One of the first VF-124 aircraft was this ex VF-154 F8U-1 143707. The fuselage and tail markings are that of VF-154 and only the squadron designation was changed to VF-124. This May 1958 pho¬to was taken while VF-154 was on its first F8U-1 deployment. (W. T. Larkins) VF-124 came into being when on 11 April 1958 VF-53 was redesignated VF-124. VF-53 had originally been commissioned on 16 August 1948. Stationed at NAS Moffett Field, Cali¬fornia, the squadron became re¬sponsible for training replacement F-8 pilots. Also commissioned on that date was Replacement Carrier Air Group Twelve (RCVG-12), which VF-124 was assigned to. Under this new or-ganization the squadrons like VF-124 were affectionately referred to as the RAG (Replacement Air Group), or in this case the F-8 RAG.
On 30 June 1961 the squadron transferred to NAS Miramar, Califor¬nia, home of all Pacific Fleet fighter squadrons. Known as the Crusader College during its F-8 years, VF-124's organization and responsibilities in- creased greatly due to the need for replacement F-8 pilots for the Vietnam War. In 1970 the RCVGs were dis¬banded and VF-124 fell under the direct command of the Commander Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing Pacific Fleet. With the introduction of the F-14A Tomcat and the dwindling need for F-8 fighter pilots, VF-124 turned over the RAG duties to VFP-63 (see VFP-63) and VF-124 became the F-14 RAG.
On 30 June 1961 the squadron transferred to NAS Miramar, Califor¬nia, home of all Pacific Fleet fighter squadrons. Known as the Crusader College during its F-8 years, VF-124's organization and responsibilities in- creased greatly due to the need for replacement F-8 pilots for the Vietnam War. In 1970 the RCVGs were dis¬banded and VF-124 fell under the direct command of the Commander Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing Pacific Fleet. With the introduction of the F-14A Tomcat and the dwindling need for F-8 fighter pilots, VF-124 turned over the RAG duties to VFP-63 (see VFP-63) and VF-124 became the F-14 RAG.
VF-124 F8U-1 143737 on 5-17-58 at Moffett Field. Tail markings were international orange with black stripes and stars. (Larkins)
VF-124 F8U-1 145425 at NAS Oakland on 9-6-59. The gear are now painted white and the tail is international orange with whitebordering the "NJ" and stars. A blue practice Sidewinder was mounted on the fuselage side. (William T. Larkins)
VF-124 F8U-1E (F-8B] 145442 at MCAS Yuma on 3-19-60. Note the gunpowder stains on the forward fuselage from continu¬ous gunnery training. (William Swisher)
VF-124 F8U-1 144443 at MCAS Yuma on 12-3-59. Squadron tail markings were missing and the afterburner section was painted. (William Swisher)
Three VF-124 F8U-ls; 145422 (412), 145424 (416), and 145391 (425) returning to NAS Moffett Field on 5-21-60. These photos
show the location and shape of the upper and lower international orange wing markings. (William T. Larkins)
show the location and shape of the upper and lower international orange wing markings. (William T. Larkins)
VF-124 F8U-1 143714 at NAS Miramar on 4-8-62. Tail markings were international orange with a black "NJ" bordered by white.Note the extended Ram Air Turbine (RAT) and the raised wing. (William Swisher)
VF-124 F8U-2 (F-8C) 147003 at NAS Moffett Field. The firstVF-124 F8U-2 was acquired in 1959. (William T. Larkins)
VF-124 F-8A 145400 at NAS Miramar on 1-19-63. Note loca lions of wing codes and outer wing markings. (Clay Janssen)
VF-124 F8U-2 145567 at NAS Moffitt Field on 7-25-59. Outer wing panel flashes and the tail were international orange and the fin
tip and the radome were black. Notice the tied-on canvas exhaust covers. (William T. Larkins)
tip and the radome were black. Notice the tied-on canvas exhaust covers. (William T. Larkins)
VF-124 F8U-2 145570 at HAS Moffett Field on 5-16-59 with theRam Air Turbine (RAT) extended. (William T. Larkins)
VF-124 F8U-2 146931 taxing with raised wing at NAS MoffettField on 5-21-60. (William T. Larkins)
By 1964 The Crusader College was operating F-8C, F-8D, and F-8E Crusaders as seen in these photos taken on 8-1-64. All air craft no longer carried the international orange trim. F-8C 146990 (432), F-8 D 148672 (452), and F-8E 150861 (405). (Jansson)
In-flight photo of four VF-124 Crusaders over Southern California with CAG-12's aircraft, F-SE 150903, in the foreground 
15903 as it appeared in 1969 with all of Replacement Carrier Air Wing Twelve's (RCVW-12) squadron insignias on the rudder.Top to bottom; VF-121, VA-122, VAH-123, VF-124, VA-125, VF-126, and VA-127. The world has been painted behind the RCVW-12
insignia on the tail. The CAG's name, CART ED HOLLEY, was painted below the canopy rail. (William Swisher)
VF-124 F-8E 150683 pre-pares to launch from the port catapult of the USS Constellation (CVA-64), while VF-124 F-8? 147055 taxis into position for launch on the starboard catapult. At left, F-8D 147055 lifts off the Con-stellation's deck. Below, F-8D 147905 launches from the starboard cata-pult of the Connie. (Vaught / Schoeni)
VF-124 F-8H 147047 in 1971 with red stripes and a black Crusader character drawing with a red shield on the tail. Note wingpylon and the pilot's name LT JACK MUSITANO was written under the canopy rail. (Clay Jansson)
VF-124 F-8H 147047 in 1971 with red stripes and a black Crusader character drawing with a red shield on the tail. Note wingpylon and the pilot's name LT JACK MUSITANO was written under the canopy rail. (Clay Jansson)
VF-124 F-8E 150872 launches from the port catapult of the USS Indepen¬dence (CVA-62). (Vought)
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