I know it's a long shot but I've been doing a lot of research on the squadron recently to try to find out more about it because my grandpa was the skipper back in 1960. I've practiced a lot of google-fu and checked any mention in the forums and have only come up with some very basic histories. Figured I would query the masses to see if any of the older guys had any personal experiences or pictures involving the squadron even in the years after he left. If not...it was worth a shot. Thanks!
There is an "A-6 Intruder Association". I'm not a member, but I'm sure they have a website. If you still come up dry, shoot me a PM or an e-mail and I'll hook you up with a couple of the "heavies" in the organization who did so much for the "A-6 Intruder Ready Room" on USS MIDWAY. We'll make this work...
Sir, do you know Stubber? He's my good friend's dad and one of my mentors. They did a great job with that ready room, didn't they?
Actually...after I posted this...I'm not sure if 152 WAS an Intruder squadron...my bad for jumping on the keyboard so quickly. But all of the VA communities have similar sites...and don't forget the archivists at "The Tailhook Association" here in San Diego. They all monitor the e-mail address thookassn@aol.com.
VA-152 History here. Looks like they never flew A-6s, but they did fly Spads and Skyhawks in their later years. -ea6bflyr
There is also a "Skyhawk Association"...think you can get their info from the Tailhook website at www.tailhook.org. Sorry...the only guy I know personally is on this forum...goes by the handle of BzB HE can probably get you chapter and verse...chat him up, if he doesn't "roll-in hot" on all of us pretty quickly...
Right Renegade, VA-152 never flew the Intruder, but switched from F2H Banshees to A-1Hs in 1956. In 1964, transitioned to A-4Bs, then A-4Es until disestablishment in 1972. Lots of VA-152 history & photos in 'The Skyhawk Association" website. BzB
Let's not forget the USS SHANGRI LA team. They played a "smaller" part in that as well. I heard there were an amazing group of gents in those year groups. ...from more experienced ears than mine of course.
Thank for the great link, ea6 ...although a member over there (xxxhawk.org), never had the time to really use it for any research. Talkin' last week with Walt Fink ...A1 & A4 driver, then UAL ...much like me. Walt & I discussing guys we flew with in VT-30, the AD training squadron at Corpus. We'd both lost track of Gordy Wileen ...lo & behold, there he is ...a Silver Star winner with VA-152 "for his participation in an attempted air rescue of a downed aviator deep in enemy territory". Additionally, looks like their last skipper prior to disestablishment in 1971 was CDR Gerry Sturm. Gerry joined the west coast A7 RAG (VA 122) shortly after it formed up ...was a "hinge" ...forgot his title/Dept Head status or whatever ...but he became my boss, as I was the NBC ground sckool instructor, among other things. Gerry's intro to the squadron was very notable, however ...while leaning against a wall in the hangar Ready Room, he was intro'ed to an exceptionally large group of us during an AOM. As he was intro'ed, he bounced off that wall and announced in a loud voice ... "That's STURM ...rhymes with SPERM!!" As we rocked with laughter, Gerry was in turn immediately introduced to LT(jg) Dottie Lyons ...our Personnel Officer!
LTJG Lyons no doubt blew her golden opportunity to shine by not yelling out "Yeah...that's DOTTIE...rhymes with "POTTY!"
Thanks for all the replies! This site has more stuff to learn about navy flying than any amount of these typo-ridden FTI's.
