VFC-13

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Fighter Squadron Composite 13 (VFC-13)


caption= VFC-13 Insignia
dates=1 September 1973 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= US Navy
type=adversary squadron
role=
size=
command_structure=active
garrison= NAS Fallon
garrison_label=
equipment=
equipment_label=
nickname= "Saints"
patron=
motto=
colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=
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aircraft_fighter=Northrop F-5
battle_honours= Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC-13) "Saints" is a US Navy fighter squadron that provides adversary training for U.S. Navy air wings at NAS Fallon.

History

VFC-13 began its life in 1946 when VF-753 was commissioned and began flying the F6F Hellcat. Today's squadron was formed on 1 September, 1973 at NAS New Orleans when the US Navy was reorganising the US Naval Reserve. The squadron first flew the Chance-Vought F-8 Crusader, and had 17 officers and 127 enlisted men within its ranks, most were former members of VSF-76 and VSF-86. In April 1974 they transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk. The demand for west coast adversary squadrons and other fleet support missions meant the squadron was moved to NAS Miramar in February 1976, that summer they transitioned from the A-4L to the two seat TA-4J. In 1983 they returned to single-seat aircraft when they transitioned to the A-4E, and in 1988 they upgraded to the more powerful A-4F. In October 1993 VFC-13 transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet which further enhanced the squadron's ability to perform its adversary mission by providing an even more capable and realistic threat aircraft. When the Navy relocated the Naval Fighter Weapons School, or TOPGUN, the squadron transferred to NAS Fallon in April 1996 and also transitioned to the F-5E Tiger II. The unit's mix of 23 F-5E, F-5F and F-5N aircraft are all painted in a variety of colorful adversary schemes of blue, gray, or brown camouflage. In January 2006, VFC-13 established a permanent detachment of 12 aircraft at NAS Key West for East Coast training. Subsequently, in the fall of 2006, the VFC-13 Key West detachment was redesignated VFC-111, with an assignment of one F-5F and 10 F-5N. In parallel, the eleven aircraft strength of VFC-13 at NAS Fallon was increased to 17 (still all F-5's). VFC-13 provides quality adversary training for regular Navy fleet and replacement squadrons and air wings, reserve fighter and attack squadrons, U.S.A.F. and U.S.M.C. units, and Canadian forces. The Fighting Saints have received two consecutive C.N.O. Safety Awards, the Golden Wrench Maintenance Award, and in 1994, a Battle "E" award.

Links

* [https://www.cnic.navy.mil/fallon/index.htm Naval Air Station Fallon]