VU-4 was originally commissioned as VJ-4 on 15 November 1940 at NAS Norfolk. Subsequent home bases were Guantanamo, San Juan, Squantum, Chincoteague and Oceana. The squadron has operated over thirty types of aircraft from its first PBY-1 Catalina to the supersonic F-8 Crusader.
Mystery F-8A on 3-18-63. Plane carries VU-4 JF tail code with VMF-333 rudder and fuselage flashes in red ? (D_ Olson)
The mission of VJ-4 during World War II was to fly anti-submarine patrol and conduct rescue operations. After the war the squadron was redesignated Utility Squadron Four and its mission was changed to that of fleet support in air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons training as well as training fleet air intercept controllers and radar and ECM operators.
In 1952, the squadron added F5F-5K and F9F-5K drones to its inventory for use as realistic targets for the fleet. On 5 June 1958 P2V-5 and UB-26J aircraft were obtained for launching jet powered KDA drones. The Delmar towed target arrived in February 1960, one month after the squadron became responsible for Replacement Pilot Training for FJ-3M Furys. This lasted until August 1961 when VU-4 pilots entered F-8 training at MCAS Beaufort. The F8U-1 (F-8A) was flown until May 1964 when it was replaced by the F-80. The Hayes target arrived at about this time and, along with the Delmar target, the squadron was able to field high speed, supersonic, highly realistic targets.
In July 1964 UTRON FOUR Detachment Alfa was formed at NAS Cecil Field, also operating the F-8C and US-2C aircraft, to provide services to the Fleet in the Jacksonville Operating Area. During the Cuban Crisis, the Detachment was directed to provide round-the-clock courier services between Guantanamo Bay and various stateside headquarters locations, and was commended for its performance by the Commander-inChief, Atlantic Fleet.
UTRON FOUR was redesignated VC-4 on 1 July 1965.
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