Attack Squadron 42 (U.S. Navy)

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Attack Squadron 42
VA-42 Insignia
Active	1 September 1950 - 30 September 1994
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Attack
Role	Close air support Air interdiction
Garrison/HQ	NAS Oceana
Nickname	Green Pawns
Engagements	Korean War Vietnam War

Attack Squadron 42 (VA-42) also known as the "Green Pawns" (1950 - 1992) and the "Thunderbolts" (1992 - 1994) was a United States Navy attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The unit has evolved several times throughout its history that dates back to 1950. When it was established on 1 September 1950 the squadron was designated Fighter Squadron 42 (VF-42). The unit was redesignated (VA-42) on 1 November 1953 the squadron designation remained the same until it was disestablished on 30 September 1994.^[1]

1 Squadron Insignia and Nickname
2 Chronology of Significant Events
3 Home Port Assignments
4 Aircraft Assignments
5 Major Overseas Deployments
6 Air Wing Assignments
7 Unit Awards Received
8 References
9 See also
10 External links

[edit] Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The insignia for VA-42, the green pawn, was originally approved by CNO for Bombing and Fighting Squadron 75 (VBF-75)on 28 October 1946. When VBF-75 was redesignated VF-4B on 15 November 1946, the insignia was carried over for use by Fighting Squadron 4B (VF-4B).
On 1 September 1948 VF-4B was redesignated Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42). This squadron continued to use the green pawn insignia until it was disestablished on 8 June 1950.
When a new Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42) was established on 1 September 1950 they adopted thegreen pawn insignia that had been used by the former VF-42. In 1953 the insignia was carried over to VA-42 following its redesignation from VF-42.
The green pawn insignia is a simple, uncluttered and highly recognizable design. The symbol of the pawn was chosen because it has the most potential power of any piece on the chess board. The pawn is canted at a 45 degree angle inside a shield design. It is also said that the aircrew said they were called the green pawns for two reason: 1-it was the fleet FRS (Fleet Replacement Squadron..they trained new aircrew and aircraft maintainers..thereby, they were green, meaning new) 2-they squadron was a pawn and could be psuhed around by the fleet and the senior commands.
Colors are as follows: green pawn; background of the shield is white outlined in green; and the scroll is white outlined in green with green lettering.
In 1992 the name and insignia was changed to "Thunderbolts" and the old logo of [then recently disestablished A-6 fleet squadron, VA-176 ]. On the insignia was a dark blue background, a maced fist and lightning bolt held by the fist. Interestingly, the stars in the background, still were shown in the count of 1, 7, and 6 [these were sepearated by the parts of the insignia].

[edit] Chronology of Significant Events

20 Oct–15 Nov 1951: During training operations in the Caribbean, the squadron operated aboard three different carriers. They departed from Norfolk, Virginia aboard USS Midway (CVB-41) and then transferred to Wright (CVL 49) while the ships were off the coast of Puerto Rico. A couple of days later the squadron was transferred to USS Cabot (CVL-28) while operating at sea.
Jan–Apr 1956: The squadron operated aboard the Navy’s first super carrier, USS Forrestal (CVA-59) , during her shakedown cruise.
24 Oct 1958: The primary mission of VA-42 was changed to the training of fleet replacement pilots in the AD (A-1) Skyraider. The training involved all-weather flight training, low-level navigation flights, simulated special weapons training flights, conventional weapons training flights, and day and night carrier qualifications.
19 Feb 1959: VA-42 graduated its first AD Skyraider replacement pilot.
9 Mar 1959: With the acquisition of the [[T-28 Trojan|T-28B aircraft, VA-42’s instrument instructors used this plane to conduct all-weather flight training for the light attack community.
10 Nov 1962: VA-42 pilots flew three A-1H Skyraiders from NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, to Rota, Spain, via Lajes, Azores. The squadron claims this was the first trans-Atlantic flight conducted by A-1H Skyraiders.
1 Feb 1963: VA-42 became the first fleet squadron to receive the A-6A Intruder. The squadron also initiated the Fleet Introduction Program for the all-weather A-6A. VA-42’s new mission was the training of A-6A Bombardier/Navigators,also knowns as B/N's, as well as its pilots. It was also responsible for conducting the A-6A Fleet Replacement Aviation Maintenance Program which trained maintenance personnel.
12 Jun 1963: The Green Pawns received the first A-6A (bureau number 149939) with a complete weapon system, thereby permitting the initiation of weapon system indoctrination flight training program for VA-42’s instructor pilots and bombardier/navigators.
3 Sep 1963: Formal flight training in the A-6A fleet replacement program began with the convening of Class 1-63. This training was for VA-75 pilots and bombardier/navigators.
8 Sep 1963: The squadron’s last A-1H Skyraider (bureau number 135324) was transferred. This brought to a close the training of A-1 replacement pilots by VA 42. VA-42 still maintained one A-1E and two T-28Bs for use in propeller instrument training.
14 Oct 1963: The Green Pawns conducted the first fleet night arrested landings and catapult launchings with the A-6A aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59).
12 Mar 1964: The squadron’s last T-28B was transferred, and the instrument training program for fleet A-1 pilots came to an end. Two days later, their last Skyraider, an A-1E, was transferred.
13 Mar 1964: VA-75 became the first fully trained fleet A-6A squadron ready for deployment following successful completion of VA-42’s fleet introduction program on the A-6A.
15 Dec 1964: VMA-242 became the first Marine Corps squadron to complete transition training in the A-6A and qualify for fleet deployment with the Intruder.
28 Jan 1968: With the acquisition of the TC-4C aircraft, VA-42 was able to provide more training on airborne radar operation for A-6A bombardier/navigators. The new aircraft was equipped with a complete A-6A cockpit console and weapon system, multiple bombardier/

navigator stations, plus ECM equipment, and other radar operational capabilities.

Nov 1968: VA-42’s A-6A pilot training syllabus was modified to include lessons learned from the Intruder’s employment in combat. The new tactics phase included air combat maneuvering and Sidewinder missile shoots, while conventional weapons training was made more realistic.
12 Nov 1969: With the acquisition of the updated Intruder, the A-6B, in June 1969, the squadron developed a new training syllabus for the A-6B Standard ARM aircraft and a detachment from VA-165 became the first to complete this course of instruction on 12 November 1969.
21 Nov 1969: The squadron assumed the duties of providing A-6 orientation training for Air Intelligence Officers reporting to fleet A-6 squadrons. Lieutenant(jg) Erickson became the first Air Intelligence Officer to complete the training on 21 November 1969.
1 Oct 1971: When COMMATWING ONE was established on 1 October, VA-42 was reassigned from COMFAIRNORFOLK to this command, and VA-42’s Commanding Officer, CDR Andrassy, was also

assigned as Commander of Medium Attack Wing One, making him dual-hatted.

5 Jan 1973: VA-42’s Commanding Officer, CDR Zick, was relieved of his duties as COMMATWING ONE by CAPT Turk ending the dual-hatted role of the squadron’s commanding officer.
1980: Lieutenant (jg) Beth Hubert was trained as an A-6 Intruder pilot by the Green Pawns and became the first woman naval aviator to qualify as an A-6 pilot.
Jan 1982: VA-42 implemented a training program for the Harpoon weapons system.
Jun 1982: A VA-42 pilot became the first female naval aviator to make an arrested landing in an A-6 during carrier qualifications on Lexington (AVT 16).
October 19, 1992: Name and insignia officially changed to "Thunderbolts" and old insignia of VA-176.
September, 30, 1994: officially disestablished.

[edit] Home Port Assignments

Location Assignment Date

NAAS Oceana 01 Sep 1950
NAS Jacksonville 19 Sep 1950
NAAS Cecil Field 09 Jun 1951
NAAS Oceana (later NAS*) 27 Aug 1951 NAAS Oceana redesignated NAS Oceana on 1 April 1952.

[edit] Aircraft Assignments

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

F4U-4 Sep 1950
AD-4 Sep 1953
AD-4L Oct 1953
AD-6 Nov 1953
AD-4N Dec 1953
T-28B 09 Mar 1959
A-6A 01 Feb 1963
TC-4C 28 Jan 1968
A-6B Jun 1969
A-6C 1971
A-6E 02 Dec 1971
KA-6D 1976

[edit] Major Overseas Deployments

Depart Return Airwing Aircraft Area of Ops

06 Mar 1951 08 Jun 1951 AirDet CVL 48 F4U-4 Med
01 Dec 1952 19 May 1953 CVG-6 CVA 41 F4U-4 Med
30 Nov 1954 18 Jun 1955 ATG-181 CVA 15 AD-6 Med
12 Oct 1956 22 May 1957 ATG-181 CVA 20 AD-6 WestPac
09 Jun 1958 08 Aug 1958 ATG-181 CVA 11 AD-6 NorLant

[edit] Air Wing Assignments

Air Wing Tail Code Date

CVG-6 C 01 Sep 1950
ATG-181* I 24 July 1956
CVG-8 AJ 14 Aug 1958
RCVG-4† AD 24 Oct 1958
COMFAIRNORFOLK‡ AD 01 May 1970
COMMATWING ONE AD 01 Oct 1971
VA-42 had operated as part of ATG-181 prior to July 1956.

However, ATG-181 was not assigned a tail code letter until 24 July 1956. Prior to July 1956 VA-42 still carried the tail code for CVG-6 even though it deployed as part of ATG-181. † RCVG-4 redesignated RCVW-4 on 20 December 1963. ‡ On 1 June 1970, RCVW-4 was disestablished. The AD tail code that had been allocated to RCVW-4 and its assigned squadrons continued to be used by the squadrons that had been in RCVW-4. VA-42 continued to use the AD tail code for its aircraft.