VA-212 (U.S. Navy)

VA-212, nicknamed the Rampant Raiders, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as Fighter Squadron VF-212 on 20 June 1955, and redesignated as VA-212 on 1 April 1956. The squadron was disestablished on 12 December 1975.

Significant events

 * 6 Jun 1958: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander G. W. Staeheli, was killed in an aircraft accident.


 * Aug–Sep 1958: VA-212, embarked on Lexington (CVA 16), operated in the Formosa Straits due to the tension surrounding the Chinese Communist shelling of the Quemoy Islands.


 * Apr 1959: VA-212 became the first operational squadron to deploy with the Bullpup air-to-ground missile.


 * Mar 1961: Lexington (CVA 16), with VA-212 embarked, was ordered to operate off the coast of Thailand as a result of the deteriorating position of Laotian government forces against the Communists. Units of Lexington’s air group flew reconnaissance missions over Laos while on station.


 * 15 Apr 1962: VA-212, embarked in Hancock (CVA 19), operated off the coast of South Vietnam during the arrival of the first USMC advisory unit in the Republic of Vietnam.


 * 16–20 May 1962: Following the continued successes of the Pathet Lao forces against Laotian government forces, particularly along the border with Thailand, the Thai government requested U.S. support. A unit of U.S Marines landed in Bangkok and moved by air to Udorn. VA-212, along with other units of CVG-21, embarked in Hancock, operated in the area and were available to provide air support for the Marines if required.


 * Sep 1963: VA-212, embarked in Hancock, operated off the coast of Taiwan due to increased tensions between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China.


 * Nov 1963: Hancock, with VA-212 embarked, operated off the coast of South Vietnam following the coup that overthrew President Diem.


 * 7 Feb 1965: Following the shelling of an American advisors’ compound at Pleiku by the Viet Cong, VA-212 participated in reprisal attacks against targets in North Vietnam. During the strikes, named Flaming Dart I, VA- 212’s Skyhawks struck the Dong Hoi Barracks.


 * 11 Feb 1965: VA-212’s Skyhawks participated in Flaming Dart II operations, reprisal attacks against the barracks at Chanh Hoa.


 * Mar–May 1965: The squadron’s Skyhawks participated in special operations in Southeast Asia, including the Rolling Thunder campaign, strikes against designated military targets in North Vietnam.


 * Mar 1966: Squadron aircraft participated in Operation Jackstay, providing combat air support for amphibious operations that cleared the Rung Sat zone southeast of Saigon.


 * 30 Jun 1966: Commander H. L. Smith, the squadron’s commanding officer, was awarded the Silver Star for leading an air strike against the Bac Giang POL facility.


 * Oct–Nov 1966: During the squadron’s training cycle, its aircraft were modified to incorporate the Walleye weapons system, becoming the first fleet unit equipped with the new system.


 * 11 Mar 1967: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander H. L. Smith, conducted the first combat Walleye attack, striking the Sam Son Army Barracks.


 * 20 May 1967: Commander H. L. Smith was awarded the Navy Cross for his action during strikes on the Bac Giang Thermal Power Plant on 19 and 20 May. He was killed in action during the mission on 20 May.


 * Feb–Mar 1968: Squadron aircraft flew combat air support missions for the Marines under siege at Khe Sahn.


 * Apr 1972: With the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam, the Easter Offensive, the squadron concentrated its strikes in the area of An Loc, South Vietnam. It provided combat air support for U.S. and South Vietnamese ground forces defending the city.


 * May 1972: VA-212 participated in Operation Linebacker I, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam.


 * 25 May 1972: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander H. H. Strong, was killed in action when his aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire during a strike near Vinh, North Vietnam.


 * Oct–Dec 1973: With the outbreak of war in the Middle East between Israel, Syria and Egypt and the initiation of the Arab oil embargo, Hancock, with VA- 212 embarked, was ordered to enter the Indian Ocean and operate in the Arabian Sea.

Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:
 * NAS Moffett Field – 20 Jun 1955
 * NAS Lemoore – 15 Sep 1961

Aircraft Assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:
 * F7U-3M Cutlass – Jul 1955
 * F7U-3 Cutlass – Aug 1955
 * F9F-8B Cougar – Apr 1957
 * FJ-4B Fury – 19 Jul 1957
 * A4D-2/A-4B Skyhawk – 20 Jun 1961
 * A-4E Skyhawk – 02 Jan 1964
 * A-4F Skyhawk – Oct 1967