Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15) was an aviation unit of the United States Navy, based at Naval Air Station Oceana. The squadron was in service from 1 August 1968 to 31 May 2017, although the squadron had adopted the traditions of the first VA-15, which was established on 10 January 1942. The unit's nickname was "Valions" and its call sign was Pride.
Wesley L. McDonald was a United States Navy admiral and naval aviator. He led the first air strike against North Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin incident and was the commander in charge of Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada to rescue American citizens.
Attack Squadron 44 (VA-44) was an attack squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established as Bombing Squadron VB-75 on 1 June 1945 it was redesignated Attack Squadron VA-3B on 15 November 1946, redesignated VA-44 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 8 June 1950. A second VA-44 was in service from 1 September 1950 until disestablishment on 1 May 1970.
VA-64 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 1 July 1961, and disestablished on 7 November 1969. The squadron was known as the Black Lancers, and was the second squadron to carry the VA-64 designation. It was formed to provide an air defense capability for Carrier AntiSubmarine Air Groups. The squadron flew A4D-2N/A-4C and A4D-2 aircraft.
VA-23, nicknamed the Black Knights, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy, established as Reserve Fighter Squadron VF-653 in December 1949 at NAS Akron, Ohio. The squadron relocated to NAS Alameda on 16 April 1951. It was redesignated VF-151 on 4 February 1953, and as VA-151 on 7 February 1956. It was finally designated as VA-23 on 23 February 1959, and moved to NAS Lemoore on 30 September 1961. The squadron was disestablished on 1 April 1970.
VA-16 was a short-lived Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy, established at NAS Oceana on 1 June 1955. Its motto was Per Aspera Ad Metam. The squadron was disestablished on 1 March 1958.
Second VA-45, nicknamed the Blackbirds, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established on 1 September 1950. On 13 June 1953, the squadron flew its first combat operation while deployed to Korea aboard USS Lake Champlain. It was disestablished on 1 March 1958. It was the second squadron to be designated VA-45, the first VA-45 was disestablished on 8 June 1950.
VA-55, nicknamed the Warhorses, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established at NAS Oceana, Virginia, on 7 October 1983, and flew the A-6E and KA-6D variants of the Grumman A-6 Intruder. It was disestablished on 1 January 1991, having been based at NAS Oceana during its entire lifetime. It was the second squadron to be designated VA-55, the first VA-55 was disestablished on 12 December 1975.
The third VA-95 established April 1, 1972 and reclaiming the original "Green Lizards" name, the first VA-95 being established in 1943, as an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The second squadron was established on 1 April 1950, renamed the "Skyknights",. The unit returned to the name "Green Lizards" and was disestablished on 31 October 1995.
VA-96 was a short-lived Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 30 June 1956, and disestablished less than two years later, on 10 April 1958. Its nickname is unknown.
VA-104 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as Fighter Squadron VF-104 on 1 May 1952, and redesignated VA-104 in December 1953. The squadron was disestablished on 31 March 1959. Its nickname was Hell's Archers.
VA-133 was a short-lived Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Blue Knights. It was established on 21 August 1961 and disestablished a year later, on 1 October 1962. It was based at NAS Cecil Field and flew A4D-2 Skyhawk aircraft.
Attack Squadron 134 or VA-134 was a short-lived attack squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Scorpions. It was established on 21 August 1961 and disestablished a year later, on 1 October 1962. It was based at NAS Cecil Field and flew A4D-2 Skyhawk aircraft. It was the second squadron to be designated as VA-134, the first VA-134 was redesignated VF-174 on 15 February 1950.
Attack Squadron 135 or VA-135 was a short-lived Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Thunderbirds. It was established on 21 August 1961 and disestablished a year later, on 1 October 1962. It was based at NAS Jacksonville, and for a short time in 1962 at NAS Cecil Field. The squadron flew the AD-6 Skyraider aircraft. It was the second squadron to be designated as VA-135, the first VA-135 was disestablished on 30 September 1949.
Attack Squadron 155 or VA-155 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 1 September 1987 and disestablished on 30 April 1993. It was the third squadron to be named VA-155, the first VA-155 was disestablished on 30 November 1949 and second VA-155 was originally established in 1946, redesignated as VA-155 on 4 February 1953, and disestablished on 30 September 1977. Its nickname, shared with the second VA-155 was the Silver Foxes.
VA-165, nicknamed the Boomers, was a long-lived Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 1 September 1960, and disestablished 35 years later on 30 September 1996. The squadron operated in the region of Vietnam, Laos, and Korea during the 1960s and early 1970s. VA-165 transferred to the Persian Gulf after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and also served near the Philippines during the late 1970s. During the 1980s, VA-165 was moved from the Middle East to Central America, particularly Nicaragua, back to Iran in the Middle East, off to South Korea, and then to the Middle East again for Kuwait. During the 1990s, the squadron worked in the United States, the Middle East, and Taiwan.
VA-205, nicknamed the Green Falcons, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Naval Reserve, based at Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georgia. It was established on 1 July 1970 and disestablished on 31 December 1994.
Attack Squadron 215 or VA-215, nicknamed the Barn Owls, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 1 March 1968 and disestablished on 30 September 1977. The squadron, based at NAS Lemoore, flew the A-7B Corsair II. It was the second squadron to be designated as VA-215, the first VA-215 was disestablished on 31 August 1967 and had originated the Barn Owls nickname.
Sea Control Squadron 24 (VS-24) was a squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established as VB-17 on 1 January 1943, it was redesignated as VA-5B on 15 November 1946, redesignated as VA-64 on 27 July 1948, redesignated as VC-24 on 8 April 1949 and redesignated as VS-24 on 20 April 1950, it was disestablished on 1 June 1956. It was however reestablished again before being decommissioned in 2008.
