Started with VMAT-102 "Sky Hawks." December of 75 assigned to VF-126 "Sea Hawks" as part of the Adversary Squadron NAS Miramar, CA. As of January 2002, preserved at the Air Classics Museum of Aviation in Sugar Grove, IL.
The pilot of "Skyhawk 2" is watching his collegue in "Skyhawk 1" closely for the nod indicating he will apply full throttle. A perfect formation take off is coordinated this way.
The Skyhawks at Wittmund are operated by BAE Systems / Flightsystems. They are adopted by the JG71 Richthofen squadron as "Dartstaffel 713 Richthofen".
VA-164 "Ghostriders" squadron. Named after longtime supporter of the squadron with all CO's planes taking the name. The first plane with the name "Ladie Jesse" was flown by Lcdr Dick Perry who was shot down and killed in Vietnam.