US Naval Aviation in the 1980s: Marine Corps, Naval Training, Test and Reserve Air Stations

This volume covers training, reserve, test, and US Marine Corps air stations, with US Marine Corps aviation squadrons participating in combat operations and supplementing older types with new ones. Naval Education and Training Command oversaw the 'Street to Fleet process, recruiting civilians and turning them into combat-ready naval personnel. The Naval Air Reserve was a reflection of the frontline it was intended to support in wartime, and Naval Air Systems Command used various naval aviation aircraft types to conduct research, testing, and evaluation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

This, the second of two volumes covering United States Naval Aviation in the 1980s, completes the story by exploring training, reserve, test, and US Marine Corps air stations. US Marine Corps aviation squadrons took part in combat operations, while supplementing older types like the A-4 and F-4, with new types including the AV-8B, CH-53E, and F/A-18. Naval Education and Training Command oversaw the 'Street to Fleet process, recruiting civilians and turning them into combat-ready naval personnel, including officer and enlisted aviation-rated personnel. The Naval Air Reserve was a reflection of the frontline it was intended to support in wartime, including two Carrier Air Wings and numerous other squadrons, which often operated older types. Naval Air Systems Command used every conceivable naval aviation aircraft type, as well as several non-standard types, to conduct research, testing, and evaluation.

Take a step inside the day-to-day operations of Naval Aviation in the 1980s.

Training:
Naval Aviation in the 1980s saw a significant shift towards training civilians and transforming them into combat-ready naval personnel. The 'Street to Fleet process' was overseen by Naval Education and Training Command, which recruited civilians and trained them to become officers and enlisted aviation-rated personnel. This process involved rigorous training in areas such as aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, and flight operations.

Reserve:
The Naval Air Reserve played a crucial role in supporting naval operations in the 1980s. Comprising two Carrier Air Wings and numerous other squadrons, the Naval Air Reserve often operated older types of aircraft, such as the A-4 and F-4. These squadrons were vital in providing support to frontline naval units during wartime.

Test and Evaluation:
Naval Air Systems Command utilized a wide range of naval aviation aircraft types to conduct research, testing, and evaluation. This included both standard and non-standard types of aircraft, such as the F-14 Tomcat, F-18 Hornet, and EA-6B Prowler. The purpose of these activities was to improve the performance, reliability, and safety of naval aviation equipment and to develop new technologies for future use.

US Marine Corps Air Stations:
The US Marine Corps also played a significant role in Naval Aviation in the 1980s. Marine Corps aviation squadrons took part in combat operations, supplementing older types of aircraft with new types such as the AV-8B Harrier, CH-53E Super Stallion, and F/A-18 Hornet. These squadrons were deployed to various locations around the world, including the Middle East, South Asia, and the Pacific, to support Marine Corps ground forces.

Conclusion:
Naval Aviation in the 1980s was a dynamic and evolving field that played a crucial role in supporting naval operations worldwide. The training, reserve, test, and US Marine Corps air stations were all integral parts of this process, and their contributions were essential in ensuring the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of naval aviation equipment.

Weight: 310g
Dimension: 164 x 233 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398111011