On 1 February 1956 Attack Squadron 146 (VA-146) became the Navy’s newest jet attack squadron at NAS Miramar. Since there were no fleet replacement squadrons at this time, VA-146 started with only a handful of aircraft and began an “in-house” training regime in various models of the F9F Cougar. Their first deployment was aboard USSÊHornetÊ(CV-12) in 1957. In September 1957, the squadron transitioned to the FJ-4B Fury, deploying twice aboard USSÊRangerÊ(CVA-61) prior to 1960. The squadron received its first A-7 on 4 June 1968 and deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) on 6 January 1969. Shortly after deployment in September 1969, the squadron upgraded to the A-7E. You can find more of their lineage online……this is the aircraft ‘DIAMOND’ patch for the A-7E Corsair II.
