Fighter Squadron / Attack VFA-81 official squadron logo
VFA-81 F-18C with U.S. Navy Buno number 162462
A commemorative plague paying homage to those who served at N.A.S Cecil Field
VFA-81 aircraft 401 sits quietly as the sun goes down over the former U.S. Naval Air Station
Jacksonville, Florida / Cecil Field 8th February 2012: As a former Lockheed, P-3 Orion Naval Air Crewman and having been award the converted wings of gold many years back in his aviation career, as well as having experienced the life style of going out to sea on board an aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Independence CV-62 with Fighter Squadron VF-32 (F-14 Tomcats), Benny Benitez, Founder and CEO of the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group (94th ACG) is a strong advocate and supporter of U.S. Naval Aviation.
So operating out of the former U.S. Naval Air Station Cecil Field (KVQQ) with the ex-Martin Air Boeing 767-31A / ER, PH-MCL at Flight Star was not only a pleasure, but brought back many fond memories of landing at (KVQQ) with his VP-64 "The Condors" P-3 crew in the late 90's.
The F-18 shown above represents a plane in honor of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Scott Speicher, call sign "Spike".
On its first cruise in the F/A-18, VFA-81 participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. On January 17, 1991. LCDR Scott Speicher's F/A-18 was shoot down on the first night of the Persian Gulf War while flying a mission west of Baghdad. It is disputed whether he was shot down by a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) or by an Iraqi Air Force Mig-25.
Regardless, Benny stopped by and said a quite prayer for the soul of a "shipmate" and fellow Navy Flyer.
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