Service History of 151038
- Delivered: January 31, 1964 Stricken: 1994
- September 1965 – VMA-331 Greece, Beaufort and Roosevelt
- April 1966 – VMA-332 MCAS Cherry Point, NC
- Oct 1966 – VA-93 ABD USS Hancock
- May 1967 – VA-93 ABD USS Bon Homme Richard
- Oct 1967 – VMA-331 deploy to Chu Lai, RVN, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and Bien Hoa, RVN
- Aug 1974 – FS FAWPRA, Atsugi, Tripoli and Cubi Point
- Aug 1975 – MARTD NAS Willow Grove, PA and NAS Pensacola, FL
- April 1979 – HMS-49 DT NAS Willow Grove, PA
- Sept 1984 – MAG-49 DT NAS Willow Grove, PA
- July 1987 – VF-45 NAS Key West, FL
- Feb 1990 – NAS Pensacola, FL, May 1990 NAS Key West, FL
- June 1994 – Davis-Monthan AFB, Tuscon, AZ
The A-4 is the lightest and smallest jet fighter built by the United States. The single engined, single-seated attack jet served with distinction as both a land and carrier based attack aircraft.
In an attempt to reverse the trend toward larger and more expensive aircraft, the A-4 was intended to be the jet powered successor to Ed Heinemann’s AD Skyraider design. Initially designed as a simple attack aircraft, the A-4 was continually upgraded and was able to utilize the latest ground attack weapons. After more than 22 years of production over 2,900 A-4s were built.
This A-4 last served with VF-45, one of the US Navy’s air combat training units. Unlike “Topgun,” which took a few pilots from each squadron, units like VF-45 taught entire squadrons how to fight. The A-4s were stripped of unnecessary equipment, painted to simulate adversary aircraft and flown by pilots that specialized in dogfighting. They were trained in possible adversaries tactics and flew aircraft well suited to simulate many early MiGs flight characteristics.
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- Douglas A-4E Skyhawk
