U.S. Navy

Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) "Blue Hawks" was a distinguished United States Navy attack squadron established in 1945. Originally designated as Bomber-Fighter Squadron VBF-18, it was redesignated several times before becoming VA-72 in 1955. The Blue Hawks participated in major Cold War and postwar operations, including deployments during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, where they flew the A-7E Corsair II in strike missions against Iraqi targets in 1991. The squadron was deactivated later in 1991, marking the end of nearly five decades of service.

Attack Squadron 113 (VA-113), known as the "Stingers," was a United States Navy attack squadron established on July 15, 1948. Initially flying the F8F Bearcat and later transitioning to jet aircraft such as the F9F Panther, F9F Cougar, and A-4 Skyhawk, VA-113 participated in combat operations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The squadron was renowned for its effectiveness in ground-attack missions, providing close air support and interdiction strikes. VA-113 was ultimately disestablished on October 1, 1977, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.

Attack Squadron 128 (VA-128), known as the "Golden Intruders," was a United States Navy attack squadron established on September 1, 1967. Its primary mission was to serve as a Fleet Replacement Squadron, training aircrews and maintenance personnel to operate the A-6 Intruder all-weather attack aircraft. Based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, VA-128 played a crucial role in preparing Navy personnel for combat and fleet assignments during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. The squadron was disestablished on September 30, 1995, following the retirement of the A-6 Intruder from active service.

Electronic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133), known as the "Wizards," was established in 1969 as an electronic warfare unit in the United States Navy. Originally flying the EKA-3B Skywarrior, the squadron later transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler, specializing in electronic attack and suppression of enemy air defenses. VAQ-133 has participated in numerous deployments and combat operations, including missions during the Cold War and in the Middle East. Today, the squadron operates the EA-18G Growler, continuing its vital role in providing electronic warfare support to the fleet.

VC-1, or Composite Squadron One, was a United States Navy aviation unit established during World War II. Formed in 1943, VC-1 was part of the "composite squadron" concept, providing both fighter and anti-submarine capabilities aboard escort carriers. The squadron flew aircraft such as the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat and the TBM Avenger, conducting vital anti-submarine patrols and convoy protection missions in the Atlantic theater. VC-1 contributed to the safe passage of Allied shipping by countering the threat posed by German U-boats, playing a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic before being disestablished in 1945.

VC-5, originally established as Composite Squadron FIVE (VC-5) by the U.S. Navy in 1948, was a pioneering unit in carrier-based airborne early warning (AEW) and electronic warfare. The squadron initially operated TBM Avenger aircraft and later transitioned to the AD Skyraider and other specialized platforms, conducting vital night attack and electronic countermeasure missions. Throughout the 1950s and into the early 1960s, VC-5 played a key role in testing and developing electronic warfare tactics for carrier operations. The squadron was eventually redesignated as VAQ-135 in 1968, continuing its legacy under a new name as part of the evolving electronic attack community.

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113), known as the "Stingers," was established in 1948 as VF-113 and originally flew the F8F Bearcat. The squadron saw combat during the Korean War, operating from carriers and conducting ground attack missions. Over the decades, VFA-113 transitioned through several aircraft, including the F4U Corsair, F9F Panther, F-4 Phantom II, and the A-7 Corsair II, before becoming one of the first squadrons to fly the F/A-18 Hornet. Today, VFA-113 continues to operate from Naval Air Station Lemoore, providing carrier-based strike fighter capabilities for the U.S. Navy.

Patrol Squadron 64 (VP-64), known as the “Condors,” was a United States Navy Reserve patrol squadron established on 1 November 1970 at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The squadron operated various maritime patrol aircraft, including the P-3A and later P-3C Orion, conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. VP-64 participated in multiple training exercises and operational deployments, supporting both U.S. and NATO maritime security efforts during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods. The squadron was deactivated on 18 September 2004 as part of a broader reorganization of Navy Reserve aviation forces.

VS-38, known as the "Red Griffins," was a U.S. Navy anti-submarine squadron established in 1950. The unit served with distinction during the Korean War, Vietnam War, and throughout the Cold War, operating various carrier-based aircraft such as the S-2 Tracker and later the S-3 Viking. VS-38 was attached to multiple aircraft carriers, providing vital anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and maritime patrol capabilities. The squadron was decommissioned in 2004 as part of the Navy’s transition away from dedicated carrier-based ASW squadrons.

VT-23, known as the “Professionals,” was a United States Navy training squadron established in 1958 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. Originally designated as Advanced Training Unit TWENTY THREE (ATU-23), it was later redesignated VT-23 and became a key component in advanced naval aviator training. The squadron operated several aircraft over its history, including the T-2 Buckeye and later the T-45 Goshawk. VT-23 played a crucial role in preparing Navy and Marine Corps pilots for carrier-based operations until its deactivation in 2010.

The 4th Force Service Support Group (FSSG) has played a crucial logistical role within the United States Marine Corps Reserve, with elements historically stationed at locations such as Subic Bay, Philippines, and Naval Dental Center (NDC) Parris Island. Subic Bay was a key U.S. naval and Marine Corps logistics hub in Asia until its closure in the early 1990s, providing vital support during operations and exercises in the Pacific region. At Parris Island, the NDC component of the 4th FSSG supported Marine recruit training by delivering essential dental and medical services. Throughout its history, the 4th FSSG has demonstrated adaptability and effectiveness in sustaining Marine Corps operations both at home and abroad.

The 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade (9th MAB) was a rapid deployment force of the United States Marine Corps, established to provide amphibious and expeditionary capabilities in the Pacific region. Activated during the Vietnam War, the 9th MAB played a crucial role in contingency operations, including the evacuation of Saigon during Operation Frequent Wind in 1975. The unit was often tasked with crisis response missions, humanitarian assistance, and joint exercises throughout Asia. The brigade was eventually redesignated, with its legacy continuing in the modern expeditionary units of the USMC.

AD-23 is the hull classification symbol for USS *Piedmont*, a Dixie-class destroyer tender of the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1944 during World War II, USS *Piedmont* provided vital repair and logistic support to destroyers and smaller vessels in the Pacific Theater, including during the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, she continued serving through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, ensuring fleet readiness by maintaining and supplying ships in forward areas. *Piedmont* remained in active service until her decommissioning in 1982, marking nearly four decades of distinguished service to the U.S. Navy.

AIMD Powerplant at NAS Norfolk is a specialized division within the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, focused on the repair, maintenance, and testing of aircraft engines and related systems for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. Established to support the growing aviation needs at Naval Air Station Norfolk, the unit has played a vital role in ensuring the operational readiness of carrier-based and shore-based aircraft since the mid-20th century. AIMD Powerplant’s skilled personnel maintain and overhaul a variety of turbine and jet engines, contributing significantly to mission success during peacetime operations and combat deployments. Over the decades, the unit has adapted to evolving technologies, continuously enhancing its capabilities to support modern naval aviation.

**USS Paul Revere (APA-220)** was a Haskell-class attack transport that served in the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1944 during World War II, the ship was primarily involved in transporting troops and equipment to various Pacific Theater operations. After the war, APA-220 supported occupation duties in Japan and participated in repatriation efforts. Decommissioned in 1946, the vessel was later recommissioned for service during the Korean War before being finally retired and struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

AR 26, officially known as Artillery Regiment 26, was a unit of the German Wehrmacht active during World War II. Formed in the late 1930s, AR 26 was initially attached to the 26th Infantry Division and participated in the early campaigns of the war, including the invasions of Poland and France. The regiment provided crucial fire support on the Eastern Front, particularly during Operation Barbarossa and subsequent engagements against Soviet forces. AR 26 continued to serve until the final stages of the war, where it faced heavy losses in the defensive battles on the Eastern Front before being disbanded at the war’s end.

USS Sterrett (CG-31) was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser commissioned by the United States Navy in 1967. Throughout her service, she played a significant role during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties, and missile defense for aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. In the 1970s and 1980s, Sterrett participated in numerous exercises and operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, demonstrating the Navy’s global reach during the Cold War. After over two decades of distinguished service, USS Sterrett was decommissioned in 1994 and eventually scrapped.

**Commander, Carrier Group THREE (COMCARGRU-3)**, established in 1944, has played a pivotal role in the United States Navy's power projection and maritime security operations. Initially formed during World War II, the unit participated in major Pacific campaigns, supporting carrier strike operations against Japanese forces. Throughout the Cold War and into the 21st century, COMCARGRU-3 commanded carrier strike groups, leading deployments in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. The command was eventually redesignated as Carrier Strike Group THREE (CSG-3), continuing its legacy of operational excellence within the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

COMCRUDESFLOT 8, short for Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Eight, was a United States Navy formation established during the Cold War. Activated in the early 1960s, COMCRUDESFLOT 8 operated primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters, serving as a key surface action group under the U.S. Sixth Fleet. The unit was responsible for overseeing multiple cruisers and destroyers, providing anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine capabilities to support fleet operations and NATO commitments. COMCRUDESFLOT 8 was eventually redesignated as Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight (COMCRUDESGRU 8) in the 1970s, reflecting evolving Navy organizational structures.

USS William C. Miller (DE-684) was a Buckley-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in 1943 and commissioned in 1944, she was primarily tasked with escorting convoys across the Atlantic, protecting them from German U-boat attacks. The ship played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare and convoy protection until the end of the war. After the war, USS William C. Miller was decommissioned in 1947 and eventually sold for scrap in 1974.

**Military Unit DE1043** Military unit DE1043 was established in 1984 as a mechanized infantry battalion within the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces. Initially stationed in Lower Saxony, the unit played a crucial role in NATO exercises throughout the late Cold War, focusing on rapid deployment and defensive operations. Following German reunification, DE1043 participated in peacekeeping missions in the Balkans under IFOR/SFOR mandates, gaining recognition for its professionalism and adaptability. In recent years, the unit has been involved in multinational training operations and has contributed personnel to deployments in Afghanistan as part of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission.

**F.T.G. GITMO (Fleet Training Group, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) Military History** The Fleet Training Group (F.T.G.) at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba—commonly known as "GITMO"—was established in 1949 to provide comprehensive training for U.S. Navy ships and crews. Its mission was to ensure operational readiness through intensive exercises in gunnery, damage control, engineering, and tactical maneuvers. During the Cold War, F.T.G. GITMO played a crucial role in preparing Atlantic Fleet vessels, particularly during periods of heightened tension such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. The unit earned a reputation as the Navy's premier training center, instilling discipline and combat proficiency in generations of sailors.

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Fourteen (HS-14), known as the "Chargers," was established in 1984 as a U.S. Navy helicopter unit. Originally based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, HS-14 operated primarily with the SH-3H Sea King and later transitioned to the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. The squadron's primary mission was anti-submarine warfare (ASW), but it also provided search and rescue (SAR), anti-surface warfare, and logistics support, often deploying with Carrier Air Wing Five aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and later the USS George Washington. In 2013, HS-14 was redesignated as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Fourteen (HSC-14), reflecting a broader mission set with the introduction of the MH-60S Seahawk.

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25), known as the "Island Knights," is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Established in 1984 as HC-5 and later redesignated HSC-25 in 2005, the unit operates the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter. HSC-25 provides vital combat support, search and rescue, logistics, and humanitarian assistance throughout the Western Pacific. The squadron is also the Navy’s only forward-deployed vertical replenishment unit in the Pacific, supporting both Navy and joint forces in the region.