Second VA-135 (U.S. Navy)

The second VA-135 was a short-lived Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Thunderbirds. It was established on 21 August 1961 and disestablished a year later, on 1 October 1962. It was based at NAS Jacksonville, and for a short time in 1962 at NAS Cecil Field. The squadron flew the AD-6 Skyraider aircraft. A previous squadron bore the VA-135 designation from 1944-1949; the two were not related.

Significant events

 * Aug 1961: The squadron was established as part of a new Air Group to increase the strength of the fleet during the Berlin Crisis of 1961.


 * Mar–May 1962: The squadron participated in USS Constellation (CVA-64)’s shakedown cruise in the Caribbean.