1983-Contin ued
Modifications included the addition of a third engine, a
larger main rotor system and changes to the tail rotor.
These changes would allow the CH-53E to carry three
times the payload of its predecessor, the RH-53D.
21 March Carrier aviation experienced another first
when an all-female flight crew from VRC-30 Truckin'
Traders conducted an operational mission in a C-1A
Trader that terminated in a carrier arrested landing
aboard Ranger. The aircraft was commanded by
Lieutenant Elizabeth M. Toedt and the crew included
Lieutenant (jg) Cheryl A. Martin, AD3 Gina Greterman
and ADAN Robin Banks.
25 March Fighter Attack Squadrons were redesignat-
ed Strike Fighter Squadrons. They would be flying the
F/ A-18 Hornet. The VFA designation used for the
Fighter Attack Squadrons remained the same for the
Strike Fighter Squadrons.
1 April Naval Air Reserve Units (NARU) were redes-
ignated Naval Air Reserve (NAR): NAR Alameda, Calif.,
NAR Jacksonville, Fla., NAR Memphis, Tenn., NAR
Norfolk, Va., NAR Whidbey Island, Wash., NAR Point
Mugu, Calif., and NAR North Island, Calif.
7 April VF-201 and -202, Naval Reserve fighter
squadrons, participated in National Week '83 exercises.
This was the first time that tactical air reserve units
conducted joint operations with the Sixth Fleet. The
two squadrons with their F-4N Phantom lIs deployed
from NAS Dallas, Tex., to NAS Sigonella, Sicily, via
NAS Oceana, Va.; Gander, Newfoundland; Lajes,
Azores; and Rota, Spain.
1 May RVAW-110 and -120 were redesignated VAW-
110 and -120. Responsible for training personnel in
early warning services for future assignment to fleet
units, the VAW-110 Greyhawks were based at Norfolk,
Va., and the VAW-120 Firebirds at NAS Miramar, Calif.
2 May Lieutenant Leslie E. Provow, a Naval Aviator
assigned to VRC-40, the Codfish Airlines, became the
first woman to be designated a Landing Signal Officer.
6 May HC-4 was established, permanently based at
NAS Sigonella, Sicily, and flying the CH-53E Super
Stallion. Its mission was to provide vertical on-board
delivery (VOD) for the Sixth Fleet.
23 May The Navy's EX-50 Advanced Lightweight
Torpedo made its first launch from a tactical aircraft,
the S-3A Viking, at NATC Patuxent River, Md.
UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910-1995
339
10 June Lieutenant Colleen Nevius became the first
woman Naval Aviator to graduate from the U.S. Naval
Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Md., and be desig-
nated a Navy Test Pilot.
Lieutenant Colleen Nevius.
23 June The British-built airship, Skyship 500,
arrived at NATC Patuxent River, Md., for test and eval-
uation. The Navy and Coast Guard were interested in
the airship for possible maritime patrol, search and
rescue and geo-survey missions.
1 July A new alignment of NAVAIR headquarters was
implemented. The position of Deputy Commander
was established. It was headed by a civilian, Dr.
Angelo 1. DiMascio. The realignment was designed to
provide a corporate management perspective enabling
NAVAIR to operate more efficiently.
6 July A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion flew
coast to coast in a IS-hour flight from Patuxent River,
Md., to MCAS Tustin, Calif. It was refueled four times
by a Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules.
23 July The U.S. Navy's only World War I ace, David
S. Ingalls, was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall
of Fame in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Ingalls was honored for
his service in World War I, in World War II in the
Naval Air Transport Service and in his postwar role in
commercial aviation.

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