VA-144 (U.S. Navy)

VA-144 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Roadrunners. It was established as VA-116 on 1 December 1955, and redesignated VA-144 on 23 February 1959. The squadron was disestablished on 29 January 1971.

Significant events

 * Sep 1957: The squadron, embarked in USS Hancock (CVA-19), was on station off the coast of Taiwan due to a build-up of Chinese Communist forces on the mainland opposite Taiwan.


 * 26 May–18 Aug 1958: The squadron was embarked in USS Ranger (CVA-61) during its transit from the east coast, via South America, to its new home port at Alameda, California.


 * Jul 1959: The squadron, embarked in Ranger, maintained station off the coast of Taiwan due to increased tension between Taiwan and Communist China.


 * Jun–Nov 1964: The squadron participated in Yankee Team Operations. These operations involved support for photo reconnaissance missions over Laos. During these operations, the squadron was the first operational unit to fly with and drop the Snakeye weapon.


 * 4 Aug 1964: The squadron flew night sorties in support of the American destroyers USS Turner Joy (DD-951) and USS Maddox (DD-731), following their harassment by North Vietnamese Motor Torpedo Boats in the Gulf of Tonkin.


 * 5 Aug 1964: VA-144 participated in Operation Pierce Arrow, air strikes against North Vietnamese torpedo boats, their bases and supporting facilities in retaliation for the attacks on the American destroyers the previous day. Strikes were flown against the North Vietnamese home port of Hon Gai and the naval craft located there. During this engagement Lieutenant (jg) Everett Alvarez’s A-4C was hit by antiaircraft fire and he was forced to eject. A rescue attempt failed and he was captured. He became the first American naval prisoner-of-war during the Vietnam Conflict and was held by the North Vietnamese until 1973.


 * 20 Dec 1967: Commanders J. R. Powell, Jr. and R. C. Bos were awarded the Silver Star for planning and leading a successful strike against the heavily defended Haiphong Thermal Power Plant (west).


 * 24 Apr 1967: VA-144’s aircraft participated in a strike against the Kép Airfield, the first time the airfield was hit during the air war over North Vietnam.

Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:
 * NAS Miramar – 01 Dec 1955
 * NAS Lemoore – May 1962

Aircraft Assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:
 * F7U-3M Cutlass – Dec 1955
 * FJ-4B Fury – 15 Oct 1957
 * A-4C Skyhawk – 04 Jun 1962
 * A-4E Skyhawk – Jul 1967
 * A-4F Skyhawk – 12 Nov 1969