Attack Squadron 82 (United States Navy)

Attack Squadron 82 was born at NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida, the Master Jet Base on the east coast at the time.

VA-82 (Marauders) and her sister squadron VA-86 (Sidewinders) were created from training squadron VA-174 (HellRazors) on 1 May 1967. VA-174, an F-8 Crusader Squadron, was chosen since the A7-A Corsair II was based on the F-8 Crusader.

Vietnam deployment (WestPac 68)

A7 Corsair from VA82 on duty during the Vietnam War

VA-82 and VA-86 became part of Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) and were deployed on the USS America (CVA-66) and deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam war.^[1] They were the first east coast squadrons to take the A7-A into combat. One of the A7-A's (Corsair II) from VA-82 can be viewed at the Hickory Aviation Museum in Hickory, North Carolina.^[2] (the first squadron to take the A7-A into combat was VA-147 (Argonauts) stationed at NAS Lemoore, California and deployed in 1967 on board USS Ranger, (CVA-61).

Cdr. John E. Jones was the first skipper of VA-82 (Atkron 82). On Sept. 5, 1967 He took command of the newly formed attack squadron and with his men designed the squadron logo.(Cdr. Donald P. Thomas took over command of the squadron Jan.8,1969.) Cdr. Jones received his commission Sept.1,1951 and reported to VA-195 aboard the USS Princeton as a naval aviator during the Korean conflict flying the low wing propellar driven Corsair. He received two Air Medals, a Letter of Commendation with Combat Award, a Presidential Unit Citation, a Navy Unit Citation, and several Korean campaign medals. From 7/1954- 8\1957 he served as an instructor pilot in the Advanced Training Command. In 12/1962 he was assigned to VA-125 at NAS Lemoore as squadron Training Officer for A4's. In 8/1966 he reported to VA-174 as Operations Officer.

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