VA-146 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). See FAQ/Research/Contact link under [SA] in the menu. |
 Rendition pre-1960 John Oliverio |
 VA-146 Shock Wave and Globe - 1960 |
 VA-146 Shock Wave and Diamonds - 1968 |
 VA-146 Blue Diamonds A-7E - 1969 |
 VA-146 Blue Diamonds A-7E - 1985 |
 VFA-146 Blue Diamonds Mach Wave - 1989 |
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Patch November 23, 1956. The Shock Wave and Globe patch was created for VA-146. This design consisted of two concentric circles with the outer circle, in dark blue, symbolized the all-encompassing mission of the attack community. The inner circle had a light blue background that was outlined in black and divided into four quadrants. Inside the inner circle was a yellow mach wave symbol and a yellow globe showing North and South America with a dark blue sea. Emanating from North America was a 300-degree arc in black. The mach wave and arc from North America symbolized the range and striking power of the squadron. Pre-1960. This version is taken from an image of a squadron pin. It may have been first used around 1956. My rendition of the globe is the only part that is not 100% accurate. John Oliverio. August 29, 1968. The Mach Wave and Diamonds patch simplified the previous design to bring it in concert with the Blue Diamond nickname. The new patch kept the two concentric circles with an outer circle of dark blue and the inner circle of light blue. Superimposed on the two circles was the yellow mach wave and four dark blue diamonds. Attached to the lower part of the insignia was a scroll outlined in dark blue with a light blue background and lettering in yellow. July 21, 1989. When VA-146 was re-designated VFA-146, the designation in the scroll changed from VA-146 to VFA-146. |
Sources David Weber Harry S. Gann James C. Ritchie Al Kaplan |
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1956 to sometime before 1960, the first nickname used was Blacktails. This name referred to the black color assigned to the squadron's position in the air group. Before 1960 to the present Blue Diamonds was adopted by the squadron sometime in the late 1950s. Heritage February 1, 1956, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (VA-146) was established. July 21, 1989, VA-146 was re-designated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (VFA-146). |
Home Ports
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location: 1956 - - - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Miramar 1962 - - - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore |
| Aircraft
February 1956 - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-8 Cougar. February 1956 - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-6 Panther. February 1956 - - - - - - - - - - Grumman F9F-5 Panther. September 1957- - - - - - - - - - North American FJ-4B Fury 5 June 1962 - - - - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk * 18 January 1968 - - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk * June 1968 - - - - - - - - - - - - Chance Vought A-7B Corsair II September 1969- - - - - - - - - - Chance Vought A-7E Corsair II November 1989 - - - - - - - - - - Boeing F/A-18C Hornet * November 30, 1962 A4D-2 Skyhawk designation was changed to A-4B A4D-2N Skyhawk designation was changed to A-4C For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
Air Wings
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing 1970 - - - - - - - - ?? - - - - - - CVW-30 Reserves 1956- - - - - - - - A/NK* - - - - - CVG-14/CVW-14† 1968 - - - - - - - - NG - - - - - - CVW-9 1982 - - - - - - - - NE - - - - - - CVW-2 1984 - - - - - - - - NG - - - - - - CVW-9 * The tail code was changed from A to NK July 1, 1957. † CVG-14 was re-designated CVW-14 when Carrier Air Group (CVG) designations were re-designated Carrier Air Wings (CVW) on December 20, 1963. |
| Deployments
01-21-57 to 07-25-57 - CVG-14 - CVA 12 - F9F-8/8B - WestPac 05-27-58 to 08-20-58 - CVG-14 - CVA 61 - FJ-4B - SoLant 01-03-59 to 07-27-59 - CVG-14 - CVA 61 - FJ-4B - WestPac 05-14-60 to 12-15-60 - CVG-14 - CVA 34 - FJ-4B - WestPac 11-09-61 to 05-12-62 - CVG-14 - CVA 16 - FJ-4B - WestPac 02-21-63 to 09-10-63 - CVG-14 - CVA 64 - A-4C - WestPac 05-05-64 to 02-01-65 - CVW-14 - CVA 64 - A-4C - WestPac/Vietnam 12-10-65 to 08-25-66 - CVW-14 - CVA 61 - A-4C - WestPac/Vietnam 04-29-67 to 12-04-67 - CVW-14 - CVA 64 - A-4C - WestPac/Vietnam 01-06-69 to 07-02-69 - CVW-9- - CVAN 65 - A-7B - WestPac/Vietnam 04-10-70 to 12-21-70 - CVW-9- - CVA 66 - A-7E - WestPac/Vietnam 10-01-71 to 06-30-72 - CVW-9- - CVA 64 - A-7E - WestPac/Vietnam 01-05-73 to 10-11-73 - CVW-9- - CVA 64 - A-7E - WestPac/Vietnam 06-21-74 to 12-22-74 - CVW-9- - CVA 64 - A-7E - WestPac/IO 04-12-77 to 11-21-77 - CVW-9- - CV 64 -- A-7E - WestPac 09-26-78 to 05-17-79 - CVW-9- - CV 64 -- A-7E - WestPac/IO 02-26-80 to 10-15-80 - CVW-9- - CV 64 -- A-7E - WestPac/IO 10-20-81 to 05-23-82 - CVW-9- - CV 64 -- A-7E - WestPac/IO 01-13-84 to 08-01-84 - CVW-2- - CV 63 -- A-7E - WestPac/IO 07-24-85 to 12-21-85 - CVW-9- - CV 63 -- A-7E - WestPac/IO 01-03-87 to 06-29-87 - CVW-9- - CV 63 -- A-7E - World Cruise 09-02-88 to 02-27-89 - CVW-9- - CVN 68 - A-7E - WestPac/IO 06-15-89 to 07-09-89 - CVW-9- - CVN 68 - A-7E - NorPac |
Commanding Officers
1956 - - - - - - - - - - CDR E. V. Davidson 1957 - - - - - - - - - - CDR J. R. Kincaid 1958 - - - - - - - - - - LCDR W. W. Alldredge 1959 - - - - - - - - - - CDR G. S. Hodgson 1960 - - - - - - - - - - LCDR J. R. Faulk 1961 - - - - - - - - - - CDR R. G. Hanecak 1963 - - - - - - - - - - CDR J. D. Ingram 1963 - - - - - - - - - - CDR E. V. Crangle 1964 - - - - - - - - - - CDR W. H. Harris 1965 - - - - - - - - - - CDR H. B. Loheed 1966 - - - - - - - - - - CDR A. A. Schaufelberger 1967 - - - - - - - - - - CDR R. F. Dunn 1967 - - - - - - - - - - CDR P. E. Johnson 1968 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Ford J. E. Schultz 1969 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Jesse R. Emerson III 1969 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Wayne L. Stephens 1971 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Manual B. Sousa 1971 - - - - - - - - - - CDR John A. Miller 1972 - - - - - - - - - - CDR O. F. Baldwin 1974 - - - - - - - - - - CDR D. K. Tyler 1975 - - - - - - - - - - CDR L. A. Sanders 1976 - - - - - - - - - - CDR R. I. Howson 1977 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Lawrence H. Price 1978 - - - - - - - - - - CDR J. A. Lair 1980 - - - - - - - - - - CDR L. J. Vernon 1981 - - - - - - - - - - CDR W. S. Orr 1982 - - - - - - - - - - CDR M. G. Shaw 1983 - - - - - - - - - - CDR P. C. Campbell 1985 - - - - - - - - - - CDR G. N. Crim, Jr. 1986 - - - - - - - - - - CDR R. E. Arnott 1988 - - - - - - - - - - CDR David C. Kendall 1989 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Phillip H. Mills 1990 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Steven E. Davis 1998 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Stephen Laukaitis 1999 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Cmdr Steve Brennan 2000 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Jeffrey Hansen 2000 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Raymond Hoffman, Executive Officer |
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Awards Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates: AFEM 09 Oct 1960 to 12 Oct 1960 20 Dec 1961 to 21 Dec 1961 28 Feb 1962 to 06 Mar 1962 06 Jun 1964 to 13 Jul 1964 04 Aug 1964 to 21 Sep 1964 29 Oct 1964 to 23 Nov 1964 20 Apr 1969 to 11 May 1969 24 Sep 1970 to 26 Sep 1970 02 Nov 1988 to 05 Dec 1988 MUC 26 May 1970 to 08 Nov 1970 12 Mar 1979 to 19 Apr 1979 17 May 1979 to 31 May 1980 21 Jan 1987 to 17 May 1987 NEM 12 Mar 1979 to 19 Apr 1979 26 Apr 1980 to 04 Aug 1980 12 Aug 1980 to 19 Aug 1980 NUC 02 Aug 1964 to 05 Aug 1964 10 Jan 1966 to 06 Aug 1966 18 May 1967 to 26 Nov 1967 PUC 22 Oct 1971 to 13 Jun 1972 |
RVNGC 24 Jan 1966 26 Jan 1966 to 27 Jan 1966 30 Jan 1966 04 Feb 1966 06 Feb 1966 24 Feb 1966 26 Feb 1966 to 28 Feb 1966 04 Mar 1966 06 Mar 1966 to 12 Mar 1966 20 Mar 1966 27 Apr 1966 to 28 Apr 1966 01 May 1967 to 01 Nov 1967 31 Mar 1969 to 03 Apr 1969 05 Apr 1969 31 May 1969 to 16 Jun 1969 30 Mar 1972 to 01 Jun 1972
VNSM 15 Jan 1966 to 12 Feb 1966 23 Feb 1966 to 22 Mar 1966 12 Apr 1966 to 09 May 1966 30 May 1966 to 30 Jun 1966 13 Jul 1966 to 06 Aug 1966 08 Jun 1967 to 11 Jun 1967 18 Jun 1967 to 25 Jul 1967 01 Aug 1967 to 03 Sep 1967 25 Sep 1967 to 15 Oct 1967 24 Oct 1967 to 12 Nov 1967 30 Mar 1969 to 18 Apr 1969 22 May 1969 to 24 May 1969 29 May 1969 to 17 Jun 1969 17 May 1970 19 May 1970 24 May 1970 to 16 Jun 1970 28 Jun 1970 to 13 Jul 1970 20 Jul 1970 to 04 Aug 1970 24 Aug 1970 to 18 Sep 1970 13 Oct 1970 to 08 Nov 1970 02 Nov 1971 to 22 Nov 1971 29 Nov 1971 to 31 Dec 1971 09 Jan 1972 to 03 Feb 1972 09 Feb 1972 to 02 Mar 1972 13 Mar 1972 to 23 Mar 1972 07 Apr 1972 to 18 May 1972 24 May 1972 to 25 May 1972 31 May 1972 to 13 Jun 1972 25 Feb 1973 to 14 Mar 1973 19 Mar 1973 to 28 Mar 1973 |
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Events February 1, 1956: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (VA-146) established at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. The squadron was assigned the straight winged F-9F6 Grumman Panther and the swept wing F-9F8 Grumman Cougar. September 1957: VA-146 was assigned the FJ-4B North American Fury. January 17 to 21, 1960: VA-146 squadron aircraft participated in a coast to coast non-stop cross country flight. June 1962: VA-146 was assigned the A-4C (A4D-2N) Douglas Skyhawk. July 8, 1963: Lt(jg). D.R. Gissel was killed … At 1235 A4C, Bu. No. 149568 of VA-146, Pilot Lt(jg). Gissel, D.R., crashed dead ahead into the water, range 3 miles, at 26-19.4N, 128-56.8E in 1,750 fathoms of water (enroute from Sasebo, Japan to Buckner Bay, Okinawa.) At 1250 pilot was returned to the ship by helo and taken to sick bay. At 1335 Lt(jg). Gissel died on board due to injuries received from plane crash at 1235 this date. USS Constellation deck log, Monday, 8 July 1963. June 8 through July 13, 1964: The Blue Diamonds participated in Yankee Team Operations. These operations involved photo reconnaissance missions over Laos. The squadron's A-4C Skyhawks were used to provide tanker and rocket-armed escort support for the photo reconnaissance sorties over Laos and South Vietnam. This type of support was also provided by the squadron during the period August 15 to September 20, 1964. August 4 & 5, 1964: Skyhawks from VA-146 flew night sorties in support of Desoto Patrol operations conducted by American destroyers operating in international waters off the coast of North Vietnam. These sorties were the result of attacks conducted against USS Maddox DD 731, by North Vietnamese motor torpedo boats on August 2, 1964. The American destroyer had been collecting signal intelligence in Desoto Patrol operations when this incident occurred. August 5, 1964: VA-146 aircraft participated in Operation Pierce Arrow. This operation involved retaliatory air strikes against North Vietnamese torpedo boats and their bases and supporting facilities because of the attacks against the USS Maddox DD 731, and USS Turner Joy DD 951, on August 4 by North Vietnamese motor torpedo boats. VA-146's A-4Cs flew 8 sorties against two installations. They experienced heavy antiaircraft ground fire but none of their aircraft were damaged. The sorties by VA-146 and the other units of CVW-14 against Hon Gay and the torpedo boats operating near Hon Me Island resulted in the sinking or damaging of 8 torpedo boats. August 5, 1964: VA-146 was one of the first squadrons to employ the A-4C in combat. November 13, 1964: Lt(jg). James H. Knollmueller, ejected safely last Friday after his A-4C Skyhawk (BuNo 149570, NK 606) collided at about 9,500 feet with VMCJ-1 RF-8A Crusader BuNo 146879 after taking off from the Carrier Constellation. Both planes were seen falling in pieces and burning and Marine Capt. Darl R. Bloom was not observed to eject. The Progress, Clearfield, Curwensville, Philipsburg, Moshannon Valley, PA., Tuesday, November 17, 1964. 1705 Lost radar and radio contact with F4B BuNo 151042 of VF-142. 1813 Fireball sighted hitting the water, bearing 090, range about 15 miles. Fireball result of mid-air collision between A4C BuNo 149570 of VF146 and RF8A BuNo 146879 of VMCJ-1. Directed Coontz (DLG-9) and MacKenzie (DD-836) to collision area for search and rescue operations. 1820 Helo sent to collision area for search and rescue operations. 1850 Pilot of A4C aircraft LTJG Knollmueller was rescued by helo. Injuries undetermined. 2121 Two survivors of lost aircraft (F4 Phantom) picked up by helo. 2135 Survivors returned onboard by helo; LTJG W.M. Myers and LT W.R. Moore. Injuries undetermined. 2233 Recovered one helo. 2251 c/c to 160. Destroyers commenced search in area where green flare reported. USS Constellation deck log, 13 November 1964. February 1, 1966: Cdr. Hubert Bradford Loheed (BuNo 149527) entered the cloud cover at 1,000 feet after a raid against barges 20 miles N of Vinh and was not seen or heard from again until his remains were handed over in 1994. May 5, 1966: Lt.(jg) Jeffrey George Greenwood ejected (BuNo 149571) and was rescued after the pilot accidently hit the water during an armed reconnaissance mission off the coast on North Vietnam, remained airborne and caught fire. June 25, 1966: Lt. F. Hugh Magee ejected (BuNo 149567) and was rescued by a Navy helicopter after his Skyhawk was hit under the cockpit by 57mm AAA during RESCAP for VA-65 A-6A Intruder BuNo 151816 three miles NE of Vinh. June 29, 1966: Cdr. Schaufelberger led a 28-plane strike of VA-146 and other CVW-14 aircraft against the Haiphong POL complex. This was the first American strike against this complex. March 3, 1967: LCdr. John F. Kennedy, 30, VA-146 at NAS Lemoore, was killed when his A-4C Skyhawk (BuNo 147812) crashed Friday 20 miles SW of Fallon, NV. Nevada State Journal, Saturday, March 4, 1967. June 30, 1967: Lt. John Michael McGrath ejected and was captured when his Skyhawk (BuNo 147712) was hit by AAA during attack on bridge near Thieu Ang. July 9, 1967: Lt. Charles Richard Lee was killed when his Skyhawk (BuNo 149542) was hit by a SA-2 missile while approaching the main Haiphong POL storage site. August 8, 1967: LCdr J. Casimes in A-4C BuNo 147719 crashed off the starboard bow of USS Constellation (Lat. 18 34.5N, Long. 107 24.0E) and was rescued by ship's helo with minor injuries. USS Constellation deck log, Tuesday, 8 August 1967. September 30, 1967: Cdr. Robert F. Dunn was awarded a Silver Star for his actions on this date. June 1968 VA-146 was assigned the A-7B Chance Vought Corsair II. June 16, 1969: While operating on Yankee Station aboard USS Enterprise CVAN 65, the carrier was ordered north to the Sea of Japan in response to an international incident involving the shoot down of a Navy EC-121 by the North Korean Air Force. April 1970: The squadron flew across the country to board an east coast-based carrier, USS America CVA 66, for an extended combat deployment to Vietnam. May 1970: Cdr. Stephens, along with other pilots from VA-147, flew the newest update version of the A-7 Corsair II, the A-7E, into combat for the first time. December 1971: During their second line period on Yankee Station, VA-146 became the first Navy squadron to use the laser-guided bomb (LGB) during combat in Southeast Asia. May 1972: The squadron's A-7Es conducted the first night mining missions for the Corsair II E models when they flew combat mining sorties on North Vietnamese rivers. Feberuary through April 1973: VA-146 acted as a deterrent force during Operation Endsweep, the sweeping of mines from North Vietnamese waters. November 1974: VA-146, as part of the CVW-9 team aboard USS Constellation, operated in the Persian Gulf. This was the first time in 26 years that an American carrier had entered and operated in the Persian Gulf. March 7, 1979: USS Constellation and her air wing were ordered to make a high-speed transit to the Indian Ocean from the Philippines in response to the conflict between North and South Yemen. February through October 1980: VA-146 made the first western Pacific deployment with the new Forward Looking Infrared Radar System (FLIR) installed on the A-7E Corsair II. 1983: The Blue Diamonds were tasked with fleet introduction of the HARM system. This new missile succeeds Shrike and ARM as the primary antiradiation, defense-suppression air-to-surface missile. September 1988: USS Nimitz CVN 68, with VA-146 embarked, operated in the Sea of Japan in support of the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Republic of Korea. July 21, 1989: Re-designated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY SIX (VFA-146). November 18, 1989: VFA-146 Received the F/A-18C Boeing Hornet |
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Unit Photos 13 AUG 1962: Blue Diamonds Skyhawk flight line, from left to right: BuNo 149568, NK-607, BuNo149567, NK-608, BuNo 149562, BuNo 149559, NK-610 and BuNo 149558, NK-611. U.S. Navy. 13 Aug 1962: Blue Diamonds Skyhawk flight line, from left to right: BuNo 149568, NK-607, BuNo149567, NK-608, BuNo 149562, BuNo 149559, NK-610 and BuNo 149558, NK-611. US Navy photograph, Gary Verver Collection. 1963: Road Runner Skyhawks BuNo 149560, BuNo 149574, BuNo 149578, NK-413, BuNo 149552, NK-403, BuNo 149576 and Blue Blazers Skyhawks BuNo 149568 & BuNo 149562 as they pass the USS Arizona Memorial. Naval Aviation News photo. 1963: Road Runner Skyhawks BuNo 149552, NK-403, BuNo 149560, BuNo 149574, BuNo 149577 & BuNo 149578, NK-413 and Blue Diamonds Skyhawk BuNo 149554 as they pass the USS Arizona Memorial. Naval Aviation News photo. Circa 1964: USS Hassayampa (AO-145) refueling USS Constellation (CVA-64) to port; USS Richard B. Anderson (DD-786) to starboard. Aircraft on deck are from CVW-14 (NK) including VF-141 Iron Angels F-8E Crusaders, VF-143 Pukin Dogs F-4B Phantom IIs, VAH-10 Vikings A-3B Skywarriors, VA-144 Road Runners A-4C Skyhawks, VA-145 Swordsmen (-1H/J Skyraiders, VA-146 Blue Diamonds A-4C Skyhawks, VFP-63 Eyes of the Feet Det.F RF-8A Crusaders, VAW-11 Early Eleven Det.F E-1B Tracers, and HU-1 Fleet Angels Det.F UH-2B Seasprites. 1964: VA-146 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149582. A couple of A-4C Skyhawks are pictured on the United States Ship Constellation elevator. VA-146 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149582 and side number NK 601 shares the elevator with VA-144 Skyhawk BuNo. 149561 and side number NK 408. On this 1964 - 1965 Vietnam cruise VA-144 pilot LTJG Ev Alverez was shot down and taken prisoner. VA-146 lost an A-4C on 11/13/64 but the pilot was recovered. United States Navy photograph from James C. Ritchie 12AUG64: Two A-4C "Skyhawk" aircraft, of Attack Squadron 146 fly past USS Kearsarge (CVS-33). These planes, from USS Constellation (CVA-64), are Bureau #s 149551 and 149570. Official U.S. Navy Photograph - Photo #: USN 1107965. Courtesy of Gary Verver OCT 1964: Left rear view of VA-146 Blue Diamonds A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149575, NK-600, on the ramp next to VA-146 A-4C BuNo 148521, NAS Lemoore. Copyright R.W. Harrison. DEC65-AUG66: Three VA-146 A-4Charlies being manned for launch aboard CVA-61 during a WestPac Cruise. BuNo 147812, NK-606; BuNo 149582, NK-601; and BuNo 147797, NK-603. VA-146 BuNo 147768 NK-615 trapping, with VA-55 NK-401 on deck. Photos from Jim Kirwan. 07MAY66: BuNo.149567 in Japan a month before it is shot down. "VA-146 Blue Diamonds (Busy Bee) BuNo 149567, NK-604, City of Tulare, taken at NAS Atsugi 07 May 1966 about a month before AAA put it and my uncle, Lt. Francies Hugh Magee in the drink." James W. Magee. Photo from Isamu Yatsuhashi via Masaaki Hayakawa. OCT66: BuNo 149575, NK-600, parked on the flight line along with an unknown Skyhawk. Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. Blue Diamonds Skyhawks BuNo 147690, NK-600, BuNo 147761, NK-605, BuNo 149679, NK-611 and BuNo 14782x aboard the Connie. Naval Aviation News photo. 1967: 06OCT67: The amazing thing about that photo, is that it was taken routinely prior to a launch, on 6 October 1967. That very missile then took down the center span of the Chieng Chang RR/Hwy bridge, on the main supply route between Hanoi and the Chinese border. This strike resulted in the citation. Hugh Magee. Off-Duty Photos None yet. |
CVW-14 on deck of the USS Constellation (CVA-64) during a deployment to Vietnam from 29 April to 4 December 1967. In the foreground are RVAH-12 RA-5C Vigilante BuNo 149300, NK-120, VA-146 Blue Diamonds A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 149579, NK-611, "City of Selma", black painted VAP-61 World Recorders RA-3B Skywarrior BuNo 144847, VA-55 Warhorses A-4C BuNo 149508, NK-512, and VA-196 Main Battery A-6A Intruders BuNo 152637, NK-407, and BuNo 152632, NK-405. Also on deck are VAH-8 Fireballers KA-3B Skywarriors, VAW-13 Zappers EA-1F Skyraiders, VF-142 Ghost Riders and VF-143 Pukin Dogs F-4B Phantom II's. Official U.S. Navy photo.
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit:
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