Top to bottom: A-4E Skyhawk with ACMI pod; planform of F-5E Tiger II; F-5E leading F/A-18 home after mission; F-5E terrain masking near Fairview Peak.

Fighter Squadron Composite 13 (VFC-13)
"Fighting Saints"

    The "Fighting Saints" of VFC-13 can trace their origins back to 1946, when VF-753 was commissioned flying F6F-5 "Hellcats." Other aircraft flown by the squadron included the FG-1D Corsair when operating as VF-53L (1946-1949); the F4U-4 Corsair and F9F Panther when operating as VF-821 (1949-1955); the AD-4NA Skyraider (1955-1958) and F9F-8B Cougar, FJ-3/4 Fury, and A-4A/B Skyhawk (1958-1968) when designated as VA-821 and VF-821; the squadron was redesignated as VSF-75X1 (1968-1970) while still operating the A-4A/B; the A-4B/C Skyhawk and F8-H Crusader when operating as VSF-76/VSF-86 (1970-1973).

    Today's squadron was formed on Sept. 1, 1973, at NAS New Orleans during the reorganization of the U.S. Naval Reserve. Initially, the squadron operated with the F-8H Crusader but transitioned to the A-4L, TA-4J, and A-4E Skyhawk the following year.

    The "Fighting Saints" provided a formidable dissimilar adversary threat, and in recognition of that primary mission assignment, VC-13 was proudly redesignated as Fighter Squadron Composite Thirteen (VFC-13) on April 22, 1988. The squadron logo was redesigned at this time to reflect the changes undergone by the command over the recent years.  The new logo incorporated as its focal point the wings worn by the highest classification of Soviet Fighter Pilots, the "Sniper".

    October 1993 marked the end of an era when VFC-13 made the transition to the single-seat, two engine F/A-18 "Hornet." This change further enhanced the squadron's ability to perform its adversary mission by providing an even more capable and realistic threat aircraft. In April 1996, however, the command relocated to NAS Fallon and made the transition to the F-5E/F Tiger II, supported by McDonnell Douglas contract maintenance.  Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 127, the Navy's last active-duty adversary squadron at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, NV, was disestablished on 23 March 1996. The adversary role performed by the "Desert Bogeys" at NAS Fallon since 1987 was assumed by the "Fighting Saints" of Fighter Squadron Composite 13.

VFC-13 provides adversary training for regular Navy fleet and replacement squadrons and air wings, reserve fighter and attack squadrons, USAF and USMC units, and Canadian forces.