Historical Perspective:

Until World War I, the only Naval Reserve forces were in the Navy militia in various states. These "militias" were sponsored by civilian sailors and Naval enthusiasts rather than by the federal government.
In fiscal year 1917, a naval appropriations act, provided funds for the establishment of a Naval flying corps and the purchase of 12 planes for Naval militia. The Naval Reserve flying corps, was designed to attract civilians, aviators, designers, and workers. It also attracted interest from colleges and Yale was the first group to be organized in 1916 by F. Trubee Davison, who later was Assistant Secretary of War. This organization of the first Yale group is considered the official birth of the Naval Air Reserve.

In the spring of 1965, the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet asked for the support of the Naval Air Reserve in logistics operations in Southeast Asia. Then again in 1968 the reserve was asked to respond to the Pueblo Crisis. Six VA and VF squadrons were recalled however because of deficiencies in training and equipment, these units were never used.

As a result, during 1970 the Naval Air Reserve was reorganized. All reserve units now mirrored active fleet squadrons, and placed strategically around the country.

On 1 February 1973, Naval Air Reserve Command, Glenview, Illinois and Naval Surface Reserve Command, Omaha, Nebraska, consolidated to form the office of Chief of Naval Reserve, now headquartered in New Orleans, LA.

As of 1985, there were over 22,000 Naval Air Reservists which accounted for over 17% of the Navy's total aviation force. This included the VR units contributing 100% of U.S. heavy logistic airlift.

In 1974, Fleet Logistics Support Wing was established. The first use of logistic aircraft goes back to VR-1 or VR-1020, as it was also known. VR-1 began using the airplanes on 1 September 1974. So after nearly 40 years of mishap free service, and thousands upon thousands of transport flights, our dear aircraft is retiring.

With this said, this closes out the use of this tutorial. It will remain online for archival use. To the thousands of service members who piloted, maintained, were aircrew aboard the C-9B/DC-9 my sincerest appreciation for a job very well done. Extremely well done.

Very Respectfully,
Kimberly A. King
AZC(AW/NAC) - United States Navy - Retired