The VA-172 "Blue Bolts." Flying off the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), these A-4 Skyhawks were preparing to "execute aloft maneuver in unison." The photo was taken 25 July 1961.

This photo was taken by Fleet Air Photographic Laboratory (VFP-62) out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida in August of 1963. One of the "Blue Bolts" completes an arrested landing aboard the USS Randolph (CVS-15).

NAS Cecil Field, Florida. Standing (left-to-right): LCDR I. Jones; LT George Hamlin; LT C.R. Jones; LT Alan Bean; LT Thompson; CDR Mabry Blaylock (CO); LT Gary Wheatley; CDR Burrows (XO); the faces of the others in the back row are all familiar, but the names escape me. Kneeling (left-to-right): LTJG Pat Burke; LT Clinkscales; LTJG C.L.Davis; LCDR "Obie" O'Brien; LTJG S.F. Munsee; LTJG Rykert. Since leaving VA-172 some 45 years ago, I've met up with only one of this crew. Click on the image to get a closer view. Where's LT Mac Gleim? Thanks to Paul Meinhardt, Fred Moore (ADJ3 1964-65) and Bill Cook (AN 1964-65, later retired as an LDO) for helping identify some of these fellows. If you can help with identifications, please add a Comment (below) and I'll respond. Or you can send me an e-mail. THANKS!

The back of this photo from the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) Photo Lab says "Two A-4Ds of VA-12 are shown refueling over the Mediterranean Sea on a long-range mission." They got most of it right -- but those sure look like the "Blue Bolts" of VA-172 painted on the fuselages! Taken 21 July 1961.

Alas, time and poor memory have precluded my identifying all of these gents, members of the VA-172 Operations and Administration staff. Some I remember. Back row: Airman Gerald Swierb, Seaman Larry Miller; LT C. R. Jones; LTJG Pat Burke; LT Gary Wheatley; LTJG "Dondi" Merrill; and LCDR Isaac "Ike" Jones. In the front, left-to-right: (unknown); LT Alan Bean; (unknown); and LTJG S. F. "Skip" Munsee. I do seem to recall that the young Seaman Apprentice in the front row once decided to take a leap off the USS Roosevelt, while we were anchored at Guantanamo Bay. Don't recall his name........or how his escapade ended.

I've tried repeatedly to track down this scoundrel! A good friend during the short time I was attached to VA-172, Lonnie Rabjohns was from Jacksonville, Illinois.

Two shipmates from VA-172 -- Lonnie Rabjohns of Jacksonville, Illinois (left) and Bob Kreisich of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With hats, they could have preceded the Blues Brothers!

Before retiring in 2004, I had the good fortune to cross paths with Bob Kreisich (left), a shipmate in VA-172. Bob and his wife live in Philadelphia. Karen and I were living Hershey. It was a real treat to visit with Bob. His warmth and good humor were just as I had remembered!

Ah, to be young again! SN Larry Miller at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, in April 1964, just before receiving orders to the Armed Forces Radio and Television Station at NavBase Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Upon arrival at "Gitmo," I received my "Crow" as a Journalist Third-Class (JO3).

I've lost track of this fellow. David Kolody (left) was from somewhere in New Mexico. I'm not sure where he was assigned in VA-172, but we spent a few liberties together in Jacksonville before I left the squadron.