Strangely enough I think the two seat trainer variant was the only Cougar to see combat duty, as some sort of C&C platform. Not sure if it was for other aircraft or artillery.

In 1966-67, four TF-9Js of H&MS-13* were used in the airborne command role to direct airstrikes against enemy positions in South Vietnam. This marked the only use of the Cougar in combat.

*Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron 13; Marine Air Group 13; 1st Marine Air Wing; USMC

The Marine Corps, during the early 1960’s, adopted the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP) and organized its aviation supporting units into the Headquarters and Maintenance Squadrons (H&MS). This organization was developed to enhance aviation supportability by providing intermediate (“I”) level maintenance for all aircraft, and aircraft support equipment attached to a specific Marine Aircraft Group (MAG).

The operational structure of the H&MS was not standardized throughout the
Marine Corps. Some H&MS were operational squadrons with assigned aircraft, while other H&MS had no aircraft assigned and provided only IMA support to the air groups.

H&MS-13 was reactivated March 15, 1951, at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, as Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 13. During September 1966, the squadron deployed to the Republic of Vietnam and remained until October 1970.

H&MS-13 was one of the “operational” H&MS units, flying TF-9J Cougars in the 1960s, TA-4F Skyhawks in the 1970s, and OA-4M Skyhawk IIs through most of the 1980s.

In June 1965, MAG-13 became a unit of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, where it operated until September 1966 when it deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. Based out of Chu Lai, MAG-13 supported the III Marine Amphibious Force and other forces in I Corps and II Corps tactical zones, Laos, North Vietnam and Cambodia. Initially the Group consisted of VMFA-314, VMFA-323 and VMFA-542 all operating F-4B Phantoms.

As an aside, I was in the USMC from 1981-89, and as an “I”-level avionics tech, I was assigned to H&MS-13 from 2/83-6/87, except for deployed periods overseas – 6 months with H&MS-12 in Japan in 1984 & some short periods with AIMD aboard USS Ranger (Carrier Air Wing 2) in 1985-87. I was with H&MS-11 in 1988-89.