VAQ/VAK-208 “Jockeys” Tactical Aerial Refueling Squadron Home » NAS Units » VAQ/VAK-208 “Jockeys” Tactical Aerial Refueling Squadron

vak-208-jockeys-patchWhen the Naval Air Reserve was reorganized in 1970 Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 208 was established on July 31 at NAS Alameda, California, as part of Carrier Air Wing Twenty.

Equipped with KA-3Bs to support CVWR-20 operations, VAQ-208 also began providing air refueling and pathfinding for Navy and Marine tactical aircraft being ferried to Southeast Asia.

During the 1971 India-Pakistan conflict and the 1973 Yom Kippur War, VAQ-208 jointly with VAQ-308 provided crews and aircraft to support emergency deployments of U.S. Naval aircraft.

During the seventies, the squadron also provided tanking platforms for test and development of the Lockheed S-3A Viking and Grumman F-14A Tomcat.

On 1 October 1979, in recognition of its primary use as a refueling and pathfinding unit, the squadron was redesignated VAK-208. They were disestablished 30 September 1989.

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— provided by Mr. Robert M. Cieri and Mr. William T. Larkins

6 thoughts on “VAQ/VAK-208 “Jockeys” Tactical Aerial Refueling Squadron

  1. What’s up,I log on to your new stuff named “VAQ/VAK-208 “Jockeys” Tactical Aerial Refueling Squadron – Alameda Naval Air Museum” on a regular basis.Your humoristic style is witty, keep up the good work! And you can look our website about powerful love spells.

  2. I was a reservist with VAQ-208 from August 1976 to July 1979 I join the unit as a seamen and became a airmen. I worked as a AMS

  3. I was assigned to the original VAQ 208 in August 1970. I was there as a ADJ3 when the first A3 arrived in the reserve unit at NAS ALEMEDA. I was on active duty in what was called the TAR program. I was released from active duty on 8-12-1972 and returned to inactive duty as a ADJ 2 at NAS Twin Cities in Minneapolis Minnesota.
    Awesome experience !!!

  4. I am a Plank Holder in both VAQ-308 and VAQ-208; I along with Senior Chief Lambet, PN1 Walter Phillips, were the first 3 onboard VAQ-208, on
    July 1st, 1970. We were happy and proud to welcome our shipmates to the squadron, especially Cdr James Jefferson our first OIC.

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