Second VA-44 (U.S. Navy)

This VA-44, nicknamed the Hornets, was an Attack Squadron of the US Navy. It was the second squadron to hold the VA-44 designation. The squadron was established as Fighter Squadron VF-44 on 1 September 1950, and redesignated VA-44 on 1 January 1956. It was disestablished on 1 May 1970.

Significant events

 * 13 Jun 1953: The squadron conducted its first combat operations, striking targets in Korea.


 * Sep–Oct 1957: During the squadron’s deployment aboard Wasp (CVS 18), its mission was temporarily changed from attack to a fighter role in order to provide air protection for the VS squadrons operating from the carrier.


 * 1 Jun 1958: The squadron’s mission changed from a light attack squadron to a fleet replacement training squadron. The new mission involved flight training for pilots and maintenance training for enlisted personnel. Under this concept, pilots and enlisted personnel ordered to East Coast fleet A4D squadrons completed the course of instruction provided by VA-44 before reporting to their assigned fleet squadrons.


 * 6 Jun 1958: Fleet All Weather Training Unit Detachment ALFA, an instrument training detachment, was disestablished and its personnel and aircraft were transferred to VA-44.


 * 8 Aug 1958: The squadron graduated its first replacement pilot under the new training program for attack pilots.


 * Jan 1959: The squadron’s first AD Skyraiders arrived and preparations began for the additional mission of replacement training for this aircraft, plus the A4D Skyhawk.


 * 15 Nov 1961: The squadron graduated the 1,000th enlisted maintenance trainee on the A4D Skyhawk.


 * 15 Feb 1963: The propeller training section of the squadron was removed from VA-44 and established as a separate squadron and designated VA-45. VA-44 continued in its training mission concentrating on A-4 Skyhawk training. It became a strictly jet squadron flying A-4Bs, A-4Cs and TF-9Js.

Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:
 * NAS Jacksonville – 01 Sep 1950
 * NAAS Cecil Field – 19 Sep 1950
 * NAS Jacksonville – 13 Oct 1952
 * NAS Cecil Field – 18 Feb 1963

Aircraft Assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:
 * F4U-5 Corsair – Sep 1950
 * F4U-4 Corsair – 01 Dec 1951
 * F2H-2 Banshee – Dec 1953
 * F9F-8 Cougar – Apr 1956
 * F9F-8T Cougar – 23 Jan 1958
 * A4D-1 Skyhawk – 04 Feb 1958
 * TV-2 Shooting Star – Jun 1958
 * T28-B Trojan – Jun 1958
 * A4D-2/A-4B Skyhawk – Sep 1958
 * A-1E and H Skyraider – Jan 1959
 * A4D-2N/A-4C Skyhawk – 09 Feb 1960
 * A-4E Skyhawk – Oct 1964
 * TA-4F Skyhawk – 03 Aug 1966
 * A-4F Skyhawk – Nov 1969
 * A-4L Skyhawk – Dec 1969