VA-185 (U.S. Navy)

VA-185, nicknamed the Nighthawks, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 1 December 1986 and disestablished on 30 August 1991.

Significant events

 * Sep 1987: The squadron was forward deployed to NAS Atsugi, Japan, and assigned to USS Midway (CV-41), home ported at Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan.


 * Nov 1987–Jan 1988: The squadron flew support for Operation Earnest Will, escort operations for reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran–Iraq War in the Persian Gulf.


 * Sep 1988: VA-185, embarked in USS Midway, operated in the Sea of Japan during the summer Olympics being held in Seoul, Korea, to demonstrate U.S. support for a peaceful olympics.


 * Dec 1989: Midway, with VA-185 embarked, maintained station off the coast of the Philippines during an attempted coup in that country.


 * Nov 1990–Jan 1991: The squadron flew missions in support of Operation Desert Shield, the build-up of American and Allied forces to counter a threatened invasion of Saudi Arabia by Iraq and were part of an economic blockade of Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait.


 * Jan–Feb 1991: The squadron participated in Operation Desert Storm. VA-185 led the first air strikes from naval elements operating in the Persian Gulf. During the Gulf War, squadron aircraft struck Iraqi naval targets and bases, airfields and bridges, and provided close air support for Allied ground forces. The squadron flew a total of 457 combat missions, comprising 940 combat flight hours and delivered 720,000 pounds of ordnance on enemy targets.


 * 6 Aug 1991: The squadron held a disestablishment ceremony at NAF Atsugi, Japan. It was officially disestablished on 30 August 1991.

Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:
 * NAS Whidbey Island – 01 Dec 1986
 * NAF Atsugi – 13 Sep 1987 (VA-185 was forward deployed and based aboard USS Midway (CV-41).)

Aircraft Assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:
 * A-6E Intruder – 18 Feb 1987
 * KA-6D Intruder – 19 Sep 1987