VA-36 (U.S. Navy)
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Attack Squadron 36
| image= Attack Squadron 36 Insignia (US Navy).jpg
| image_size = 150
|caption= VA-36 squadron insignia
|dates= 1 May 1952 – 1 August 1970
|country= United States
|allegiance=
|branch= United States Navy
|type=
|role= Attack
|size=
|command_structure= Inactive
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=Roadrunners
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=Vietnam War
|aircraft_attack=FG-1D Corsair
F9F-5/B/8-B/T Panther
A4D-2/C/E Skyhawk
|anniversaries=
}}
VA-36, nicknamed the Roadrunners, was an Attack Squadron of the United States Navy. It was established as Fighter Squadron VF-102 on 1 May 1952, redesignated VA-36 on 1 July 1955, and disestablished on 1 August 1970. It was the first squadron to be designated VA-36, the second VA-36 was established on 6 March 1987 and disestablished on 1 April 1994.{{cite DANAS |volume=1 |article=VA-36 |page=59 |section=va-34-38}}
Operational history
File:Attack Squadron 36 (US Navy) patch c1965.png
File:VA-36 pilots on USS Intrepid (CVS-11) c1968.jpg on {{USS|Intrepid|CV-11|6}} off Vietnam in 1968]]
- November 1953 – September 1954: During the squadron's world cruise aboard {{USS|Tarawa|CVA-40|6}}, it visited 14 different ports in 10 foreign countries and transited the Suez and Panama Canals.
- July–August 1961: While deployed on a training cruise aboard {{USS|Saratoga|CVA-60|6}} in the Caribbean Sea, the squadron was on an alert status due to the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
- 2 December 1965: The squadron conducted its first combat operations, flying from {{USS|Enterprise|CVAN-65|6}} on Dixie Station in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam. This marked the first time a nuclear powered ship had engaged in combat.
- December 1965 – June 1966: During this period of combat operations squadron personnel were awarded over 170 Air Medals.
- May–June 1967: VA-36, embarked on {{USS|America|CV-66|6}}, was on station in the eastern Mediterranean during the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Units of America's air wing were launched to provide air cover for {{USS|Liberty|AGTR-5|6}} when it came under attack by Israeli forces.
Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:
- NAAS Cecil Field – 1 May 1952
- NAS Jacksonville – July 1955
- NAS Cecil Field – April 1956
Aircraft assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft in the months shown:
- FG-1D Corsair – May 1952
- F9F-5 Panther – Oct 1952
- F9F-8 & F9F-8B Panther – 2 Nov 1956
- F9F-8T Panther – 14 Apr 1957
- A4D-2 Skyhawk – 11 Sep 1958
- A4D-2N/A-4C Skyhawk – 21 Mar 1961 (The A4D-2N designation changed to A-4C in 1962.)
- A-4E Skyhawk – Oct 1967 (The squadron began its transition to A-4Es in October 1967 and in November 1967 transitioned back to A-4Cs)
See also
References
{{DANAS}}
{{reflist}}
{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Va-36}}