Third VA-155 (U.S. Navy)

An A-6E Intruder similar to those flown by the third VA-155.

This VA-155 was the third Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy to carry the VA-155 designation. It was established on 1 September 1987 and disestablished on 30 April 1993. Its nickname, shared with the second VA-155 was the Silver Foxes.[1]

Significant events

15 August–8 October 1988: USS Independence (CV-62), with VA-155 embarked, conducted a change of home port transit from Norfolk to San Diego via Cape Horn. During the transit numerous airpower demonstrations were conducted for dignitaries from various South American countries.

17 Jan 1991: The squadron conducted its first combat operations. VA-155’s commanding officer, Commander Sweigart, led Air Wing Two’s aircraft in its first strike against Iraq.[2]

18 Jan 1991: The squadron suffered its first and only loss during the war with Iraq when one of its A-6E Intruders was shot down while on a mining sortie by the Um Qasr Naval Base in Iraq.

28 Feb 1991: USS Ranger’s last combat strike of the Gulf War was launched and led by a VA-155 aircraft. During the 43 day Gulf War the squadron flew 1,388.4 hours, a total of 635 sorties, and delivered 2,289,940 pounds of ordnance on Iraqi military targets.

Sep–Dec 1992: Squadron aircraft flew sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch, flights over southern Iraq south of the 32nd parallel to ensure Iraq was adhering to United Nations sanctions.

Dec 1992: The squadron participated in Operation Restore Hope, flying sorties in support of the humanitarian relief effort in Somalia.[1]

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to NAS Whidbey Island for all its time in service.[1]

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. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 1, Chapter 2, Section 9: Attack Squadron Histories for VA-154 to VA-174 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 231–232. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  2. ↑ "Captain Frank Sweigart" (PDF). United States Department of Defense. Retrieved 2014-06-07.

External links