Attack Squadron 106 (ATKRON 106) VA-106 ‘Gladiators’
STATUS:		established as VBF-17 on January 2, 1945 VBF-17 redesignated VF-6B on November 15, 1946 VF-6B redesignated VF-62 on July 28, 1948 VF-62 redesignated VA-106 on July 1, 1955 VA-106 disestablished on November 7, 1969
AIRCRAFT:		Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (1955-58) Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (1958-62) Douglas A-4C Skyhawk (1962-67 / 1969) Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (1967-69)
DEPLOYMENTS:		August 1956 - February 1957 with CVG-10 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) August 1959 - February 1960 with CVG-10 aboard USS Essex (CVA 9) September 1960 - October 1960 with CVG-10 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) February 1961 - May 1961 with CVG-10 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) February 1962 - August 1962 with CVG-10 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) October 1963 - May 1964 with CVG-10 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) February 1965 - September 1965 with CVW-10 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) March 1966 - October 1966 with CVW-3 aboard USS Saratoga (CVA 60) June 1967 - September 1967 with CVW-17 aboard USS Forrestal (CVA 59) June 1968 - February 1969 with CVW-10 aboard USS Intrepid (CVS 11) September 1969 - October 1969 with CVW-7 aboard USS Independence (CVA 62)
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A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-106 / CVG-10) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - 1962
history
Attack Squadron 106 began as Bomber-Fighter Squadron 17 (VBF-17) at Agana Air Field, Guam on January 11, 1945. One month later, flying F6F-5 Hellcats, VBF-17 embarked onboard USS HORNET (CV 12) to participate in combat operations against the Japanese. Operations included strikes against Tokyo, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa as well as the first major air strikes against the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. In late 1946 the squadron moved to NAS Norfolk, VA, was redesignated as Fighter Squadron Six Baker (VF-6B) and began flying the F4U-4 Corsair. Redesignated again in July 1948 as Fighter Squadron 62 (VF-62), the squadron transitioned to F8F Bearcat aircraft. In August 1950 the squadron received F2H Banshee aircraft and moved to NAS Cecil Field, FL. VF-62 officially became the “Gladiators” on April 16, 1952. Combat action in the Korean Conflict came in 1953 from the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CVA-39) when the Gladiators were tasked with striking key bridges on the Korean mainland. The squadron was redesignated as Attack Squadron 106 (VA-106) in March 1955 and received F9F-8B Cougar aircraft later that year. In June 1958 the transition was made to Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawks. During the ensuing peaceful years the Gladiators participated in various Atlantic Fleet exercises and numerous Mediterranean cruises onboard USS ESSEX (CVA 9), USS SHANGRI-LA (CVA 38) and USS SARATOGA (CVA 60). These years of training concluded on July 17, 1967 as the Gladiators launched into combat over Vietnam from the deck of the USS FORRESTAL (CVA 59). VA-106 returned home in September 1967 for a brief turnaround prior to deploying onboard USS INTREPID (CVA 62) in June 1968. The Gladiators remained on station flying combat missions into Vietnam for over 6 months before returning home in February 1969. The squadron was decommissioned on November 7, 1969.
patches
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