The F8U (after 1962, F-8) Crusader first flew on 25 March 1955. To salue the “Gunfighter,” how about this great laydown image.
A Vought F-8D Crusader with all of its possible armament: In the center in front of the aircraft lies an AGM-12C Bullpup missile, next to it are Mk 83 1,000 lb ordnance, AGM-12As, and Mk 82 500 lb ordnance. To the right and left of the F-8D are four AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles and two multiple ejector racks. Six LAU-3/A rocket launchers are carried on the underwing pylons, and four 5-inch “Zuni” rockets are fitted to the fuselage launch rails.
And, of course, you can’t have an awesome Cold War laydown image without looping in the back of Pink Floyd’s Ummagumma album!
Named in honor of the fleet admiral that oversaw the Pacific War, the USS Nimitz (CVAN/CVN-68) was ordered on 31 March 1967 and commissioned just over eight years later on 11 April 1975.
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) replenishes from USS Mount Baker (AE-34) during UNREP training on her shakedowns in Guantanamo Operations Area, Caribbean, 31 July 1975. At the time, her wing, CVW-8, had two F-4J Phantom squadrons (VF-31 and VMFA-333), two A-7E Corsair units (VA-82, VA-86), an A-6E Intruder squadron (VA-35), and assorted EA-6B, E-2B, and SH-3H dets. She has outlasted all of these types. NHHC K-109941
Even new math shows that her 50th anniversary is coming up in a few weeks, and she will celebrate it haze gray and underway on her 30th deployment- and that’s not even counting almost smashing the Kido Butai!
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) departed Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific on 21 March, with an all-DDG escort as the carrier has outlasted almost every U.S. cruiser that would have traditionally accompanied her.
Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Puget Sound after getting underway for a regularly scheduled Indo-Pacific deployment, March 21, 2025. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo 250321-N-QV399-1053 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Japeth Carter)
NIMCSG consists of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9.
The embarked air wing consists of nine squadrons flying F/A-18C/E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Hawkeyes, C-2A Greyhounds, and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks; Squadrons are the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94, “Kestrels” of VFA-137, “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, “Cougars” of VAQ-139, “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, “BattleCats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.
DESRON 9 consists of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123).
In this Winter 2025 issue of Army History, we are excited to share two outstanding articles, a look at an interesting Army artifact, a special feature that highlights both the art and artifacts of a famous artist, and a selection of quality book reviews.
The first article, by Donald Wright, details the transformation of the 7th Infantry Division into a light division, a concept that was developed toward the end of the Cold War.
The second article, by Ryan Hovatter, examines the career of Florida National Guard soldier Fred A. Safay. Hovatter expertly tells the story of this relatively unknown soldier, highlighting his service, warts and all.
The Artifact Spotlight for the issue shows us the High Standard Model HDMS pistol. This silenced .22-caliber pistol entered service in early 1944 and was used primarily for clandestine missions by members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).
This issue contains a slightly different feature, instead of our usual museum spotlight, which gives us the rare opportunity to look at not only some Army artwork but also some artifacts that belonged to the artist.
Some 50 years ago, a spectacular image of a Vought F-8J Crusader of VF-24, the “Fighting Renegades,” in flight, 1975.
U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.253.7337.016
Assigned to Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21) aboard the Essex-class fleet carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19), the Renegades deployed to the West Pac on “Hannah” from March 18 to October 20, 1975, a period that included the Fall of Saigon (Operation Frequent Wind).
Notably, it was the last of nine Vietnam deployments for Hancock, which was headed to mothballs, and the final Crusader deployment for VF-24, a type they had flown since 1956.
Upon return to San Diego, VF-24 on 9 December 1975 received its first F-14A and soon after updated its name to the “Red Checkertails,” one they would carry through 1996 when they were disestablished.
The seniormost blue-water cutter, the USCGC Reliance (WMEC-615), has been in service almost continuously since she was commissioned on 20 June 1964, with the only break being regular yard periods and a 20-month Major Maintenance Availability from April 1987 to January 1989.
Constructed across a 22-month period for the sum of $4,920,804 by the Todd Houston Shipbuilding Corporation, the country has gotten its money’s worth out of Hull 615.
The lead ship of her class of 16 cutters, she originally carried a CODAG propulsion system and a 3″/50 gun forward as well as weight and space reserved for ASW weapons to serve as a patrol escort in the event of WWIII.
This black and white photo shows newly the commissioned Reliance (WMEC-615) with an HH-52 Sea Guard helicopter landing on its pad and davits down with one of its small boats deployed. Notice the lack of smokestack and paint scheme pre-dating the Racing Stripe or “U.S. Coast Guard” paint schemes. She has a 3″/50 forward as well as 20mm cannons for AAA work and weight and space for Mousttraps, a towed sonar, and Mk.32 ASW tubes, although they were never fitted. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
After her $16 million MMA in the late 80s, she lost her 3-incher, replaced with an early model manned MK38 25mm chain gun, while her engines were replaced with twin Alco diesels. Keep in mind that the MMA was supposed to just add 10-to-15 years to her lifespan, with a planned retirement along those lines in 2009-2015.
Post MMA
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reliance (WMEC 615) interdicts a low-profile vessel carrying more than $5 million in illicit narcotics in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Feb. 15, 2024. Patrolling in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South, the Reliance crew stopped two drug trafficking ventures, detaining six suspected traffickers and preventing nearly 4,000 pounds of cocaine and 5,400 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $57 million, from entering the United States. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Reliance)
She has earned at least four Coast Guard Unit Commendations, a Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, multiple Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, and numerous USCG “E” ribbons. She has put out oilrig fires, saved at least four ships adrift on the sea, served on the Campeche Patrols for three years, picked up thousands of Haitian and Cuban migrants in the Florida Straits, bagged over 400 tons of MJ and $50M worth of cocaine, and just generally been a floating mensch.
Reliancejust completed a 60-day patrol in the Florida Straits, Windward Passage, and Gulf of America, and managed to have a short video captured of her underway in the Gulf.
At some point in the coming years, she will be replaced by the future USCGC Reliance (WMSM-925), a Heritage-class 360-foot Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPCs), and will be the fifth vessel to bear the distinguished name going back to 1861.
Perhaps the old girl will be retained as a museum, with the new National USCG Museum in New London being a good candidate.
I though this was a very well done scale model scene until I found the original photo in the NARA and zoomed in enough to see expressions on faces. It was taken 40 years ago today in the coldest stretch of the Cold War.
Official caption: “An elevated view of the refueling of an F-4E Phantom II aircraft undergoing maintenance. The aircraft belongs to the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing. Spangdahlem Air Base, Rheinland-Pfalz, West Germany. 18 March 1985″
USAF Photo DFST8511926, National Archives Identifier 6389752
The photographer was TSGT Jose Lopez Jr., who was seriously skilled. NARA has over 200 images of his that are digitized and several of them are incredibly stirring, especially when you remember they were all snapped back in the analog manual camera days when you had to be in touch with your F-stops and film speeds.
Check these two out:
“An air-to-air right side view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft from Detachment 1, 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, passing the rear of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.” January 1, 1988. DFST8808317. National Archives Identifier 6427662. TSGT Jose Lopez Jr.
“A moisture cloud forms on the wings of a 96th Bomber Wing B-1B bomber aircraft as the plane executes a tight turn.” March 9, 1987. DFST9110024. National Archives Identifier 6462842. TSGT Jose Lopez Jr.
The Portuguese Navy’s Marine Corps has deployed a 170-strong reinforced company (about a quarter of the service’s strength) to the Baltics. Dubbed the Força de Fuzileiros Lituânia (FFZ LTU) it is on a roughly three-month mission under the auspices of NATO and is the largest deployment of the Corpo de Fuzileiros since Portugal evacuated its African colonies more than 50 years ago. Notably, it includes two UAV elements.
The Portuguese Marines are also sort of old-school, in many ways being stuck in the 1960s-70s when it comes to small arms, still using HK G3 battle rifles, and Walther MP subguns. They only recently retired the P-1 (P-38) pistol in favor of the Glock 17.
Everyone knows the Walther brand, and for good reason. The company makes great guns that are often extremely innovative. The PP/PPK, P-38, P-99, PPQ, PDP, the OSP, and Olympia – the list goes on. However, Walther only made one production submachine gun: the Maschinenpistole, or MP.
Designed in the late 1950s and entering production around 1963, the MP is a blowback action 9mm select-fire SMG with a tubular receiver that fires from an open bolt. It beat the much better-known Heckler & Koch MP5 to production by a few years and was made in two different variations: the MP Lang (Long), or MPL, and the MP Kurz (Short), or MPK.
The difference in size between the two was negligible. The more full-sized MPL ran a 10.2-inch barrel for an overall length of 29.4 inches with the side-folding wire stock extended, whereas the MPK went about 3.5 inches shorter with a 6.8-inch barrel.
Seen at Walther’s in-house museum in Ulm last year…
Although well-made, the MP never really caught on. Its only European customer, besides some German police units as the MP4 (they made several on-camera appearances during the Munich Olympics in 1972), was the Portuguese Navy as seen above
Overseas, it was bought by a few third-world users and the U.S. Army, picked for use by the elite Delta Force commandos in the 1970s and the secretive Detachment A “stay behind” Special Forces unit in West Berlin.
Whereas the MP5 is a bit of a race car that needs special tools for in-depth maintenance, the MP is made simply of metal stampings. For instance, the barrel on the Walther can be swapped out by a user in the field with no tools. Plus, its 550-round cyclic rate, slower than that of the HK, was closer to that used by the M3 Grease Gun and earlier MP38/40, allowing a more familiar learning curve to those already used to those platforms. Little wonder it was adopted by the early U.S. Tier 1 counter-terror operators when Delta Force was first stood up. (Photos: U.S. Army, National Archives, Springfield Armory National Historic Site)
It is ambi and is set up kind of funny. The safety (Sicher=safe) is to the rear of the grip, full-auto (Dauerfeuer= continuous fire) straight down, and semi-auto (Einzelfeuer=single fire ) with the switch rotated forward toward the magazine well. The HK MP5 has a similar S/E/F marked switch for Sicher-Einzelfeuer-Feuerstoss
March 1963. Static line ARVN paratroopers jump from USAF Fairchild C-123 Providers of the 346th Troop Carrier Squadron (Assault) during Operation Phi Hoa II, a tactical air-ground envelopment strike against Viet Cong in the Tay Ninh Province of South Vietnam. Between 13-22 March, no less than 1,181 ARVN paras hit the silk over Tay Ninh, near what would later be known as the “Iron Triangle” north of Saigon.
Official period caption: “Sixteen C-123s dropped more than 840 parachutists in two minutes after Vietnamese Air Force tactical fighters and bombers had worked over the area. A smoke bomb, dropped minutes before the assault, marks the drop zone.”
USAF Photo 342-AF-93093USAF, National Archives Identifier 542293
South Vietnam fielded a full four-brigade airborne division by the 1970s, with 1,000 American airborne-qualified advisors attached, although they pulled very few large combat jumps such as at Phi Hoa II. They were primarily delivered by helicopter but did continue to put their chutes to work in myriad small squad and platoon-sized recon missions (often in places they never officially were) to watch roads and conduct ambushes and small-scale raids.
Before the above image was taken, the ARVN Airborne Group, as it was termed at the time, had already made five increasingly larger combat jumps– leaping in to reinforce the garrison at Bo Tuc in March 1962, setting a two-company ambush behind a VC group north of Saigon in July 1962, conducting a battalion-sized raid at An Xuyen in August 1962, and finally two regimental-sized drops at Ap Tan Thoi and Ba Rai in January 1963.
They had a lineage that went back to the old French, who recruited and trained 1e BPVN, 3e BPVN, and 5e BPVN, which were airdropped into Dien Bien Phuin 1954. The French raised at least four colonial airborne battalions and five independent companies during their fight against the Viet Minh.
Of note, the C-123s of the 346th at the time were also used to train Air America crews and in Ranch Hand defoliant spraying operations, which were no doubt a bonus to the ARVN paras.
Tennessee-based SDS Arms, whose umbrella of brands includes Military Armament Corporation (MAC), Tisas, Tokarev, and Spandau, is bringing back the Inglis name to the American market.
At SHOT Show ’24, the company announced the L9A1 clone to include a black Chromate finish and plastic grips as well as three more commercial models: a black Inglis P-35B with walnut grips, the satin nickel Inglis P-35N with black G10 grips, and a color-case hardened Inglis GP-35.
We caught up with Jahred Gamez at the time to check out these new guns, which were “coming soon.”
Now, the Inglis guns are shipping, and we made sure to get a production model to review.
The L9A1 feels like a well-built BHP from the 1980s and mimics what would be marketed at around that time by Browning/FN as the Mk. II series gun. It is close to the T-series guns used by the British Army from 1964 to 2013 but with the benefits of more understated markings and an ambidextrous manual safety lever.
I say toss some beans on toast, grow your mustache out over your top lip, and cue up “God Save the Queen.” The only true Dr. Who was Tom Baker, and I’m not apologizing for it.
While off the Virginia Capes on 7 March 1949, a twin-engine P2V-3C Neptune able to carry atomic ordnance lifted off from the brand new Midway-class supercarrier USS Coral Sea (CVB-43)— via an 8,000-pound thrust boost in the form of RATO tanks. With a mammoth 37-ton take-off weight, the aircraft was set for a 4,600-mile flight and reportedly lifted off with “room to spare.”
Piloted by the legendary Capt. (later VADM) John Tucker “Chick” Hayward (USNA ’25) of VC-5, the Coral Sea Neptune carried an 8,600-pound inert Little Boy “pumpkin” style A-bomb. Flying across the continent without refueling, the Neptune dropped its ordnance on the West Coast at Muroc, California (Edwards AFB), then returned nonstop to land at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, vetting the concept of long-range carrier-based atomic bomb attacks.
A later test from Coral Sea’s sister, USS Franklin D Roosevelt (CVB-42) saw another similarly outfitted P2V-3C fly across the Gulf of Mexico to the Panama Canal and finish at Moffet NAS in San Francisco, a distance of 5,156 miles– not bad when the published range of the type was 3,935 miles.
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) launches a Lockheed P2V Neptune bomber with JATO assist, during a Task Force 21 cruise, 2 July 1951
Keep in mind that the heavily modified Army B-25B Mitchells launched from USS Hornet in April 1942 on the Doolittle Raid each carried just four 500-pound conventional bombs, with a trim 18-ton take-off weight, on an (expected) 2,400-mile one-way trip that was lengthened at the last minute.
Doolittle Raid on Japan, 18 April 1942 View looking aft and to port from the island of USS Hornet (CV-8), while en route to the mission’s launching point. USS Vincennes (CA-44) is in the distance. Several of the mission’s sixteen B-25B bombers are visible. That in the foreground is tail # 40-2261, which was mission plane # 7, piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Ted W. Lawson. The next plane is tail # 40-2242, mission plane # 8, piloted by Captain Edward J. York. Both aircraft attacked targets in the Tokyo area. Lt. Lawson later wrote the book Thirty Seconds over Tokyo. Note the searchlight at left. Catalog #: NH 53293
An Army Air Force B-25B bomber takes off from USS Hornet (CV-8) at the start of the raid, 18 April 1942. Note men watching from the signal lamp platform at right. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Catalog #: 80-G-41196
