  | A gorgeous morning greeted us along with the excitement of a base visit to NAS Fallon, a brief stop to photograph an A-7 on a pole by a car lot then we were back on our way to the current home of the Fighting Saints of VFC-13, the Desert Outlaws of Strike Fighter Weapons Det. and Naval Strike Air Warfare Centre, NSAWC. |
| As you can see from the accompanying photographs, we were treated to magnificent access whilst on base, photographing the aggressor ramp while ground crews prepared the F-5’s, F-16’s and F-18’s and SH-60F helicopters for launch. On the viewing gallery of the control tower which commands stunning views of the airfield and aircraft as they break for their downwind leg before turning onto finals. We were fortunate to be in attendance at the same time as a Strike Force Detachment where I counted the following squadrons present, VFA-11, Red Rippers, VFA-32 Swordsmen, VFA-34 Blue Blasters, VFA-37 Bulls, VFA-105 Gunslingers, VFA-137 Kestrels, VFA-151 Vigilantes together with VMFA-115 Silver Eagles, VMFA-251 Thunderbolts and a gorgeous EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-129(FRS) Vikings from Whidbey Island. |
| I couldn’t make out the unit for the upgraded E-2C’s sporting their eight bladed props but I’m sure someone will tell me in good time. We were also granted permission to visit the Kfir ramp, where two of these stunning aircraft operated by Airborne Tactical Advantage Co (ATAC), were prepared and ready to launch, together with an S-3 Viking looking resplendent in its CAG colour scheme and an HH-IH Huey in Navy Rescue markings. Whilst there an F/A-18 of VFA-151 Vigilantes taxied to a stop directly in front of us. Finally after a visit to their souvenir store we were permitted to photograph the fantastic selection of aircraft in the preserved park, a Vigilante by the PAO's office and the gate guardians. |
| Built in 1942 as part of the Western Defence Programme to repel an expected Japanese attack on the west coast along with Winnemucca, Minden and Lovelock, Fallon with its two 5,200 feet runways was the preferred choice of the Navy and in 1943 building work began. Barracks, air traffic control, hangers and target ranges were soon completed and on 10th June 1944 Naval Auxiliary Air Station Fallon was commissioned to train Navy pilots in practical surroundings utilizing tactics and weaponry being developed at the time. Shortly after construction work at the airfield was completed and training was at its peak the Japanese surrendered and soon after NAAS Fallon was placed in a status of reduced operation. Further reduced one month later to maintenance status until on 1st June 1946 the NAAS designation was removed and the base was further reduced to caretaker status. |
| The Korean conflict brought about the need to resume pilot training, this time with new jet aircraft and in 1953 NAAS Fallon was reestablished. In 1958 the airfield became known as Van Voorhis Field, named after Lieutenant Commander Bruce Avery Van Voorhis a WWII naval aviator and posthumous recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honour who, after earning his wings in 1931, served with several units both at home and overseas. At the height of the conflict in the Pacific during WWII Van Voorhis reported for duty with Bombing Squadron 102 as plane commander of a PB4Y-1. After a 700mile solo flight on 6th July 1943 he commenced consecutive bombing and strafing attacks on Japanese ground installations, obliterating a radio station, anti-aircraft emplacement and at least four enemy aircraft. Caught in his own bomb blast Van Voorhis died when his aircraft crashed into a lagoon near Hare Island in the Western Pacific. For the next nineteen years the airfield remained known as Van Voorhis Field and the 858th air defence group of the Air Force carried out part of the U.S. early warning radar system role. |
| NAS Fallon was commissioned on 1st January 1972 after the Navy upgraded the base to major command recognizing the importance of Fallon and its sophisticated electronic warfare ranges. A new ramp and hanger were built in 1995 to facilitate the Navy Fighter Weapons School TOPGUN which moved from Miramar when their old home was transferred to the Marines and the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School TOPDOME which moved from San Diego in 1996. In July of that year the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Centre was established combining both these units with the Naval Strike Warfare Centre. |
| The origins of the Fighting Saints of VFC-13 goes back to 1946 when VF-753 of the same name was commissioned flying F6F-5 Hellcats. Created on 1st September 1973 at NAS New Orleans, the Saints initially operated the Chance Vought F-8H Crusader until 1974 when the squadron made the conversion to the A-4L Skyhawk. In February 1976 with the extra demand for west coast adversary services together with other fleet support missions, they were permanently transferred to Miramar where the transition through various models of the Skyhawk took place. From the single seat A-4L to the two seat TA-4J, then returning to the single seat variant A-4E until finally in 1988 the more powerful A-4F ‘Super Fox’. The unit was re designated Fighter Squadron Composite Thirteen or as we more commonly refer to it VFC-13 in the same year and the unit’s new logo incorporated the sniper, the wings worn by the highest classification of Soviet fighter pilot. In April 1996 VFC-13 relocated to its current home at NAS Fallon where they fly the gorgeous F-5E/F Tiger II. |
| | words by
Brian Clark
images by
Matt Critchley
special thanks to
Zip Upham
NAS Fallon PAO Office |
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