FIGHTER SQUADRON ONE THREE TWO + VF-132 PEG LEG PETESI

CDR JAY ARNOLD's F8U-2N 148680; tail markings were yellow bordered by black. Note Peg Leg Pete on fuselage.

On 21 August 1961 the Peg Leg Fetes of VF-132 were recommis¬sioned as a component of the newly commissioned Carrier Air Group Thir¬teen (CVG-13) at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, flying the new supersonic F8U-2N (F-8D) Crusader.

On 13 February 1962 the squad¬ron boarded the USS Independence (CVA-62) for two weeks of day and night carrier qualifications. Shunning conventional survival equipment the pilots flew every flight in the Navy's full pressure suit, becoming the first squadron ever to carrier qualify at night thus equipped. During this cruise the squadron logged 287 traps, 96 of which were at night. After returning to Cecil Field, the Peg Leg Fetes com¬menced preparations for the shakedown cruise of the USS Con¬stellation (CVA-64). During this period the squadron participated in a 48 hour NORAD exercise. Scoring more au¬thenticated kills than any other Navy squadron in the exercise, the officers and men received the highest praise from the Commanding General of the 32nd. NORAD sector.

On 3 March 1962 VF-132 loaded aboard the Constellation for its two month shakedown cruise. While oper¬ating ashore at NAS Leeward Point, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the squad¬ron completed two weeks of gunnery practice by recording the highest ban¬ner score yet in a F8U-2N, After the two weeks ashore, VF-132 resumed shipboard day and night carrier oper¬ations in preparation for the Connie's Operational Readiness Inspection by Fleet Training Group, Guantanamo.

Two mishaps occurred in April. On the 25th. LT Robert R. Loomis struck the ramp during a night carrier approach, damaging the landing gear and tail section. He crashlanded at NAS Leeward Point without injury. Then on the 30th, CDR George C. Watkins, CAG-13, ejected immediate¬ly after a night bolter in which the aircraft had been damaged. He was rescued uninjured by the plane guard destroyer.

After supporting the Connie in its successful ORE, VF-132 flew ashore to NAS Cecil Field on 5 May 1962. In June during preparations for CVG-13s South American cruise VF-132 re¬ceived official notice of impending decommissioning. In September the aircraft and personnel were trans¬ferred to other units. On 1 October 1962, VF-132 was decommissioned.

VF-132 F8IJ-2Ns 148696 (207) and
148701 (211) over NAS Leeward Point
during the Connie's shakedown cruise.