Also operating C-121 and EC-121 aircraft was Oceanographic Development Squadron EIGHT (VXN-8) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, which employed the aircraft for specific projects (e.g., Project BIRDSEYE, MAGNET, ASWEPS etc.) for the Office of Naval Research until they were replaced by RP-3A and RP-3D Orion aircraft. VXN-8 also operated 4 additional NC-121 aircraft called the "Blue Eagles". These 4 specially modified aircraft were equipped with complete radio and television transmitting equipment and studios for simultaneous broadcast of American and Vietnamese television and radio programs prior to the installation of ground stations during the Vietnam War. The aircraft flew nightly 7 days per week broadcasting such American T.V. programs as "Combat", "Have Gun Will Travel", "Gunsmoke" along with other popular programs of the time in addition to Vietnamese programs prerecorded prior to each flight . Nightly American news broadcasts were transmitted live utilizing an onboard T.V. studio and an Air Force (AFRTS) newscaster bringing the latest news from home and the world. The "Blue Eagles" operated out of Saigon and Danang Air Bases for approximately 5 years commencing in 1965.