On July first, Composite Squadron 35 was redesignated Attack Squadron (All-Weather) 35. This new designation will clarify the mission this squadron has performed since its inception early in the Korean War.
In today's jet age, the importance of a squadron which flys the AD-5N might be questioned. True, the basic Skyraider design is now 12 years old. Yet there is no new aircraft now operational which has the range and payload of the AD-5N. During the Korean War, for instance, Skyraiders left carriers with up to 8,000 pounds of bombs, rockets, and torpedoes under their wings.
On night heckler missions, these advantages are particularly valuable for long hops, for striking a number of different targets, and for staying on target for a longer time than is possible with jet aircraft. With the addition of electronic equipment and radar, plus special training of pilots and crews, the AD-5N is made even more valuable to a VA(AW)-35 Detachment.
Basically, the mission of VA(AW)-35 Detachments is the same as that of any attack squadron. But because of their ability for all-weather and night interdiction attacks, their mission becomes unique. They can carry out Electronic Coiunter-Measures, Anti-Submarine, Night Heckler, and close air support missions at any time and in ant weather.
It takes highly trained men with a great deal of confidence in each other and their equipment to come in low at night over mountainous terrain, but VC-35 made a great name for itself doing this very thing on night heckler missions in Korea.
To accomplish these missions, a high standard of training must be met. At NAS North Island, home base of the squadron, pilots and crewmen receive the extensive training that is necessary.
Pilots from the training command arrive at VA(AW)-35 to face a nine month training period before they are qualified in all-weather night attack operations. The squadron flies 1900 hours a month. A comparison of this total with the flight hours of other squadrons indicates the fast pace of VA(AW)-35 training.
A lesser man might shudder at the rigor of the training program. By the time he has finished his training, the crewman will be required to know his aircraft inside and out. He must know safety prcautions as well as survival procedures. He must either use radar or dead reconing methods to navigate over any type of terrain in any weather condition. He must know how to load and eject sonobouys, how to plot their pattern, track the sub's location from the receiving gear, and determine the position for the drop.
The crewmen must know the operation of all the communication equipment - radio, morse code, blinker, and semaphore. With this extensive training, he is qualified to operate in either of the AD-5N's two crew positions.
Meeting the commitments for aircraft availablity entails another extensive training program for the men of the line crew and the maintenance crew. As untrained men arrive at VA(AW)-35, a large number go on the line where it becomes their responsiobility to make the pre-flight checks, handle the aircraft, and assist the pilot.
After a period on the line, a man has become familiar with the AD, he may wish to take further training in electronics, mechanics, or other technical specialities in the maintenance program. With the help of the technical training at VA(AW)-35 and FAWTUPAC, he will receive the necessary training to achieve the technical skill required for his job.
During a three month period four trips of one or two weeks each are made to El Centro for live ordnance work. At this time the whole team departs to carry out this phase of the training of its own. Pilots, aircrewmen, maintenance men, SWUPac-trained ordnance men, and line men all take part.
Deploying in teams of four planes, five pilots, and approximately 38 crewmen, the splinter operates as a squadron in basic organization and responsibility. To date 43 teams have deployed.
