The following is a list of units using the LTV A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft.
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Greece still operates the Corsair II's, in the form of the A-7H's, TA-7H's, A-7E's and TA-7C's variants, and uses these aircraft in the traditional tactical strike and ground attack roles for which it was designed. Greek A-7s have been upgraded with many improvements, such as greater thrust from their Allison TF-41 engines, upgraded avionics, radar, and full day/night capabilities.
Portugal A-7's (designated A-7P, TA-79) were 20 converted ex-USN A-7A airframes powered by the TF30-P408 engine and were equipped with A-7E avionics. These aircraft were purchase through the V-519 contract of May 5, 1980, and initially 28 A-7A airframes were to be converted to the A-7P standard, but only the best 20 airframes were approved for the conversion. Deliveries of this contract to Portugal began on December 24, 1981, date of the arrival of the first nine aircraft, and were completed by September 29, 1982.[1]
In May, 1983, Portugal renegotiated the contract and put an order for an additional 24 A-7P and six converted ex-USN TA-7C to the TA-7P standard. Delivery of the aircraft of this second order took place between October 8, 1984 and April 30, 1986. However, one A-7P (PoAF s/n 15540) of the 24 ordered was lost in an accident in the United States prior to its delivery.
As part of the second order, the United States Navy leased one TA-7C (s/n 154404; c/n B-044) to Portugal between April 1982 and June 1985 for operational conversion of fighter pilots. This aircraft, a A-7B-1-CV Corsair II converted to TA-7C tandem-seat trainer, was nicknamed "Pomba Branca" (white dove) due to the original USN white painting that was kept. It was later returned to the United States Navy.
On June 10, 1999, the last operational Corsair II conducted the last flight of the aircraft fleet in service with the PoAF, with 64,000 logged flight hours.
Thailand purchased 14 A-7E's and 4 TA-7C's for coastal defense and sea patrol duties. Aircraft were delivered during the summer of 1995 and were in service with the 104th "White Shark" squadron, 1st Wing at U-Tapao International Airport. These aircraft are currently not operational as of July 20, 2007. However, the Royal Thai Navy continues to maintain the operability of the aircraft with the necessary maintenance and by starting them up and taxiing them on the airport's tarmac.
The A-7 Corsair II made its initial military service and combat debut with the United States Navy in 1967 and, over time, became its most prolific user. It was gradually phased out in the 1980s with the introduction of its replacement, the F/A-18 Hornet. Eventually the US Navy retired their last Corsair II's in May 1991. Customized variants of the A-7 went on to serve in units of the United States Air Force and Air National Guard.
Currently active-duty squadrons or units that were former A-7 operators
Current Naval Reserve squadrons or units that were former A-7 operators
Disbanded or merged squadrons or units, that had operationally used the A-7 Corsair II
Other Squadrons or Units
All active duty USAF units flew A-7Ds, except as noted below. A-7Ds were in production starting in 1969, ending in 1976. Aircraft produced in 1975/76 sent directly to Air National Guard units. USAF retired their A-7s in 1981, last 20 A-7D aircraft used in developing the F-117 were withdrawn in January 1989.
Wing/Squadron Tail Codes are shown in parentheses.
Note:** Although officially assigned to Nellis, the 4450th TG used A-7D/K aircraft at Tonopah Test Range Airport, Nevada for training and to provide a cover story for F-117 Nighthawk development. The 4451st Tactical Squadron was only active-duty and first USAF or ANG squadron to receive the A-7K.
Note:*** Prior to June 1972, Squadron Tail Codes were used on Myrtle Beach and Davis-Monthan aircraft. These were standardized to MB for 354th TFW and DM for 355th TFW IAW AFM 66-1 in June 1972.
Prototype YA-7D, YA-7K, YA-7F and some early production A-7D aircraft were assigned to Air Force Systems Command for flight testing and evaluation prior to being turned over to operational units. Flight testing began at Edwards and Eglin AFB in 1968. After testing was completed, several were retained by the test pilot school at Edwards to study flight characteristics and perform chase plane duties until being retired in August 1992.
Air National Guard units flew a combination of A-7D and twin-seat A-7K aircraft. Transfers of A-7D aircraft from active duty units began in 1974, ending in 1981. Deliveries of new A-7K aircraft directly to ANG units began in 1980, ending in 1983.
In the early 1990s, the A-7 was phased out of the ANG inventory, with the aircraft being sent to AMARC. In 1993 the last units to retire the A-7 were the ANG units at Rickenbacker ANGB (Ohio) in January, Des Moines (Iowa) in September, with the last unit being the 125th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tulsa (Oklahoma) in October 1993.