Originally made for WFGA, a Florida news network that was popular in the 60s, READY RESERVE follows the Florida 4th Marine Division Air Wing Team into their two weeks of active training, and demonstrate the readiness of the troops. They rehearse bombing, mechanic maintenance, and supply delivery. No detail is left out as the reservist are asked to take full function of the command site and test for combat readiness. A few generals lend their praises to the men in uniform that take on this duty. If you’re a Skyhawk, amphibious assault vessel, or chopper fan, you’ll find great vintage footage of these crafts at their peak performance.
A4D Skyhawks
The film starts with the Skyhawk jet fighters cruising through the air, they are the striking force of the 4th Marine Division. The Marine Air reserve squadron is made up completely of reservist who are ready if and when they are called upon. The two weeks of active duty training are reviewed.
2:04 Yuma Arizona Air Force Base where the reserves fly in from Florida to train.
2:36 A briefing between pilots sitting and going over a maneuver and assignments for the upcoming rehearsal.
5:18 The film turns to the pilots boarding their crafts at dawn.
6:30 The target area is shown as the copters show the scraping and bombing targets.
7:40 Pilots line up and begin communicating as first target becomes visible. The respective targets are bombed and the planes return to the landing strip.
9:30 Hanger crews take over to maintain the planes that are susceptible to the high Arizona temperatures. The jets are refueled and 20mm cannons are loaded, gunner magazines are refilled as we hear the voice of President Lyndon Johnson calling for more men and saying that it is not yet necessary to order in reserve units and promises to give the country notice if the time should come.
11:50 Liquid oxygen is being pumped into the jets to keep the engines cool.
12:15 Commanding officer of the Florida Marine Reserve Air Training Detachment, Lt. Colonel L. E. Lovett is heard praising the equipment and the troops who maintain the planes. He gives the troops credit for the high moral and can do attitude that keep everything working.
13:18 The pilots look over everything to ensure safety. Boards and then takes off.
14:00 The final test is competitive between the fighter jets. Four bomb runs are to be made as the pilots receive their directions.
15:20 Dust can be seen ascending into the air as pilots take out targets, the jets are seen at various angles that attempt to capture their speed and accuracy.
17:05 MA142 finishes with the best averages, BMA144 comes in at a close second. This proves that the troops are ready for deployment should it come.
17:40 Brigadier General Hugh M. Elwood speaks about the readiness of the 4th division wing team. He explains that they have 30 days to provide a ready team after getting orders to mobilize. In the 4th wing they have everything that the regular wing teams have and he indicates that he has been impressed by the team’s performance.
20:16 Off the coast of North Carolina, pilots in squadron HMM765 are practicing landing and takeoff of helicopters on an amphibious assault ship USS Guam. 592 foot vessel designed to transport 2000 Marine recruits. Bright colored yellow uniformed soldiers offer signals to the helicopters. The signal men are highly important to a successful landing as they guide the pilots through the process and get them safely within the designated points of the moving ship.
23:00 Helicopters are maintained by the reserves with seamless efficiency
24:00 Helicopters rehearse dropping and receiving aluminum sleds in a simulation of delivering supplies to live sites.
25:00 The Crews are again praised for being in the highest state of combat readiness.
25:30 Skyhawks are seen in perfect line formation cruising as the film draws to an end
