Fleet Tactical Support
Squadron FIFTY (VRC-5O) was established 1. October 1966 at NAS Station,
Atsugi , Japan. Prior to establishment, VRC-5O was an Atsugi based VR-21
detachment. The newly formed squadron initially operated the C-1A "Trader"
aircraft for Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) The introduction of the C-2A
"Greyhound", 6. December 1966, marked the beginning of C-2A COD service
to the fleet. Seven months later, on 11. July 1967. the CT-39E
Sabreliner arrived and an additional phase of operations commenced. The
CT-39E aircraft cruised at 450 knots at a maximum altitude of 45,000
feet, providing rapid transportation between Western Pacific military
and civilian airports.
In September 1968, a
permanent VRC-50 detachment was established at Naval Air Station, Cubi
Point, Republic of the Philippines. VRC-5O operated 10 C-2As in direct
support of SEVENTH Fleet carriers operating in the Tonkin Gulf,
Philippine Sea, and South China Sea. In recognition of VRC-50's efforts
and contributions in the Far East, The squadron was awarded the National
Defense Transportation Award in 1968, 1978, 1982 and 1993 for sustained
outstanding performance in military transportation.
In June 1969 three C-130F Hercules transports were assigned to the
squadron. Then in February 1971, VRC-50 received orders to change its
homeport from Atsugi, Japan to NAS North Island at San Diego, California.
As part of this move, the C-130 aircraft were transferred to VR-21 in
Barber's Point, Hawaii, while the CT39Es, C-1As, and five C-2As were
transferred to VRC-50 Detachment Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines
on a six-month rotational basis. In December 1971, the squadron
established a C-1A detachment at Danang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam,
and assumed responsibility for Yankee Station Carrier Onboard Delivery.
A further change of homeport, from Naval Air Station, North Island to
Naval Air Station, Cubi Point Republic of the Philippines occurred in
July 1972. The Danang Detachment following the homeport change, was
phased out seven months later allowing the squadron to operate as a unit
for the first time in 4 1/2 years.
In April 1976, VRC-50 was redesignated "Fleet Logistics Support Squadron
FIFTY. The return of the C130 aircraft in March 1977 brought the
aircraft inventory to six C-1As, seven C-2As, two CT-39Es and three
C-130Fs. With additional use of the C-1A and expanded use of the C-2A
aircraft, VRC-5O again provided Carrier Onboard Delivery support to
SEVENTH Fleet units operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean
until calendar year 1981.
With the retirement of the C-1A from the operational service, the first
US-3A detachment personnel reported aboard in August 1981, and VRC-50
assumed operational control of the Diego Garcia detachment in March
1982, providing direct support to Carrier Battle Groups on "Gonzo"
Station in the North Arabian Sea. It was here that the US-3A aircraft
earned the name "Miss Piggy" following its 2,000 mile mail run.
In December 1988, VRC-5O
closed a chapter in its long operational history when its remaining
CT-39E was transferred to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa.
In August 1990, the C-2A
detachment aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) established a 1-plane
foothold in the Arabian Gulf which later combined with other logistic
units to facilitate the biggest assembly of naval, air and land forces
since D-Day. On 15. January 1991, two days before the commencement of
Operation DESERT STORM, VRC-50 established a permanent detachment in
Fujairah , United Arab Emirates, which remained until 1. September 1993.
Following the eruption of
Mount Pinatubo and as part of the U. S. military withdrawal from the
Republic of the Philippines, VRC-.50 made a homeport change from Naval
Air Station, Cubi Point to Andersen Air Force Base Guam effective 1.
August 1992 while still providing uninterrupted logistics support to
SEVENTH Fleet units.
In August 1994 the US-3A
completed 13 years of Fleet service with the transfer of VRC-50's final
four "Pigs" to VS-41 at NAS North island, California, for use as fleet
replacement pilot trainers and VIP aircraft. In September 1994 one C-130
aircrafl was explosively disabled on Andersen AFB, Guam and the final
two C-130F's were transferred to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, for
preservation. All C-2A aircraft were transferred to VRC-30 at NAS North
Island or to VRC-30 Det 5, Atsugi, Japan.
On 30 September 1994, the
FOG-DOGS' final Commanding Officer, Commander Donald T. Boothe, led the
last 32 officers and 230 enlisted personnel in a disestablishment
ceremony aboard Andersen AFB, Guam. This ended over 28 years of
dedicated sacrifice and service to SEVENTH Fleet forces operating in the
Pacific and Indian Oceans, an area of responsibility (AOR) nearly two
thirds the earth's surface. Throughout this time men and women of the
VRC-50 FOO DOGS have provided the airborne logistics support that made
possible America's forward Naval presence in Asia, the Middle East and
the Pacific. Supported by VRC-50, these forces have ensured stability,
built international relationships, provided humanitarian aid, deterred
aggression and won conflicts. VRC-50 was officially disestablished on 7.
October 1994. |