Second VA-66 (U.S. Navy)

VF-671 F4U-4s in 1951

VF-81 F7U-3s in 1954

VA-66 A-4Cs in 1961

VA-66 A-7E making a barrier landing on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1983.

VA-66 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy; it was the second squadron to be so named. The squadron was called to duty and established as Reserve Fighter Squadron VF-671 on 1 February 1951. It was redesignated Fighter Squadron VF-81 on 4 February 1953, and finally as VA-66 on 1 July 1955. The squadron was disestablished on 1 October 1986, but one detachment continued in existence until 31 March 1987. The squadron's nickname was the Waldomen from the 1950s to the early 1960s, and the Waldos from that point forward. Its insignia, a rooster toting a machine gun, was a well-known design in naval aviation.^[1]

Operational history

• Jan–Feb 1953: VF-81, with its F9F-5s, participated in operational tests aboard the Navy’s first angled deck carrier, USS Antietam (CVA-36).

• Apr 1954: VF-81 became the first operational fleet squadron to receive and operate the F7U Cutlass.

• 27 May 1959: During the squadron’s deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, the commanding officer, Commander McNeil, was killed in an aircraft accident during a practice Carrier Controlled Approach.

• 14 Aug 1962: The squadron participated in cross deck operations aboard the British carrier HMS Hermes (R12).

• Oct–Dec 1962: While embarked in USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), the squadron participated in the Cuban blockade.

• 31 Jul–3 Oct 1964: Enterprise, with VA-66 embarked, 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 airpower demonstrations during the voyage.

• 8 Jun 1967: VA-66’s aircraft were part of an Air Wing 6 strike group that was launched to defend USS Liberty (AGTR-5) when she came under attack by the Israelis during the 1967 Six-Day War. When word was received that the attack had been a mistake on the part of the Israelis, the aircraft were recalled.

• Jun 1970: VA-66, embarked in USS Forrestal (CVA-59), operated in the Eastern Mediterranean after Americans were taken hostage by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Amman, Jordan.

• Oct–Nov 1973: Embarked on USS Independence (CV-62), the squadron operated south of Crete during the Yom Kippur War.

• Aug 1974: USS Independence (CV-62) relieved USS America (CV-66) off Cyprus following the 1974 Cypriot coup d'état. During the crisis the American Ambassador was killed and anti-American demonstrations took place which led to the evacuation of U.S. citizens to American vessels.

• 15 Apr 1980: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) deployed to the Indian Ocean as part of the continuing response to the Iran hostage crisis.

• 22 Dec 1980: The squadron returned from its deployment to the Indian Ocean after spending a total of 246 days at sea. With only one port visit, the longest at sea period was for 153 days.

• Jun 1982: After the Israeli invasion of Lebanon on 6 June, VA-66 operated in the Eastern Mediterranean. During the latter part of June the American carrier forces in the Mediterranean included Eisenhower (CVN-65), Independence (CV-62), Forrestal (CV-59), and John F. Kennedy (CV-67).

• 24 Jun 1982: VA-66 provided air support during the evacuation of Americans from Beirut, Lebanon, prior to the siege of Beirut by the Israelis.

• 25 Oct 1983: Due to the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, Eisenhower (CVN-69) terminated its visit to Naples and departed for the eastern Mediterranean. The squadron operated in the vicinity of Lebanon until the latter part of November.

• 7 Mar 1985: Eisenhower (CVN-69) cut short a visit to Palma, Spain, and made a high speed transit to the Eastern Mediterranean due to the increased tension in Lebanon.

• 1 Oct 1986: The Waldos of VA-66 were officially disestablished but continued to operate as a detachment. The detachment continued to operate because its primary mission during the deployment was to provide HARM missile support for the air wing and carrier.

• 30 Jan 1987: Kennedy (CV-67) cancelled its port visit to Malaga, Spain, and made a high speed transit to the eastern Mediterranean due to the increased tension over the Lebanon hostage crisis.

• 31 Mar 1987: VA-66 Detachment was disestablished.^[1]

Home port assignments

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

• NAS Atlanta – 01 Feb 1951
• NAS Jacksonville – 05 Apr 1951
• NAS Quonset Point – 28 Sep 1951
• NAS Oceana – 11 Jun 1952
• NAS Cecil Field – 15 Mar 1965

Aircraft Assignment

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

• F4U-4 Corsair – Feb 1951
• F8F-2 Bearcat – 13 Jun 1952
• F9F-5 Panther – 05 Dec 1952
• F7U-3 Cutlass – Apr 1954
• F9F-8B Cougar – Aug 1956
• A4D-1 Skyhawk – Mar 1958
• A4D-2 Skyhawk – Jun 1958
• A4D-2N/A4-C Skyhawk – Mar 1961
• A-7E Corsair II – Oct 1970

See also

• Attack aircraft
• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• History of the United States Navy

References

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

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