Attack Squadron 76 (ATKRON 76) VA-76 ‘Spirits’
STATUS:		established as VA-76 on June 1, 1955 VA-76 disestablished on September 30, 1969
AIRCRAFT:		McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee (1955-56) Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (1956) Grumman F9F-8B Cougar (1956-59) Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (1959-62) Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk (1962-69)
DEPLOYMENTS:		January 1957 - July 1957 with CVG-1 aboard USS Forrestal (CVA 59) June 1958 - August 1958 with ATG-181 aboard USS Intrepid (CVA 11) August 1960 - February 1961 with CVG-6 aboard USS Intrepid (CVA 11) August 1961 - March 1962 with CVG-6 aboard USS Intrepid (CVA 11) August 1962 - October 1962 with CVG-6 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) October 1962 - December 1962 with CVG-6 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) February 1963 - September 1963 with CVG-6 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) February 1964 - October 1964 with CVW-6 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) May 1965 - July 1965 with CVW-6 aboard USS America (CVA 66) October 1965 - June 1966 with CVW-9 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) January 1967 - August 1967 with CVW-21 aboard USS Hancock (CVA 19) April 1968 - January 1969 with CVW-7 aboard USS Independence (CVA 62)
images
A-4C Skyhawk (VA-76 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) - 1965 A-4C Skyhawk (VA-76 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) - 1965 A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-76 / CVG-6) embarked on USS Intrepid (CVA 11) - circa 1961 A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-76 / CVG-6) embarked on USS Intrepid (CVA 11) - circa 1961 F9F-8B Cougars (VA-76 / CVG-1) embarked on USS Forrestal (CVA 59) - 1957 F9F-8B Cougars (VA-76 / CVG-1) embarked on USS Forrestal (CVA 59) - 1957 F2H-2 Banshee (VA-76) - 1956
history
Nov–Dec 1956: The squadron operated from USS Forrestal (CVA-59) off the coast of the Azores during the Suez Crisis, awaiting a call to enter the Mediterranean if necessary. Jun 1961: The squadron deployed aboard USS Intrepid (CVA-11) and operated in the Caribbean during the crisis in the Dominican Republic that followed the assassination of dictator Rafael Trujillo. 19 Oct–08 Dec 1962: The squadron deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) and operated in the Caribbean during the Cuban missile crisis and naval blockade. Mar 1964: Conducted operations in the vicinity of Cyprus during a conflict in that country between Turkish and Greek Cypriots. 31 Jul–3 Oct 1964: While embarked in Enterprise, the squadron participated in Operation Sea Orbit, the first circumnavigation of the world by a nuclear task force. The sixty-five day voyage was accomplished without replenishment. The squadron participated in numerous air power demonstrations during the voyage. 8–25 Feb 1965: A detachment of the squadron’s A- 4C Skyhawks, configured with Sidewinder missiles, was embarked in USS Essex (CVS-9) for an Atlantic Fleet exercise. The aircraft were used for limited daylight fighter protection for embarked ASW aircraft. 29 May–15 Jun 1965: While temporarily based ashore at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, the squadron flew armed reconnaissance sorties over the Dominican Republic during a crisis in that country. 11 May 1966: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander J. B. Linder, was awarded the Silver Star for leading the squadron on a strike against a mobile SAM site at Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam. 6 Dec 1966: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander A. D. McFall, was killed when his aircraft crashed following a night launch from USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). 1 May 1967: During a sortie against North Vietnam’s MiG airfield at Kép, Lieutenant Commander Theodore R. Swartz shot down a MiG-17 with air-to-ground rockets. This was the first, and only, MiG aircraft to be downed by an A-4 Skyhawk during the Vietnam conflict. Lieutenant Commander Swartz received the Silver Star for his action. 14 Jul 1967: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander R. B. Fuller, was shot down during a sortie over North Vietnam. He was released from captivity on 4 March 1973 following the 27 January 1973 ceasefire agreement with North Vietnam. Homeport: NAS Oceana, Virginia (1955-66) / NAS Lemoore, California (1966-69)
patches
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