Attack Squadron 65 (ATKRON 65) VA-65 ‘Fist of the Fleet’
STATUS:		established as Torpedo Squadron 17 (VT-17) on January 1, 1943 VT-17 redesignated Attack Squadron 6B (VA-6B) on November 15, 1946 VA-6B redesignated Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) on July 27, 1948 VA-65 redesignated Attack Squadron 25 (VA-25) on July 1, 1959
AIRCRAFT:		Douglas AD-1 Skyraider (1947-49) Douglas AD-4 Skyraider (1949-53) Douglas AD-6 (A-1H) Skyraider (1953-59)
DEPLOYMENTS:		October 1948 - November 1948 with CVG-6 aboard USS Midway (CVB 41) January 1949 - March 1949 with CVG-17 aboard USS Midway (CVB 41) August 1950 - November 1950 with CVG-2 aboard USS Boxer (CV 21) December 1950 - March 1951 with CVG-2 aboard USS Valley Forge (CV 45) March 1951 - June 1951 with CVG-2 aboard USS Philippine Sea (CV 47) February 1952 - September 1952 with CVG-2 aboard USS Boxer (CV 21) August 1953 - March 1954 with CVG-2 aboard USS Yorktown (CVA 10) November 1954 - June 1955 with CVG-2 aboard USS Essex (CVA 9) November 1956 - May 1957 with CVG-2 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) August 1958 - March 1959 with CVG-2 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41)
images
AD-6 Skyraider (VA-65 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - 1957 AD-6 Skyraiders (ctr.) (VA-65 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - 1956-57
history
Originally commissioned Torpedo Squadron 17 in 1943, the squadron operated during World War II with TBM and SB2C attack bombers flying from the deck of USS HORNET. Following the war the squadron was re-designated as VA-65. In December 1947, the squadron transitioned to the aircraft it would fly for the next 21 years, the propeller driven AD-1 “Skyraider,” known to its pilots as the “Spad.” VA-65 became a plank owner aboard USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) when it sailed with the carrier on its maiden voyage in early 1948. In succeeding years Attack Squadron 65 also deployed aboard USS MIDWAY (CVA-41) and won its first Battle Efficiency "E" denoting it as the best single engine attack squadron on the east coast in 1948. At the outbreak of the Korean hostilities, the squadron was transferred to NAS Moffett Field. In the fall of 1950, they deployed to Korean waters with Carrier Air Group 2 aboard USS BOXER. An impressive combat record was compiled aboard this “Essex” class carrier, with 1,645 combat missions being logged. In July of 1959 the squadron was re-designated as VA-25.
patches
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