Attack Squadron 95 (ATKRON 95) VA-95 ‘Skyknights / Green Lizards’
STATUS:		Second VA-95 ‘Skyknights / Green Lizards’: established as VA-95 on March 26, 1952 VA-95 disestablished on April 1, 1970 Nickname: Skyknights (1952-63) / Green Lizards (1963-70) Third VA-95 ‘Green Lizards’: (new)established as VA-95 on April 1, 1972 VA-95 disestablished on November 18, 1995
AIRCRAFT:		Second VA-95 ‘Skyknights / Green Lizards’: Douglas AD-1 Skyraider (1952) Douglas AD-4 Skyraider (1952-53) Douglas AD-6 Skyraider (1953-56) Douglas AD-7 (A-1J) Skyraider (1956-65) Douglas A-4C Skyhawk (1965) Douglas A-4B Skyhawk (1965-68) Douglas A-4C Skyhawk (1968-70) Third VA-95 ‘Green Lizards’: Grumman A-6A Intruder (1972) Grumman A-6B Intruder (1972-76) Grumman A-6E Intruder (1976-95) Grumman KA-6D Intruder (1972-92)
DEPLOYMENTS:		Second VA-95 ‘Skyknights / Green Lizards’: December 1952 - August 1953 with CVG-9 aboard USS Philippine Sea (CVA 47) May 1954 - December 1954 with CVG-9 aboard USS Hornet (CVA 12) February 1956 - June 1956 with CVG-9 aboard USS Oriskany (CVA 34) September 1957 - April 1958 with CVG-9 aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA 14) February 1960 - August 1960 with CVG-9 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61) August 1961 - March 1962 with CVG-9 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61) November 1962 - June 1963 with CVG-9 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61) August 1964 - May 1965 with CVW-9 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61) April 1966 - November 1966 with CVW-10 aboard USS Intrepid (CVS 11) November 1967 - August 1968 with CVW-8 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) April 1969 - December 1969 with CVW-1 aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CVA 67) Third VA-95 ‘Green Lizards’: 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) March 1979 - September 1979 with CVW-11 aboard USS America (CV 66) April 1981 - November 1981 with CVW-11 aboard USS America (CV 66) September 1982 - April 1983 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) May 1984 - December 1984 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) January 1986 - August 1986 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) September 1990 - November 1990 with CVW-11 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) May 1991 - November 1991 with CVW-11 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) June 1993 - December 1993 with CVW-11 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) April 1995 - October 1995 with CVW-11 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
images
Third VA-95 ‘Green Lizards’ (1972-95): A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with a Pratt & Whitney J-52 P-8B turbojet engine - 1993 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 excerpt from above A-6E & KA-6D Intruders (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 KA-6D Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruders (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 1990 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1988 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1988 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) dropping cluster bombs over Iran during Operation Praying Mantis - 1988 (NNAM) A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) dropping Mk-84 Snakeeye bombs - 1986 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1980’s A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) escorting a Soviet Tu-16 BADGER aircraft - 1982 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) escorting a Soviet Tu-142 BEAR-D aircraft - 1982 A-6E Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-11) embarked on USS America (CV 66) - 1981 A-6B Intruder (VA-95 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - 1974 (NNAM) Second VA-95 ‘Skyknights / Green Lizards’ (1952-70): AD-7 Skyraiders (VA-95 / CVG-9) embarked on USS Ranger (CVA 61) - early 1960’s AD-7 Skyraider (VA-95 / CVG-9) embarked on USS Ranger (CVA 61) - 1960 AD-7 Skyraider (VA-95 / CVG-9) embarked on USS Ranger (CVA 61) - 1960
history
First VA-95: (not part of this project) The first VA-95 was established as Torpedo Squadron VT-20 on 15 October 1943 and redesignated VA-10A on 15 November 1946. It was finally redesignated as VA-95 on 12 August 1948. The squadron was disestablished on 30 November 1949. Aircraft used: Grumman TBM-3E Avenger. Second VA-95 ‘Skyknights / Green Lizards’: The second VA-95 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy, and was the second of three unrelated squadrons to bear that designation. It was established on 26 March 1952, and disestablished on 1 April 1970. significant events: Jan 1963: The squadron participated in cross deck operations with the British carrier HMS Hermes while operating in the western Pacific. May 1963: Following the military losses of Lao neutralists to the Pathet Lao in the Plaine de Jarres, Laos, Ranger (CVA 61) transited to the South China Sea to support possible operations in Laos. Nov 1964-Apr 1965: The squadron participated in support for photo reconnaissance missions and conducted strikes against targets in Laos. 7 Feb 1965: Following a Viet Cong attack against the American advisors compound at Pleiku, South Vietnam, the President ordered a reprisal strike against North Vietnam, named Flaming Dart I. The squadron’s target was the Vit Thu Lu Barracks. However, the strike turned back due to poor weather conditions. 11 Feb 1965: Squadron aircraft participated in Flaming Dart II, retaliatory strikes against the Chanh Hoa military barracks near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. Mar 1965: The squadron participated in Rolling Thunder strikes against the Phu Qui ammunition depot in North Vietnam. Apr 1966: The squadron departed Norfolk, Virginia, en route to Vietnam as part of an air wing composed only of attack squadrons. Sep 1969: Following a coup that overthrew the Libyan monarchy Kennedy (CVA 67) cut short its visit to Cannes, France, and departed for operations in the Ionian Sea. The United States later extended diplomatic recognition to the new Libyan government. Homeport assignments: NAS Alameda, California: 1952-62 NAS Moffett Field, California: 1962-63 NAS Lemoore, California: 1963-68 NAS Alameda, California: 1968-70 Nickname: Skyknights (1952-63) / Green Lizards (1963-70) Third VA-95 ‘Green Lizards’: The third VA-95, nicknamed the Green Lizards, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was the third squadron to bear that designation. The squadron was established on 1 April 1972, and disestablished on 31 October 1995. significant events: Apr 1973: The squadron provided support for Operation End Sweep, the clearing of mine fields along the coast of North Vietnam. Apr 1975: Squadron aircraft participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon. The squadron provided armed escort flights over the Saigon area for protection of the helos conducting the evacuation. 15 May 1975: The squadron participated in the recovery of the American merchant ship SS Mayaguez following its capture by Cambodian gunboats. The squadron flew sorties in support of the Marine landings on Koh Tang Island and retaliatory strikes against Cambodian targets. Squadron aircraft struck the airfield and naval facility at Ream, Cambodia. The squadron’s KA-6D aircraft were used to provide tanker support for the combat sorties. 18-19 Apr 1988: The squadron participated in Operation Praying Mantis, retaliatory strikes against Iran after Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) struck an Iranian mine in international waters. Squadron aircraft attacked Iranian Boghammar speedboats, using Rockeye cluster bombs. They sunk one and damaged another. Later in the day, the Iranian frigate Sahand fired missiles at two of the squadron’s aircraft while they were flying a surface combat air patrol for Joseph Strauss (DDG 16). The aircraft evaded the missiles and returned fire with two Harpoons and four laser-guided Skipper bombs. This attack was followed by a Harpoon firing from Joseph Strauss. The attack against the Sahand left her blazing. Eventually the fires reached her magazines, and the final explosions lead to her sinking. Following this action the sister ship of the Sahand, the Sabalan, left port and engaged several of the squadron’s aircraft, firing a missile at them. One of the squadron’s Intruders responded with a laser-guided bomb that hit Sabalan, and she went dead in the water. The Sabalan was taken in tow by an Iranian tug, her fantail partially submerged. VA-95’s aircraft were ordered not to continue the attack. The squadron continued to fly combat sorties during 19 April but no other action resulted. Oct-Nov 1990: During the Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) cruise from the East to West Coast via Cape Horn, the squadron participated in joint exercises with the Argentinean, Chilean, and Ecuadorian Armed Forces. Homeport assignments: NAS Whidbey Island, Washington: 1972-95
patches
VA-95 Green Lizards insignia VA-95 Skyknights insignia
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