VA-113 DET-Q, Attack Squadron 113 Detachment Q

Attack Squadron 113 Detachment Q
VA-113 DET-Q

USS Benningtion West Pacific Cruise Vietnam
March 22, 1965 - October 7, 1965

Gary Odom AE3

Photos by Gary Odom

My 21st birthday. These guys surprised me with a BD cake that someone managed to get made for me. This was taken in the ships radio station where I acted as a DJ part time. (mostly just playing records) - Gary

Darvin Krenning AE2 and K. Newell AE3

Bob Swanson and J. Browning. The picture was made in our "electrical shop" on the port bow which was entered from the catwalk.

Dan Dishneau

Gary Odom, Bob Walker YN3 and Harvey Caldwell

A. Cadoria

On 21 May 1965, A VA-113 Det-Q A4b BuNo. 144938 had to be cut loose from the arresting gear cable and let it sink. It fell over the port side when landing. We were in a very bad rain storm and several attempts had been made to land and he was running low on fuel. This was the last chance he had to land...Just before he touched down the Captain turn the ship to starboard leaning the ship to the port side causing the plane to slide off the port side with the pilot in it. The pilot was Marc Pierce. He was beat up and bruised but survived OK and after some time off, he flew again. The A4b was replaced with BuNo. 142920.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE, SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1965
Writer Finds Navy Role in Viet Complex

Reports 7th Fleet Maneuvers in China Sea

"The Bennington has yet to launch any weapon in earnest, but one of the helicopter pilots, Lt. David Zane North Merrick N. Y., already has two rescues to his credit. He picked up a flyer from the carrier Midway and also one of the Bennington's own fliers, Lt. Mark Pierce, whose Skyhawk jet interceptor slipped over the side while landing in rough weather. The landing cable held the plane fast, dunking only the nose and cockpit in the water. Pierce freed himself, floated from the cockpit and was back on the ship in less than a minute."

More of Gary's Photos 1. Photos by Gary Odom
2. Replenishing is rough seas
3. USS Bennington CVS-20 Yokosuka 1965

When Va-113 Det Q returned to the United States, it disbanded and merged with Antisubmarine Warfare Fighter Squadron One (VSF-1).
The newly formed Squadron was stationed at Naval Air Station Alameda on the beautiful San Francisco Bay.

Site Search

Support the NAS Alameda Naval Air Museum and the USS Hornet Museum
bswanson7@sbcglobal.net

	Naval Air Station Alameda VSF-1 Home Duty Station		Alameda Naval Air Museum Naval Air Station Alameda
	USS Hornet Museum (CVS-12) Naval Air Station Alameda		Help for Local California Veterans