Forty-nine years ago today, an Navy F-4B Phantom II from the “Freelancers” of Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) scored the first US air-to-air victory of the Vietnam War. While operating from the USS Midway (CVA-41), “Sundown 101” crewed by Commander Louis Page and Lieutenant John Smith downed an MiG-17 with an AIM-7 Sparrow missile. The “Freelancers” of VF-21 recorded two MiG kills while deployed aboard the USS Midway during the Vietnam War, with the second kill coming moments later.When VF-21 returned to sea, in March 1965, they were bound for combat. It was during this tour that VF-21 recorded its only aerial victories of the Vietnam War, these coincidentally being the first confirmed kills to be achieved by a US Navy fighter squadron during the course of that long conflict. On 17 June 1965 CDR Louis Page and Lt John Smith dispatched a MiG-17 with an AIM7 Sparrow missile. Moments later, fellow Freelancers Lt Jack Batson, Jr and LCDR Robert Doremus made it a double celebration by adding another MiG-17 to VF-21’s tally, again employing an AIM-7. VF-21 compiled a most impressive combat record by making six further visits to the war zone aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and USS Ranger (CV-61) between 1966 and 1973 (source VF-21 Freelancers).
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
They did this after completing the Royal Navy’s advanced warfare training programme taught at Miramar by two Fleet Air Arm pilots including Dick Lord, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing (he later became a brigadier general in the South African Air Force). Before this programme was introduced the USN pilots were wholly unsuccessful in scoring any kills. Now if this is not a provocative comment I don’t know what is – ‘m going to take a kicking for saying this !!!!! 🙂
i loved this aircraft , i flew it for a aviation airshow weekend and its just amazing to fly , the handling is great and experience to be in it is overwelming. but now i fly the FA/18 e super hornet for the RAAF and i wouldnd fly anything els. the hornet is australias best air to air fighter and it will keep serving the country until it gets replaced by the F35’s.
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