Attack Squadron 54 (VA-54) was an attack squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established as Bomber Fighter Squadron VBF-153 on 26 March 1945, redesignated Fighter Squadron VF-61A (VF-16A) on 15 November 1946, redesignated VF-152 on 15 July 1948, and VF-54 on 15 February 1950. It was finally redesignated VA-54 on 15 June 1956. The squadron was disestablished on 1 April 1958. It was the second squadron to be designated VA-54, the first VA-54 was disestablished on 1 December 1949.
The squadron's insignia changed several times over its lifetime, ending up as a devil's head with naval aviation wings. Its nickname was the Copperheads until 1951, and Hell's Angels thereafter.
Operational history
- 29 June 1950: VF-54 was deployed aboard in the Western Pacific when the Korean War broke out on 25 June. The carrier was ordered north from the Philippines and the squadron's aircraft conducted a sweep along the western coast of Taiwan due to the concern that the North Korean invasion of South Korea might be a prelude to an invasion of that island by the Chinese Communists.
- 3 July 1950: The squadron participated in its first combat strikes since its establishment in 1945. These strikes were the first made by carrier aircraft in the Korean War. VF-54's F4Us struck targets in Pyongyang, North Korea.
- 15 September 1950: VF-54 provided air support for the Battle of Inchon.
- 26 July 1954: VF-54's AD-4 Skyraiders were on a search and rescue mission looking for survivors, rafts or debris from the 1954 Cathay Pacific Douglas DC-4 shootdown, when they were attacked by two Chinese LA-7 fighter aircraft. Two of the squadron's AD-4s, along with an F4U, shot down the two LA-7s 13 miles southeast of Hainan Island.
- September 1957: , with VA-54 embarked, operated in the vicinity of Taiwan in response to a buildup of Chinese Communist forces on the mainland opposite Taiwan.
- Dec 1957: The squadron began the transition from propeller aircraft to jets.
Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:
Aircraft assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:
See also
References