On October 10, 1942, ten months after Pearl Harbor, the predecessor of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN (VA-115), was commissioned as Torpedo Squadron ELEVEN (VT-11) by the Navy Department. So began the history of one of oldest squadrons still activated in the Pacific Fleet. They flew the Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger, a carrier-based torpedo bomber affectionately known in the fleet as the "Turkey".
The Avenger took part in every carrier-verses-carrier battle and indeed almost all carrier operations from Midway onwards, working from every fast carrier and escort carrier of the Pacific Fleet. At Guadalcanal and in subsequent campaigns it was also operated from land bases.
The squadron was land based from January 1943 to mid summer 1944. The planes operated from Kanton Island, Guadalcanal, Pearl Harbor and Fiji Island. The assignments during this time period included anti-submarine defense, search and rescue, patrol missions, strike and mine laying.
While based at Hilo, Hawaii, the squadron planes spotted a Japanese submarine in the area. The planes proceeded to bomb the area and were credited by the squadron commander with a probable sinking.
VT-11 was part of Air Group ELEVEN (CVG-11) and in June 1943 conducted the first daylight raids against Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, from the USS Hornet (CV-12).
On October 10 the squadron participated in the first strikes against the Japanese forces on Okinawa.
On October 25, the Japanese Fleet, in three elements, converged on Leyte to oppose the landings. While 340 miles from Leyte, which was beyond the normal combat radius for World War II carrier aircraft, VT-11's aircraft were launched for a strike on the central element of the Japanese Fleet. The TBM’s arrived over the enemy fleet after it had broken off its engagement with the American escort carriers and destroyers guarding the landing and supply ships. The squadron planes struck the retiring Japanese Central Fleet, scoring hits on a battleship and two cruisers. All the squadrons aircraft returned, completing a 600 mile round trip combat flight. Eight of the pilots were awarded the Navy Cross for their participation in this action.
For the remainder of 1944 and into early 1945, the squadron continued to provide support for operations at Leyte, the Philippines, Luzon, Mindoro, Formosa, Cam Rahn Bay, French Indo-China, Pescadores Islands and Hong Kong.
CVG-11 accounted for over six hundred aircraft destroyed and twenty-four destroyers, three cruisers, and more than two hundred thousand pounds of merchant shipping sunk during the two years at the battle front.
On June 25, 1945, the original squadron patch drawn by Walt Disney, was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations. A new patch was approved on September 17, 1956 and is still in use today.
At the conclusion of the war, VT-11 returned to Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California and in November 1946, in accordance with the re-designation of all carrier based squadrons, Torpedo Squadron ELEVEN became Attack Squadron Twelve Able (VA-12A).
VA-12A underwent extensive training and rebuilding along with it's Air Wing until, in August 1947, they embarked aboard USS Valley Forge (CVA-45), then the Navy's newest aircraft carrier. The globe-circling cruise that ensued was the first for any Navy Air Group and naturally a milestone for the squadron and Valley Forge.
On July 15, 1948, VA-12A was once again re-designated, this time as Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN
(VA-115). In addition, the Navy's newest, most powerful, and what proved to be it's last edition of a propeller driven fighter bomber, the Douglas AD2 Skyraider replaced the TBM's. The Skyraider could carry an ordnance load equal to that of a four-engine B-17 from World War II. On May 21, 1953--An AD-4 Skyraider took off from NAS Dallas with a bomb load of 10,500 pounds. Combined with the weight of its guns, ammunition, fuel and pilot, its total useful load of 14,491 pounds was 3,143 pounds more than the weight of the aircraft.
On July 5, 1950, VA-115 aboard the Philippine Sea (CV-47) left San Diego for their first assignment to the war zone in Korea. After qualifications off Hawaii, the ship arrived off Korea as flagship of Task Force 77 on August 5. The planes launched air strikes to rain thousands of tons of bombs, rockets, and napalm down on strategic targets. As many as 140 sorties a day were launched from the carrier. Except for time out to re-arm, refuel, or repair for brief periods, Philippine Sea was in action continuously
Operating with other carriers of Task Force 77, the planes hit North Korean rail and communication centers from Seoul to Wonsan in September. In the Yellow Sea the planes put on a major performance softening up the Inchon invasion coast. D-Day, September 15, found the Philippine Sea planes ranging far inland to destroy any attempts by the enemy to bring up reinforcements. Following the initial assault, the planes continued to provide close and deep support for the thrust inland to Seoul.
Two months later when the Chinese Communists surprised the United Nations ground troops with a smashing drive south, down the middle of the peninsula, the Philippine Sea planes dived through snow and sleet to hold back the Red hordes. Throughout the long retreat from the Yalu, VF-111 and VF-112 Panther jets, VF-113 and VF-114 Corsair fighter bombers and VA-115 Skyraider attack bombers blasted the path for the trapped Marines. Hill after hill was cleared all the way to Hungnam where Philippine Sea and other carriers of Task Force 77 sent up a virtual aerial umbrella. Hundreds of carrier planes swarmed over the tiny evacuation perimeter from which 150,000 troops and civilians came to the sea.
Sweet music to the ears of a squadron pilot after dropping bombs or napalm a few yards ahead of our ground troops was the radio message from the ground troops saying “Thanks Arab, now the way is clear for us to advance”. “Arabs” was the nickname adopted by VA-115 pilots because it was the radio call sign assigned to the squadron planes.
After nearly 8 months of duty off the coast of Korea, broken only by a few short visits to Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan for rest and repairs, VA-115 and the rest of CAG 11 was transferred to the carrier Valley Forge (CV-45) on March 28, 1951. A couple of days later, Valley Forge left for a quick trip across the Pacific and tied up to the quay wall at NAS North Island, San Diego, California.
VA-115 continued its training at NAS North Island and NAS El Centro until December 1951. The squadron along with the rest of CAG 11 went aboard the Philippine Sea for a second deployment to the war zone in Korea.
After a delay to permit the crew to enjoy Christmas in the States, the Phil Sea departed on December 31, 1951. A few days in Hawaii and on to Japan for a few days, then to “Point Oboe” the 7th fleet staging area off the coast of Korea.
Life aboard the Phil Sea resumed the same routine as on the previous cruise. Many days of sending the planes off with rockets, bombs, napalm and machine gun ammunition to fight the enemy. Then a few days of liberty in Yokosuka or Sasebo, Japan for rest and repairs. Back to the fleet for another round of attacks on the North Koreans. This routine continued until late July 1952 when the orders came down to return to the States. The Phil Sea arrived at NAS North Island, San Diego on August 8, 1952.
During two tours with elements of the Seventh Fleet, off the Korean Peninsula, VA-115 flew 2268 combat missions involving close air support, long-range strikes and reconnaissance missions. For this outstanding performance, the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
A third Korean cruise found the squadron onboard the USS Kearsarge (CVA-33) that departed the US in June 1953. The Kearsarge arrived off the coast of Korea on June 24, and ready to start flying missions over North Korea on the 25th. Just one hour before launch time a cease-fire was called. (Could it have been the North Koreans realized VA-115 was back and ready for action?) The remainder of the cruise was spent sending the planes to patrol the DMZ.
The crew enjoyed liberties at such ports as Pearl Harbor, Yokosuka, Sasebo, Manila and Hong Kong before returning to the US in mid February 1954.
The year 1960 saw the Arabs honored as being a part of the skeleton Air Group which would break in the new super carrier, USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) and accompany her around Cape Horn to her new homeport, San Diego. With the arrival of Kitty Hawk to the West Coast, the squadron moved to NAS Moffett Field, California.
After an eight month training cycle, VA-115 rejoined Air Wing ELEVEN onboard their new home, Kitty Hawk, for deployment to the Western Pacific as part of the Seventh Fleet. While at sea, the squadron was notified that it had been awarded the Battle "E", once again signifying the best among West Coast prop attack squadrons for the competitive cycle ending October 1962.
Undergoing a short "turn-around" period during the summer of 1963, the squadron was required to move its operations to the Navy's newest Air Station, NAS Lemoore, California. In addition, the pilots took part in Kitty Hawk's firepower demonstration for the late President John F. Kennedy off San Diego. Shortly thereafter, in October 1963, VA-115 left for WESTPAC aboard Kitty Hawk returning in July 1964 after concluding one of the longest peacetime cruises on record.
The squadron earned its second "E" in a row by receiving the Excellence award for the cycle ending in February 1964.
It was back to training during the spring and summer of 1965 for VA-115, in which the Skyraiders were relocated to NAS Miramar, California and the squadron's first combat tour since the Korean War. In October 1965, the squadron returned to the Southeast Asia area with the Kitty Hawk and Air Wing ELEVEN this time to the aid of South Vietnam with AH1's, or SPADS as they were affectionately known to the pilots.
The SPAD proved to be one of the most effective aircraft of this war, utilizing to maximum advantage its high and varied ordnance load capacity, unmatched ability to remain on station for very long periods, and slower speed for better target acquisition through heavy jungle cover. While on the line in the Gulf of Tonkin, VA-115's six months produced 2051 sorties, 8012 hours for her twenty pilots, and an Air Wing high of 6,920,000 pounds of ordnance delivered to enemy targets. Close air support, armed reconnaissance (coastal and land), rescue combat air patrol, convoy cover, and destroyer patrol were but a few of the milestones handled by the pilots.
With its battle tested veterans, VA-115 returned to NAS Lemoore, California in June 1966. In September, VA-115 became an integral component of Carrier Air Wing FIVE, going to the Seventh Fleet in January 1967.
In July 1967 the squadron was placed in an inactive stand-down status. There were no aircraft and only a few administrative personnel assigned. The inactive status was a transitional period, awaiting the time when the squadron would assume an active status and receive the A-6 Intruder. This is the only known instance in which a squadron was not disestablished but remained on the active squadron inventory in an inactive status. The squadron resumed an active status on January 1, 1970.
As part of CVW-5 aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41), VA-115 made their first WESTPAC cruise in the A6 in 1971. In April 1972, Midway and VA-115 departed NAS Alameda, California for Yankee Station off the coast of Vietnam. For their role in support of South Vietnam, VA-115, CVW-5, and USS Midway received the Presidential Unit Citation.
In September of 1973, Midway, CAW-5, and VA-115 changed their homeport to Yokosuka, Japan. During their period of forward deployment aboard USS Midway, VA-115 conducted operations in various WESTPAC areas and worked with the Armed Forces of Japan, Korea, and the Philippines as well as with a multitude of US Forces. In April 1975, Midway was again called to the coast of Vietnam to participate in "Operation Eagle Pull", and once again in April for "Operation Frequent Wind", the evacuation of Saigon. For these actions Midway and VA-115 were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Armed Forces Expeditionary medal.
VA-115 was the last activated Navy squadron to fly the A6A/A6B. The squadron transitioned to the newer more reliable A6E in the summer of 1977.
In March 1978, VA-115 changed the squadron name from Arabs to Eagles and continued its outstanding performance as the Navy's largest A6 squadron in the fleet. As Eagles, VA-115 proved themselves once again off the coast of Korea during "Team Spirit '78". During the exercise the squadron flew two weeks of round-the-clock bombing strikes to points just south of the DMZ.
Throughout the year numerous successful "war-at-sea" strikes were lead by VA-115 against Task Forces spearheaded by the carriers Kitty Hawk (CVA-63), Constellation (CVN-64), and cruiser Oklahoma City (CLG-5). Eagle aircrews successfully executed 7,900 bombing runs to twenty-seven target areas located in seven different countries by the end of 1978.
Awards received by VA-115 during this period include the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle "E" Efficiency, CNO Safety "S", and Adm. C. Wade McClusky awards all in 1979.
June 1980 brought added improvement and recognition as the squadron received the new A6E TRAM aircraft and won its second consecutive Battle Efficiency award from COMNAVAIRPAC. This, coupled with their second consecutive CNO Safety and CINCPACFLT Golden Anchor award served to highlight the Eagle's impressive record during this period of its history.
In the following years leading up to Desert Storm the USS Midway and Carrier Air Wing 5 made many cruises throughout WESTPAC and the Indian Ocean.
The NORPACS of Sept/Oct 1982 and Feb/Mar 1983 was the first time a Carrier Battle Group had operated in these waters since World War II. The weather conditions in the waters off Alaska were some of the worst imaginable. Heavy seas, numbing cold, and dense fog made air operations extremely hazardous. This excerpt from an issue of VA-115's "Far East Chronicles", Ed. Lt. Doug "Hound Dog" McClain, highlights the "War at Sea" exercise with the USS Enterprise during the first NORPAC in 1982;
North To Alaska...Or How The WEST(PAC) Was Won "...Prepared for all climates, the Eagles headed to sea to find their next operating area would be the North Pacific participating in two-carrier operations with the newly revamped USS Enterprise (CVN-65). The "Big E", another of the West Coast supercarriers, with its entourage of "tourists", was making its transit into Midway's home-waters, their immediate objective being to ascertain the position of the Midway and launch a strike upon her before the elderly WWII circa carrier could do the same.
A quick call to Las Vegas would have found that Jimmy "the Greek" refused to take bets on the one-sided affair. With one exception, Air Wing ELEVEN operates with aircraft far more capable than those found aboard the Midway. In the case of the S-3, the Midway does not even possess a counter part. Facing "insurmountable" odds the Eagles were tasked to formulate and lead the long range strike against this modern day Goliath. With CAG Larry Vernon and Eagle DO "Goose" Gouslin manning the lead aircraft, Air Wing FIVE set out expecting to be intercepted at any time by the Big "E"'s finely tuned team of E-2C's and F-14's. Such was not the case. Unopposed, the Eagle A-6's rolled in on its prey, turning up to Enterprise tower frequency broadcasting for all to hear a hearty, "WELCOME TO WESTPAC".
How could such a feat be performed? It is far better to ask why do such things happen. Quoting from an old "ARAB" inscription found on a cocktail napkin hidden in the voids of bunkroom 8; "The answer is experience--experience and operational readiness. We do this day in and day out all year. While the "Tourist" ships come over and make their visits to this port and that port, our time is spent at sea keeping the Air Wing fit to fight. It shows every time. We're experienced in night flying and night fighting. We're ready to go to it at any time. The moral is: before you play you gotta pay. Next question is - who's next?"
In addition, the Eagle's had two successful STARM-ex missile exercises. The first STARM shoot was on November 29, 1982 with LT. Billy Dennis and BN LT. Tom McKay successfully firing the STARM from aircraft NF 510. The second live firing occurred during the summer 1983 during the Philippines in port period with CDR "Buz" Radican (CO) and LT. "Spud" Murphy firing the Standard ARM missile.
Attack squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN flew off the Midway on March 24, 1986 back to Continental US while the Midway went through modifications to allow the F/A-18 Hornet to operate from her. In October the squadron TRANSPAC'd back with the rest of the new CVW-5 to NAF Atsugi and the newly refurbished Midway.
The Eagle's first cruise after returning to the Midway occurred on January 9, 1987, a three month WESTPAC. After two Indian Ocean cruises and one other WESTPAC, VAW-115 flew combat sorties during Desert Storm from 10 October 1990 to April 17, 1991. In August 1991 the Midway left Yokosuka, Japan for the last time to be decommissioned. Between August 22-27 CVW-5 transferred from the Midway to the USS Independence at Pearl Harbor in what is known as "The Great Carrier Air Wing SwapEx". VA-115 and the USS Independence were forward deployed and home-ported in Yokosuka, Japan.
In 1993, VA-115, with a complete complement of A-6E SWIP aircraft deployed again to "The Gulf" still in support of Operation Southern Watch. Their sortie completion rate of 99%, and total of 618 consecutive sorties established the benchmark for others to emulate. In 1994, the squadron received four aircraft with "night vision" capability boosting their sorties and flight hours that would eventually extend to over 1300 consecutive sorties. In 1995, the "Eagles" received notification of their transition to yet another aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet.
While still forward deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and again the Arabian Gulf, the squadron began the process of changing home-ports to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. "The Best Attack in WestPac" maintained an extremely impressive sortie rate while supporting local operations, exercises "Cobra Gold" and "RimPac", contingency operations in the vicinity of Taiwan and still another deployment as Southern Watch drew to a close. In October 1996, the "Eagles" effected their fifth aircraft transition and fourth home-port change, as well as, redesignation as VFA-115.
The one item that has remained constant for over half a century has been a strong tradition of pride, determination and an undying effort by dedicated professionals selflessly serving their country and making VA-115 one of the finest squadrons in Naval history.
This “History of VA-115" was collected from many sources such as the Navy web sites, Eagles VA-115 web site, Evan Nau’s University of Michigan web site and personal experiences of members of VA-115. Thanks to each of these for their contribution.
Ralph Brannan, September 9, 1999
