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VA-106 (U.S. Navy)

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Attack Squadron 106
VA-106 squadron insignia
Active2 January 1945-7 November 1969
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
RoleAttack
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Gladiators
EngagementsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Aircraft flown
AttackF6F-5 Hellcat
F4U/4 Corsair
F8F-2/1B Bearcat
F2H-2 Banshee
F9F-8B Cougar
A4D-2/B/C/E Skyhawk

VA-106 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as Bomber-Fighter Squadron Seventeen (VBF-17) on 2 January 1945, it was redesignated Fighter Squadron Six B (VF-6B) on 15 November 1946, redesignated VF-62 on 28 July 1948, redesignated Attack Squadron 106 (VA-106) on 1 July 1955, it was disestablished on 7 November 1969. It was the second US Navy squadron to be designated VA-106.[1]

Operational history

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VF-62 F2H-2s over Hungnam in July 1953
VA-106 F9F-8Bs on USS Coral Sea c.1956
VA-106 A-4E prepares to launch from USS Intrepid in 1968

World War II

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  • 16–17 February 1945: The squadron participated in strikes against targets in and around the Tokyo area.
  • 20–22 February 1945: Squadron aircraft participated in strikes against Iwo Jima and provided air support for the landings on the island.
  • 18–19 March 1945: Major strikes were conducted by squadron aircraft against Kanoya, the largest airfield on Kyushu and against the Japanese Fleet anchored at Kure Naval Base.
  • March–May 1945: The squadron conducted strikes in support of the Okinawa campaign
  • 7 Apr 1945: The unit participated in the combined task force strikes against the super battleship Yamato and its accompanying escorts, resulting in the sinking of Yamato, two cruisers and three destroyers.
  • May 1945: The squadron participated in strikes against Kyushu and Shikoku, hitting aircraft plants and airfields. On 14 May the squadron's commanding officer, LTCDR H. W. Nicholson, was killed in action during a strike against Kyushu.

1950s

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  • 26 April to 4 December 1953, VF-62 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 4 (CVG-4) aboard USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) for a deployment to Korea and the Western Pacific.
  • August–November 1956: During the Suez Crisis, USS Coral Sea was ordered to the eastern Mediterranean as tensions increased and France and the United Kingdom began preparations for military action against Egypt. Coral Sea was on station during the American evacuation of Western nationals from Egypt and Israel.
  • July 1959: During the NATO exercise Riptide, held off the east coast of the United States, the squadron conducted cross-deck operations with the British carrier HMS Victorious.

1960s

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  • 15–28 November 1960: The squadron operated from USS Shangri-La as part of the patrol force off the coast of Guatemala and Nicaragua to prevent infiltration by communists from Cuba.
  • 2–19 June 1961: Following the assassination of dictator General Rafael Trujillo, the squadron operated from USS Shangri-La off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
  • 22 October–28 November 1962: During the Cuban Missile Crisis the squadron was temporary assigned (TAD) to the U.S. Air Force's Nineteenth Air Force, in an alert status aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16) as the USS Shangri-La was in the New York Navy Yard.[2]
  • May 1963: The squadron operated from USS Shangri-La in the Caribbean during the period of unrest in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Vietnam War

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  • 6 June-15 September 1967, the squadron was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) embarked on USS Forrestal for a Vietnam deployment
  • 29 Jul 1967: In the USS Forrestal fire the squadron suffered 10 killed and 62 injured.[1]: 169–70 
  • 4 June 1968 – 8 February 1969, the squadron was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing Ten (CVW-10) embarked on USS Intrepid for a Vietnam deployment.

Home port assignments

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The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[1]: 170 

Aircraft assignment

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The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:[1]: 171 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 1 The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. p. 169. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Navy Gladiator Reunion Group - USS Shangri-La".
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