Remembering Attack Squadron VA-203 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida

Article Title: Remembering Attack Squadron VA-203 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida

Article Excerpt: "...Attack Squadron 203 (VA-203), nicknamed the Blue Dolphins, was established at NAS Jacksonville, Florida on 1 July 1970, as a reserve force squadron (RESFORON) under a new concept in the reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve Force. The reorganization was intended to make the reserves more compatible with active duty units and to increase their combat readiness. It was redesignated VFA-203 in 1989. ...On 1 December 1977, the squadron moved from NAS Jacksonville to NAS Cecil Field, Florida.

In February 1980, the squadron participated in a combined NATO forces exercise 'Safe Passage' conducted at NAS Bermuda.

Transitioning to the A-7E Corsair II in 1983, VA-203's primary mission was to provide contributory support to the fleet, and to be ready to deploy to an aircraft carrier during a crisis as an activated reserve light attack squadron."

Reference Source: www.seaforces.org

Veteran Stories | Conversation with Dave Dollarhide March 28, 2017, Orange Park, Florida, [ Recorded and Transcribed by Lyn Corley ]

Article Title: Conversation with Dave Dollarhide

Article Excerpt: "...It was a really part-time job and I went in and joined the reserves at Navy JAX in VA-203, actually, right before 203 was commissioned in the summer of 1970. So, that started my reserve career and we were flying A-4L’s which were modified Charlies and we flew those for three and half years and then transitioned to the A-7 in the reserves and moved to Cecil Field. ... spend the rest of my flying career in the Navy back at Cecil Field and my last time to fly an airplane was the day before my change of command. I was the commanding officer of VA-203 and we were flying A-7B’s at the time. ...It was just a great ball-team spirit flying with VA-203 Blue Dolphins we called ourselves. We were deployed to active duty to Fallon, Nevada and we deployed to Yuma. We deployed to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico all on weapons dets to have concentrated weapons training. You know, when I flew my last flight and Bill Bailey and I, Bill was taxiing in behind me going into Hangar, I think it is 14 which is the eastern-most of those two older hangars there. Then I look up and the whole squadron is out, all the enlisted guys are in the dungarees and everybody is out on the ramp and then I look and there is Mac McClarin. Mac McClarin was one of these first-class petty officers that had been active duty as a TAR for a long, long time."

Reference Source: www.powmiamemorial.org