FLEET COMPOSITE SQUADRON 6 (VC-6)

• Establishment and Mission: Fleet Composite Squadron 6 (VC-6) was originally established to provide a variety of specialized services to the U.S. Navy, including target towing, electronic warfare training, and aerial target operations. • Nickname: VC-6 was known as the "Firebees," a nod to their extensive use of the Ryan Firebee unmanned aerial target drones. • Drone Pioneers: The squadron was one of the first to operate and maintain remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), pioneering the use of drones for training and testing purposes within the Navy. • Location: VC-6 was based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk, Virginia, but also operated detachments at other locations as needed to support fleet requirements. • Wide-Ranging Support: The unit provided vital support to both Atlantic and Pacific Fleet units, simulating enemy threats and offering live-fire training opportunities with their drone services. • Aircraft Operated: Over its history, the squadron operated various aircraft in addition to drones, including the S-2 Tracker, A-3 Skywarrior, and P-3 Orion. • Final Navy Drone Squadron: VC-6 was the last U.S. Navy squadron dedicated solely to drone operations, marking the end of an era when it was disestablished. • Disestablishment: The squadron was officially disestablished in 2008, with its mission and responsibilities absorbed by other Navy units and contractors. • Real-World Operations: In addition to training, VC-6 drones were sometimes used in real-world scenarios, such as tracking and simulating cruise missiles for fleet air defense exercises. • Legacy: The techniques and procedures developed by VC-6 for drone operations laid the groundwork for today’s advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs in the U.S. Navy and other branches of the military.