This Date in Naval Aviation History – April 15
15 April 1935–Passage of the Aviation Cadet Act created the grade of Aviation Cadet in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserves. The Act set up a new program for pilot training in which otherwise qualified college graduates between the ages of 18 and 28 would be eligible for one year of flight instruction, benefits of pay, uniform gratuities and insurance; and would, after serving three additional years on active duty, be commissioned as Ensigns or Second Lieutenants, be paid a bonus of $1,500, and be returned to inactive duty as members of the Reserves.
15 April 1944 –Air-Sea Rescue Squadrons (VH) were formed in the Pacific Fleet to provide rescue and emergency services as necessary in the forward areas. Prior to this time the rescue function was performed as an additional duty by regularly operating patrol squadrons.
15 April 1951–When reports indicated the possibility of an amphibious attempt on Formosa from the China coast, Task Force 77, led by the USS Philippine Sea (CV 47), left the Korean area temporarily to make a show of strength in Formosa Strait. From 11 to 14 April the force steamed off the China coast and flew aerial parades outside the international limit off the mainland.
(ed. File this one under not bloody likely to be seen again in this lifetime -SJS)
15 April 1959: Elements of the Naval Air Reserve took part in Exercise Slamex, conducted by Commander, Antisubmarine Defense Force, Atlantic–their second participation in a fullscale fleet exercise since the organization of the Selected Reserve. Operating from Naval Air Stations at Brunswick, Quonset Point, and Lakehurst with P2V and S2F aircraft, 78 crews from 12 Reserve stations conducted round-the-clock flight operations for 7 days, logged 2,800 accident-free flight hours, maintained an aircraft availability of better than 85 percent and reported 75 submarine contacts.
15 April 1969: Deep Sea 129, an EC-121 Warning Star assigned to VQ-1 and flying out of Atsugi, Japan, was shot down by North Korean MiG’s over the Sea of Japan. The crew of 8 officers and 23 enlisted were killed. The aircraft was operating in international airspace on a Beggar Shadow SIGINT collection mission when it was intercepted and shot down. Other than a naval show of force and resumption of reconnaissance flights a week later, the Nixon Administration took no retaliatory measures against the North Koreans for this act. More here and here.
15 April 1986: Operation Eldorado Canyon, Navy aircraft from USS America (CV-66) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43) attack Libya in conjunction with USAF aircraft after Libya linked to terrorist bombing of West Berlin discotheque which killed 1 American and injured 78 people. (ed – Note that this was also a date of firsts – and lasts. First over the beach combat employment of the F/A-18 (fllying off the USS Coral Sea (VFA-131, -132, and VMFA-323 & -351))and Coral Sea’s (aka "Ageless Warrior") last combat action. -SJS)
