Alot of memories at Atsugi. I was an ADJ-3 in VQ-1 from late 64 to late 68 and those EA3B's were really easy to work on. I followed them to Kittyhawk, PI and Da Nang twice and loved the excitement of a wartime Navy.
Was an AQB2 in VAH-2 from 1960-1963 (NAS Whidbey Island and the USS Coral Sea). The A3 was a great bird. Got to see one recently at the USS Midway museum in San Diego.
Thanks for posting this. As an AE-3 had been assigned to VAH-4, from 1967-68, then flying KA-3B refuelers out of Whidbey Island, and NAS Cubi Point, PI. Our squadron detachments served aboard Bon Homme Richard ('67), and Ticonderoga ('68). Great duty that, loved it, really loved that part of the world, too. Just never made it to Atsugi, only MCAS Iwakuni, when then assigned to VP-2 flying Neptunes ('66). Only later did I serve with Hatron 4, working on those marvelous 'whales' with tailhooks. At that time was only in Japan post-WestPac duty, mainly to Yokosuka for R&R, ship repairs, replenishment, and the like, before deploying back stateside, NAS North Island, San Diego, and on to Whidbey after that. All that time only lost one plane that I'm aware of, but of course, had heard about some of those 'other' mishaps, too.
I'll add my love for this bird too. I was an AE-3 in VAQ-33 at N.A.S. Norfolk, Va. from 1971-75. I liked being out on the flight line so much that I volunteered to become a Plane Captain for our 4 ERA-3B's ( Electronic Counter-Measures ). Those were awesome planes. Each one had it's own personality and quirks. They became 'my' planes and I took taking care of them very personally. I could pack a drag chute better than anyone else and the pilots always knew when I packed their chute by how fast it opened. My name was on the wheel well door of the plane that our C.O. flew. Yes...I'm bragging...but ya know what...I'm 66 now and I will brag if I want to..LOL..!! I also earned a Letter of Commendation from the Navy for my actions in extreme cold weather conditions when we were in Canada working with the Canadian Air Force. One of our A-3's blew a main mount on landing and was clogging the main runway and preventing the other planes from landing. The temp was already -30 degrees F. and when a few of us had to haul ass down the runway in an open piece of yellow gear to get to the plane, the wind chill factor was estimated to be -110 degrees F. I helped in getting the main mount changed quickly and the plane off the runway so the rest of the planes could land. Those were great times...I loved it..and will always miss those few exciting years in that squadron.
I did 2 tours on the Coral Sea with this crap plan. Only jet in the fleet without ejection seats. A-3D. All 3 Dead. We lost 1 out of four planes and 1 out of five crews
Wow!.. Thanks 👍🇳🇿
Alot of memories at Atsugi. I was an ADJ-3 in VQ-1 from late 64 to late 68 and those EA3B's were really easy to work on. I followed them to Kittyhawk, PI and Da Nang twice and loved the excitement of a wartime Navy.
Was an AQB2 in VAH-2 from 1960-1963 (NAS Whidbey Island and the USS Coral Sea). The A3 was a great bird. Got to see one recently at the USS Midway museum in San Diego.
A-3 which flew to Japan in 1960-1970 by this BBS is posted.
www.agc-art.com/korec/joyful.cgi
I was crewman on vq
Plane linkage to landing gear value sheared wrong rivet installed narf.
Much respect to VAH, RVAH and VAQ.
Excellent use of TH-cam to show slide... Easy to stop and study the aircraft.
Thanks for posting this. As an AE-3 had been assigned to VAH-4, from 1967-68, then flying KA-3B refuelers out of Whidbey Island, and NAS Cubi Point, PI. Our squadron detachments served aboard Bon Homme Richard ('67), and Ticonderoga ('68). Great duty that, loved it, really loved that part of the world, too. Just never made it to Atsugi, only MCAS Iwakuni, when then assigned to VP-2 flying Neptunes ('66). Only later did I serve with Hatron 4, working on those marvelous 'whales' with tailhooks. At that time was only in Japan post-WestPac duty, mainly to Yokosuka for R&R, ship repairs, replenishment, and the like, before deploying back stateside, NAS North Island, San Diego, and on to Whidbey after that. All that time only lost one plane that I'm aware of, but of course, had heard about some of those 'other' mishaps, too.
Why no comments about the special projects A3s out of Point Mugu
I'll add my love for this bird too. I was an AE-3 in VAQ-33 at N.A.S. Norfolk, Va. from 1971-75. I liked being out on the flight line so much that I volunteered to become a Plane Captain for our 4 ERA-3B's ( Electronic Counter-Measures ). Those were awesome planes. Each one had it's own personality and quirks. They became 'my' planes and I took taking care of them very personally. I could pack a drag chute better than anyone else and the pilots always knew when I packed their chute by how fast it opened. My name was on the wheel well door of the plane that our C.O. flew. Yes...I'm bragging...but ya know what...I'm 66 now and I will brag if I want to..LOL..!! I also earned a Letter of Commendation from the Navy for my actions in extreme cold weather conditions when we were in Canada working with the Canadian Air Force. One of our A-3's blew a main mount on landing and was clogging the main runway and preventing the other planes from landing. The temp was already -30 degrees F. and when a few of us had to haul ass down the runway in an open piece of yellow gear to get to the plane, the wind chill factor was estimated to be -110 degrees F. I helped in getting the main mount changed quickly and the plane off the runway so the rest of the planes could land. Those were great times...I loved it..and will always miss those few exciting years in that squadron.
Where do we get such men?
I did 2 tours on the Coral Sea with this crap plan. Only jet in the fleet without ejection seats. A-3D. All 3 Dead. We lost 1 out of four planes and 1 out of five crews
On each cruise. You Tube needs an edit button or a do you want to post button.
Nice pictures, but people usually expect to see videos, not photos, on TH-cam. Sorry!!
Nathan Smith Jr ADJ2 VQ-2 1 of the Linemen from Mar. 1972 till Jan. 1979 the good years