The Squadron was origmlly organized only to provide aerial target services for ships of the
Atlantic Fleet. On July lst, 1965, the unit's name was changed to Fleet Composite Squadron SIX
(FLECOMPRON SIX) (VC-6). Over the years, the mission of the VC-6 "FIREBEES" has expanded to include a variety of surface and
aerial target services, airborne reconnaissance operations, and real world threat simula
tions. Fleet
Composite Squadron SIX currently employs extensive, geographically dispersed target detachments, and
operates the nation's only "forward h m't he sea," U m e dA erial Vehicle (UAV) system The
Squadron is justifiably proud of its enduring reputation for providing top quality support to unique and
essential Navy operational mission areas. Detachment Dam Neck was established in July, 1958. Located at Fleet Combat Training Center
Atlantic, Dam Neck, Virginia, the Detachment performs quality maintenance on aerial targets, and
maintains a sophisticated aerial launch and control complex. A shore duty component at Dam Neck
operates BQM-74E targets from this permanent maintenance and launch site supporting ships and
squadrons in the Virginia Capes Operating Area. Three mobile aerial target detachments deploy
worldwide to provide remote landbased or afloat aerial target support. The BQM-74E Aerial Target Drone is a 13-foot long, high-wing monoplane of conventional aircraft
design. Powered by a variable speed turbojet engine, it can produce 240 pounds of static thrust at sea
level. The 480 pound target will fly at speeds up to 540 knots and to a ceiling of 40,000 feet. The BQM-
74E is normally recovered at sea by the Squadron's 100-foot recovery vessel, RETRIEVER, or a fleet
helicopter. FLECOMPRON SIX supported 18 major aerial detachments in 2000 compared to 7 for 1999,
which accounted for the large increase in total flight hours (34%) and number of sorties (27%):
- Continue worldwide support of detachments to South American and Western Pacific. Supported
nine Third Fleet exercises.
- Installed and evaluated the new ITCS "Keep Alive" system upgrade which increased system
reliability and reduced support requirements. Provided TIE support for system delivery.
- Supported the first major fleet buy of an Over-the-Horizon target control system (MAGICC). Provided TIE support for system delivery. Supported the US S KLAKRING (FFG 42) for UNITAS 4 1-00. FLECOMPRON SIX began remote control surface target operations in 1969, employing the QST-33
Seabome Powered Target (SEPTAR). A permanent surface target detachment was established in 1973 at
the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia to accommodate increased mission tasking. The
Little Creek component now operates QST-35 surface targets and the Drone Launch/Recovery Vessel
RETRIEVER -3). Detachment Little Creek frequently deploys surface target detachments to
Morehead City, North Carolina. Surface target units and a highly qualified DLR-3 crew also provide
target and utility services to a variety of fleet units in the Virginia Capes, Jacksonville, and Southern
Califomia Operating Areas. The Ship Deployable Surface Target (SDST), or ROBOSKI, is a remotely controlled fiberglass jetski
produced to meet the Navy's need for a low cost, high speed, maneuvering surface target representing a
typical, low-profile, littoral threat. Capable of 40 knots in a calm sea state, ROBOSKI is used primarily
for surface gunnery exercises. This unique target is capable of being deployed fkom the DLR-3 for local
exercises or f?om host surface ships for out-of-area operations.
