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Scheduled for disestablishment in September 1994, NAS Miramar’s VF-126 Bandits (originally. Sea- hawks) began its naval service 6 April 1956 as VA-126, an operational fleet unit of Air Group 12. Initially equipped with the F7U-3 Cutlass, the squadron soon transitioned to the F9F-8B Cougar and then, in 1958, to the FJ-4B Fury. During its 38-year history, the squadron also flew the AD Skyraider, the TF-9J Cougar, and the F-5E Tiger II, as well as the T-2C Buckeye and, finally, the F-16N Falcon. But VF-126 is most closely identified with the famed A-4 Skyhawk. As VA-126, the unit began flying the A4D-1 in late 1958 and subsequently operated the TA-4F/J, A-4E and F models in a variety of roles until the present time.
Difficulties with the F7U-3 caused VA-126 to miss CVG-12’s final deployment in 1957 as a fleet air group. In late 1959, the Navy established the Fleet Replacement Air Group training concept; CVG-12 became the Pacific Fleet training group and VA-126 assumed responsibility as the light-attack training squadron. In 1960, the unit acquired the additional roles of jet transitional and instrument training for Pacific Fleet aviators.
With the Navy’s base-loading concept concentrating its Pacific Fleet fighter units at Miramar and attack squadrons at NAS Lemoore, VA-126 established Det. Alfa in 1961 at the newly opened central California air station and operated as a split unit until reconsolidating at Miramar in August 1962.
The loss of its light attack training role and the Vietnam War prompted the Navy to provide increased emphasis on air combat manuevering (ACM) training and brought about VA-126’s redesignation to VF-126 on 18 Aug 1965. In 1980, the squadron’s primary mission was changed from instrument training to adversary training; in 1981 VF-126 assumed a new insignia and the nickname Bandits to more accurately relied its status. In 1978, the squadron assumed a third mission to provide out-of-control flight training (spin training) for Pacific Fleet units. VF-126 is the holder of numerous citations, including several CNO Flight Safety Awards. The value of the training provided by VF-126—which has resulted in the saving of countless lives and aircraft—can never be calculated.
Proceedings / April 1994