Attack Squadron 152 (ATKRON 152) VA-152 ‘Friendlies / Mavericks’
STATUS:		established as VF-713 (Reserve Squadron) VF-713 activated on February 1, 1951 VF-713 redesignated VF-152 on February 4, 1953 VF-152 redesignated VA-152 on August 1, 1958 VA-152 disestablished on January 29, 1971 Nickname: Friendlies (1957-68) / Mavericks (1968-71)
AIRCRAFT:		McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee (1958-59) Douglas AD-6 (A-1H) Skyraider (1959-62) Douglas A-1J Skyraider (1962-68) Douglas A-4B Skyhawk (1968) Douglas A-4C Skyhawk (1968-69) Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (1969-71)
DEPLOYMENTS:		August 1958 - January 1959 with ATG-4 aboard USS Bennington (CVA 20) August 1959 - January 1960 with CVG-15 aboard USS Hancock (CVA 19) September 1960 - May 1961 with CVG-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) December 1961 - July 1962 with CVG-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) April 1963 - November 1963 with CVG-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) April 1965 - December 1965 with CVW-16 aboard USS Oriskany (CVA 34) May 1966 - November 1966 with CVW-16 aboard USS Oriskany (CVA 34) June 1967 - January 1968 with CVW-16 aboard USS Oriskany (CVA 34) July 1968 - April 1969 with CVW-17 aboard USS Forrestal (CVA 59) March 1970 - December 1970 with CVW-8 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVS 38)
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A-4E Skyhawk (VA-152 / CVW-8) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVS 38) at NAS Alameda - circa 1970 A-4E Skyhawk (VA-152 / CVW-8) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVS 38) - 1970 A-4E Skyhawk (VA-152 / CVW-8) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVS 38) after suffering a brake failure - 1970 A-4E Skyhawk (VA-152 / CVW-8) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVS 38) after suffering a brake failure - 1970 A-1H Skyraider (VA-152 / CVW-16) embarked on USS Oriskany (CVA 34) - 1966 (National Naval Aviation Museum) A-1H Skyraider (VA-152 / CVW-16) embarked on USS Oriskany (CVA 34) with an A-4E Skyhawk of VA-163 - 1966 (NNAM) A-1H Skyraider (VA-152 / CVW-16) embarked on USS Oriskany (CVA 34) - 1966 (NNAM) A-1H Skyraider (VA-152 / CVW-16) embarked on USS Oriskany (CVA 34) - 1966 A-1H Skyraider (VA-152 / CVW-16) embarked on USS Oriskany (CVA 34) after an emergency landing - 1965 AD-6 Skyraider (VA-152 / CVG-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - 1963 (NNAM) AD-6 Skyraider (VA-152 / CVG-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - 1961 (NNAM) AD-6 Skyraider (VA-152 / CVG-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - 1961 (NNAM)
history
Mar 1958: Due to revolts and unsettled conditions in Indonesia and the concern for the safety of Americans in the country, USS Hornet (CVA-12), with VF-152 embarked, departed Hong Kong to operate in the South China Sea. Sep-Oct 1958: Due to the crisis between the Chinese Nationalists and Communists surrounding the Quemoy Islands, and the bombardment of these islands by the Chinese Communists, USS Bennington (CVA-20), with VF-152 embarked, operated in the area of Taiwan. Jan 1961: Due to the crisis in Laos and the capture of strategic positions in the country by the Pathet Lao force, USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), with VA-152 embarked, was directed to operate in the South China Sea. 11-12 Jul 1962: The squadron participated in the first carrier flight operations in the Bering Sea since the end of World War II. Apr-Dec 1964: Squadron personnel, while based at Bien Hoa Air Force Base, South Vietnam, trained South Vietnamese pilots to fly the A-1. 6 and 7 Nov 1965: Commander Gordon H. Smith was awarded the Silver Star for his participation as Flight Leader in directing and assisting in the first night rescue of a downed aviator in enemy territory on 6 November. This was followed by an attempt to rescue another aviator the following day in the same area. 7 Nov 1965: Lieutenant Gordon C. Wileen was awarded the Silver Star for his participation in an attempted air rescue of a downed aviator deep in enemy territory. 13 Nov 1965: Commander Albert E. Knutson was awarded the Silver Star for his attempt to locate and rescue a downed pilot in enemy territory. During the rescue attempt his aircraft sustained 26 hits. 26 Oct 1966: While on Yankee Station and preparing to launch her first strike of the day, USS Oriskany (CVA-34) suffered a disastrous fire on the starboard side of the ship’s forward hangar bay. The squadron lost two personnel in the fire and the damage to the carrier was so extensive that it returned to the States for repairs. Homeport assignments: NAS Moffett Field, California: 1958-63 NAS Alameda, California: 1963-71
patches
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