Page Updated 04/05/15

Aircraft of VW-1 The Constellations
BuNo's 145924-145939

CREDITS:
VW-1 data from George E Stewart & Dan Ragan VW-1 1952-55 resp. 1954-56.
Special thanks to John Moehlenkamp VW-1 1966-68 for researching, updating, and editing.
Earles L. McCaul, USN Webmaster: The Willie Victor Roster, site taken down in 2009:
    ATWAN, ATW3, VW-13, NS Argentia, Nfld 1964-65:
    ATW3, VW-11, NS Argentia, Nfld 1965:
    ATR2, AT1, VW-1, NAS Agana, Guam 1966-68"
    AT1 PMR, NAS Pt. Mugu, CA 1968-71

COMPILED BY:
Ernest D. Ruff, USN Ret.:
    LTJG, VX-4 Miramar Detachment 1950 - LTJG,:
    VC-11 Miramar Detachment 1950-52:
    LTJG, LT, Plank Owner, VW-1 Barbers Point 1952-53:
    LT, LCDR, VW-1, Guam 1958-60

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Dominique Breffort: Lockheed Constellation (history & collections), 2006
Peter J. Marson: The Lockheed Constellation Series: Air-Britain, 1982
Curtis K. Stringellow and Peter M. Bowers : Motorbooks Intnl, 1992
Kenneth E. Wixey : Lockheed Constellation, lan Alien ltd, 1987
Steve Ginter: Naval Fighters Number Eight, C-121, Steve Ginter, 1983
Willy Victor Page (willyvictor.com)
Joe Baugher’s bureau number page (joebaugher.com)
 

BuNo 145924                                     c/n 5505

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-86 on 13 March 1958.

  • 13 March 1958 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana2, Guam as PM-3. (Don Martinez says PM-6.)
  • June 1960 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-12.
  • 1961 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • December 1962 - withdrawn from storage, converted to NC-121K, transferred to OASU, NAS Patuxent River4, MD as JB-924, named "El Coyote" (the 'wolf'). See page 15 of the Aug 1964 Naval Avaition News
  • 31 July 1972 - retired and struck from USN inventory at NAS Patuxent River4, MD; transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage (TT: 9,057 hrs).
  • October 1975 - still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
  • 16 September 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
145924 (TE-12) was transferred to VW-1 in June of 1960 when VW-3 was decommissioned. It was transferred out of VW-1 after a very short time. For a short period of time after VW-3 decommissioned VW-1 had Buno's 145924 through 145935 as TE-12 - TE-1.     hpw.

wv_outline.jpg
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BuNo 145925                                     c/n 5506

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 28 January 1958.

  • 28 January 1958 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana2, Guam as PM-4. Don Martinez says PM-4.
  • June 1960 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-11.
  • 1961 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ for storage.
  • September 1962 - withdrawn from storage, converted to NC-121K from EC-121K, and transferred to OASU, NAS Patuxent River4, MD as JB-925, named "Paisano Dos" (the second friend').
  • 15 May 1973 - retired and replaced by RP-3D Orion named "Paisano Tres". Struck from USN inventory at NAS Patuxent River4, MD, transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 5, AZ for storage (TT: 11,408 hrs).
  • October 1975 - still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
  • 28 May 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB 5, AZ.
145925 (TE-11) was transferred to VW-1 in June of 1960 when VW-3 was decommissioned. It was transferred out of VW-1 after a very short time. For a short period of time after VW-3 decommissioned VW-1 had Buno's 145924 through 145935 as TE-12 - TE-1.     hpw.

TE-4 circa 1959. Steve Birdman VW-1 1958-60
September 1965 OASU Project Magnet, Photographed by & Courtesy of Joseph G. Handelman.
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BuNo 145926                                     c/n 5507

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 30 January 1958.

  • 30 January 1958 - assigned to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-4.
  • June 1960 - recoded TE-10.
  • May/June 1961 - transferred to PMR, NAS Point Mugu6, CA as PMR-926.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 25 April 1975 - PMR renamed Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) as PMTC-926.
  • November 1975 - struck from USN inventory at NAS Point Mugu6, CA.
  • October 1976 - scrapped at NAS Point Mugu6, CA
TE-4 circa 1959. Steve Birdman VW-1 1958-60
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BuNo 145927                                     c/n c/n 5508

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 20 February 1958.

  • 28 February 1958 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana2, Guam as PM-5.
  • May 1960 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-9.
  • 21 June 1961 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ for storage.
  • March 1962 - withdrawn from storage and refurbished.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 26 September 1962 - transferred to VW-11, NS Argentia7, Nfld as MJ-927.
  • 1963 - converted to EC-121P from EC-121K for ASW mission. (P = ASW Julie/Jez gear)
  • August 1965 - transferred to VRF-31 for further transfer to Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
  • 8 September 1965 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ. for storage.
  • 3 November 1966 - withdrawn from storage to LTV Dallas for conversion to EC-121M.
  • 3 February 1968 - transferred to VQ-1, NAS Atsugi8, Japan as PR-26.
  • August 1968 - Kelley "G" Modification (GTPU) installed.
  • April 1969 - coded as PR-26.
  • 16 March 1970 - crashed at Da Nang, RVN, while landing on return flight from Tainan, Taiwan. Another aircraft taxied onto the runway, forcing an attempted overshot. The aircraft appeared to bank and go out of control as it was about to land. It crashed into a revetment and large maintenance hangar on the airbase, destroying the hangar and an F-4 Phantom. It then burst into flames and was destroyed, 23 of 31 killed.
  • 16 March 1970 - struck from USN inventory by VQ-1 (TT: 8,940 hrs).
Correction by Lyle Fisher: 23 of the 31 onboard that day were lost (Not the whole crew as previously noted). The 23 crewmen that were lost on the PR-26 crash at Da Nang are listed on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.     hpw.

MJ-927 circa 1965. John Mohlenkamp VW-1 1966-68
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BuNo 145928                                     c/n 5509

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 25 February 1958.

  • 25 February 1958 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana2, Guam as PM-6.
  • June 1960 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-8.
  • April 1962 - recoded TE-7 when 145929 transferred to NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 1 May 1966 - converted to WC-121N from EC-121K as TE-7.
  • Late 1966 - transferred to "LASI", Jamaica, NY, for overhaul.
  • 9 January 1967 - returned to VW-1 after overhaul.
  • May 1967 - named: "Road Runner".
  • 25 August 1970 - damaged beyond repair during accidental landing gear retraction during engine run-up at NAS Atsugi8, Japan; no injuries (TT: 11,260 hrs).
  • 3 December 1970 - scrapped by VQ-1 at NAS Atsugi8, Japan.
TE-7 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-7 with nose art. circa 1967. John Moelenkamp
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BuNo 145929                                     c/n 5510

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 13 March 1958.

  • 13 March 1958 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana2, Guam as PM-7.
  • June 1960 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-7.
  • April 1962 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 22 December 1964 - withdrawn from storage and ferried to LASI, Jamaica, NY, by VW-4 crew; converted to WC-121N from EC-121K; replacement for WC-121N BuNo 137891 damaged 23 August 64 by hurricane "Cleo". Date/info courtesy Bob Fitzsimmons, VW-4.
  • 1 April 1966 - transferred to VW-4, NAS Jacksonville9, FL as MH-8, named "Faith".
  • December 1968 - recoded MH-2, named "Faith".
  • December 1971 - recoded MH-5, but still named "Faith".
  • 5 May 1972 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage as WC-121N/MH-5, inventory #5C085.
  • 6 November 1973 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ (TT: 8,074 hrs).
  • October 1975 - still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
  • 18 May 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
145929 was transferred into VW-1 and assigned tail code and side number TE-7 in June of 1960 when VW-3 was decommissioned. For a short period of time after VW-3 decommissioned VW-1 had Buno's 145924 through 145935 as TE-12 - TE-1.     hpw.

TE-7 circa 1960. J. E. Geppalt 1960-61
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BuNo 145930                                     c/n 5511

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 13 March 1958, it spent its entire 13 year service life in VW-1.

  • 13 March 1958 - assigned to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-6.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • May 1967 - named: "The A-Team" later "F Troop".
  • 18 February 1971 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage as EC-121K/TE-6, inventory #5C067.
  • 12 July 1972 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ (TT: 12,242 hrs).
  • 23 October 1974 - scrapped by Kolar Inc., Tucson, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
TE-6 circa 1964 TE-6 circa 1966. Jack Gergal
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BuNo 145931                                     c/n 5512

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 3 March 1958.

  • 3 March 1958 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana2, Guam as PM-8.
  • June 1960 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-5.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • May 1966 - converted to WC-121N from EC-121K as TE-5.
  • May 1967 - named: "City of Cavite".
  • 28 July 1970 - struck from USN inventory and transferred to DCASR at Pasadena, CA (TT: 11,522 hrs).
  • October 1970 - reported at Ontario, CA in camouflage colors. Previous mission unknown.
  • 9 September 1971 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage, inventory #5C076, still wearing VW-1 markings and coded TE-5. VW-1 association page says October 1973.
  • October 1975 - still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
  • 24 May 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.

After leaving service in VW-1, 145931 may have served in the USAF Disco operation. More information can be found at "EC-121_Warning_Star". Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)

TE-3 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-5 with nose art. circa 1967. John Moelenkamp
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BuNo 145932                                     c/n5513

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 27 March 1958.

  • 27 March 1958 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana2, Guam as PM-9.
  • June 1960 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-4.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • July 1966 - converted to WC-121N from EC-121K as TE-4.
  • May 1967 - named: "City of Naminoue".
  • 1 June 1967 - transferred to LASI, Jamaica, NY, for overhaul.
  • 21 July 1967 - returned to VW-1 after overhaul.
  • 1 July 1971 - transferred to VQ-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as PR-53.
  • late 1971 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage.
  • 12 July 1972 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (TT: 12,792 hrs).
  • October 1975 - still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
  • 19 May 1976 - scrapped at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
TE-4 circa 1957. Allen Hockstein TE-4 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-4 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp
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BuNo 145933                                     c/n5514

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 16 April 1958.

  • 16 April 1958 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana2, Guam as PM-10.
  • June 1960 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-3.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • June 1966 - converted to WC-121N from EC-121K as TE-3.
  • May 1967 - named: "City of Hong Kong".
  • 7 February 1967 - to LASI, Jamaica, NY for overhaul.
  • 9 May 1967 - returned to VW-1 after overhaul.
  • 6 April 1971 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage, inventory #5C071.
  • 12 July 1972 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ (TT: 12,785 hrs).
  • October 1975 - still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
  • 21 May 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
145933 was transferred into VW-1 and assigned tail code and side number TE-3 in June of 1960 when VW-3 was decommissioned. For a short period of time after VW-3 decommissioned VW-1 had Buno's 145924 through 145935 as TE-12 - TE-1.     hpw.

TE-3 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-3 at Sangley Pt. Photo Courtesy Hank Hough, Ltjg, CICO TE-3, 1964-'66.
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BuNo 145934                                     c/n 5515

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 6 May 1958, it spent its entire 13 year service life in VW-1.

  • 6 May 1958 - assigned to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-2.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • July 1966 - converted to WC-121N from EC-121K as TE-2.
  • May 1967 - named: "Draggin' Lady".
  • 29 March 1967 - to LASI, Jamaica, NY for overhaul.
  • 1 June 1967 - returned to VW-1 after overhaul.
  • 25 October 1968 - starboard wingtip tank and three-foot section of wing lost during penetration of tropical storm "Judy" near Kwajalein Atoll; aircraft makes uneventful return to and landing at Guam.
  • April 1971 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage.
  • 12 July 1972 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ (TT: 12,151 hrs).
  • October 1975 - still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
  • 18 May 1976 - scrapped at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ.
TE-2 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-2 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-3 at Sangley Pt. Photo Courtesy Richard Gilmore, Lt. Metro 68-70 TE-4
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BuNo 145935                                     c/n 5516

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 12 May 1958.

  • 12 May 1958 - assigned to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-1.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • May 1966 - converted to WC-121N from EC-121K as TE-1.
  • 9 January 1967 - to LASI, Jamaica, NY for overhaul.
  • 5 March 1967 - returned to VW-1 after overhaul.
  • May 1967 - named: "W.W.I. Ace (Snoopy)".
  • 1 February 1971 - TE-1 flies last VW-1 flight from Da Nang.
  • 1 July 1971 - transferred to VQ-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as PR-55.
  • 1971 - delivered to ???? for further transfer to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 5, AZ for storage.
  • 16 November 1971 - actual arrival date at MASDC, inventory #5C078.
  • 12 July 1972 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ (TT: 12,532 hrs).
  • October 1975 - still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
  • 25 May 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
TE-1 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-1 nose art circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-1 circa 1967. Roger Atchley
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BuNo 145938                                     c/n 5519

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 19 June 1958.

  • 19 June 1958 - assigned to VW-2, NAS Patuxent River4, MD as MG-938.
  • April 1962 - transferred to AEWTULANT, NAS Patuxent River4, MD, for radar training.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • February 1963 - transferred to VW-11, NS Argentia7, Nfld as MJ-938.
  • 1963 - converted to EC-121P from EC-121K for ASW mission. (P = ASW Julie/Jez gear)
  • 8 September 1965 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage (#5C080).
  • March 1966 - withdrawn from storage and converted to WC-121N from EC-121P.
  • 3 April 1966 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-8.
  • May 1967 - named: "I'm So Sweet...Nobody Loves Me".
  • 9 September 1967 - transferred to NAS Atsugi8, Japan for installation of Operation Big Look modifications.
  • 14 September 1967 - returned to VW-1 after modifications.
  • April 1968 - recoded TE-10.a
  • 1 July 1971 - transferred to VQ-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as PR-54.
  • 13 December 1971 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage.
  • 12 July 1972 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ (TT: 12,971 hrs).
  • 21 May 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
145938 (TE-8) was transferred to VW-1 in 2nd quarter of 1966. Crews were not available to man this aircraft and she became a hanger queen for several months and was cannabilized for parts. The squadron maintenance officer put a stop to this practice and assigned a minimum crew to protect her and work on getting it in shape to fly.

The writer was transferred out of VW-1 in the later half of 1966. 145938 was very close to fully operational before being transferred     hpw.

TE-8 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-8 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-8 with nose art. circa 1967. John Moelenkamp
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BuNo 145939                                     c/n 5520

Built by Lockheed Aircraft 1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 27 July 1958.

  • 27 July 1958 - assigned to VW-2, NAS Patuxent River4, MD as MG-939.
  • April 1962 - transferred to AEWTULANT, NAS Patuxent River4, MD as MM-3.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • March 1963 - transferred to VW-11, NS Argentia7, Nfld as MJ-939.
  • 1963 - converted to EC-121P from EC-121K for ASW mission. (P = ASW Julie/Jez gear)
  • 8 September 1965 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage (#5C091).
  • Late 1965 - withdrawn from storage and converted back to EC-121K configuration and designation.
  • February 1966 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana2, Guam as TE-9.
  • May 1967 - named: "Malfunction Junction".
  • April 1968 - recoded TE-11. a
  • April 1971 - transferred to VAQ-33/Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG), Norfolk, VA as GD-10; named "Maytag Messerschmitt".
  • 2 December 1972 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ for storage as EC-121K/GD-10, inventory #5C091.
  • 29 July 1974 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB5, AZ (TT: 13,702 hrs).
  • 16 September 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
145939 (TE-9) was transferred to VW-1 a month or two after 145938 (TE-8) arrived. Crews were not available to man this aircraft and she became a hanger queen for several months and was cannabilized for parts. The squadron maintenance officer put a stop to this practice and assigned a minimum crew to protect her and work on getting it in shape to fly.

The writer was transferred out of VW-1 in the later half of 1966. 145939 was very close to fully operational before being transferred     hpw.

TE-9 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-9 circa 1967. John Moelenkamp TE-9 with nose art. circa 1967. John Moelenkamp
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This is how the aircraft looked while in storage at Davis Monthan. Photo courtesy of Neil Aird's web-site at http://www.dhc-2.com/Monthan_Memories.html
http://www.dhc-2.com/Monthan_Memories.html

 

 
a  The aircraft side numbers were changed in order to identify aircraft continuously by way of the current IFF (transponder) system.   The IFF system in use at the time was a modified digital system that did not include the numerals 8 and 9.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identification_friend_or_foe  if you want more information on IFF/Transponders.

External Links:

1 [Lockheed Aircraft, from Wikipedia ]
2 [NAS Agana, from Wikipedia ]
3 [NAF Litchfield, from Wikipedia]
4 [NAS/NATC Patuxent River, from Wikipedia]
5 [Davis-Monthan AFB, from Wikipedia]
6 [NAMTC/PMR/NAS Point Mugu, from Wikipedia]
7 [NS Argentia, from Wikipedia ]
8 [NAS Atsugi, from Wikipedia]
9 [NAS Jacksonville, from Wikipedia]