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. You can find more of their lineage online……this is their ‘F/A-18C’ HORNET version of their squadron patch (note it is a bit “darker” blue than their F-35C squadron patch above) and DOES have velcro attached.
