Millions of Men and Women Learned The Basics of Their Aviation-Related Jobs in Millington
The film “Beneath Navy Wings” was produced during the late 1960s and showcases both the Lockheed P2V Neptune maritime patrol aircraft and the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Memphis, located in Millington, Tennessee, just north of Memphis.
While it might seem strange to find the epicenter of training for nearly every aviation-related rating in the Navy near landlocked Memphis, the centrally located NATTC was located across the street from a Naval Air Reserve base. The film was uploaded to YouTube by PeriscopeFilm. I don’t recall receiving a “diploma” from my A school, though. Memphis memories await!
[youtube id=”qrOvAs1vRRc” width=”800″ height=”454″ position=”left”]
More Than Just a School for Aviation Ratings
The NATTC installation is now called Naval Support Activity Mid-South. The aviation-related “A” schools have been moved to NAS Pensacola. Back in the day, NAS Memphis was home to Patrol Squadron SIX SEVEN (VP-67) Golden Hawks. Sometimes referred to as the Thunder Chickens, VP-67 was a Navy Reserve patrol squadron whose personnel made 23 full deployments or detached deployments over the course of 24 years of service. They flew the SP-2H Neptune and the Lockheed P-3A Orion and later the P-3B. The Neptune flown in the film is a VP-5 Mad Foxes machine, though.
Calling NAS Memphis Home…or Just Stopping In During a Blow at Home
NAS Memphis was also home to Marine Corps Attack Squadron VMA-124, the Checkerboards, who flew several types, including the Grumman F9F-8 Cougar, North American Furies, and Douglas A-4 Skyhawks, for many years. Navy Reserve attack squadron, VA-204 River Rattlers, and their Scooters were also based in Memphis until 1978. Also calling Memphis home was Fleet Logistics Support Squadron FIVE THREE (VR-53) Volunteer Express.
Redesignated VR-60 when they turned in their aging Douglas C-118B Skymasters for ex-airline Douglas C-9B Skytrain IIs during October of 1982, VR-60 was disestablished in 1995. NAS Memphis is no longer an active installation, having become the Millington Regional Jetport in 1993. The base still hosts military aircraft from time to time- occasionally quite a few of them. Because of the expansive aprons, aircraft from Gulf Coast bases often bug out to Millington when storms affect their home turf.
I received diplomas from BEE, A and C school! 1978-1984
I was at NAS Millington from July to October 1977 for Avionics school. I was stationed at MCAS New River first to work on CH46 Phrogs. Loved my career in the Marines and working on aircraft. I miss the work! I tell my wife to this day…if they ever make men’s cologne in JP5, I’m wearing it! Thanks for the memories!
I went thru AfunP school in Millington fromabout July15,1968 to October 30,1968 for my AMH rating and then on to Meridian, Mississippi with VT-7. Met my best friend who was an ADR while in Millington,still friends today!
There in early ’67 AMH school. Went to my first McDonald’s ever where you actually got change back from your dollar! Group of us ended up in Mississippi where we went into a nightclub. We were the only white guys there so we didn’t stay very long. Years ago, there was a comedy movie where the same thing happened! Famous comedian, the name escapes me ! Ended up VP in Brunswick, ME terrific duty!
Did Acft Structural Repair Course Jan-Jun ’67 at Millington. Then on to VMFA-531 at Cherry Point.
Thanks for the post Bill! I recently set up a FB page for VP-67: https://www.facebook.com/patrolsquadron67/
By the way, we flew the P-3 B (MOD) when I was in 84-90′.
AW A-school ‘84
Spent 5 months there after boot camp in 1966, Went to AMH A school. Then on to VF-74 Oceana deployed on the Forrestal several times including July 29, ’67.
July-November 1969…AFUNP, Avionics “A”, then on to 1st duty station NAS KWest…20 years later retire ATCS, most of my career spent as an Aircrew …an IFT on P-3’s…great 20 years
I went through boot camp as a reserve in Millington, in 1971. Four years later, with NARU and VA-204.
I’m one the millions who went to A school in Millington. AO A school BEQ S423. Every one said we were all crazy LOL. That was October thru December 1983.
went to Boot Camp at Millington May – June 1945, then on to NATTC at Norman, OK to Aviation Machinist Mate School. Radioman School was located at NATTC Millington. Norman NATTC was closed a few months after the end of WWII
I went from boot camp in San Diego to Avionics A school June 69, then Avionics B, finishing in June 70. From Memphis, VS-30 in Quonset Pt, RI with S-2Es
B double E (BEE) school 1982. First tattoo at Bears Tattoo parlor down the road from the base. 18 years old. Still trucking in aviation although getting a bit long in the tooth. Fair Sky’s!
One more mention, the A school diploma from NATTC Memphis was called (and labeled a such) the Whoopi Sheet. I still have mine, amazing as it is.
Spent 6 years from May 1964 to May 1970 as a member of Naval Air Squadron NAIRU 791. Attended Basic Training on the North Side of the base (Airfield Side}. Attended classes on the South Side of Navy Road, which split the Base. After Basic, I was transferred to Lowrey AFB, Denver, COL for further training as an Aerial Photo Interpreter (PT). Trained with Air Force, Army, Marine, and Foreign Military Officer Personnel for about a year.
Sent back home to Memphis in 1965, and spent the rest of my hitch assigned as Senior Enlisted Aviation Intel Liaison attached to Submarine Hunter-Killer Group Squadrons VP-791, VP-792, VP-793, plus two Marine Fighter-Bomber Escort Squadrons.
Recently had the pleasure to return to my old haunts in my Profession as a Shelby County Building Inspector assigned to Inspect the demolition of some of the structures remaining on the Airfield side of the base. The City of Millington was given control of the airfield
and decided to keep the old hangar/office building that was my old haunt. They are working on converting it into a Naval Aviation Museum, similar to the one at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
s and both Marine Fighter Squadrons t ha t were assigned as protection for the Lockheed P2V Neptunes
Attended ADJ “A” school Nov 74 – Apr 75. Put my first choice of San Diego as my second choice on my green sheet and got it as my duty station at NAS Miramar. I’d do that time all over again! 18 yrs old in San Diego! What a great time! Went straight to VFP – 63 shore command, then transitioned to new F – 14 Tomcats in VF – 24 in Jun 76. No regrets!
Correction – My Dream Sheet, not Green Sheet…