wolframbane Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 Within the world of Macross, no VF fighter squadron is as famous as the Skull Squadron. They were the heroes of Space War One, from Ataria Island in the South Pacific to New Macross City in Alaska. Roy Fokker, Hikaru Ichijo, Maximillian Jenius, Milia Fallyna Jenius, Hayao Kakizaki. These are just a few of the heroes who flew with the Skull Squadron in the 21st century. During the 20th century, they were known as the VF-84 Jolly Rogers, and their skull and crossbone insignia was legend. Below is a link to the Jolly Rogers website, covering their history and their aircraft. http://www.jolly-rogers.com Below is a timeline for the VF-84 Skull Squadron. The actual historical events from 1955-1995 is adapted from the link at http://www.jolly-rogers.com/timeline.htm. The events from 1995 are from the Macross sources. 1955 July 1. VF-84 Vagabond Squadron is commissioned at NAS Oceana. The name 'Jolly Rogers' is held by the VF-61 during this time. 1957 January - July. VF-84 Vagabonds are stationed on the USS Forrestal during their first major deployment. They fly the FJ-3 Fury. 1959 After the disestablishment of the VF-61, a formal request is submitted to transfer the 'Jolly Rogers' name and insignia to the VF-84. The VF-84 are reassigned to CVG-7. They fly the F8U-2M Crusader. 1960 April 1. VF-84 formally became the Jolly Roger Squadron. August. The Jolly Rogers are deployed with the F-8 on the USS Independence. 1962 to 1964 VF-84 make two tours in the Mediterranean Sea. 1964 VF-84 become equipped with the F-4B Phantom. 1965 May - December. Deployed for seven months on USS Independence from 'Yankee Station' in Gulf of Tonkin. They have 1507 combat sorties and log 2200 flight hours during missions in both North and South Vietnam. 1966 June 1966 - January 1967. Seven month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. 1967 VF-84 make transition to the F-4J Phantom, and undergo a fifteen month training cycle. 1968 April 1968 - January 1969. Deployed for nine months in Mediterranean aboard USS Independence. 1969 VF-84 is reassigned to Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6). 1970 to 1975 VF-84 serve on the USS Franklin Roosevelt during four tours with the 6th Fleet. 1973 VF-84 revert to the F-4B Phantom. 1974 VF-84 make transition to the F-4N Phantom. 1976 June 1976 - April 1977. VF-84 train on the F-14A Tomcat. 1977 April. VF-84 is reassigned to Carrier Air Wing 8. December. VF-84 make formal transition to the F-14A and the USS Nimitz. 1978 The VF-84 Jolly Rogers make their first cruise with the USS Nimitz. 1979 The VF-84 Jolly Rogers make their second cruise with the USS Nimitz. During this time, they are filmed in the 1980 movie 'The Final Countdown'. 1980 January. USS Nimitz is diverted from Mediterranean to in the Arabian Sea during an Iranian hostage crisis. April. USS Nimitz is used as a launch platform for failed hostage rescue attempt. Roy Fokker is born in North America. He later becomes a stunt pilot in an air circus owned by the father of Hikaru Ichijyo. He later became a fighter pilot with the VF-84 during the United Nations Wars. (Roy was 29 in 2009.) 1981 August 1981 - February 1982: USS Nimitz again deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. During this time, the VF-84 is the first squadron to operationally deploy the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS). 1982 November 1982 - May 1983. VF-84 deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, including operations off the coast of Libya with no incidents. 1985 VF-84 cruise the Mediterranean Sea. 1986 August 15 - November 16. VF-84 cruise the NorLant. December 30, 1986 - July 26, 1987. VF-84 cruise around the world. 1988 VF-84 make transition to the newly commissioned USS Theodore Roosevelt as part of Carrier Group 8. December 30, 1988 - June 30, 1989. VF-84 cruise the Mediterranean Sea. 1990 USS Roosevelt makes makes preparations to join USS Ranger and USS Midway in the Persian Gulf in reaction to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The VF-84 is prepared for combat operations during the fall and winter. December 28. USS Roosevelt is deployed along with USS America. 1991 January 16. USS Roosevelt and USS America arrive in the Red Sea. Operation Desert Storm would commences that night. USS Roosevelt is ordered to join the USS Ranger and USS Midway in the Persian Gulf. After arriving in the Gulf, the VF-84 flies in Eastern Iraq during the air offensive and Central Iraq during the ground offensive. The USS Roosevelt moves to Eastern Mediterranean after the ceasefire. The VF-84 later fly missions into western Iraq during Operation Provide Comfort. Hayao Kakizaki is born in Japan. He becomes a fighter pilot with the VF-84 during Space War One. (Hayao was 17 in 2009.) 1993 March 11 - September 8. The VF-84 Jolly Roger Squadron remain the sole F-14 squadron aboard USS Roosevelt in the Mediterranean Sea. Hikaru Ichijyo is born in Japan. He becomes an amateur stunt pilot in an air circus owned by his father. He later became a fighter pilot with the VF-84 during Space War One. (Hikaru was 16 in 2009.) Maximillian Jenius is born in Europe. He becomes a fighter pilot with the VF-84 during Space War One. (Max was 16 in 2009.) 1994 Milia Fallyna is born from a Zentradi Clone Synthesis System. She becomes a Queadlunn Rau pilot for the Zentraedi forces commanded by Moruk Laplamis. She later becomes a fighter pilot with the VF-84 during Space War One. (Milia was 15 in 2009.) 1995 June. The United Nations Wars begin as battles start across the globe. The VF-84 Jolly Roger Squadron, piloting F-14 Tomcats and stationed onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, are connected to the US Navy during the UN Wars. Over the next several years, the Tomcats are initially upgraded to the F-14A+ Kai, and are later replaced by the F-203 Dragon II in 2003. During this time, the name of the Jolly Roger Squadron is changed to the Skull Squadron and young pilot Roy Fokker joins the VF-84. (Much of this is conjecture. In the real world, the VF-84 were disestablished as budget cuts had the Navy adopt a policy of only one F-14 squadron per carrier, and the VF-103 Sluggers became the new Jolly Rogers Squadron. In the Macross universe, mounting tensions throughout the world during the UN Wars in 1995 would have made the disestablishment of the VF-84 unlikely. The Jolly Rogers were historically stationed on the USS Roosevelt in 1995. The F-14A+ Kai upgrades are from Macross Zero. The F-203s are from the flashbacks in Macross episode #33 (Rainy Night). It is conjecture that they changed their name to the Skull Squadron during this period. There is some historical precedent for this, as the VF-84 were officially known as the Vagabond Squadron from 1955-1960.) 1999 July 17. The SDF Macross crashes on South Ataria Island in the south Pacific Ocean. The United Nations unify to prepare for alien invasion. (Note that in the Wildstorm comic Robotech: From The Stars, Skull Squadron is stationed on the carrier USS Kenosha near the Macross Island in 1999, and they pilot F-203s at this time). 2000 July. Violence in Middle East leads to the resumption of the United Nations Wars. 2001 January. The new United Nations government is inaugurated. The United Nations Forces are established. The United Stated Navy falls under the jurisdiction of the United Nations Navy. (The UN Navy is conjecture.) February. Reconstruction of the SDF-1 Macross commences. August. The designing of the F-203 Dragon II begins. 2003 The F-203 Dragon II is formally adopted as main fighter of the UN Forces. Skull Squadron has its F-14 Tomcats replaced with the F-203 Dragon. (Conjecture. Skull Squadron was seen flying Dragons in the flashback in 'Rainy Day'.) The development of the VF-X program begins. 2005 December. The carrier CVS-101 Prometheus is commissioned. Skull Squadron is assigned to the vessel. 2006 Production of the prototype VF-X variable fighter begins. 2007 January 20. The United Nations Wars conclude. February. The VF-X prototypes begin their initial test flights. Roy Fokker and Skull Squadron are assigned the the CVS-101 Prometheus, and are involved in the development of the VF-X prototypes. Roy is promoted to the command of the Skulls. (Conjecture. Roy became involved in the development of the VF-X after the end of the war.) June. Skull Squadron test the VF-X in space. November. Mass production of the VF-1 Valkyrie begins. Skull Squadron becomes the first variable fighter squadron. 2008 August. Skull Squadron deployed in actual combat in VF-1, although it remains restricted to fighter mode. 2009 January. SDF-1 Macross is commissioned. February 7. Hikau Ichijyo arrives during the christening of the SDF-1 Macross on South Ataria Island. Zentraedi fleet led by Vrlitwhai Kridanik attacks Earth. Space War One begins. Due to a misfold, the Macross transports Skull Squadron, the Prometheus and Daedalus, and most of South Ataria to the outer solar system. Macross City begins reconstruction within the hold of the SDF-1, and the Prometheus and Daedalus are permanently attached to the vessel. Skull Squadron is reassigned to the UN Spacy crew of the SDF-1 Macross and the ship begins to journey back to Earth. March. Hikaru Ichijyo joins the Skull Squadron. April 3-15. Skull Squadron involved in Battle of Saturn's Rings. October 5. Hikaru rescues Misa Hayase when the Macross lands at Mars Base Sara for supplies. Skull Squadron involved in Battle of Mars Base. October 10. Hikaru Ichijyo is promoted and given command of Vermillion Team of Skull Squadron. Maximillian Jenius and Hayao Kakizaki are placed under his command. Late October. Hikaru Ichijyo battles a Zentraedi Quel-Quallie during the Miss Macross pageant. November 8. Vermilliion Team escorts Misa Hayase on a recon mission but are captured by the Zentaedi. November. Vermillion Team escapes their imprisonment and return to the Macross. The vessel later returns to Earth. November 24. Hikaru Ichijyo is injured in battle with Zentraedi. November 30. Roy Fokker is killed in battle during a Zentraedi attack on the Macross. December 6. Hikaru Ichijyo returns to active duty, and is given command of Skull Squadron. December 7. Skull Squadron defends the Macross when the vessel's omnidirectional barrier overloads. An Ontario city is destroyed and Hayao Kakizaki is killed. 2010 January. Milia Fallyna is micronized and sneaks aboard the macross to assassinate Maximillian Jenius. February. Maximillian Jenius confronts Milia Fallyna and the two fall in love. They soon are married and their marriage is broadcasted to the Zentraedi fleet. February 11. The Macross and the Zentraedi fleet under Vrlitwhai Kridanik establish a peace treaty. The Zentradi main fleet commanded by Gorg Bodolzaa arrives and devastates the Earth. The UN Forces and the Vrlitwhai Zentraedi fleet battle and destroy the Bodolzaa Zentraedi fleet. Skull Squadron, including Milia Fallyna Jenius, participates within the battle. Hikaru Ichijyo recues Misa hayase from the devastated Alaskan Grand Cannon I. The damaged Macross comes to land nearby in Alaska. March. Space War One concludes and reconstruction of the devatated Earth begins. April. United Nations government is reestablished. May. Reconstruction of New Macross City commences. 2011 March. Maximillian and Milia Jenius have their first child, named Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius. August. Zentraedi armed resistance and warfare break out across Earth. September. Megaroad colonization missions undergo planning. November. Skull Squadron assists in capture of the Esbeliben factory satellite. They also rescue Lynn Minmay when she is captured by Quamzin Kravshera. December 25. Skull Squadron defend Onogi City from an attack by Quamzin Kravshera. 2012 January. Skull Squadron battle Zentradi led by Quamzin Kravshera during the Defensive Battle of New Macross City. February. VF-X-4 completes its prototype phase, having underwent testing by several pilots including Hikaru Ichijyo. Mass production of the VF-4 Lightning III begins. Skull Squadron is equipped with the VF-4. June. Hikaru Ichijyo marries Misa Hayase. September. Skull Squadron assigned to SDF-2 Megaroad-01 coloniztion fleet under the command of Misa Ichijyo. Hikaru Ichijyo commands the VF-1 Skull Squadron during the mission, piloting the VF-4 Lightning III. Maximillian and Milia Jenius are reassigned. 2013 Miku Ichijyo is born to Hikaru and Misa Ichijyo onboard the Megaroad-01 coloniztion fleet. 2014 UN Forces assign Maximillian and Milia Jenius to the cruiser Algenicus to form the Dancing Skull Squadron. (Events from Macross M3.) 2016 Communications with SDF-2 Megaroad-01 cease within the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. This information remains confidential. The fate of the Megaroad-01 and the VF-84 Skull Squadron remains unrevealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 (edited) Quick nit-pick: There is no F8U-2M. There's a -2N, but they didn't fly it. They have simply the F8U-2. AKA the F-8C. One of the few squadrons not to upgrade to a D/E model later. (Browsing the official site, I notice it's their fault as they list an F8U-2M --apparently the webmaster's not an F-8 fan) I like the UNofficial site, btw: http://www.almansur.com/jollyrogers/jollyrogers.htm Most importantly, where the official site merely says: 1959 May: Formal request submitted to CNO to transfer the "Jolly Rogers" name and fin-flash over to VF-84 The unofficial site gives the full story, which is hilarious IMHO, and certainly among the best as Naval legends goes (this is where the story of the actual bones got started: http://www.almansur.com/jollyrogers/vagabondshijacked.htm The story goes back farther, to VF-17 in WWII. (or did you skip it on purpose? It is mentioned at the official site) ::edit much later:: Ah--it's meant to be the history of (S)VF-84, not "The Jolly Rogers". I get it now. Edited April 23, 2004 by David Hingtgen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 (edited) F-8's ROCK, just so everyone knows. Anyways, with the F-8, they didn't have the skull and crossbones, nor much black at all. But they DID have flaming intakes with a flaming eyeball! Now we just need the "Flaming Eyeball" squadron. And yes it looks more like a checkmark, but it's supposed to be a VERY angry eyebrow for the eye. PS--sorry for the thread hijack! Edited April 23, 2004 by David Hingtgen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichterX Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 We like the Skull and Crossbones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichterX Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 by the way the Skull Squad Jolly Roger squad insignia has been used again in the Macross Universe? I think it wouldn't it be right if some squad that didn't had Hikaru or Max as sempai used the Skull Squadron name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 Well I've never liked that VF-103 uses the name, to me the "real" Jolly Rogers are VF-84. But they of course aren't the originals either! I do tend to dislike moving names around---why get rid of VF-84, and then 1 day later re-name and repaint VF-103? Why not just get rid of VF-103? Half the reason they picked VF-103 was because nobody knew "The Sluggers" and they wouldn't be missed. (Also, they had F-14B's, but it still would have been easier to just give the F-14B's to VF-84, rather than rename and repaint every Jolly Rogers thing in the entire Navy, and fill out 250,000 "change of squadron" forms) So the same thing probably happens in the Macross universe---squadrons come and go, and get renamed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coota0 Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 I don't know, I think it's fine that Roy flew with Skull, but for me Skull is not a reincarnate of the Jolly Rogers, in my view: As the UN wars heated up, a new Tomcat squadron was formed, some wannabe's liked the Jolly Rogers Insignia (VF-84 never would have been decommissioned nor would have VF-103 in the Macross Universe) so they called their Squadron teh Skulls and then became famous in their own right later on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellohikaru Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Well I've never liked that VF-103 uses the name, to me the "real" Jolly Rogers are VF-84. But they of course aren't the originals either! I do tend to dislike moving names around---why get rid of VF-84, and then 1 day later re-name and repaint VF-103? Why not just get rid of VF-103? Half the reason they picked VF-103 was because nobody knew "The Sluggers" and they wouldn't be missed. (Also, they had F-14B's, but it still would have been easier to just give the F-14B's to VF-84, rather than rename and repaint every Jolly Rogers thing in the entire Navy, and fill out 250,000 "change of squadron" forms) So the same thing probably happens in the Macross universe---squadrons come and go, and get renamed. I second that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noyhauser Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 1995......Over the next several years, the Tomcats are initially upgraded to the F-14A+ Kai, and are later replaced by the F-203 Dragon II in 2003. During this time, the name of the Jolly Roger Squadron is changed to the Skull Squadron and young pilot Roy Fokker joins the VF-84. The Kai probably appeared after 2000.... According to the Compendium, the F-14 Kai was likely an F-14 A+2 (plus) enhanced with Overtechnology, therefore it must have originated from after 1999. This is from the Compendium http://www.anime.net/macross/mecha/united_.../f14/index.html PROGRAMME: First flight of development aircraft 1970 December 21. Total number produced: 575. Service life extended with upgrades implementing Overtechnology in avionics and other areas. VARIANTS: F-14A+2 (also F-14A+(Plus)Kai): Improved upgrade version deployed as a main fighter in the United Nation Forces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nied Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 (edited) You left out their history using the VF-0. I had always figured that in the macross timeline the VF-84 Jolly Rodgers squadron had met an untimely demise, and that the VF-1 Wolfpack had picked up the name and tail insignia to honor them (perhaps VF-84 went down defending whatever ship VF-1 was stationed on at the time). Later on when the Jolly Rodgers transfered over to the Spacy, the UN was a little squemish about the pirate connotations of the name (especially with the anti-UN making claims about stolen technology) and forced them to change it to Skull. edited for some spelling errors. Edited April 24, 2004 by Nied Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolframbane Posted April 25, 2005 Author Share Posted April 25, 2005 Researching the history of the VF-0 and gonna work it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nied Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 To expand on my last post (from last year wow). While the VF-1 Skull squadron Valkyries have some markings in common with the Jolly Rodgers we know and love (the color scheme and the big skull and crossbones on the tails) it also has alot in common with the real VF-1 Wolfpack (the big horizontal stripe on the nose with the modex in it being the most obvious). That and the fact that they're VF-1 and not VF-84 made me think that at some point VF-1 Wolfpack adopted the bones and the name but hung on to some of their own markings in the transition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TehPW Posted May 11, 2005 Share Posted May 11, 2005 Well I've never liked that VF-103 uses the name, to me the "real" Jolly Rogers are VF-84. But they of course aren't the originals either! I do tend to dislike moving names around---why get rid of VF-84, and then 1 day later re-name and repaint VF-103? Why not just get rid of VF-103? Half the reason they picked VF-103 was because nobody knew "The Sluggers" and they wouldn't be missed. (Also, they had F-14B's, but it still would have been easier to just give the F-14B's to VF-84, rather than rename and repaint every Jolly Rogers thing in the entire Navy, and fill out 250,000 "change of squadron" forms) So the same thing probably happens in the Macross universe---squadrons come and go, and get renamed. I second that. likely because at the time, VFA-84 existed as well (i suspect the idea of the Navy going all Hornets was alive even back then) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 To expand on my last post (from last year wow). While the VF-1 Skull squadron Valkyries have some markings in common with the Jolly Rodgers we know and love (the color scheme and the big skull and crossbones on the tails) it also has alot in common with the real VF-1 Wolfpack (the big horizontal stripe on the nose with the modex in it being the most obvious). That and the fact that they're VF-1 and not VF-84 made me think that at some point VF-1 Wolfpack adopted the bones and the name but hung on to some of their own markings in the transition. but the Wolfpack were famous in their own right though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nied Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 To expand on my last post (from last year wow). While the VF-1 Skull squadron Valkyries have some markings in common with the Jolly Rodgers we know and love (the color scheme and the big skull and crossbones on the tails) it also has alot in common with the real VF-1 Wolfpack (the big horizontal stripe on the nose with the modex in it being the most obvious). That and the fact that they're VF-1 and not VF-84 made me think that at some point VF-1 Wolfpack adopted the bones and the name but hung on to some of their own markings in the transition. but the Wolfpack were famous in their own right though.... Which is why I imagine that skull squadrons markings are more of a cross between VF-1's and VF-84's rather than the complete and utter anhilation of the previous squadron's tradtions like we saw in real life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.