The first Fleet Squadron to obtain the A-6A, VA-85 “Black Falcons” would be one of the first naval squadrons over Hanoi in 1965 off the USS Kittyhawk. During this deployment would see one aviator earning the Naval Cross and the unit as a whole earning three Presidential Unit Citations for actions during Operation Linebacker and Rolling Thunder.
Also Noteworthy during this period was the squadrons experimentation with Camouflaged aircraft, including notably BuNo 151792 which bore a tri-colored ‘South East Asia’ pattern of greens and brown. Along with 152799 which bore a two-tone Green and Blue pattern, the aircraft were evaluated at NAS Oceana before reverting back to their standard gull gray.
The Squadron would go on to serve in many other conflicts, including the Gulf of Sidra and Gulf War, before being deactivated in 1994.
