 VXN-8 History
Circa 2004
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Valhalla for 'Val' After Years of NASKEF Service..." Navy News Stand http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=11706 [02APR2004]
Valhalla for 'Val' After Years of NASKEF Service
Story Number: NNS040302-02
Release Date: 3/2/2004 9:30:00 AM
From Naval Air Station Keflavik Air Ops Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION KEFLAVÍK, Iceland (NNS) -- For nearly 19 years, NAS Keflavik, Iceland's (NASKEF) UP-3A aircraft, Valkyrja, affectionately known as Val, served NASKEF's personnel. Jan. 26, Val was retired and flown to Davis-Mothan Air Force Base, where she was inducted into the aircraft "boneyard."
"The loss of Val not only marks the end of an era of NAS Keflavik, Iceland having a base aircraft, but more importantly, has impacted the base's ability to get personnel to professional conferences, symposiums and training seminars," said Lt. Cmdr. Joe Dickinson, NASKEF's air operations officer.
Her moniker, Valkyrja, is drawn from the Norse name for the "female chooser of the slain." The helmeted battle maidens would fly on supernatural horses over battlefields, determining the course and victors of war. The Valkyries' primary duty was to choose the bravest of the warriors slain on the battlefield, gathering their souls to escort them to Valhalla.
She was delivered to the Navy Aug. 29, 1962, making her much older than many of the personnel who currently fly and maintain her. During her faithful years of service in NAS Keflavik, Iceland, she has carried more than 22,000 personnel to more than 15 countries, while accumulating just over 10,000 mishap-free flight hours, including 5,675 landings. In total, Val has accumulated 20,108 mishap-free flight hours and flown more than 7 million miles--the equivalent of two years, three months, and 18 days in the air, 282 trips around the equator, or 14 trips to and from the moon. Prior to being stationed in NAS Keflavik, Iceland, she was assigned to VP-30, VP-8, VXN-8, VP-94, and Naval Aerological Support Center, Miami.
The 34 personnel in the Operations Maintenance Division, under the leadership of Lt. Mike Hersey, were responsible for the upkeep and "TLC" of the Navy's best-kept UP-3A, and they maintained an astonishing 89 percent "mission capable" rate. Although stationed in NAS Keflavik, Iceland, Val aircrews provided time-critical logistical support to Commander, Task Force 67 during Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF), Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and numerous task force exercises. Over a three-month period, Val flew 25 logistics missions in direct support of OEF/OIF and exercises Booming, Blue Game and Baltops. NAS Keflavik, Iceland aircrews flew more than 150 hours across six different countries, providing time-critical, intra-theater wartime transport throughout the Mediterranean and European areas of responsibility for more than 500 duty personnel and 50,000 lbs. of cargo.
"In addition to providing base support to professional functions throughout Europe and CONUS, Val provided a huge quality of life boost to the base service members and dependents as a space-available transportation opportunity," said Dickinson.
Val's last local flight was completed Jan. 22 with Capt. Mark Laughton, commanding officer of NAS Keflavik, Iceland, and Dickinson at the controls. The pilots, air crew and maintenance personnel will deeply miss Val, as will all who enjoyed the benefits of having a station aircraft.
Circa 1994
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Disestablished - VXN-8 World Travelers - Naval Aviation News - September - October 1994.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1994/so94.pdf [12NOV2004]
 
Circa 1993
A BIT OF HISTORY: "17SEP93--VXN-8 TO HOLD STANDOWN CEREMONY, MONDAY: Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight, or VXN-8, will disestablish Oct. 1, 1993 after 26 years of mishap free flying. A ceremony will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in Hangar 109. All personnel are invited to attend. VXN-8 is the free world's only aviation squadron devoted solely to airborne oceanographic and geophysical survey. Home ported at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, VXN-8 is a fleet command under the administrative control of Commander Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet and the operational control of the Commander in Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. As such, the squadron functions as a separate fleet command receiving technical squadron functions as a separate Oceanographic Office, or NAVOCEANO, located in Bay St. Louis, Miss. NAVOCEANO's mission is to conduct multi-disciplinary ocean surveys and assigned scientific and technical programs with resultant products directed toward satisfying U. S. Navy and Department of Defense oceanographic needs for effective weapon and sensor system performance and safe and accurate navigation. VXN-8 aircraft, equipped with specialized instrumentation, provide a primary means for conducting world-wide surveys to obtain the basic data needed for preparation of required documentation. Further applications of collected data include government and private agencies in support of commercial and private navigation of seaways, commercial fishing industry and environmental pollution observation. Surveys are conducted within three separate dimensions: Geomagnetic and Gravimetric Survey (Project Magnet), Hydro-acoustic Survey (Outpost Seascan) and Arctic Ice Reconnaissance (Birdseye). With a current manning authorization of 35 officers and 173 enlisted personnel, VXN-8 aircrews typically detach for four to six weeks at a time with five officers, eight enlisted personnel and a NAVOCEANO team of three to six civilian specialists on board. Deployed aircrews operation autonomously throughout the world, often from remote airports which have little or no maintenance support. Known as "The World Travelers," the squadron is true to its name. Operations are conducted year-round in the Arctic and on all of the continents of the world except Antarctica. Despite the stresses of the operating environment, the squadron has achieved a proud record of aviation safety. Since July 1, 1967, when the squadron was first commissioned, VXN-8 has flown more than 98,000 mishap-free hours. Unlike the traditional gray of Navy P-3's, VXN-8's mission aircraft support an international orange and white paint scheme to readily identify them as overt, non weapon-carrying platforms. The unusual paint scheme also includes an officially sanctioned Warner Brothers cartoon character emblematic of the assigned mission: the Roadrunner for Project Magnet, El Coyote for Outpost Seascan and the Arctic Fox for Birdseye. Commanded by Commander John J. Langer, VXN-8 is proud to have been a part of the U. S. Naval team...Tester September 17, 1993..." Contributed by AT1 Ed Zawacki ezawacki@md.metrocast.net
Circa 1993
A BIT OF HISTORY: "17SEP93--VXN-8 TO HOLD STANDOWN CEREMONY, MONDAY: Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight, or VXN-8, will disestablish Oct. 1, 1993 after 26 years of mishap free flying. A ceremony will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in Hangar 109. All personnel are invited to attend. VXN-8 is the free world's only aviation squadron devoted solely to airborne oceanographic and geophysical survey. Home ported at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, VXN-8 is a fleet command under the administrative control of Commander Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet and the operational control of the Commander in Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. As such, the squadron functions as a separate fleet command receiving technical squadron functions as a separate Oceanographic Office, or NAVOCEANO, located in Bay St. Louis, Miss. NAVOCEANO's mission is to conduct multi-disciplinary ocean surveys and assigned scientific and technical programs with resultant products directed toward satisfying U. S. Navy and Department of Defense oceanographic needs for effective weapon and sensor system performance and safe and accurate navigation. VXN-8 aircraft, equipped with specialized instrumentation, provide a primary means for conducting world-wide surveys to obtain the basic data needed for preparation of required documentation. Further applications of collected data include government and private agencies in support of commercial and private navigation of seaways, commercial fishing industry and environmental pollution observation. Surveys are conducted within three separate dimensions: Geomagnetic and Gravimetric Survey (Project Magnet), Hydro-acoustic Survey (Outpost Seascan) and Arctic Ice Reconnaissance (Birdseye). With a current manning authorization of 35 officers and 173 enlisted personnel, VXN-8 aircrews typically detach for four to six weeks at a time with five officers, eight enlisted personnel and a NAVOCEANO team of three to six civilian specialists on board. Deployed aircrews operation autonomously throughout the world, often from remote airports which have little or no maintenance support. Known as "The World Travelers," the squadron is true to its name. Operations are conducted year-round in the Arctic and on all of the continents of the world except Antarctica. Despite the stresses of the operating environment, the squadron has achieved a proud record of aviation safety. Since July 1, 1967, when the squadron was first commissioned, VXN-8 has flown more than 98,000 mishap-free hours. Unlike the traditional gray of Navy P-3's, VXN-8's mission aircraft support an international orange and white paint scheme to readily identify them as overt, non weapon-carrying platforms. The unusual paint scheme also includes an officially sanctioned Warner Brothers cartoon character emblematic of the assigned mission: the Roadrunner for Project Magnet, El Coyote for Outpost Seascan and the Arctic Fox for Birdseye. Commanded by Commander John J. Langer, VXN-8 is proud to have been a part of the U. S. Naval team...Tester September 17, 1993..." Contributed by AT1 Ed Zawacki ezawacki@erols.com
Circa 1990
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 6, 7, 30 and 31 - Naval Aviation News - September-October 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/so90.pdf [22OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History and Change-Of-Command - Page 6, 29 and 31 - Naval Aviation News - May-June 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/mj90.pdf [22OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VXN-8 Stamp "...I ran across this sticker I had packed away. I got it from a Project Magnet crewmember at the Christchurch Airport in New Zealand in about 1990. They were there for a brief stopover while I was down there working on the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory project. We toured each other's planes (ours was a C-141), and exchanged stickers, patches and whatnot..." Contributed by Dave mailbox@dave-black.com [20JAN2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "31JAN90--PLANE'S DATA QUEST RESUMES BY NIGEL MALTHUS: One of the world's most well-traveled aircraft will fly out of Christchurch this evening to continue its never-ending mission of mapping the world's magnetic field. The aircraft, a Lockheed Orion similar to New Zealand's maritime surveillance planes, is engaged on Project Magnet for the United States Naval Oceanographic Office - a project which has been under way since 1953, and is continuing because the Earth's magnetic field is continually changing. The information gathered goes into a world data base and is used to update marine charts so that sailors can accurately correct magnetic compass headings to true headings. Magnetic mapping is also used to assist mineral exploration over land. The Orion has been on the project, criss-crossing the world since it was built in 1971. It last visited Christchurch about a year ago. The senior scientist aboard, Mr. Virgil Bettencourt, said that it was due to be renovated later this year. On this deployment, it was carrying new navigation and computer systems under development alongside the old equipment. They include satellite navigation systems that can pinpoint the aircraft's position to an accuracy of 2m. The plane arrive din Christchurch on Sunday after flying a zig-zag pattern across the Pacific, and is due to leave for Canberra at 9 p.m. today. Its work is all done at night, to avoid the magnetic disturbances caused by the sun's radiation. Tonight's trip will take it almost to the equator before heading south for Canberra - a 12-hour journey. The main work of its present deployment will be an intensive survey of Australia, at the Australian Government's request, then a survey of the Indian Ocean before returning across the Pacific to home base in Maryland...The Press, New Zealand, Wednesday, January 31, 1990" Contributed by AT1 Ed Zawacki ezawacki@erols.com
Circa 1989
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Change-Of-Command - Page 30 - Naval Aviation News - March-April 1989..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1989/ma89.pdf [21OCT2004]
Circa 1988
A BIT OF HISTORY: "24MAY88--BIG WA SEARCH FOR SHIPWRECKS BY SHAUN MENEGOLSA: PORT HEDLAND...A US Navy Orion carrying sophisticated scientific equipment is searching for shipwrecks off the rugged Pilbara coastline. The plane has already been used to help locate the Titanic and the SS Monitor, sunk during the American Civil War. It will fly at least two special missions in search of WAS shipwrecks, using equipment valued at $43 million. An 11-hour weekend mission has already located a number of potential target areas. The Orion carries a big aerial magnetometer capable of detecting variations in the earth's magnetic field, like those caused by the steel ship hull. The US Government agreed to conduct the searches after approaches from the Port Hedland Regional Maritime Historical Society. The society has been looking for shipwrecks, including the coastal passenger liner Koombana, for 10 years. The society's chairman, Mr. Kerry Thom, said the Orion would supply the information the society has been trying to collect for many years. He said the society was aware of nine wrecks off the Pilbara coast but many others also existed. He said the Koombana, which sank in a cyclone in 1912 with 156 people on board, was one of WA's biggest undiscovered wrecks...The West Australian, Perth Tuesday May 24, 1988" Contributed by AT1 Ed Zawacki ezawacki@erols.com
A BIT OF HISTORY: "19MAY88--MODIFIED US AIRCRAFT VISITS FOR A SURVEY: A US Navy P-3 Orion aircraft, modified and equipped with special navigational equipment, landed at the Royal Thai Air Force Base, Don Muang, yesterday afternoon for a visit. The plane is on a four-day survey, May 16-19, of the Earth's magnetic field over international waters near Thailand. The operation is part of an annual, worldwide programme performed by the US Naval Oceanographic Office. The P-3 is measuring changes in the intensity and direction of the planet's magnetic field...Bangkok Post, Thursday May 19, 1988" Contributed by AT1 Ed Zawacki ezawacki@erols.com
A BIT OF HISTORY: "18MAY88--US PLANE SURVEYS EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD: A specially-equipped US navy aircraft yesterday began a four-day survey of the earth's magnetic field over international waters near Thailand. The P-3 aircraft, using magnetometers and sophisticated navigation systems, is measuring changes in the intensity and the direction of the planet's magnetic field, a US Information Service press release said. Data gathered can be used by the public to update navigational charts for ships and airplanes. The plane survey, operating out of Don Muang air force base, is part of an annual, worldwide programme of the US Naval Oceanographic Office...The Nation, Bangkok, Wednesday Morning, May 18, 1988" Contributed by AT1 Ed Zawacki ezawacki@erols.com
Circa 1987
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...The World Is Their Backyard - Page 8 to 9 - Naval Aviation News - September-October 1987..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1987/so87.pdf [20OCT2004]
Circa 1984
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 1, 11 and 30 - Naval Aviation News - November-December 1984..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1984/nd84.pdf [17OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 30 and 31 - Naval Aviation News - January-February 1984..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1984/jf84.pdf [17OCT2004]
Circa 1982
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 5, 44 and 45 - Naval Aviation News - December 1982..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1982/dec82.pdf [16OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Squadron Insignia - Naval Aviation News - September 1982..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1982/sep82.pdf [16OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...P-3 Orion Twenty Years Young - Page 14 to 18 - Naval Aviation News - August 1982..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1982/aug82.pdf [15OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 5 and 46 - Naval Aviation News - June 1982..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1982/jun82.pdf [15OCT2004]
Circa 1981
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Awards and Change-Of-Command - Page 51 and 52 - Naval Aviation News - October 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/oct81.pdf [14OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 42, 44, and 45 - Naval Aviation News - July 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/jul81.pdf [14OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 39 to 41 - Naval Aviation News - June 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/jun81.pdf [13OCT2004]
Circa 1978
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 31 and 33 - Naval Aviation News - October 1978..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1978/oct78.pdf [09OCT2004]
Circa 1977
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Project Magnet - Page 26 - Naval Aviation News - February 1977..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1977/feb77.pdf [08OCT2004]
Circa 1975
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Safety Record - Page 25 - Naval Aviation News - November 1975..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1975/nov75.pdf [04OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Changes Of Command - Page 28 - Naval Aviation News - September 1975..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1975/sep75.pdf [03OCT2004]
Circa 1973
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VXN-8 Aircraft Nose Art "...Close-up of VXN-8 (JB 625) NC-121K "Paisano Dos" at Davis Monthan AFB, 19 March 1973. Photo from the TailHook Association http://www.tailhook.org/..." Contributed by Mahlon K. Miller mkwsmiller@cox.net [28FEB2003]
 "...This photo is MIS-Labeled: Lockheed Model 1049B-55-75, c/n 4125, delivered to Navy on 08 May 1953, as a R7V-1. After various VR assignments, transferred to VX-6 at NAS Quonset Point in Sep 1958, Tail Code JD. Note: This was the only R7V-1P Photo a/c in the Navy or AF! After 13 years of accident free service and its final season of Antarctic service in VX/VXE-6, a/c departed Christchurch, New Zealand, 16 Mar 1971, and ferried, via NAS Quonset Point, to Davis Monthan AFB for storage in Mar 1971. Aircraft Commander for the final flight was LCDR A. J. Margeson, Removed from MASDAC inventory 25 May 1977, with 15,609 hrs on airframe. MASDAC put a/c up for sale on 23 Mar 1977, there were no takers and she was scrapped. This a/c was retired because 1971 was the last year AvGas was used at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Times were changing! This info originally compiled by Joe Hawkins of VX-6, & updated by Bruce De Wald..." Contributed by Bruce De Wald bdewald63@gmail.com [08MAY2018]
"...From 1968 to 1972 Paisano Dos was JB 925 not JB 625. I don't recall a JB 625 Paisano Dos..." Contributed by BULEWICH, Ted jama2415@comcast.net [09APR2003]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "21MAR73--VXN-8 returned to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, from Project Magnet deployment to the Southern Hemisphere under the direction of the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office. During the deployment, two flights were made around the world within the Southern Hemisphere, and an over-the-South-Pole flight by an RP-3D on 4 March as a first for that type aircraft..." http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/avchr10.htm
Circa 1971
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Squadron Awards..." Contributed by Mahlon K. Miller mkwsmiller@cox.net [23APR2001]
Navy Unit Commendation
01 Nov 55 - 01 Apr 61
21 Jun 64 - 05 Mar 66
Circa 1970
A BIT OF HISTORY:  C-54 "KIWI" "...C-54 "KIWI" on deployment. Picture taken March 3, 1970 at NAS Moffett Field, California. On our way to survey the coast of Alaska while based out of Elmendfort AFB..." Contributed by GILL, William gill73115@yahoo.com [29JAN2009]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VXN-8 Squadron "...Fall of 1970..." Contributed by STRUMFELS, ADR2 Bill wbstru@comcast.net [30OCT2001]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...An Officer: His Life And His Squadron - Page 8 to 18 - Naval Aviation News - August 1970..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1970/aug70.pdf [17SEP2004]
Circa 1969
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VXN-8 History "...April 9, 1969 in Fargo, ND..." Contributed McABEE, ADR3 Douglas "Doug" jmcabeeathome@comcast.net [23JAN2012]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...VX-8 Is Redesignated VXN-8 - Page 3 - Naval Aviation News - March 1969..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1969/mar69.pdf [16SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "08SEP69--As part of Project Birdseye, the Arctic ice-survey mission initiated in March 1962 to gather ice-flow information for the Naval Oceanographic Office, Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight (VXN-8) provided ice surveillance for SS Manhattan during the ship's historic voyage from the East Coast of the United States to Alaska through the ice-packed Northwest Passage..." http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/avchr9.htm
Circa 1968
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Squadron Awards..." Contributed by Mahlon K. Miller mkwsmiller@cox.net [23APR2001]
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
03 Jun 68 - 19 Jun 68
19 Feb 69 - 15 Mar 69
Meritorious Unit Commendation
01 Jan 66 - 01 Jun 71
01 Jan 90 - 30 Apr 92
VXN-8 Det 3
Navy Expeditionary Service Medal
13 Apr 81 - 17 May 81
Circa 1967
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...New VX Squadron Named - Page 2 - Naval Aviation News - September 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/sep67.pdf [12SEP2004]
Circa 1966
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...In addition to the project aircraft, the squadron also had two other aircraft. A transport version of the C-121 BUNO: 140313 (eventually transferred to USAF as C-121G) and a C-54 BUNO: 90396 (ex-USAAF 44-9036 and converted to NC-54R, Project Magnet)..." Contributed by LINFORD, Ron RonGL@aol.com [31MAR2009]
Circa 1965
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Project Jenny..." Blue Eagle Nest WebSite: http://www.afvn.tv/ProjectJenny/ [11JAN2004]
In October 1965, a US Navy aircraft equipped as an airborne broadcast station performed an airborne radio relay broadcast of the World Series over South Vietnam becoming the worlds first operational airborne broadcast station. In February of 1966, television arrived on the scene in South Vietnam and another new page went into the broadcasting history book. TV shows were broadcast on Channel 11 for AFVN (the American Forces Vietnam Network), and on Channel 9 for THVN TV (the official station of the Republic of Vietnam). TV was broadcast from U.S. Navy NC-121J (Super Constellation) aircraft. These aircraft were known as Blue Eagles and operated as Project Jenny. The aircraft were assigned to the U.S. Navy aviation squadron VXN-8 (originally OASU) home based at the Naval Air Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Two Blue Eagle aircraft were based at Tan Son Nhut AB in Saigon to provide TV broadcast services for AFVN and THVN. A third aircraft was based at DaNang AB to provide airborne PSYOPS radio broadcast services for MACV-SOG. This web page is dedicated to the guys who designed, built and flew those Blue Eagle aircraft from 1965 to 1970 and to Captain George Dixon USN (deceased), the founding father of Project Jenny. Blue Eagle Nest WebSite: http://www.afvn.tv/ProjectJenny/ [11JAN2004]
Circa Unknown
Can you identify the Month and or Year?
A BIT OF HISTORY:  Contributed by AT1 Ed Zawacki ezawacki@erols.com[05FEB98]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Flight Support Detachment...NRL's Flight Support Detachment (FSD) added two aircraft to its inventory in FY 94. Aircraft Bureau numbers 154587 and 158277 were previously assigned to Oceanographic Development Squadron 8 (VXN-8) prior to its decomissioning. Aircraft 154589 has completed its research modification and is awaiting final certification. Aircraft 149674 was upgraded with more powerful engines. Finally three of FSD aircraft will undergo navigation and communication upgrades starting in May 1994. These additions, modifications, and upgrades will ensure that NRL will have the finest airborne research capabilities well into the next century..." http://www.nrl.navy.mil/nrl/heritage/future.html#flight
05MAR98: "...Aircraft 589 came from NRL before the two squadrons joined to become NRL..." Contributed by AE1 Barry Ruff bruff@oklahoma.net WebSite: http://www.oklahoma.net/~bruff/tacamo.html [05MAR98][ICQ# 975633]
"VXN-8 Summary Page"
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