 In late 1949 VX-3 received the F6U Pirate which it operated for a short period before sending them into storage at NAS Quonset Point.In March 1953 VX-3 began operational trials of probe and drogue aerial refueling using AJ-1 Savage bombers.In late 1954 VX-3 carrier-qualified the F9F-8 Cougar aboard the .