VA-76 (U.S. Navy)

VA-76 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 1 June 1955 and disestablished on 30 September 1969. The squadron was nicknamed the Spirits, from its motto Fighting Spirits of 76.[1]

Attack Squadron 76
VA-76 squadron patch
Active1 June 1955–30 September 1969
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
RoleAttack aircraft
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Spirits
EngagementsKorean War
Vietnam War
Aircraft flown
AttackF2H Banshee
F9F Panther
A-4 Skyhawk
A Skyhawk from VA-76 is loaded aboard the USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) in 1963.

Significant events

  • Nov–Dec 1956: The squadron operated from USS Forrestal (CVA-59) off the coast of the Azores during the Suez Crisis, awaiting a call to enter the Mediterranean if necessary.
  • Jun 1961: The squadron deployed aboard USS Intrepid (CVA-11) and operated in the Caribbean during the crisis in the Dominican Republic that followed the assassination of dictator Rafael Trujillo.
  • 19 Oct–08 Dec 1962: The squadron deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) and operated in the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis and naval blockade.
  • Mar 1964: Conducted operations in the vicinity of Cyprus during a conflict in that country between Turkish and Greek Cypriots.
  • 31 Jul–3 Oct 1964: While embarked in Enterprise, the squadron participated in Operation Sea Orbit, the first circumnavigation of the world by a nuclear task force. The sixty-five-day voyage was accomplished without replenishment. The squadron participated in numerous air power demonstrations during the voyage.
  • 8–25 Feb 1965: A detachment of the squadron’s A- 4C Skyhawks, configured with Sidewinder missiles, was embarked in USS Essex (CVS-9) for an Atlantic Fleet exercise. The aircraft were used for limited daylight fighter protection for embarked ASW aircraft.
  • 29 May–15 Jun 1965: While temporarily based ashore at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, the squadron flew armed reconnaissance sorties during the Dominican Civil War.
  • 11 May 1966: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander James B. Linder, was awarded the Silver Star for leading the squadron on a strike against a mobile SAM site at Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam.
  • 6 Dec 1966: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander A. D. McFall, was killed when his aircraft crashed following a night launch from USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31).
  • 1 May 1967: During a sortie against Kép Air Base, Lieutenant Commander Theodore R. Swartz shot down a MiG-17 with air-to-ground rockets. This was the first, and only, MiG aircraft to be downed by an A-4 Skyhawk during the Vietnam War. Lieutenant Commander Swartz received the Silver Star for his action.
  • 14 Jul 1967: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander R. B. Fuller, was shot down during a sortie over North Vietnam. He was released from captivity on 4 March 1973 following the 27 January 1973 ceasefire agreement with North Vietnam.[1]

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[1]

  • NAS Oceana – 01 Jun 1955
  • NAS Lemoore – 24 Aug 1966

Aircraft Assignment

The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:[1]

See also

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.

  1. Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). "VA-76" (pdf). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Naval Historical Center. 1. Washington, DC: Department of the Navy. p. 138.

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