MODELS OF F-8 EQUIPPED: F8U-1 (aka F-8A), F8U-1E (aka F-8B), F8U-2N (aka F-8D)

CRUISES / DEPLOYMENTS:

SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONS: Laos Situation (BARCAPS south of Hainan-Do), 1961; Flaming Dart, Ever Ready, Quick Draw, Rolling Thunder, 1965 (fired USS Coral Sea's first shots in anger; these were the first raids on North Vietnam): Dong Hoi, Vietnam, 7 Feb 65; Chan Hoa, Vietnam, 11 Feb 65; Bach Long Vi Island, 26 Mar 65; Phu Van and Vinh Son, 16 Mar 65. VF-154 flew a total of 1,425 combat sorties in 1965. VF-111, aboard USS Midway (CVA-41), and VF-154, aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), were the only F-8D squadrons engaged in combat in Vietnam. The Sundowners and the Black Knights were also the only Crusader squadrons engaged in combat from other than an Essex-class ("27 Charlie") ship (USS Coral Sea, CVA-43, was a Midway-class ship). Coral Sea's combat losses on the 1964-65 cruise included twelve A-4s (Skyhawks, aka "Scooters", "Tinker Toys" or "Heinemann's Hot Rods"), two RF-8s (photo reconnaisance Crusaders), one A1 (Skyraider, aka "Spad" or AD) and six VF-154 Black Knights F-8Ds (Crusaders, aka "Last Of The Gunfighters"), for a total of twenty-one aircraft, not including operational losses. That 331 day deployment stood as a record until 1982. As a reflection of the pace of operations during that cruise, VF-154 had six first-tour aviators become Coral Sea Double Centurions.