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VA-46, whose members are called "clansmen", is attached to the USS Randolph, CVA-15, now with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. VA-46 claims the distinction of being the first designated jet attack squadron in the Navy, the first operational squadron to carry an atomic weapon on the Cougar, both shore-based and ship-based, and the first operationally deployed squadron to have a real capability in handling air-to-air guided missles. They were the first operationally deployed squadron to night qualify using the mirror landing system and the first completely equipped with TACAN. These records, VA-46 asserts, were set in a period of approximately 13 months. NavAirNews, December 1956 US Navy Photo Counter Claims: A counter claim to VA-46's "firsts" claims found in the February 1957 NavAirNews. VA-36 Offers Challenge Disputes ‘First’ Claims of VA-46. In the December issue of NavAirNews there appeared a picture of VA-46, with a caption listing what the squadron called its firsts. Shortly after, Cdr. T. T. Coleman, CO of VA-36, sent the NavAirNews a refutation, stating that his squadron took pride in some of the very firsts claimed by VA-46. This, of course, poses quite a problem. Not wanting to do anybody dirt, members of the editorial staff burrowed through some of the old musty files. The situation wasn’t solved completely, but one or two interesting facts were uncovered. VA-46 claims to be the first attack squadron equipped with jets. VA-36, formerly VF-102, says no. According to the records of Naval Aviation History, VA-46 was commissioned on 1 June 1955, and was equipped with F9F-5 Panthers. VA-36 came into being on 1 July 1955, when VF-102 was redesignated. They were flying F2H’S. According to VA-46, this unit was the first operationally deployed squadron to night qualify using the mirror landing system. But Cdr. Coleman claims that distinction for his squadron. In July and September 1955, VA-36 qualified aboard the Bennington for night and day landings. During one, or both of these periods (the skipper isn’t clear on this point), the squadron completed night mirror qualifications. We want the facts, boys; just the facts. Friendly rivalry makes life interesting, so let’s pool our information and find out Who’s on first! NavAirNews February 1957 Provided by John Gabbard NavAirNews April, 1961 VA-46 Fires live Bullpups LT W.H. Byng sets highest mark when Attack Squadron 46 became the first jet attack squadron in the Fleet Air Jacksonville area to fire live Bullpups air-to-surface guided missiles. The squadron was notified it had been selected as a Bullpup carrier in October. In November, a Martin field representative moved a Bullpup trainer-simulator into the Clansmen’s Ready Room and training began. Each pilot was graded on 16 test runs so a measure of proficiency could be obtained. LT W.H. Byng, squadron safety officer, rated highest with an average error-from-target of 11 feet. All other squadron pilots were considered Bullpup-qualified by the end of the training period. Attack Squadron 46, flying A4D-2N Skyhawks, is a unit of Carrier Air Group Ten, now deployed aboard the Shangri-La in the Mediterranean area. Pilots who fired live Bullpups were CDR H.J. Tate, Squadron Skipper,LCDR C.Y. Dellinger, LCDR C.R. Long, LT W.H. Fleischmann, LT J.H. Kirkpatrick, LT W.H. Byng, and LTJG J.L. Buckley. Provided by John Gabbard |