VSF-86Photograph AlbumPrior to 1970, reserve aircraft belonged to the local NARTU or Reserve Naval Air Station. Except for those squadrons on active duty, as in Korea, no reserve squadron "owned" their aircraft, as they were assigned to the NARTU/Station. In 1970, during that reorganization of the reserves into the "Reserve Force" concept, each new squadron was made independent of NARTU (later called NAR), and assigned either to CVWR-20 or CVWR-30. All squadrons were then made in the image of active duty units, with the reserve unit Commanding Officer owning the aircraft and reporting to the CAG. On this site you will find all era reserve combat aircraft images in the appropriate squadron photo page, and only non-combat support aircraft images in the reserve station photo page. 1971: Gators pilot Ed Moir in Skyhawk NW-601 on a forward cat and ready to launch from the Tico. Photo Ed Moir. 1971: Gators pilots pose in front of Skyhawk NW-601 assigned to CDR Kloyes aboard the Tico. L-R: John Parks, Ed Moir unknown & unknown. Photo Ed Moir. AUG 1971: Gators Skyhawk NW-602 aboard the Tico as a deck crewman inserts the tillie bar into the nosewheel. "Boom" Powell Gators pilots pose next to Skyhawk NW-602 at NAS New Orleans. Photo by NavNews. 1972-73: VSF-86 Skyhawk BuNo 149563, NW-605, parked on the ramp. "Boom" Powell |