VMFA-142 "Flying Gators" 1942-2008

[VFA-203 Forever]

Had the pleasure of being invited to the Cadre Ceremony of the Flying Gators of VMFA-142; Based out of NAS Atlanta,GA (No news coverage; Thus no links).

Tremendous ceremony put together by the men and women of VMFA-142 this afternoon (May 31).

Ceremonial Last Flight at 3:00pm (Three Ship); Which later followed with the Cadre at 6:00pm which ended with the squadron colors being cased; Now resting until called upon once again.

The squadron will officially be placed into Cadre status on June 31.

Only 1 USMCR Hornet Squadron Now Remains; Which is the Cowboys of VMFA-112 out of NAS JRB Fort Worth.

Gators Forever!

 

[Fog]

Did 142 fly "A" models? Also, what do the NavAirRes F-18 squadrons fly? A's or C's? Thanks

 

[Factory]

Did 142 fly "A" models? Also, what do the NavAirRes F-18 squadrons fly? A's or C's? Thanks

They flew A+'s. I think there was an article in the last Naval Aviation magazine..

 

[VFA-203 Forever]

Did 142 fly "A" models? Also, what do the NavAirRes F-18 squadrons fly? A's or C's? Thanks

Yup; A mix of A and A+ models.

The USNR squadrons (What's left)
VFA-204: F/A-18A+
VFC-12 (Doesn't really count; But their technically USNR): F/A-18C (Swapped their A+'s with VFA-87).

Acft 200 (Photo I attached) is apparently going to NSAWC out at NFL.

 

[usmarinemike]

I got invited to the MAG decommissioning in Atlanta, but I will unfortunately already be in Quantico. What is happening to HMLA-773?

With the Marine Corps valuing unit history, I doubt we've seen the last of those colors.

 

[Fog]

I guess all this means there are no flying jobs for NFO RIO's & B/N's in the NavAirRes. That sucks, IMHO.

 

[BigRedDogATL]

VMFA-142 Flying Gator's Last Flight

I was able to take some photos of the last three planes from VMFA-142 taking off for their last flight, and then some more photos of them landing about an hour later.

You are welcome to see the gallery at http://cwmartin.smugmug.com/gallery/5065946_xNzJX/1/304844421_9aHUp

 

[VFA-203 Forever]

I got invited to the MAG decommissioning in Atlanta, but I will unfortunately already be in Quantico. What is happening to HMLA-773?

With the Marine Corps valuing unit history, I doubt we've seen the last of those colors.

Mike,

The 'Dogs are moving down the road to Robins at the end of the FY; Last I heard.

Hopefully not as far as seeing the last of the colors. The cadre list is growing, though (VMFA(AW)-332,VMFA-134,VMFA-212 now 142).

Here is another I snagged; The casing of the colors.

 

[VFA-203 Forever]

Got some shots up for anyone interested;
http://www.fencecheck.com/forums/index.php/topic,16223.0.html

 

[phrogpilot73]

Hopefully not as far as seeing the last of the colors. The cadre list is growing, though (VMFA(AW)-332,VMFA-134,VMFA-212 now 142).

You forgot one. One of the first squadrons to fly CAP over DC on September 11th, VMFA-321 (my alma mater from my enlisted days). Cadre in September, 2004...

 

[VFA-203 Forever]

You forgot one. One of the first squadrons to fly CAP over DC on September 11th, VMFA-321 (my alma mater from my enlisted days). Cadre in September, 2004...

The Angels cadre'd? Great. I thought they flat out were decomm'd.

 

[phrogpilot73]

The Angels cadre'd? Great. I thought they flat out were decomm'd.

I stand corrected. I believe they were originally scheduled for Cadre, but they were deactivated. Last flight of the CO & the squadron resulted in a mishap to boot...

 

[VFA-203 Forever]

I stand corrected. I believe they were originally scheduled for Cadre, but they were deactivated. Last flight of the CO & the squadron resulted in a mishap to boot...

Oh yeah, Forgot about the Quantico incident in the CO Jet (She was gorgeous). At least they were able to restore her for the museum.

Similar situation happended with 203. Coming back from Bristol,TN NASCAR flyby; Guy in Acft 301 was tree topping on a VR Route. Clipped some lines and sent the jet down near Chattanooga (In a lake if I remember correctly). Ended up with a broken ankle. Gave the squadron a bit of a black eye on the way out the door.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Oh yeah, Forgot about the Quantico incident in the CO Jet (She was gorgeous). At least they were able to restore her for the museum.

Similar situation happended with 203. Coming back from Bristol,TN NASCAR flyby; Guy in Acft 301 was tree topping on a VR Route. Clipped some lines and sent the jet down near Chattanooga (In a lake if I remember correctly). Ended up with a broken ankle. Gave the squadron a bit of a black eye on the way out the door.

Dude, how do you know all this stuff? Aren't you supposed to be in high school

 

[VFA-203 Forever]

Dude, how do you know all this stuff? Aren't you supposed to be in high school

Haha. I've just been a big USN/USMC Aviation fan since I was about 13 (18 now). So I try to keep up with the latest news and such. Main reason I knew of the 203 incident as a good friend of mine was buddies with the squadron (Not to mention the reports were all over the news being a local squadron).