VA-15 (U.S. Navy)

Last updated
Attack Squadron 15
Attack Squadron 15 (US Navy) insignia c1969.png
Active10 January 1942 - 1 June 1969
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeAttack
Engagements World War II
Vietnam War
Aircraft flown
Attack TBD-1 Devastator
TBF-1 Avenger
A-1 Skyraider
A-4 Skyhawk

Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15), nicknamed the Valions, was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. It was established as Torpedo Squadron 4 (VT-4) on 10 January 1942, redesignated VA-2A on 15 November 1946, and finally redesignated VA-15 on 2 August 1948. The squadron was disestablished on 1 June 1969, after 27 years of service. [1]

Contents

Operational history

World War II

A VT-4 TBD-1 taking off from USS Ranger in 1942. TBD-1 Devastator of VT-4 taking off from USS Ranger (CV-4) in 1942.jpg
A VT-4 TBD-1 taking off from USS Ranger in 1942.
A VT-4 TBF-1 Avenger dropping a torpedo. Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of VT-4 dropping a Mark XIII torpedo, 30 October 1942 (80-G-19189).jpg
A VT-4 TBF-1 Avenger dropping a torpedo.

Postwar

1950s

VA-15 AD-6 landing on the USS Forrestal in 1957 Skyraider landing USN.jpg
VA-15 AD-6 landing on the USS Forrestal in 1957

1960s

A VA-15 A-4C aboard USS Intrepid in 1967. A-4C of VA-15 on USS Intrepid (CVS-11) in 1967.jpg
A VA-15 A-4C aboard USS Intrepid in 1967.

Home port assignments

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

Aircraft assignment

The squadron was assigned the following aircraft in the months shown: [1]

See also

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References

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). "VA-15" (pdf). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Naval Historical Center . 1. Washington, DC: Department of the Navy. p. 25.
  2. http://airgroup4.com/german.htm
  3. http://airgroup4.com/operation-leader.htm
  4. [During the Pacific campaign there was at least one instance where a member of an aircrew was buried at sea in his damaged aircraft, which was ceremonially pushed overboard from an aircraft carrier. see "In memory of Loyce Edward Deen USNR WW II, (1921 - 1944) and all who served aboard the USS Essex". "U.S. Navy TBF Avenger gunner from USS Essex is buried at sea with his aircraft during World War II". Criticalpast. 5 November 1944.]