va-23

• Establishment: Attack Squadron 23 (VA-23), known as the "Black Knights," was originally established as Reserve Fighter Squadron VF-653 on 20 December 1949 and redesignated VA-23 on 1 July 1959. • Korean War Service: The squadron was called to active duty during the Korean War in 1951, flying F4U Corsairs in combat missions. • Nickname: VA-23 was famously known as the "Black Knights," a nod to their noble and steadfast reputation. • Aircraft Evolution: Over its history, VA-23 flew a variety of aircraft, including the F4U Corsair, F9F Panther, F9F Cougar, FJ-4B Fury, A-4 Skyhawk, and A-7 Corsair II. • Vietnam War Deployments: VA-23 deployed multiple times aboard aircraft carriers to the Western Pacific and Vietnam, conducting numerous combat missions during the Vietnam War. • Notable Mission: In August 1964, VA-23 participated in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, which led to increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam. • First to Deploy A-4E Skyhawk: VA-23 was among the first squadrons to deploy the A-4E Skyhawk, a major advancement in attack aircraft at the time. • Distinguished Service: Members of VA-23 earned numerous awards and commendations for bravery and operational excellence, including Navy Unit Commendations. • Home Ports: The squadron was based at several locations during its history, including NAS Alameda and NAS Lemoore in California. • Disestablishment: VA-23 was disestablished on 1 April 1970, after more than two decades of distinguished service.