VA-56 (U.S. Navy)

VA-56 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 4 June 1956, and disestablished thirty years later, on 31 August 1986. The squadron's nickname was the Boomerangs from 1957 to 1958, and the Champions thereafter.

Significant events

 * 25–31 Oct 1961: VA-56 participated in Operation Crosstie with HMS Victorious (R38), conducting flight operations from the deck of Victorious to evaluate the compatibility of USN/RN aircraft, armament, and handling facilities.


 * 16 Jul–15 Sep 1962: The squadron was embarked in USS Constellation (CVA-64) during her transit from the East Coast, via Cape Horn, to her new home port on the West Coast.


 * Jul 1964: VA-56’s A-4E Skyhawks participated in special Yankee Team operations, providing aerial refueling support and experimenting with the tactic of employing A-4Es as armed escorts for the RF-8 and RA-3 reconnaissance aircraft flying missions over Laos and South Vietnam to detect Communist military presence and operations.


 * 2–4 Aug 1964: During a DESOTO patrol mission (intelligence collection missions begun in 1962) USS Maddox (DD-731) was attacked by three motor torpedo boats on 2 August off the coast of North Vietnam. Following this incident, the squadron flew sorties in support of the destroyers on Desoto Patrol.


 * 5 Aug 1964: VA-56’s Skyhawks participated in Operation Pierce Arrow, retaliatory strikes against the North Vietnamese. Along with other aircraft from CVW-5, they were part of the first sortie that struck the antiaircraft gun emplacements at the Vinh oil storage facility. Ninety percent of the complex was destroyed by the sorties flown against this facility. The squadron also participated in strikes against the Ben Thuy naval base, resulting in the sinking and destruction of several torpedo boats.


 * 10–29 Oct, 1–5 and 22–28 Nov 1964: The squadron continued to participate in special Yankee Team operations off the coast of Vietnam.


 * 7 Feb 1966: Lieutenant Commander Render Crayton was awarded the Silver Star (in absentia) for his actions while engaged in a combat mission over North Vietnam.


 * 10 Jun 1967: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander Sherman, failed to return from a strike in North Vietnam and is now listed as missing in action, presumed dead.


 * Jan–Feb 1968: While embarked in USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) and en route to Yankee Station, the carrier was ordered to the Sea of Japan for operations following the seizure of USS Pueblo (AGER-2) by the North Koreans on 23 January.


 * 19 Jun 1968: Lieutenant Commander Crater received the Silver Star for his actions in coordinating the successful night rescue of a downed F-4 crewman in North Vietnam. This action was part of the rescue operations in which Lieutenant Lassen, a helicopter pilot and not a member of VA-56, received the Medal of Honor for his exploits. 1 Nov 1968: The squadron’s last A-4E Skyhawk was transferred and training began for the transition to the A-7 Corsair II.


 * May 1972: On 12 May USS Midway (CVA-41), with VA-56 embarked, shifted its operations from the area of An Loc, South Vietnam to targets in North Vietnam. It participated in the mining and interdiction of Haiphong Harbor and North Vietnam’s extensive coastal waterway system. This was an extension of operation Pocket Money which was initiated on 9 May by squadrons from USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). It also participated in operation Linebacker I, the concentration of heavy strikes against targets in North Vietnam to interdict the flow of supplies into the country and reduce its ability to prosecute the war. Linebacker I operations lasted until 22 October.


 * 29–30 Apr 1975: Midway, including elements of VA-56, participated in operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American citizens from Saigon, South Vietnam.


 * Aug 1976: VA-56, embarked in Midway, operated in Korean waters following the killing of two American officers in the Korean Demilitarized Zone by the North Koreans.


 * Apr–May 1979: Midway, with VA-56 embarked, deployed to the Gulf of Aden to relieve USS Constellation (CV-64) and maintain a U.S. carrier presence following the outbreak of fighting between North and South Yemen and the fall of the Shah of Iran.


 * Oct 1979: As a response to anti-American demonstrations in Iran, Midway and its air wing, including VA-56, were ordered to deploy to the Indian Ocean for the second time in 1979.


 * Nov 1979–Feb 1980: Following the Iranian seizure of the American Embassy in Teheran and the taking of American hostages on 4 November, Midway proceeded to the Gulf of Oman and remained on station until relieved in early February 1980.


 * May–Jun 1980: Midway, with VA-56 embarked, operated off the coast of Korea due to the civil unrest in South Korea and the massacre hundreds in the town of Kwangju.


 * May 1986: The squadron was reassigned to NAS Lemoore as a result of the change in CVW-5’s composition from A-7 and F-4 aircraft to FA-18A. It began the transfer of its personnel and aircraft in preparation for the disestablishment of the squadron on 31 August.

Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown: * Under the Overseas Home Port Program, VA-56 and CVW-5 were permanently based aboard Midway and home ported with her at Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan. The home port was officially changed on 30 June 1973. However, Midway did not arrive in Japan until 5 October. Elements of VA-56, when not operating from Midway, were based ashore at NAF Atsugi or Misawa, Japan.
 * NAS Miramar – 04 Jun 1956
 * NAS Lemoore – 30 Jun 1961
 * NS Yokosuka / USS Midway (CV-41)* – 30 Jun 1973
 * NAS Lemoore – May 1986

Aircraft Assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:
 * F9F-3 Panther – Jun 1956
 * F9F-8B Cougar – Jul 1956
 * F9F-8 Cougar – Oct 1956
 * FJ-4B Fury – 29 May 1958
 * A4D-1 Skyhawk – 23 Dec 1958
 * A4D-2/A-4B Skyhawk – Apr 1959
 * A-4E Skyhawk – 15 Jul 1963
 * A-4C Skyhawk – 23 Jul 1966
 * A-4E Skyhawk – 18 Aug 1967
 * A-7B Corsair II – Jan 1969
 * A-7A Corsair II – Mar 1973
 * A-7E Corsair II – 24 Apr 1977