There were two different squadrons which used the designation VX-4. The first was established in 1946 as Experimental and Development Squadron Four at NAS Quonset Point equipped with PB-1Ws to evaluate and develop Airborne Early Warning equipment and procedures. In 1950 it relocated to NAS Atlantic City as Air Development Squadron four. The squadron moved to NAS Patuxent River in 1951 where it was disestablished later the year due to the lapse of assigned projects.

The second squadron with the VX-4 designation was established in 1952 at NAS Point Mugu.  The mission was to conduct operational evaluations of air-launched guided missiles and other aircraft equipment as assigned by the Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force.  The Squadron was initially known as "Air Development Squadron Four" but was modified somewhat as the mission expanded.

AIRCRAFT:

Over the years Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four, (Airtevron Four) flew a number of aircraft. VX-4 was initially assigned the Chance Vought F7U Cutlass. Later they transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F3D Skyknight (subsequently redesignated F-10). With the advent of the Bullpup and AIM-7 Sparrow missile, the North American FJ Fury, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk and the McDonnell F3H Demon replaced the Cutlass and the Skyknight. Other aircraft included the F-9F and T-33.

VX-4 received its first F-8 on 13 Oct 1959 when it was flown from LTV to Pt Mugu by Thomas Kastner. Then known as an F8U-2N it was the first of four which was used to evaluate how the aircraft with its improved performance and radar along with the the new IRAH and SARAH sidewinders might be best used. On 1 March 1960, VX-3 (then stationed at NAS Atlantic City, largly performing carrier suitability testing) was disestablished and all aircraft, projects, and some project officers were transferred to VX-4.  The F-8 Crusader remained with VX-4 until (approximately) 1971.

In Aug 1961 the F-4 Phantom II was assigned.  It was last flown in January 1990. In the early 1970s the F-14A Tomcat arrived.  The F/A-18 Hornet appeared in the early 1980s.  Spring of 1990 the F-14D Super Tomcat arrived. That year VX-4 supervised the first operational test of the F-14D and the T-45 Goshawk.

PROJECTS:

Operational tests and evaluation of airborne fighter weapons systems included the AIM-9 Sidewinder, The first sidewinder tested was the 1A, followed by the 1B.  Later the Sidewinder 1C was developed, but it had two varients:  the Semiactive Radar Alternate Head (SARAH) and the Infrared Alternate Head (IRAH).  Eventually these two vaiients were (respectively) redesignated the AIM-9C and AIM-9D

Other VX-4 missile testing included the AIM-7 Sparrow, and the AIM-54 Phoenix missiles. VX-4 began developing tactics for the employment of the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile in 1991.

The squadron project testing also included additional projects that were not associated with guided missiles. Projects such as the operational test of terrain clearance radar, Doppler navigation systems, and air-to-air distance measuring equipment were included in the squadron's tasks.  Electronic Warfarre (EW) equipment tested included radar warning devices (AN/APR-27, AN/APR-30, and AN/ALR-50 Charger Blue) and self-protection jammers (AN/ALQ-51 and AN/ALQ-100).

During the 1960's VX-4 participated in the now declassified Mig performance evaluation projects named "Have Doughnut" (a.k.a. Donut) and "Have Drill".  See the following link for a better description of the programs.   http://area51specialprojects.com/migs.html

VX-4 developed tactics for the ALR-67 radar warning receiver and contributed the system’s incorporation in the F-14.

 Some 1991 projects included testing the Swedish BOL chaff dispenser on the F-14, various Sidewinder, Sparrow and Phoenix missile evaluations and Infrared search and track (IRST) tests on the F-14D.   ALR-67 (ECP-510) testing in the F/A-18 was one of the squadron's more significant projects in late 1991 and 1992.

Early in 1993 the Navy decided to consolidate VX-4 and VX-5 into one squadron called VX-9.  By late 1993, the transfer of all F/A-18 projects and F/A-18C/D aircraft to VX-5 at China Lake had begun.  On 30 September 1994, VX-4 was officially disestablished and its assets were reassigned to VX-9 (Detachment Point Mugu) which continued F-14 weapon system testing unitl it was dissolved in June 2004.

F-8 Commanding Officers

From	To	Commanding Officer
Jul 1959	Jan 1961	Capt. Joseph G. Smith
Jan 1961	Apr 1962	Capt. William H. Livingston
Apr 1962	Jul 1963	Cdr. Hugh N. Batten
Jul 1963	Jul 1964	Cdr. John A Gilcrist
Jul 1964	Nov 1965	Cdr. Chandler V. Merrell
Nov 1965	Jan 1967	Cdr. R. C. Stewart
Jan 1967	Jan 1969	Capt. Constantine N. Pierozzi
Jan 1969	Apr 1971	Capt. James Roger Foster*
Apr 1971	Mar 1974	Capt. T. J. Cawley
* not to be confused with Capt James R(ichard) Foster, another Crusader pilot who happened to be assigned to VF-33 at the same time as Capt (then Lt) James Roger Foster which caused the paymaster of the Intrepid quite a headache.

Click this link for a full list of commanding officers

VX-3 Carrier Qualification Testing	VX-3 Tanking
F8U-1 (F-8A) - 1962	F8U-2N (F-8D)  - 1962
F-8E Carrying bombs - 1962	F-8E - 1964
F-8E  with Bombs and Sidewinders  - 1967	F-8E - 1968
F-8E - 1969	Hangar - approx 1969
F-8H - 1970

PEOPLE & EVENTS

Inspections and parades with band were common under C.O. Capt J.G. Smith	From November 1960 Press Courier newspaper article
First VX-4 F8U-2N flown from LTV to Pt Mugu by Lcdr Tom Kastner	U.S. Navy photo from November 1960 Press Courier newspaper article
U.S. Navy photo from November 1960 Press Courier newspaper article	Lcdr Tom Kastner, Peter Newman (British) and Capt Ed Givens (USAF) Peter played bagpipes and Ed went on to astronaut program (US Navy Photo courtesy of Tom Kastner)
. Squadron Officers - 1968 (Approx)
High Altitude Intercept Project	Space Suit Project
Squadron Officers - 1969 (Approx)
VX-4 CO Capt J.R.Foster (right) delivers the 1969 Tailhook trophy to VX-5 CO Capt C.W. Fritz (center) and XO Cdr B.H. Creighton (left).  VX-4 & VX-5 tied in the competition and rotate the trophy.  1969 Rocketeer photo.	VX-4 CO Capt J.R. Foster (left) receives an A-7E model from LTV rep Arnie Vang (center) upon becoming qualified during an air-to-air gunnery test deployment to NAS Cecil.  VX-5 CO Capt C.W. Fritz (right) watches.  1970 VX-5 photo

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