Just stumbled on these images from a bittersweet event in 2003
030823-N-4459K-005 Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. (Aug. 23, 2003) -- Commander Thomas J. McDonough, commanding officer of Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) “Redtails,” is presented with the disestablishment pennant as the last TA-4J “Skyhawk “ squadron is retired. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Anthony M. Koch. (RELEASED)
030408-O-9999M-001 Oakland, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2003) -- A TA-4 Skyhawk from the “Redtails” of Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) taxis to a stop in front of Alaska Airlines’ maintenance facility after a ferry flight from Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The aircraft will be de-milled (rendered incapable of flight) and then put on display aboard the USS Hornet museum at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Alameda, Calif., a few miles away. VC-8, which has been awarded the Battle Efficiency Award and Search-and-Rescue Award this year is also in the running for the Chief of Naval Operation’s Safety Award. The unit will disestablish by Sept. 30, after more than 40 years of service. U.S. Navy photo by Erick McCarthy. (RELEASED)
030430-N-2656M-001 Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico (Apr. 30, 2003) – Airman Carrie Bradshaw exchanges salutes with Cmdr. Tom McDonough, Commanding Officer of Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8), prior to the departure of the last active TA-4 Skyhawk in the U.S. Navy. The jet, which served the Navy and U.S. Marine Corps for more than 40 years, has been donated to the Glen Martin Aviation Museum in Baltimore. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Landon Mason. (RELEASED)
030206-N-1374S-066 Vieques, Puerto Rico (Feb. 6, 2003) - TA-4J Sky Hawks assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) perform a final fly-by over the Live Impact Area (LIA) on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. The primary mission of the Vieques training range is to support Joint Task Force Exercises (JTFEX) and training missions of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Brian W. Stueber. (RELEASED)
030823-N-4459K-001 Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. (Aug. 23, 2003) -- Honored guests and participants render honors during the singing of the national anthem at the disestablishment ceremony for Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) “Redtails,” the last TA-4J “Skyhawk” squadron. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Anthony M. Koch. (RELEASED)
030823-N-4459K-005 Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. (Aug. 23, 2003) -- Commander Thomas J. McDonough, commanding officer of Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) “Redtails,” is presented with the disestablishment pennant as the last TA-4J “Skyhawk “ squadron is retired. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Anthony M. Koch. (RELEASED)
030408-O-9999M-001 Oakland, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2003) -- A TA-4 Skyhawk from the “Redtails” of Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) taxis to a stop in front of Alaska Airlines’ maintenance facility after a ferry flight from Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The aircraft will be de-milled (rendered incapable of flight) and then put on display aboard the USS Hornet museum at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Alameda, Calif., a few miles away. VC-8, which has been awarded the Battle Efficiency Award and Search-and-Rescue Award this year is also in the running for the Chief of Naval Operation’s Safety Award. The unit will disestablish by Sept. 30, after more than 40 years of service. U.S. Navy photo by Erick McCarthy. (RELEASED)
030430-N-2656M-001 Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico (Apr. 30, 2003) – Airman Carrie Bradshaw exchanges salutes with Cmdr. Tom McDonough, Commanding Officer of Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8), prior to the departure of the last active TA-4 Skyhawk in the U.S. Navy. The jet, which served the Navy and U.S. Marine Corps for more than 40 years, has been donated to the Glen Martin Aviation Museum in Baltimore. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Landon Mason. (RELEASED)
030206-N-1374S-066 Vieques, Puerto Rico (Feb. 6, 2003) - TA-4J Sky Hawks assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) perform a final fly-by over the Live Impact Area (LIA) on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. The primary mission of the Vieques training range is to support Joint Task Force Exercises (JTFEX) and training missions of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Brian W. Stueber. (RELEASED)
030823-N-4459K-001 Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. (Aug. 23, 2003) -- Honored guests and participants render honors during the singing of the national anthem at the disestablishment ceremony for Fleet Composite Squadron Eight (VC-8) “Redtails,” the last TA-4J “Skyhawk” squadron. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Anthony M. Koch. (RELEASED)
