VA 96

• Squadron Designation: VA-96 was a United States Navy Attack Squadron, officially known as "Attack Squadron 96." • Active Service: The squadron was established on 30 June 1956 and was disestablished on 1 April 1959, making its existence relatively brief. • Aircraft Flown: VA-96 primarily flew the Douglas AD Skyraider, a carrier-capable attack aircraft notable for its durability and payload capacity. • Home Base: The squadron was homeported at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, during its operational period. • Nickname: The official nickname of VA-96 has not been widely recorded, distinguishing it from some other squadrons with more famous monikers. • Carrier Deployments: VA-96 deployed aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) in the Western Pacific during its service. • Operational Focus: The squadron’s primary mission was to provide air-to-ground attack capabilities in support of fleet operations and military objectives. • Short Tenure: With less than three years of activity, VA-96 was one of the shorter-lived attack squadrons in U.S. Navy history. • Notable Exercises: The squadron participated in a variety of naval exercises and training operations, helping to hone the Navy’s post-Korean War attack tactics. • Legacy: Although VA-96 had a brief lifespan, it contributed to the evolution and effectiveness of carrier-based attack aviation in the late 1950s, a formative period for modern naval air power.