FIGHTER SQUADRON ELEVEN, VF-11 RED RIPPERS

VF-11 F8U-1 143709 launching off the USS F. D. Roosevelt in the MED on 3-10-60. The wing tip and upper fin stripe and the tail flashes were yel¬fow.The Sidewinder's body was blue and the stenciling square is red. (USN)

Today's Red Rippers came into being on 16 February 1959 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, when VF-43 was redesignated VF-11 (see VF-43). The previous VF-11 had been decommis­sioned on 15 February 1959. Upon being redesignated VF-11, VF-43 opt­ed to carry on the traditions and insignia of the original VF-11 which dated back to 1 February 1927.

On 27 April 1959 VF-11 joined Air Group Seven (CVG-7) during the shakedown cruise of the USS Inde­pendence (CVA-62). CDR Skidmore, the squadron CO, made the first Cru­sader landing aboard the new carrier. The shakedown period lasted until 29 June 1959 with the squadron returning to Cecil that evening. Eighteen pilots became carrier qualified in the F-8 during this at-sea period.

The squadron's second at-sea period came on 29 September 1959 and lasted until 7 October on what was to become the Red Rippers' home carrier, the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42). The squadron was assigned to Carrier Air Group One (CVG-1) and participated in op­eration LANTFLEX 3-59 in the role of day fighter, CAP,and interceptor. White at Cecil on 13 October, eleven squadron pilots received Broadcast Control Intercept (BC]) ''E" awards, including the new CO, CDR Prichard.

January 1960 saw VF-11 depart aboard CVA-42 for the squadrons first cruise. This MED cruise lasted until 24 August 1960. During this deployment the squadron received a rating of out­standing for its ORI inspection.The Red Rippers took part in many opera­tions which included close air support of Task Force 61 during the amphibi­ous landings on Northern Libya on 4-5 April 1960. Combat Air Patrol for op­erations Haystrike (8-9 April), Rejex I (6-7 May), Rejex II (9-10 May), Royal Flush (14-17 June), and Purple Sage (18-19 July) were also conducted during this cruise.

The squadron conducted weap­ons training at NAS Leeward Point, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from 1 No­vember until 17 November 1960. During this temporary deployment the Rippers third CO, CDR J. Arnold Jr. became the first F-8 pilot to fire a 48.8% in 20,000 foot gunnery.

The second F.D.R. deployment started on 15 February 1961. On the 23rd, VF-11 became shore based at Naval Station Rota, Spain. This as­signment lasted until 17 August when the Red Rippers boarded the F.D.R. once more for the return trip to Flori­da,which ended on 28 August 1961.

VF-11 F811-1 145347 at Naval Station Rota, Spain, during the 1961 FDR cruise. The fuselage lightning bolt, wing tip stripe and wide vertical fin stripe is yellow bordered by red. (USN)

VF-11 F8U-1 being started at Rota, Spain. Note the Gordons Gln boars head insignia has been added to the fuselage. (USN)

Car-quals were conducted on CVA-42 from 16 to 22 October 1961. During these carquals LTJG Kryway lost his F8U-1 during a spectacular fi­ery ditching caused by a broken wheel strut. Carquals took place again from 13 to 18 November. On Saturday, 18 November, VF-11 was off loaded and flown back to Cecil. All of VF-11's gear had been loaded on vans, transported to Cecil, and stowed, and most personnel had Left for liberty. Two hours later CAG-1 was alerted and ordered back aboard at once for a classified special mission. Within four hours all aircraft and gear and 95% of the per­sonnel were aboard for the emer­gency cruise which lasted until 30 November 1961.

On 5 February 1962, four Red Rippers, LCDR J. C. Dixon Jr., LT A. J. Hedberg, LT J. D. Davis and CAPT J. H. Bennett USAF, made arrested landings aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Then on 8 February VF-11 became the first AIRLANT squadron to receive the all-weather F8U-2NE (F-8E). The new "E" model was car­quaied aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in late March, during which time VF-11 became the first squadron to land an aircraft during its first oper­ational flight on board an aircraft carrier. F8U-2NE BUNG 149161 was ferried from Vought Dallas to VF-11 at Cecil Field, given a test hop and with less than three hours in its log book was landed aboard CVA-59.

From February until deploying to the MED on 14 September 1962, VF-11 was primarily engaged in radar intercept training in the new F8U-2NE (F-8E). Four short ship-air cruises were conducted from April until Sep­tember, with the 20 April until 18 May 1962 cruise also being a orientation cruise for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

VF-11's third deployment aboard the FDR was from 14 September 1962 until 20 April 1963. After returning

from the MED the squadron entered on an intensive training program in­volving air-to-air and air-to-ground gunnery. This training schedule was broken by deployments and detach­ments being used to cover the crises in Haiti and Cuba. From 12 August 1963 until January 1964 VF-11 main­tained a detachment of six aircraft at NAS Key West, Florida, to participate in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In preparation for a fourth FDR deployment, car-quals were conduct­ed from 22 January until 8 March 1964. The Red Rippers and the FDR left for the MED on 24 April and re­turned on 23 December 1964. A fifth deployment was conducted in 1965 which ended in December. The suc­cess of this accident-free cruise aided the squadron in winning the CNO Safety Award.

In January 1966 the squadron's 13 F-8Es were swapped-out for 9 F-8Ds to be used prior to converting to the new McDonnell F-4B Phantom. From 21 January until 11 February 1966, VF-11 F-80s participated in Operation Springboard. Then from 1 April through 30 April a six plane de­tachment was sent to NAS Key West for "HOT PAD" duty. Four planes were also sent to British Guiana from 22 May through 27 May to represent the US during their Independence Day.

In early July 1966 the F-8Ds were transferred out and VF-11 was trans­ferred to NAS Oceans where it would receive the F-4B and join CVW-17.

The F-48 was replaced by the F-4,.1 in 1973 and was in turn replaced by the F-14A in the summer of 1980. With Tomcats came assignment to the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and CVW-3. Then on 1 April 1985 the Red Rippers were reassigned to CVW-6 and the USS Independence (CV-62).

VF-11 F8U-1 145357 piloted by LTJG John T. Kryway brakes away from the arresting gear with a fiery broken wheel strut on board the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) on 10-21-61. The pilot ejects as the F-8 leaves the deck. The shield below the wide yellow tail stripe was blue with a red lightning bolt and two red balls_ (USN)

F8U-2NE (F-8E) 149161 in VF-11's third color scheme. A scroll with the Air Wing's moto PRIMUS PRINCIPES was added to the tail. Tail stripe is yellow bordered by blue. The ventral fin was blue with a red lightning bolt.
(Collect-Air) F-8E 150330 in the same markings. (Buchanan via Menard) F-8E 149170 and 150692 fly over the FDR on 11-8-65. (USN)