A Fond Farewell to the CATBIRD

SIGONELLA, ITALY

12.04.2020

Courtesy Story

Naval Air Station Sigonella

On November 29, CATBIRD 151, a C-20G Gulfstream IV assigned to Executive Transport Detachment (ETD) Sigonella, departed Sicily for the last time to be retired from Naval service.

For nearly 61 years, the name CATBIRD has been attached to the Navy's executive transport aircraft based in Europe to fly the Navy’s top brass to key leader engagements across the continent.

Prior to 1958, Commander in Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH) was flown in a R6D-1Z (Douglas DC-6). This aircraft was transferred to VR-1 in 1958 and replaced with the first CATBIRD, a R4Y-1 Convair C-131 aircraft, bureau number 141020.

When aircraft 141020 was assigned, CINC held a contest within the office to come up with a name for it. At that time, Adm. C. R. Brown was serving Commander in Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe. A much beloved officer, he acquired the nickname of "Cat" as a youngster and continued to be known by it during his long and illustrious naval career. The name CATBIRD won the contest, and the call sign was officially changed to CATBIRD 1020.

At the time, Lt. David Young, noted for his lack of artistic ability in his unit, sought help from people known for their artistry. In December of 1959, he wrote to Walt Disney's public relations director and asked if the art department could provide him with several sketches of both a "leaping" and "Halloween" type cat. In February of 1960, Hazel Garner of the Walt Disney Public Relations Department replied with two sketches of cats along with two separate licenses for each sketch. These licenses granted the U.S. government exclusive use and the right to reproduce the sketches as long as the Walt Disney Copyright notice appeared along with the design. This cost the government $1.00 for each drawing. In March of 1960, after a little arm twisting, the Admiral agreed to have the Cat insignia painted on both sides of the vertical stabilizer of the CATBIRD.

In 1982, the R4Y-1 was replaced by a VP-3A aircraft (BUNO 150511), a converted P-3 ASW aircraft was outfitted with executive workspaces, communications suite, staff area, bunks, galley and head. Three VP-3A aircraft since have served as CATBIRD (BUNOS 150515, 150511, and 150496).

In 1999, there was renewed interest in the historic value of CATBIRD. With the help of a local Italian aviation enthusiast and the Walt Disney archives, the original CATBIRD design was found. The CATBIRD name and original design from Walt Disney was then presented to Adm. James O. Ellis with a request to reapply the art back onto the aircraft for the 40th year anniversary of the CATBIRD unit. Not only did Ellis agree to the reapplication, but he also sent two brand new one dollar bills as a renewal payment to the Chairman of Walt Disney, thanking him for the "act of kindness" which created the logo 40 years earlier. The reintroduction of the art on the aircraft preserved both the history of the unit and a Naval tradition.

In 2005, VP-3A (BUNO 150496) was replaced by a C-20A aircraft (Gulfstream III). In 2015, CATBIRD was upgraded once again to a C-20G aircraft (Gulfstream IV) which has provided outstanding operational service throughout Europe, Africa and other destinations around the world. One of only a few Gulfstream aircraft with a cargo door, CATBIRD has been in service since December 17, 1994, flown 22,517.7 hours, and made 11,123 landings.

During the last 12 months, the unit has successfully supported a variety of customers across a broad range of multiple continents in addition to supporting their principal customer, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-A). These customers included Commander RESOLUTE SUPPORT (COMRS), Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC), Commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Commander, Space Command (SPACECOM), as well the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. ETD Sigonella also shifted gears for a 120-day period and provided logistical support to Task Force 63, transporting COVID-19 test samples from several European bases to Ramstein AB for processing at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, then the only Department of Defense COVID-19 testing facility in Europe.

In 2021, ETD Sigonella will close its doors and its mission will be continued by VR-1 from NAF Washington, DC.

"ETD Sigonella is extremely proud to have been entrusted with the responsibilities which come with the air transportation of our nation's senior leaders as they conduct their affairs throughout the world,” said Cdr. Tim Topping, OIC. “With the retirement of CATBIRD 151, we say farewell to an old friend on behalf of all who flew her, maintained her and served in her."

• Date Taken: 12.04.2020
• Date Posted: 12.24.2020 09:31
• Story ID: 384339
• Location: SIGONELLA, IT