VA-196 (U.S. Navy)

VA-196 was a long-lived Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as Fighter Squadron VF-153 on 15 July 1948, redesignated as VF-194 on 15 February 1950, and finally redesignated VA-196 on 4 May 1955. Its nicknames were the Thundercats from 1948 to the 1950s, and The Main Battery from the 1950s thereafter. Beginning in 1979 the squadron used the nickname Milestones interchangeably with Main Battery. The squadron was disestablished on 28 February 1997, after more than 48 years of service.

Significant events

 * 11 Dec 1951: The squadron flew its first combat sorties, flying interdiction missions in Korea against enemy lines of communications, transportation, industrial and supply facilities.


 * 22 Mar 1952: During a bombing run on a rail line north of Kowon, Korea, Ensign K. A. Schechter was wounded when an enemy shell struck the canopy of his AD Skyraider and exploded. He was blinded by the blood from the wound causing him to maneuver erractically. Lieutenant (jg) J. H. Thayer, heard Ensign Schechter’s call for assistance and observing his erratic maneuvering, flew alongside and began giving radio instructions to the blinded pilot. Using Lieutenant Thayer’s radio guidance, Ensign Schechter flew his plane to an emergency air strip and successfully landed the aircraft.


 * Feb 1955: In January 1955, the People’s Republic of China began bombardment of the Tachen Islands held by Nationalist China. In February squadron aircraft provided air cover during the evacuation of Chinese Nationalist military and civilian personnel from the islands.


 * Aug–Oct 1964: The squadron was involved in operations off the coast of Vietnam following the Tonkin Gulf Incident.


 * 21 Aug 1967: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander L. T. Profilet and his NFO Lieutenant Commander W. M. Hardman, were shot down and taken prisoner during a mission over North Vietnam. They were released by North Vietnam and returned to the U.S. on 29 March 1973.


 * Dec 1971: Following the outbreak of war between India and Pakistan over East Pakistan (Bangladesh), Enterprise (CVAN 65) was ordered to leave Yankee Station for operations in the Indian Ocean. The carrier, with VA-196 embarked, operated in the Bay of Bengal until the early part of January 1972 and cessation of hostilities.


 * Oct 1972: The squadron participated in Linebacker I operations, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam to interdict the flow of supplies into South Vietnam.


 * Dec 1972: Squadron aircraft participated in Linebacker II operations, an intensified version of Linebacker I.


 * Feb–May 1973: Squadron aircraft flew air support for Operation End Sweep, the clearing of mines from North Vietnamese waters.


 * Apr 1975: The squadron, along with other CVW-14 units, provided air cover support during the evacuation of personnel from Saigon as it fell to the communists.


 * Feb 1977: During the crisis in Uganda and threats against Americans in that country, Enterprise, with VA- 196 embarked, operated off the coast of Kenya ready to evacuate Americans from Uganda.


 * Dec 1979: Coral Sea (CV 43), with VA-196 embarked, operated off the coast of South Korea following the assassination of South Korea’s President Park Chung-Hee in late October.


 * Apr 1980: Coral Sea, with the squadron embarked, was part of the task force involved in supporting the Iranian hostage rescue attempt.


 * May 1980: Following civil unrest in South Korea, the squadron, embarked in Coral Sea, operated off the coast of that country.


 * Aug 1983: Due to the unsettled conditions in Central America, Coral Sea, with VA-196 embarked, operated off the coast of Nicaragua and also participated in surveillance for illegal drug traffic.


 * Jul 1987: Due to the increased attacks on merchant and tanker shipping in the Persian Gulf during the Iran/Iraqi War, the United States began to escort reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers. During operation Earnest Will, VA-196 provided air support for the first convoy of reflagged tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.


 * Aug 1990: Due to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, Independence (CV 62), with VA-196 embarked, was ordered to the North Arabian Sea.


 * Aug – 2 Oct 1990: VA-196 flew sorties from Independence in support of Operation Desert Shield, the build up of American and Allied forces to counter a threatened invasion of Saudi Arabia by Iraq.


 * 2 Oct – 2 Nov 1990: On 2 October, Independence entered the Persian Gulf and operated in those waters for two days before returning to the Northern Arabian Sea. VA-196 continued flying sorties for operation Desert Shield until Independence was relieved on 2 November and departed for its return trip to the States.

Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:
 * NAS Alameda – 15 Jul 1948
 * NAS Moffett Field – 23 Feb 1959
 * NAS Lemoore – Feb 1963
 * NAS Oceana – 1 May 1966
 * NAS Whidbey Island – 15 Nov 1966

Aircraft Assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:
 * F8F-1 Bearcat – Jul 1948
 * F8F-2 Bearcat – 11 May 1949
 * F4U-4 Corsair – Aug 1950
 * AD-3 Skyraider – Dec 1950
 * AD-1 Skyraider – Jan 1951
 * AD-2 Skyraider – Sep 1951
 * AD-4NA Skyraider – Aug 1952
 * AD-4Q Skyraider – Aug 1952
 * AD-6/AD-1H Skyraider – Dec 1953
 * AD-7/A1-J Skyraider – Mar 1962
 * A-6A Intruder – 01 Oct 1966
 * A-6B Intruder – Jun 1968
 * KA-6D Intruder – Mar 1971
 * A-6E Intruder – 02 Jul 1975