| Fighter Squadron Composite 13 (VFC-13) | |
|---|---|
VFC-13 Insignia. Includes the wings worn by the highest classification of Soviet fighter pilot, the "Sniper". |
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| Active | 1 September 1973 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Adversary Squadron |
| Size | 33 Enlisted, 36 Officers |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Fallon |
| Nickname | "Saints" |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Northrop F-5 |
Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC-13) Saints is a US Navy fighter squadron that provides adversary training for U.S. Navy air wings at NAS Fallon, Nevada.
VFC-13 uses "Bogey" as its main radio callsign.
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VFC-13 was established as Fleet Composite Squadron THIRTEEN (VC-13) on 1 September 1973[1] at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana when the US Navy reorganized the US Naval Reserve and the Naval Air Reserve Force (NAVAIRESFOR). The squadron first flew the Chance-Vought F-8 Crusader, and had 17 officers and 127 enlisted men within its ranks, most were former members of VSF-76 and VSF-86. In April 1974 they transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk.
The demand for west coast adversary squadrons and other fleet support missions resulted in the squadron relocating to NAS Miramar, California in February 1976. In the summer of 1976, VC-13 added the two seat TA-4J to the single seat A-4L in their aircraft complement.
In 1983, the squadron returned to strictly single-seat aircraft when they transitioned to the A-4E, and in 1988 they upgraded to the more powerful A-4F.
On 22 Apr 1988, the squadron was re-designated Fighter Composite Squadron THIRTEEN (VFC-13)[2] and briefly transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet, which further enhanced the squadron's ability to perform its adversary mission by providing an even more capable and realistic threat aircraft. When Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action resulted in the transfer of NAS Miramar back to the US Marine Corps and its redesignation as MCAS Miramar, the Navy relocated the Naval Fighter Weapons School, or TOPGUN, to NAS Fallon, Nevada as part of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC).
VFC-13 transferred to NAS Fallon in April 1996 and also transitioned to the F-5E Tiger II.
The unit's mix of 23 F-5E, F-5F and F-5N aircraft are all painted in a variety of colorful adversary schemes of blue, gray, or brown camouflage.
In January 2006, VFC-13 established a permanent detachment of 12 aircraft at NAS Key West, Florida for East Coast training. Subsequently, in the fall of 2006, the VFC-13 Key West detachment was re-designated as a separate squadron, VFC-111, with an assignment of one F-5F and 10 F-5N. In parallel, the eleven aircraft strength of VFC-13 at NAS Fallon was increased to 17 F-5s.
VFC-13 provides adversary training for Navy and Marine Corps Active and Reserve fleet and replacement squadrons, carrier air wings and Marine aircraft groups, USAF units, to include Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, and Canadian Forces. The Fighting Saints have received two consecutive CNO Safety Awards, the Golden Wrench Maintenance Award, and in 1994, the Battle "E" award.
The Saints are manned with 69 Navy personnel including 33 enlisted and 36 officers. The 33 enlisted personnel provide critical operations, administrative, safety and training support to the squadron. Maintenance support is for the F-5E and is provided by civilians who work for the Sikorsky Corporation. The 40-member officer wardroom includes 25 Selected Reserve (SELRES), 5 Regular Navy and 10 Full Time Support (FTS) officers. These three elements of the Saints combine to fly over 5,000 adversary sorties per year in support of US Navy Fighter squadrons and their air wings, as well as USAF, USMC and Canadian forces.
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