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AIR GROUPS
Precursor: Turning Points in History
The Golden Age of Aviation (1919-1939)
and The Aircraft Carrier
by George E. Mattimoe, Ph.D.
CV-20 USS BENNINGTON
1944 Oct 16 - 1944 Nov 17
Shakedown
Lv New York for Paria Gulf, Trinidad
CVG-82 attached to 1945 June 17
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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Bombing Sqd. 82 (VB-82) | The Battering Rams | -- -- |
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- - - - - | -- -- | SB2C-3 Helldiver |
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- - - - - | -- -- | SB2C-4E Helldiver |
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- - - - - | -- -- | AM-1 Martin Mauler |
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- - - - - | -- -- | AD-5 Skyraider |
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Torpedo Squadron (VT-82) | Devils Diplomats | TBM-3 Avenger |
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Fighter Squadron (VF-82) | Fighting Fools | F6F-5 Hellcat |
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Fighter Squadron (VMF-112) | Wolfpack | -- -- |
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Fighter Squadron (VMF-123) | Eight Balls | F4F Wildcats |
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-- -- -- | -- -- | -- -- |
 Bombing Sqd. 82 (VB-82) The Battering Rams Patch |
Opens In New Window close it to return here |
 Torpedo Squadron (VT-82) Devils Diplomats |
 Fighter Squadron (VF-82) Fighting Fools |
Opens In New Window close it to return here  Fighter Squadron (VMF-112) Wolfpack HISTORY OF VMF-112 Opens In New Window close it to return here |
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 Fighter Squadron (VMF-123) Eight Balls |
AND THE SINKING OF
THE BATTLESHIP YAMATO
of Marine Fighting Squadron, VMF-123
(1942-1945)
by
George (Matt) Mattimoe
CV-20 USS BENNINGTON
1945 Jan 1 - 1945 Nov 7
San Diego to Pearl Harbor
1st war cruise. Lv Pearl Harbor for Ulithi Atoll
Iwo Jima Operations, Okinawa Gunto Operations
Shares in sinking of Japan's super battleship YAMOTO
CVG-82 attached to 1945 June 17
Geometric ship's aircraft ID, double arrow pointing up
1945 June 17 CVG-1 attached to war's end
Carrier aircraft ship assignment code, TT
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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CVG-82 | -- -- -- -- | -- -- |
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VF-1 (AG - 1) | -- -- -- -- | -- -- |
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VT-1 (AG - 1) | -- -- | -- -- |
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VBF-1 (AG - 1) | Royal Flushers | F4U-D |
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-- -- -- | -- -- | -- -- |
 Royal Flushers Fighter Squadron ( VBF-1 ) |
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Towards the end of 1945, Air Group 19 moved to Barber's Point for training. At about the same time, USS BENNINGTON (CV-20) was moved to the Hawaiian Islands to be used as a training carrier. In January of 1946, Air Group NINETEEN boarded BENNINGTON for further training. During that time, all pilots accumulated their 20 day and 2 night landings. On 26 February 1946 the Air Group participated in a joint Army-Navy Air Defense Exercise around the island of Oahu. Air Group NINETEEN launched a pre-dawn strike from BENNINGTON, 150 miles at sea and headed for Oahu at sea level to avoid radar detection. The squadrons split up into groups to strike the island from many different angles and were nearly to the target before being intercepted by the Army's fighters. The above data provided to Joe Pires, USS Bennington Historian by Robert Jarvis of the United Kingdom. Info from the Satan's Kitten's website. www.satans-kittens.net |
 VF-19 Satan's Kitten's www.satans-kittens.net |
Operational and Combat
Dan Butterfield
CVA-20 USS BENNINGTON
1953 Feb 19 - 1953 May 07 Shakedown
1953 Sep 16 - 1954 Feb 21
Only Mediterranean Cruise
Last cruise of prop. squadron, VF-74
CVG-7 embarked, Tail code L
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VF-74 | Be-Devilers | F4U-4 |
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VMF-232 |
Red Devils Marine Fighter Sqd |
-- -- |
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VFP-62 | -- -- | F2H-2P |
 Be-Devilers Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) |
 Red Devils Marine Fighter Squadron 232 (VMF-232) |
 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 62 (VFP-62) |
CVA-20 USS BENNINGTON
1955 Oct 31- 1956 Apr 16
1st WestPac cruise
Okinawa, Hong Kong
ATG-201 embarked, Tail code ATG
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VC-33 | Night Hawks | -- |
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VC-4 | Night Cappers | -- |
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VC-6 | Fire Bees | -- |
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VC-9 | Hoot Owls | -- |
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VC-62 | Gladiators | -- |
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HU-1 | Pacific Fleet Angels | -- |
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VC-12 | Omars | -- |
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VA-105 | Gunslingers | AD4 Skyraider |
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VF-13 | Aggressors | -- |
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VA-36 | Roadrunners | -- |
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VFP-62 Det.30 |
Eyes Of The Fleet | F2H-2P |
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AJ | -- | -- |
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 Knight Hawks (VC-33) |
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CVA-20 USS BENNINGTON
1956 Oct 3 - 1957 May 23
2nd WestPac cruise
Japan, Okinawa, Phil., Hong Kong, Sydney
ATG-181 embarked, Tail code I
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VF-21 (*1) | Mach Busters | FJ3 Fury |
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VF-41 | Black Aces | F2H Banshee |
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VA-42 | Green Pawns | AD-6 Skyraider |
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VF-174 | Hell Razors | F9F Cougar |
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VAH-6 | Fleurs - Love's Flying Circus | AJ-2 Savage's |
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VFP-62 DET.30 |
Eyes Of The Fleet Smitty's Moonshiners |
F9F-8P Photo |
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VA(AW)-33 DET. |
Nighthawks Pleasantville, NJ. |
AD-5N Skyradir |
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VAW-11 DET. | Early Eleven | AD-5W |
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HU-1 DET. | Pacific Fleet Angels | -- |
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 The Black Aces VF-41 Patch |
 The Green Pawns VA42 Patch |
 VAH-6 Det. "N" (this was a patch created for Lt. Commander Love - the Commander of the Squadron) VAH-6 are known as "FLEURS" (squadron name) Aircraft were - AJ-2 Savage (they were used for refueling) |
CVA-20 USS BENNINGTON
1958 Aug 21 - 1959 Jan 13
3rd WestPac cruise
Matsu & Quemoy coast crisis patrol
Formosa Strait ops, 1958 Oct 12 - Nov 2, Nov 24 - Dec 3
ATG-4 embarked, Tail code ND
July 23, 1958 - CDR Royce A. Singleton - CO
August 1, 1958, was redesignated as VA-152
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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ATG-4 | - - - | F2H-3 |
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VFP-61 Det.K | Eyes of the Fleet | F9F-8P |
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A-1H 134-636 VA-216 Taken Jul '58 aboard USS Bennington Lt Jerry Tabrum is the pilot AND ND 507 VA-216 Taken Oct '58 aboard USS Bennington http://skyraider.org/skyassn/memberpics/tabrum/tabrum.htm |
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CVS-20 USS BENNINGTON
1960 Oct 1 - 1961 May 2
4th WestPac cruise
South China Sea, Laos crisis
CVSG-59 embarked, Tail code NT
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VS-33 | Screwbirds | S-2F-1 |
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VS-38 | Red Griffins | S-2F-1 |
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HS-8 | Eight Ballers | SH-34J |
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HSS-1 | -- | -- |
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HMR(L)-163 | Ridge Runners | -- |
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HUS-1 | -- | -- |
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VAW-11 Det. Q | Early Eleven | EA-1E |
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AD5W | Early Eleven | AD-5W |
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COD | -- | C-1A |
 CVSG-59 Patch |
THE EIGHT BALLERS  HELANTISUBRON EIGHT http://www.hs8.navy.mil/ (OPENS IN NEW WINDOW CLOSE IT TO RETURN HERE) |
HELANTISUBRON EIGHT (HS-8) |
CVS-20 USS BENNINGTON
1962 Jan 6 - 1962 Jul 25
5th WestPac cruise
South China Sea, Laos crisis
CVSG-59 embarked, Tail code NT
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VS-33 | Screwbirds | S-2 |
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VS-38 | Red Griffins | S-2 |
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HS-8 | Eight Ballers | SH-34J |
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VAW-11 DET. Q | Early Eleven | EA-1E |
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COD | -- | C-1A |
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VS-33
THE SCREWBIRDS  (OPENS IN NEW WINDOW CLOSE IT TO RETURN HERE) |
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VS-38
THE RED GRIFFINS   (OPENS IN NEW WINDOW CLOSE IT TO RETURN HERE) |
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VS-38 DEACTIVATED Click To Read Report |
CVS-20 USS BENNINGTON
1964 Feb 19 - 1964 Sep 11
6th WestPac cruise
Pearl Harbor, Yokosuka, Sasebo, Hong Kong, Manila Bay - P.I.
CVSG-59 embarked, Tail code NT
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VS-33 | Screwbirds | S-2E |
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VS-38 | Red Griffins | S-2E |
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HS-8 | Eight Ballers | SH-3A |
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VAW-11 DET. Q | Early Eleven | EA-1E |
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VA-93 DET. Q |
Blue Blasters Blue Blazers |
A-4B Skyhawk |
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HU-1 DET. Q | Pacific Fleet Angels | UH-2A |
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COD | -- | C-1A |
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 Blue Blasters VA-93 DET. Q |
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1965 Mar 22 - 1965 Oct 7
7th WestPac cruise
1st Vietnam war cruise. ASW & SAR patrols
CVSG-59 embarked, Tail code NT
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VS-33 | Screwbirds | S-2E |
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VS-38 | Red Griffins | S-2E |
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HS-8 | Eight Ballers | SH-3A |
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VAW-11 DET.Q | Early Eleven | E-1B |
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VA-113 DET.Q | Stingers | A-4B |
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COD | -- | C-1A |
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STINGERS  (OPENS IN NEW WINDOW CLOSE IT TO RETURN HERE) |
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1966 Nov 4 - 1967 May 23
8th WestPac cruise
2nd Vietnam cruise. ASW & SAR patrols. Australia
CVSG-59 embarked, Tail code NT
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VS-33 | Screwbirds | S-2E |
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VS-38 | Red Griffins | S-2E |
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HS-8 | Eight Ballers | SH-3A |
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VAW-11 DET.Q | Early Eleven | E-1B |
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COD | -- | C-1A |
1968 May 1 - 1968 Nov 9
9th WestPac cruise
3rd Vietnam war cruise. Sea of Japan exercises
CVSG-59 embarked, Tail code NT
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Squadron | Aircraft | |
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VS-33 | Screwbirds | S-2E |
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VS-38 | Red Griffins | S-2E |
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HS-8 | Eight Ballers | SH-3A |
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VAW-111 DET.20 | Hunters | E-1B - - - (See Below) |
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COD | Bu.No.146042 | C-1A |
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--- | --- | --- |
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HC-7 - Det. 110 | Seadevils | --- |
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Paul Trombetta wrote: Don't forget that when the Benny was on Yankee station in 1968 and beyond, squadron HC-7 would deploy aboard (crossdeck) and operate combat search and rescue until the Benny left yankee station for a liberty port. HC-7 would then cross deck to another carrier. HC-7 stayed on yankee station continuously from Feb. 1968 until the end of the viet nam war, providing combat search and rescue for all downed pilots, including those in country. The aircraft had all the sonar gear removed and M-60's mounted in the forward and read doors. They carried grenade launchers and other weapons as well. Mini guns were eventually mounted on these aircraft. A high speed hoist was used and many modern rescue techniques in the water were pioneered by HC-7. HC-7 deserves a place in your airgroup section. It's properly labeled HC-7 Det. 110, and they were aboard during the yankee station periods in 1968 and everytime the benny was in yankee station thereafter. How do I know? I transferred to HC-7 det 110 and loaded aboard the Kearsarge on Feb. 1, 1968 to respond to the Tet offensive. This was the first Det 110 and I spent 75 days at sea assigned with 30 other enlisted men, setting up this detachment and 6 combat sar aircraft. In that 75 day period I was aboard the Kearsarge, Yorktown, Enterprise and Kitty Hawk. If anyone is interested, HC-7 has a website- http://www.hc7seadevils.org/ The most decorated squadron of the viet nam war. Thanks for listening, Paul Trombetta |
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1968 May 1 - 1968 Nov 9
| VS-33(S-2E) | VS-38(S-2E) | HS-8(SH-3A) |
| 10 151666 | 30 152827 | 50 |
| 11 149852 | 31 152808 | 51 149902 |
| 12 152332 | 32 152807 | 52 149908 |
| 13 | 33 | 53 |
| 14 151667 | 34 149887 | 54 149706 |
| 15 149883 | 35 149868 | 55 |
| 16 149869 | 36 152333 | 56 149900 |
| 17 152806 | 37 149845 | 57 |
| 18 152809 | 38 149881 | 58 |
| 19 149850 | 39 149853 | 59 149727 |
| 20 149854 | -- | 60 149906 |
| -- 149852 | -- | 61 |
| -- 149860 | -- | 62 151541 |
| -- 152335 | -- | xx 149901(*1) |
| -- 152336 | -- | -- |
| -- 152340 | -- | -- |
| -- 152809 | -- | -- |
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VAW-111 DET.20(E-1B) |
COD(C-1A) |
| 760-148920 | 042 146042 |
| 761-147240 | -- |
| 762-147238 | -- |
| 763-147227 | -- |
Have you ever wanted to know what the significance is of the different colors of shirts worn by the flight deck crew? Well, here is what each color is responsible for.
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Yellow Aircraft handling officers Catapult and Arresting Gear Officers Plane directors |
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Green Catapult and arresting gear crews Air wing maintenance personnel Air wing quality control personnel Cargo-handling personnel Ground Support Equipment (GSE) troubleshooters Hook runners Photographer's Mates Helicopter landing signal enlisted personnel (LSE) |
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Brown Air wing plane captains Air wing line leading petty officers |
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Blue Plane Handlers Aircraft elevator Operators Tractor Drivers Messengers and Phone Talkers |
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Purple Aviation Fuels (AKA "Grapes") |
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Red Ordnancemen Crash and Salvage Crews Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) |
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White Squadron plane inspectors Landing Signal Officer (LSO) Air Transfer Officers (ATO) Liquid Oxygen (LOX) crews Safety Observers Medical personnel |
1 September 1999
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