Attack Squadron 144 (ATKRON 144) VA-144 ‘Road Runners’
STATUS:		established as VA-116 on December 1, 1955 VA-116 redesignated VA-144 on February 23, 1959 VA-144 disestablished on January 29, 1971
AIRCRAFT:		North American FJ-4B Fury (1959-62) Douglas A-4C Skyhawk (1962-67) Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (1967-69) Douglas A-4F Skyhawk (1969-71)
DEPLOYMENTS:		January 1959 - July 1959 with CVG-14 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61) May 1960 - December 1960 with CVG-14 aboard USS Oriskany (CVA 34) November 1961 - May 1962 with CVG-14 aboard USS Lexington (CVA 16) February 1963 - September 1963 with CVG-14 aboard USS Constellation (CVA 64) May 1964 - February 1965 with CVW-14 aboard USS Constellation (CVA 64) September 1965 - May 1966 with CVW-5 aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA 14) November 1966 - June 1967 with CVW-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) November 1967 - June 1968 with CVW-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) March 1969 - October 1969 with CVW-5 aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) April 1970 - November 1970 with CVW-5 aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31)
images
A-4F Skyhawk (VA-144 / CVW-5) landing on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) - 1969-70 A-4C Skyhawk (VA-144 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CVA 64) - 1964-65 A-4C Skyhawk (VA-144 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CVA 64) - 1964 A-4C Skyhawk (VA-144 / CVG-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CVA 64) - 1963 FJ-4B Fury (VA-144 / CVG-14) embarked on USS Ranger (CVA 61) - 1959 (NNAM) FJ-4B Furys (VA-144 / CVG-14) embarked on USS Ranger (CVA 61) - 1959
history
Significant events: VA-116 redesignated VA-144 on February 23, 1959 - while on deployment with CVG-14 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61) Jul 1959: The squadron, embarked in Ranger, maintained station off the coast of Taiwan due to increased tension between Taiwan and Communist China. Jun-Nov 1964: The squadron participated in Yankee Team Operations. These operations involved support for photo reconnaissance missions over Laos. During these operations, the squadron was the first operational unit to fly with and drop the Snakeye weapon. 4 Aug 1964: The squadron flew night sorties in support of the American destroyers USS Turner Joy (DD-951) and USS Maddox (DD-731), following their harassment by North Vietnamese Motor Torpedo Boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. 5 Aug 1964: VA-144 participated in Operation Pierce Arrow, air strikes against North Vietnamese torpedo boats, their bases and supporting facilities in retaliation for the attacks on the American destroyers the previous day. Strikes were flown against the North Vietnamese home port of Hon Gai and the naval craft located there. During this engagement Lieutenant (jg) Everett Alvarez’s A-4C was hit by antiaircraft fire and he was forced to eject. A rescue attempt failed and he was captured. He became the first American naval prisoner-of-war during the Vietnam Conflict and was held by the North Vietnamese until 1973. 20 Dec 1967: Commanders J. R. Powell, Jr. and R. C. Bos were awarded the Silver Star for planning and leading a successful strike against the heavily defended Haiphong Thermal Power Plant (west). 24 Apr 1967: VA-144’s aircraft participated in a strike against the Kép Air Base, the first time the airfield was hit during the air war over North Vietnam. Homeport assignments: NAS Miramar, California (1959-62) NAS Lemoore, California (1962-71)
patches
| seaforces.org | US Navy Air Units start page |