US Naval Aviation in the 1980s: Marine Corps, Naval Training, Test and Reserve Air Stations

The latest in Adrian Symonds popular series exploring the day-to-day operations of the US military aviation in the 1980s.
This title, the second of two volumes covering United States Naval Aviation in the 1980s, completes the story by looking at the air stations of the US Marine Corps, Naval Education and Training Command, and Research, Development and Test units. The US Marine Corps introduced improved new types, including the AV-8B Harrier II, CH-53E Super Stallion and F/A-18 Hornet, while older types like the F-4 Phantom II and A-4 Skyhawk lived on. Meanwhile, Marine aviation squadrons played their part in combat operations during the decade.Naval Education and Training Command oversaw the ‘Street to Fleet’ process, recruiting civilians and turning them into combat-ready naval personnel, including officer and enlisted aviation rated personnel. Research, Development and Test air stations used every conceivable naval aviation aircraft type, as well as several non-standard types to conduct research, testing and evaluation.Take a step inside the day-to-day operations of Naval Aviation in the 1980s.