Reserve years VMA-131

an a-4e of vma-131 drops mk 82 bombs during training mission.

following world war ii, squadron became part of marine air reserve , based out of naval air station new york, brooklyn, new york 1960 through 1972 , nasjrb willow grove 1972 until 1998. on january 12, 1990 a-4 skyhawk squadron crashed on approach nas willow grove, coming down in upper moreland township, impacting in intersection, debris tearing off roof of auto-leasing business, destroying 4 cars , damaging 6 houses no injuries on ground. pilot parachuted tree nearby suffering minor injuries.

on june 22, 1994 squadron officially retired last a-4m aircraft. 4 pilots flew short flight included flyby field. aside various marines squadron , mag-49, there family , invited guests. pilots were:

col. george eagle lake iii co vma-131 major john baja rufo xo vma-131 captain dave yoda hurston major mike struts volland vma-131 ops officer

in december 1998, vma-131 stood down squadron, ltcol. volland last squadron commander @ time.




^ pilot survives crash of jet in suburb of philadelphia