VC-10 Flew an Amazing Array of Aircraft Over Nearly 50 Years of History
Fleet Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10) flew McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawks modified to carry air-to-ground ordnance and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. VC-10 also flew one of the 4 EA-4F Skyhawks (converted from TA-4Fs) for a time during the late 1980s. The video of VC-10 in action was filmed in October of 1978 and includes the launch and recovery of two TA-4J aircraft from VC-10, along with some formation flying and some 1-v-1 maneuver training. According to the uploader of the video, it was converted from Super-8 movie film. The first third of the video is silent. The pilot-in-command was LCDR Chapman, lead aircraft was LCDR Noonan. The video was uploaded to YouTube by Pete O. Enjoy!
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The First VC-10 Was Formed in 1943
The first squadron to be designated VC-10 was established as Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10) on 23 September 1943 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Seattle (Sand Point). VC-10 operated both Grumman FM-2 Wildcat fighters and General Motors TBM Avenger torpedo bombers. The escort carrier USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) sailed with VC-10 embarked on 1 May 1944. VC-10 participated in battles in the Marianas and Peleliu before the Gambier Bay was sunk during the Battle off Samar. The remnants of the squadron operated from Leyte for a time. In January 1945 the squadron was reconstituted at Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Ventura County Airport in California. The squadron spent the remainder the war training in preparation for redeployment, which did not take place. VC-10 was disestablished at the conclusion of World War II.
The Second VC-10 Was Also Formed in 1943- Just Not as VC-10
Utility Squadron SIXTEEN (VJ-16) Mallards was established on 1 December 1943 at NAS Isla Grande in San Juan, Puerto Rico. VJ-16 flew Grumman J2F-5/6 Ducks, Consolidated PBY-5/5A Catalinas, Grumman TBF-1 Avengers, Douglas SBD-5 Dauntlesses, and North American SNJ-4 trainers while providing gunnery target towing services, radar tracking, search and rescue (SAR), and photographic services to ships and aircraft in the Caribbean area. After spending April of 1944 at NAAF Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico, VJ-16 moved to NAS Miami, Florida in May 1944. While operating from NAS Miami, VJ-16 flew Martin JM-1/2 Marauders, Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats, General Motors FM-2 Wildcats and Grumman TBM-1J/3J Avengers.
Seeing the World
VJ-16 also operated detachments in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Brazil, Cuba, Panama and Trinidad. VJ-16 then converged at NAS Guantanamo Bay/McCalla Field in Cuba in April of 1945. On 15 November 1945 VJ-16 was redesignated Utility Squadron TEN (VU-10). For the next 15 years VU-10 operated Martin JD-1 Marauders, Grumman UF-1 Albatrosses, Martin PBM-5A Mariners, Consolidated PBY-6A Catalinas, Douglas R4D-5 Skytains, and Beechcraft SNB-5s. Drone controller aircraft assigned to VU-10 included Grumman F6F-5D Hellcats, Grumman F7F-2D Tigercats, Grumman F8F-2D Bearcats, Grumman F9F-6D Panthers, Grumman F9F-8D Cougars, and North American FJ-3D2 Furies. VU-10 also flew Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat, Culver TD2C, and Radioplane KD2R-5 target drones.
Gitmo
VU-10, by then named the Challengers, moved across the bay to NAS Guantanamo Bay/Leeward Point Field in January 1960. VU-10 defended Gitmo during the Cuban Revolution and was tasked with offensive missions during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis had they taken place. On 1 July 1965 VU-10 was redesignated Fleet Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10). At the time VC-10 was flying Grumman US-2C Trackers and Vought F-8B/D/A/C/K Crusaders. By the time TA-4F and TA-4J Skyhawks arrived in 1975, VC-10 was often referred to as the Proud Pelicans. The Scooters replaced the last of the Crusaders by 1976. VC-10 continued to provide aerial target towing services for fleet training and Dissimilar Air Combat Maneuver Training (DACT) for Atlantic Fleet Carrier Air Wings during pre-deployment work-ups until 14 August 1993, when VC-10 was disestablished at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
