, 1991, Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (VFA-125) changed the gray patch colors to a light blue and a red and dark blue horizontal strip was added to the lower part of the patch.
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Handle:
  • From 1952 to 1958, the squadron (VA-55E, VA-923 and VA-125) was known as the Rough Raiders.
  • In 1956, the squadron (VA-26) was known as the Skylancers.
  • In 11 April 1958, when VA-26 was redesignated VA-125 the Squadron again took the moniker Rough Raiders.
  • 1980 to the present - VA-125 and VFA-125 are known as the Rough Raiders
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Aircraft:
Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:
Heritage:
  • Reserve Attack Squadron FIFTY FIVE E (VA-55E) was probably established during the activation of the Naval Air Reserve in 1946 and remained in an inactive status.
  • In January 1950, VA-55E was redesignated Reserve Attack Squadron NINE HUNDRED TWENTY THREE (VA-923).
  • July 20, 1950, Reserve Attack Squadron NINE HUNDRED TWENTY THREE (VA-923) was called to active duty.
  • February 4, 1953, VA-923 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (VA-125).
  • April 10, 1958, VA-125 was disestablished.
  • June 30, 1956, Attack Squadron TWENTY SIX (VA-26) established.
  • April 11, 1958, VA-26 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (VA-125).
  • October 1, 1977, VA-125 was disestablished.
  • November 13, 1980, Fighter Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (VFA-125) established.
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Commanders:
  • Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer
  • Assumed command before 1950 - LCDR Herb W. Wiley
  • March 24, 1952- - - - - - - - CDR John C. Micheel
  • February 1, 1953- - - - - - - LCDR Allan H. Gunderson
  • July 1953 - - - - - - - - - - LCDR John L. McMahon, Jr.
  • October 1954- - - - - - - - - LCDR Bernard E. Hackett
  • April 1956- - - - - - - - - - CDR John H. Bahlman
  • October 25, 1957- - - - - - - CDR A. J. Henry, Jr.
  • June 30, 1956 - - - - - - - - CDR Richard D. Greer, Jr.
  • April 1958- - - - - - - - - - CDR C. H. Carr II
  • July 15, 1958 - - - - - - - - CDR J. E. Thomas
  • December 11, 1958 - - - - - - CDR F. E. Ward, Jr.
  • November 30, 1959 - - - - - - CDR P. H. Durand
  • April 5, 1961 - - - - - - - - CDR O. L. Dauphin
  • April 9, 1962 - - - - - - - - CDR James W. Porter
  • May 29, 1963- - - - - - - - - CDR Earl F. Godfrey
  • September 14, 1964- - - - - - CDR William J. Forgy
  • August 27, 1965 - - - - - - - CDR Jack A. Endacott
  • July 29, 1966 - - - - - - - - CDR John D. Shaw
  • March 13, 1967- - - - - - - - CDR Gary H. Palmer (acting)
  • May 12, 1967- - - - - - - - - CDR Charles E. Hathaway
  • July 11, 1968 - - - - - - - - CDR Otto E. Krueger
  • July 31, 1969 - - - - - - - - CDR Ronald H. Caldwell
  • July 31, 1970 - - - - - - - - CDR George E. LeBlanc, Jr.
  • May 10, 1971- - - - - - - - - CDR James B. Busey IV
  • March 31, 1972- - - - - - - - CDR James M. Gleim
  • July 6, 1973- - - - - - - - - CDR Charles R. Bowling
  • September 12, 1974- - - - - - CDR Robert C. Taylor
  • December 17, 1975 - - - - - - CDR Denis R. Weichman
  • March 28, 1977- - - - - - - - CDR J. W. Keathley
  • November 13, 1980 - - - - - - CDR James W. Partington
  • June 24, 1982 - - - - - - - - CDR Jerry D. Palmer
  • October 14, 1983- - - - - - - CDR John A. Lockard
  • December 14, 1984 - - - - - - CDR Dennis V. McGinn
  • March 13, 1986- - - - - - - - CDR W. W. Pickavance, Jr.
  • June 15, 1987 - - - - - - - - CDR John C. Leslie, Jr.
  • September 2, 1988 - - - - - - CDR Joseph W. Parker, Jr.
  • December 1, 1989- - - - - - - CDR Alan R. Gorthy, Jr.
  • March 8, 1991 - - - - - - - - CDR David C. Kendall
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Home Ports:
  • Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
  • Before 1950 - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station St. Louis
  • August 2, 1950- - - - - - - Naval Air Station San Diego
  • January 1952- - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Miramar
  • June 30, 1956 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Miramar
  • August 1956 - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Moffett Field
  • July 27, 1961 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore
  • November 13, 1980 - - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore
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Air Wings:
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
  • 1950* - - - - - - - - D/NJ* - - - - - CVG-102/CVG-12*
  • June 30, 1956 - - - - Y/NC**- - - - - ATG-3
  • April 11, 1958 - - - - NJ - - - - - - RCVG-12/RCVW-12***
  • July 1, 1970 - - - - - NJ**** - - - - COMFAIRLEMOORE
  • June 30, 1973- - - - - NJ - - - - - - COMLATWINGPAC*****
  • November 13, 1980- - - NJ - - - - - - COMLATWINGPAC
  • * VA-923's assignment to CVG-102 was in August or September 1950.
  • ** The tail code was changed from Y to NC in 1957. The effective date for this change was most likely July 1, 1957.
  • *** The Replacement Air Group designation (RCVG) was changed to Combat Readiness Air Group (RCVG) on April 1, 1963 and then to Combat Readiness Air Wing (RCVW) on December 20, 1963.
  • **** RCVW-12 was disestablished on July 1, 1970 and the squadron was assigned to Commander Fleet Air Lemoore. However, the tailcode NJ, which had been assigned RCVW-12, was retained by VA-125 and the other squadrons that had been assigned to RCVW-12.
  • ***** COMFAIRLEMOORE was redesignated COMLATWINGPAC (Commander Light Attack Wing, Pacific) on June 30, 1973.
  • * CVG-102 was redesignated CVG-12 on February 4, 1953.
  • * The tail code was changed from D to NJ in 1957. The effective date for this change was most likely July 1, 1957).
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Deployments:
Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
  • 05-10-51 to 12-17-51 - CVG-102 - CV 31- - AD-3/4Q - Korea
  • 09-15-52 to 05-18-53 - CVG-102 - CVA 34 - AD-3/4- - Korea
  • 03-03-54 to 10-11-54 - CVG-12- - CVA 21 - AD-4B/NA- WestPac
  • 08-10-55 to 03-15-56 - CVG-12- - CVA 19 - AD-6- - - WestPac
  • 04-19-57 to 10-17-57 - CVG-12- - CVA 16 - AD-6/7- - WestPac
  • 08-09-57 to 04-02-58 - ATG-3 - - CVA 33 * F9F-8 - - WestPac
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Photograph Albums:
Squadron Photograph Album
Squadron Off-Duty Album
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Events:
  • 1946:
    Reserve Attack Squadron FIFTY-FIVE E (VA-55E) was probably established during the activation of the Naval Air Reserve in 1946 and remained on an inactive duty status at Naval Air Station St. Louis. VA-55E was assigned the Grumman TBM Avenger (Turkey) and Martin AM-1 Mauler.

  • January 1950:
    VA-55E was redesignated Reserve Attack Squadron NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VA-923).

  • July 20, 1950:
    Reserve Attack Squadron NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VA-923) Rough Raiders were called to active duty.

  • August 2, 1950:
    VA-923 Rough Raiders were stationed at Naval Air Station San Diego, California.

  • September 1950:
    The Rough Raiders were assigned the Douglas AD-2 Skyraider. Over the following months VA-923 was assigned many versions of the Douglas Skyraider including: AD-4Q, AD-3, AD-4, AD-4B, AD-4NA, AD-6, and in January 1957, the AD-7.

  • May 10, 1951 through December 17, 1951:
    Attack Squadron NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE Rough Raiders flying the Douglas Skyraider, embarked on United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CV 31, Korea combat cruise.

  • January 1952:
    VA-923 Rough Raiders were based at Naval Air Station Miramar near San Diego, California.

  • September 15, 1952 through May 18, 1953:
    Attack Squadron NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE flying the Douglas Skyraider, embarked on United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34, Korea combat cruise.

  • February 1, 1953:
    VA-913's commanding officer, Commander J. C. Micheel was killed in action in Korea.

  • February 4, 1953:
    VA-923 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE (VA-125) Rough Raiders.

  • June 30, 1956:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-SIX (VA-26) Skylancers established at Naval Air Station Miramar near San Diego, California. VA-26 was assigned the swept wing Grumman F9F-8B Cougar.

  • August 1956:
    VA-26 Skylancers were based at Naval Air Station Moffett Field near San Francisco, California.

  • April 10, 1958:
    VA-125 Rough Raiders were disestablished.

  • April 11, 1958:
    VA-26 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE (VA-125). VA-125 was assigned the F9F-8 at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California. VA-125 took the moniker Rough Raiders.

  • April 11, 1958:
    VA-125's mission was changed from air-to-ground/surface attack to pilot and enlisted personnel indoctrination and training in fleet attack aircraft before combat carrier squadron assignment.

  • June 10, 1958:
    Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE Rough Raiders were assigned the Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk.

  • August 1958:
    Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE Rough Raiders were assigned the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk.

  • December 11, 1958:
    The Rough Raiders commanding officer, Commander J. E. Thomas, was killed in an aircraft accident.

  • March 3, 1960:
    Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE Rough Raiders were assigned the Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk. With the addition of the A4D-2N Skyhawk, the Rough Raiders added radar and inflight refueling training to its flight syllabus.

  • July 24, 1961:
    VA 125 moved from Naval Air Station Moffett Field (near San Francisco) to Reeves Field, Naval Air Station Lemoore, California (near nothing). From that point until the fall of 1969, the Rough Raiders flew all models of the A-4 Skyhawk, sending over 2,000 replacement pilots and 12,000 maintenance people to the Pacific Fleet. During this period, the Rough Raiders had over 100 A-4 Skyhawks and were staffed with 1,400 officers and enlisted personnel assigned, making VA-125 the largest aviation squadron in the Navy.

  • May 19, 1966:
    VA-125 was the first squadron in the Navy to receive the TA-4F Skyhawk.

  • June 1966:
    The first of several groups of Australians arrived for training by the Rough Raiders on the A-4 Skyhawk. The pilots were to form the nucleus of Australia's first A-4 squadron scheduled for assignment to HMAS Melborne (R-21).

  • 1966:
    I was a student in VA 125, starting in June 1966. That summer I lost a good friend, LTJG Wally Cox; he flew into the ocean on a simulated attack against the west coast up near SF.
    He was a student in VA-125. I don't have any more details...
    Allen F. Pulk (FEB 2007)

  • March 13, 1967:
    The squadron's commanding officer, Commander J. D. Shaw, was killed in an aircraft accident during a routine carrier qualification exercise on the United States Ship Kearsarge CVS 33.

  • JAN 24, 1968:
    USS Bennington's 104,000th landing was made by LCDR W.C. Rook of VA-125. On Rook's next attempt that evening, his Skyhawk struck the round down, exploded and skidded off the port side of the flight deck. His body was not recovered.
    Aircraft was A--4C BuNo. 147810
    Jim Winchester

  • 1969:
    LTJG Thomas Toon was involved in a cockpit fire of a VA-125 Skyhawk. LTJG Toon died later from the result of the burns.

  • March 31, 1969:
    The last A-4 Rough Raider Fleet Replacement Pilot class began. More than 2000 fleet pilots were trained during VA-125's "Skyhawk Era".

  • June 25, 1969:
    BENNINGTON's 112,000th arrested landing was made by Lieutenant Commander Lowe of VA-125.
    Jim Winchester

  • June 30, 1969:
    The last Rough Raider A-4 Fleet Replacement Enlisted Maintenance training program was completed. More than 1200 enlisted Maintenance personnel were trained during VA-125's "Skyhawk Era".

  • September 25, 1969:
    The Rough Raiders started to receive the Vought A-7A and A-7B Corsair II.

  • November 1969:
    The squadron began to develop the required training program for the Light Attack Weapons School. In December 1969 the Rough Raiders in conjunction with VA-122, inaugurated a graduate level course for the Light Attack Weapons School that involved all phases of attack aviation.

  • January 1970:
    The first A-7 Fleet Replacement Enlisted Maintenance and Fleet Replacement Pilot classes began.

  • October 1, 1977:
    VA-125 was disestablished. The Rough Raiders had trained more than 700 A-7 A/B/C Corsair II replacement pilots and 5,500 maintenance personnel. The end of the Vietnam war caused a reduction in force that eventually led to the Rough Raider's disestablishment.

  • November 13, 1980:
    FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON ONE TWENTY-FIVE was established at Naval Air Station Lemoore with a mission of training Navy and Marine Corps fighter and attack pilots to fly the Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. VFA-125 was also tasked with training Navy and Marine Corps maintenance personnel. The commanding officer was a naval officer and the executive officer a Marine Corps officer. VA-125 once again adopted the moniker of Rough Raiders.

  • April 1981:
    The first Rough Raider F/A-18 Hornet arrived when VX-4 transferred Hornet number F-11, after completing the F/A-18 fleet evaluation process.

  • June 1981:
    VFA-125's officers, along with the F/A-18, participated in the Paris Air Show.

  • August 1982:
    The Rough Raiders achieved a "Ready for Training" status and VMFA-314 became the first squadron to begin transition training in the F/A-18.

  • September 1982:
    The Rough Raider's first carrier qualification detachment began operations aboard Constellation CV 64.

  • March 1983:
    Training began for the first Navy squadron to transition to the F/A-18.

  • March 1985:
    VFA-125 amassed 30,000 mishap free Hornet flight hours. The squadron routinely conducted strike and fighter detachments to Naval Air Facility El Centro, California and Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, as well as aboard carriers in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets.

  • 1995:
    The "Rough Raiders" attained 50,000 mishap-free flight hours.

  • May 1996:
    VFA-125 celebrated 70,000 mishap free Hornet flight hours in the Hornet and was presented the CNO Aviation Safety Award.

  • June 1997:
    The Rough Raiders surpassed 90,000 mishap free flight hours.

  • January 1998:
    The Rough Raiders were the first Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS) to surpass 100,000 mishap free flight hours.

  • September 2000:
    VFA 125 averaged 1,500 flight hours monthly. State-of-the-art computer flight simulators supplement flight training and computer based academic instruction to enhance Hornet pilot understanding and performance. The Rough Raiders train approximately 120 pilots each year. Pilots are from the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the Royal Air Force, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Spanish Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Hellenic Air Force, the Kuwait Air Force, and Finnish Air Force.

  • Today:
    Instruction quality has always been a source of pride to the officers, men and women of ATTACK SQUADRON ONE TWENTY-FIVE and FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON ONE TWENTY-FIVE and STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON ONE TWENTY-FIVE and all other titles this squadron has held over the years. The Rough Raider Officers and Men continue to professionally pursue their challenging role to produce "The Best Jet Aviators in the World."

  • Another version of Rough Raider Command History.


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Awards:
    Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates:
  • KSM
    • 05-30-51 to 12-06-51
    • 10-17-52 to 10-29-52
    • 10-31-52 to 03-29-53
    • 04-27-53 to 05-02-53
  • MUC
  • 11-13-80 to 03-28-83
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Sources of information:
  • Harry S. Gann
  • "Boom" Powell
  • Robert Grappi
  • Otto Krueger
  • Wayne Oetinger
  • Bud Southworth
  • Steve MacMillan
  • "Whizzer" White
  • Paul Cassiman
  • James Hensely
  • Gary "Buck" Rodgers
  • Tom Bispo
  • Gary Verver
  • Clay Jansson
  • Tailhook Association

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