Attack Squadron VA-176 was established in 1955 as the Thunderbolts flying the A-lD Douglas Skyraider, know as the Spad. In early 1969 they transitioned to the Grumman A-6A Intruder. It's RAG (training unit-Replacement Air Group) squadron VA-42 took on the name Thunderbolts after VA-176 was disestablished 30 June 92. The Thunderbolt name now belongs to the F/A-18 Hornet squadron VMFA-251. My tour with the Thunderbolts was from 1972 till 1974. We flew the A-6 intruder from CVA-42, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. As part of Attack Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6), VA-176 was based out of NAS Oceana, Va. and FDR was homeported out of Mayport, Fl. The loss of the Intruder leaves the Navy without a dedicated attack aircraft for the first time since WW 2. The last A-6 squadron was disestablished in 1997. The A-6 is an all-weather, two seat, subsonic, carrier-based aircraft. In spite of its weight, it has excellent slow-flying capabilities with full span slats and flaps. The crew, sitting side by side, can see in all directions through a broad canopy.
The A-6 worked around the clock in Vietnam, conducting attacks on the targets with a pinpoint accuracy unavailable through any other aircraft at that time. The A-6 proved once again that it is the best all-weather precision bomber in the world in the joint strike on Libyan terrorist-related targets in 1986. A-6 aircraft were used extensively during Operation Desert Storm.
In the early 1990's the Intruders were rewinged with a composite wing replacement. The new wing replaced an older metal wing that showed cracks and metal fatigue. Even with this update, the Intruder was phased out because it still was very maintenance intensive. VA-176's ship was also well known. Rosie has a list of peace keeping deeds. November and December 1956 found her off the coast of Spain during the Suez Canal crisis. November of 1961 she supported the newly established Dominican Republic democratic government. After emergency propeller repair in 1964, CVA-42 in August patrolled near the island of Cyprus after fighting erupted between Turkish and Greek forces on the island. August 1966 was FDR's only combat operations in Vietnam. After this Rosie did many Med cruises until being scrapped in 1977, She was sold to Union Minerals and Alloys Corporation for $2,111,013.37 under bid #16-8007. A little bit about where I was during my time in the Navy. I went to boot camp at Great Lakes from 11 January 71 to 12 April 71. My company was #27. From there I was in AE-A school in Jacksonville, Florida, starting 28 April 71 till 4 November 71. My first orders were to VA-42 for training. I attended the A-6A Electrical systems Framp training from 24 November 71 untill 7 February 72. My next and last orders were to VA-176 where I did two Med cruises till getting out 16 December 74..
For a complete history of 176 on my Page 3, click on the link below. Please sign and view my guest book.
© 1997 mikestacey2@hotmail.com
Links to other sites on the Web
Builders Square. This is one more of my web sites. This is a company I worked at for 11 years.
Page Three, A complete history of VA-176..
VA 176 CRUISE BOOK 1973-74.
SHOE CORPORATION OF AMERICA. A great shoe company I was with for 21 years.
View guestbook #2 for those signing from 1/03/00 to 12/23/00.
View guestbook #1 for those signing before 01/03/00.
View
guestbook #3 for those signing between 12/24/00 to 11/30/03.
FDR In Drydock.
Get your own Free Home Page
