About this Unit
Certainly! Here is a brief military history for each unit:
**VA-76:**
Attack Squadron 76 (VA-76), known as the "Spirits," was established in 1955. The unit participated in several significant Cold War operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and combat operations during the Vietnam War. VA-76 flew various attack aircraft, notably the A-4 Skyhawk, providing close air support and strike missions. The squadron was disestablished in 1969.
**VC-4:**
Composite Squadron Four (VC-4), nicknamed the "Nightcappers," was established in 1948 as the Navy's first night fighter squadron. VC-4 operated a variety of aircraft, including the F4U Corsair and F2H Banshee, specializing in night and all-weather fighter operations from aircraft carriers. The squadron played a pivotal role in developing naval night combat tactics during the Korean War era. VC-4 was disestablished in 1956.
**VP-66:**
Patrol Squadron 66 (VP-66), known as the "Liberty Bells," was a U.S. Navy Reserve patrol squadron established in 1970. Based at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, the squadron flew the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, conducting anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance missions primarily in the Atlantic and Caribbean. VP-66 supported numerous NATO and fleet exercises during the Cold War and participated in real-world operations, including counter-narcotics missions. The squadron was disestablished in 2006 during a Navy Reserve restructuring.
Historical Facts
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Attack Squadron 76 (VA-76) – "Spirits":
• 1. Vietnam War Service: VA-76 was heavily involved in the Vietnam War, flying A-4 Skyhawks from aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin and taking part in numerous combat sorties.
• 2. USS Forrestal Fire: VA-76 lost several aircraft during the tragic fire aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59) in July 1967, one of the worst naval disasters in US history.
• 3. MiG-21 Kill: On October 6, 1972, a VA-76 pilot, Lt. Clyde E. Lassen, shot down a North Vietnamese MiG-21 with an unguided Zuni rocket, one of the few MiG kills by an A-4 and the only A-4 MiG kill in US Navy history.
• 4. Decommissioning: VA-76 was disestablished in October 1969, after almost 14 years of service, reflecting the drawdown after Vietnam.
• 5. Nickname Origin: The squadron was known as the “Spirits,” a name reflected in their squadron insignia, which featured a ghostly figure.
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Composite Squadron Four (VC-4):
• 6. Night Fighter Pioneers: VC-4 was the US Navy’s first night fighter squadron, established in 1943, flying the F6F-5N Hellcat and later F7F Tigercat and F4U Corsair night fighters.
• 7. WWII Atlantic Patrols: The squadron played a key role in protecting Atlantic convoys from German U-boats and aircraft at night during World War II.
• 8. Carrier Operations: VC-4 was among the first to perform carrier-based night operations, testing and refining tactics for night landings and combat.
• 9. Korean War Deployments: VC-4 deployed on several aircraft carriers during the Korean War, providing night combat air patrol and interdiction missions.
• 10. Legacy: VC-4 was redesignated as VF(N)-41 and later as VF-41, continuing its lineage as a fighter squadron with a proud heritage in night operations.
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Patrol Squadron 66 (VP-66) – "Liberty Bells":
• 11. Naval Reserve Squadron: Established in 1970, VP-66 was a US Navy Reserve patrol squadron known as the “Liberty Bells,” flying P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
• 12. Cold War Patrols: VP-66 conducted anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrols in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, monitoring Soviet submarine activity throughout the Cold War.
• 13. Drug Interdiction: In the 1980s and 1990s, VP-66 participated in drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean, supporting law enforcement agencies.
• 14. Operation Desert Storm: VP-66 contributed combat aircrews and aircraft to support maritime surveillance during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
• 15. Disestablishment: The squadron was disbanded in 2006 as part of a reorganization of Naval Air Reserve patrol squadrons, ending over 35 years of service.
