VA-85

• Two Distinct Units Named VA-85: There were actually two separate squadrons designated VA-85 in the U.S. Navy. The first existed from 1948 to 1949, and the second from 1951 to 1994, which is the more famous and long-lived unit, nicknamed the "Black Falcons" and later the "Black Falcons." • Nickname – “Black Falcons”: VA-85 adopted the nickname “Black Falcons” in the 1980s, signified by the prominent falcon on their squadron insignia. • Attack Aircraft: The squadron operated several attack aircraft, most notably the A-6A, A-6E Intruder, a versatile all-weather attack aircraft known for precision strikes. • Vietnam War Service: VA-85 saw extensive combat during the Vietnam War, flying from aircraft carriers on strike missions, including the famous Operation Rolling Thunder. • Libya Strikes (1986): VA-85 participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon, the U.S. air strike on Libya in April 1986, flying A-6 Intruders from USS Coral Sea (CV-43). • Gulf War Operations: The squadron played a significant role in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, conducting night and low-level attacks against Iraqi targets. • “Iron Men” Legacy: VA-85’s radio callsign was “Ironman,” and their reputation for toughness and determination became part of their legacy. • Carrier Deployments: Throughout its history, VA-85 deployed on numerous carriers, including USS Forrestal, USS America, USS Saratoga, and USS Nimitz. • Notable Rescue: In 1981, a VA-85 A-6 crew performed a daring rescue of a downed aviator in the Mediterranean, highlighting the unit’s courage and skill. • Deactivation and Legacy: VA-85 was disestablished in 1994 as the A-6 Intruder was retired from service; its traditions and history live on in the collective memory of Navy attack aviation.