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Airtevron Five Patch
from Gary Verver |
Airdevron Five Barracks
Photo from Ken Savage |
Air-to-air refueling
Photo from Tom Scott |
Air Development Squadron FIVE (VX-5), was
commissioned on 18 June 1951 at NAS Moffett Field, California, with 15 officers,
100 enlisted men, and nine AD Skyraider aircraft. The Squadron, under the
operational control of Commander, Operational Development Force, now Commander
Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR), was assigned to develop and
evaluate aircraft tactics and techniques for delivery of airborne special
weapons.
Over the years, VX-5 has maintained numerous
detachments around the U.S. to take full advantage of the variety and diversity
of facilities available, and to help keep the Squadron abreast of the latest
fleet tactics. These detachments have included NAS Oceana, VA; Naval Weapons
Evaluation Facility, Albuquerque, NM; NAS Whidbey Island, WA; and NAS Sanford,
FL.
In July 1956 VX-5 moved to the Naval Air
Facility, China Lake, CA, as an independent tenant command because of the
availability of vastly improved ranges and instrumentation facilities. In
January of 1985, the VX-5 Detachment at Whidbey Island, which oversaw
developments relating to the EA-6B weapon system, was relocated to China Lake.
Since then, temporary detachments have been made nationwide from Alaska to
Florida, as required to test airborne weapons in a variety of conditions. To
keep pace with the changes and improvements in Navy weapon systems since VX-5's
commissioning, the Squadron's mission has evolved over the years to include
independent operational test and evaluation of all air-dropped munitions
destined for use in the attack role by the Fleet and Marine Corps; development
of initial tactics to be employed with new weapon systems; and incorporation of
electronic warfare advances into the self-defense capability of attack aircraft.
In June 1993, the CNO directed the
consolidation of VX-4 and VX-5 into a single operational test and evaluation
squadron designated as VX-9, with a permanent F-14 Detachment located at Point
Mugu, CA. This initiative was launched as part of the "right-sizing" of our
Naval Forces in the aftermath of the Cold War.
Squadron Patch:
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| Airdevron 5 |
Airtevron 5
Patch from G. Verver |
Airtevron 9
Patch from G. Verver |
Airtevron 9
Patch from G. Verver |
- In 1951 the original VX-5 squadron members sat down to design an emblem
that would reflect their squadron's mission. They faced several problems:
first, the design had to be within guidelines set by the Chief of Naval
Operations, and the proposed emblem would have to be officially approved.
Second, since the mission of VX-5 was to develop day and night, all-weather
attack tactics, the task of designing a meaningful symbol to signify that
broad a charter was not a simple one.
- The central symbol, the "Vampire" bat, was picked for its notorious
night-flying abilities. The blue and gold background (as well as being Navy
colors) represents the squadron's all-weather capabilities, with the sun and
moon included to represent day and night capabilities. Lightning bolts from
under the bat's wings depict VX-9's role in strike aviation. The burst at the
bottom of the emblem represents a bomb burst and is normally depicted in red,
gold and green. In 1994, the four stars were added in remembrance of the
disestablishment of VX-4.
- The squadron's emblem is used on everything from aircraft to stationery
and can also be seen on the patches worn on jackets and flight gear by
squadron personnel. The largest examples of the Vampires' emblem can be seen
today on the east and west walls of VX-9's Hangar One at Armitage Field.
Handle:
VX-5 Vampires Heritage:
- Air Development Squadron FIVE (VX-5), was commissioned
on 18 June 1951 at NAS Moffett Field, CA. The on-line 1954
Moffett Field 'Cruise' Book includes photos of VX-5 personnel.
- Detachments have included NAS Oceana, VA; NWEF,
Albuquerque, NM; NAS Whidbey Island, WA; and NAS Sanford, FL
- July 1956 VX-5 moved to the Naval Air Facility, China
Lake, CA, as an independent tenant command
- January 1985, the VX-5 Detachment at Whidbey Island,
which oversaw developments relating to the EA-6B weapon system, was relocated
to China Lake
- June 1993 VX-5 and VX-4 were combined to create VX-9
located at Pt. Mugu, CA
VX-5 & VX-9 Commanding Officers:
Events:
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Inclusive Dates: |
No info
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Awards:
| Award |
Inclusive Dates: |
No info
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