Attack Squadron 22 (ATKRON 22) VA-22 ‘Fighting Redcocks’
STATUS:		established as VF-63 on July 27, 1948 VF-63 redesignated VA-63 in March 1956 VA-63 redesignated VA-22 on 1 July 1959 VA-22 redesignated VFA-22 on 4 May 1990
AIRCRAFT:		North American FJ-4B Fury (1959-60) Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (1960-61) Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk (1961-63) Douglas A-4C Skyhawk (1963-68) Douglas A-4F Skyhawk (1968-71) Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II (1971-90)
DEPLOYMENTS:		August 1959 - March 1960 with CVG-2 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41) February 1961 - September 1961 with CVG-2 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41) April 1962 - October 1962 with CVG-2 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41) November 1963 - May 1964 with CVG-2 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41) March 1965 - November 1965 with CVW-2 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41) July 1966 - February 1967 with CVW-2 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) September 1967 - May 1968 with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61) 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) September 1971 - July 1972 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) March 1973 - November 1973 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) December 1974 - July 1975 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) February 1977 - October 1977 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43) May 1979 - February 1980 with CVW-15 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) April 1981 - November 1981 with CVW-15 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) September 1982 - April 1983 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) May 1984 - December 1984 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) October 1985 - November 1985 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) January 1986 - August 1986 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) October 1987 - November 1987 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) January 1988 - July 1988 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) September 1989 - March 1990 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
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A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - late 1980’s (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) landing aboard on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - late 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1988 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1987 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) - NAS Fallon, Nevada - August 1987 A-7E Corsair II’s (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - circa 1987 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - circa 1987 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II’s (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - circa 1987 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - circa 1987 A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1986 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1985 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1985 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1982 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II’s (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 A-7E Corsair II’s (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 A-7E Corsair II’s (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 A-7E Corsair II’s (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - circa 1980 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1979 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1979 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1979 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1979 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1979 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1979 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1979 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1979 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1978 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1978 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1978 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV 43) - 1970’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV 43) - 1977 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV 43) - 1977 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV 43) - 1977 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV 43) - 1977 (NNAM) 4 A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) in flight over California - 1976 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II’s (VA-22 / CVW-15) during in flight refueling with a KA-6D Intruder - circa 1976 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV 43) - 1976 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV 43) - 1976 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV 43) - 1976 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - 1974 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - 1974 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) - 1972 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-22 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - circa 1971 (NNAM) A-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) - 1970 A-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) fires an AGM-12 Bullpup missile (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum) A-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) - Gulf of Tonkin - 1969-70 (NNAM) A-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) - Gulf of Tonkin - 1969-70 (NNAM) A-4F Skyhawks (VA-22 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) - 1969-70 (NNAM) A-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) - 1969-70 (NNAM) A-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) - 1969-70 (NNAM) A-4F Skyhawk (VA-22) with other aircraft of CVW-5, embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) - 1969-70 (NNAM) A-4F and TA-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) - 1969/70 (NNAM) A-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) (NNAM) TA-4F Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) - late 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ranger (CVA 61) late 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Midway (CVA 41) fires ZUNI rockets - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Midway (CVA 41) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) mishap aboard USS Midway (CVA 41) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Midway (CVA 41) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-22 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Midway (CVA 41) - 1960’s (NNAM) A4D-2N Skyhawks (VA-22 / CVW-2) - 1960’s (NNAM)
history
Chronology of Significant Events: 16 Sep 1950: The squadron participated in its first combat action, providing close air support for the amphibious landings at Inchon, Korea. 23 Jun 1952: VF-63, along with other units from Boxer (CV 21), Princeton (CV 37), Philippine Sea (CV 47), Bon Homme Richard (CV 31), U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps squadrons, conducted a major offensive against hydro-electric targets in North Korea. 6 Aug 1952: While launching combat sorties a severe fire broke out on the hangar deck of Boxer following the explosion of an aircraft gasoline tank. Eight people were killed and one was missing, with several seriously injured. VF-63 did not suffer any casualties, however, three of the squadron’s personnel were awarded Bronze Stars for their heroic and courageous action during the fire. Feb 1955: The squadron, while deployed aboard Essex (CVA 9), provided air support during the evacuation of Chinese Nationalist from the Tachen Islands after the bombardment of the islands by the People’s Republic of China. 9 May 1958: The squadron became the first fleet unit to receive the FJ-4B Buddy Tanker package and successfully demonstrated its refueling capability. Mar–Apr 1961: The squadron, while deployed aboard Midway (CVA 41), operated in the South China Sea due to the crisis in Laos. 6 Mar 1963: The squadron formed Detachment Romeo consisting of four A-4B Skyhawks, six pilots and forty-eight enlisted personnel. Its mission was to deploy aboard ASW carriers and provide them with a limited amount of air defense. 19 Apr–3 Dec 1963: VA-22 Detachment Romeo was deployed to the western Pacific aboard Kearsarge (CVS 33) and part of CVSG-53. During the deployment it participated in the recovery of space capsule Faith 7 and astronaut Major L. Gordon Cooper, USAF, following his 22 successful orbits around the earth. 18 Dec 1963: VA-22 Detachment Romeo was disestablished. Apr 1965: The squadron participated in its first combat operations since the Korean War and on 20 April suffered its first aircraft loss. Lieutenant Phillip N. Butler’s A-4C was hit by enemy antiaircraft fire while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. He successfully ejected and became a prisoner of war. 3 Jun 1965: Lieutenant Raymond P. Ilg (later Vice Admiral) was shot down in his A-4C while on an armed road reconnaissance mission over northern Laos. He successfully ejected and, following three days of evading capture deep inside enemy territory, was rescued by a helicopter. 22 Nov 1966: Commander Henry D. Arnold, commanding officer of VA-22, received the Silver Star Medal for his actions during a strike against a Haiphong surface-to-air missile support facility. 26 Jan 1968: The Ranger (CVA 62), with VA-22 aboard, while operating on Yankee Station was ordered to the Sea of Japan following the capture of Pueblo (AGER 2) by the North Koreans on 23 January 1968. Ranger and VA-22 operated in the area until relieved on 5 March 1968. 9 May 1972: Operation Pocket Money, the mining of Haiphong harbor, was launched. Aircraft from VA-22, as well as the other attack squadrons deployed aboard Coral Sea (CVA 43), planned and executed the mining. Apr–Jul 1973: The squadron flew missions in support of Operation End Sweep, the clearing of mines from North Vietnam’s coastal waters. 29 Apr 1975: VA-22’s aircraft provided air cover for Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American citizens from Saigon. The last American helicopter to lift off the roof of the United States Embassy was escorted by an A-7E from the squadron. 15 May 1975: VA-22 aircraft, along with other elements from CVW-15 aboard Coral Sea, launched air strikes against the Cambodian mainland after the capture of the SS Mayaguez by Cambodian gunboats on 12 May. Squadron aircraft flew ten combat sorties and struck targets at Ream Airfield. 27 Oct 1979: Following the assassination of Park Chung Hee, President of the Republic of Korea, Kitty Hawk (CV 63) was ordered to operate off the coast of Korea. 21 Nov 1979: Kitty Hawk, along with VA-22 and the rest of CVW-15, departed Subic Bay, Philippines, enroute to the Arabian Sea as a response to the 4 November Iranian seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran and the taking of over 60 American hostages. 6 Dec 1985: A squadron aircraft fired an AGM-88 Harm missile while operating out of NWC China Lake. This was the first AGM-88 Harm missile fired by a West Coast Fleet squadron. Apr–Jul 1986: In late April Enterprise (CVN 65), with VA-22 onboard, transited the Suez Canal from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea to augment carrier forces there. Earlier in the month American strikes were flown against Libyan military targets as a response to Libya’s continuing support of terrorist activity. 18 Apr 1988: VA-22 participated in retaliatory strikes against Iranian oil platforms, gunboats and other naval ships after Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) struck an Iranian mine on 14 April in international waters. Dec 1989: The squadron participated in Operation Classic Resolve, providing support for the Philippine government during a coup d’etat attempt.
patches
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