VA-112

VA-112
Unit name	VA-112
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Attack Squadron
Nickname	"Flying Eagles"
Active	Established 1945 – Disestablished 1993
Aircraft attack	A-1 Skyraider, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair II

VA-112

Introduction

VA-112 was a United States Navy attack squadron established in 1945 that served in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, participating in post‑World War II operations, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Cold War deployments. The squadron operated from aircraft carriers such as USS Midway (CV-41), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), and USS Coral Sea (CV-43), and flew aircraft including the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, and Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II. VA-112 earned unit citations including the Presidential Unit Citation (United States), and its members included aviators who later served in commands associated with Commander, Naval Air Forces and Chief of Naval Operations staff billets.

Operational History

VA-112 conducted combat operations over Korean War battlefields and later supported Vietnam War campaigns such as operations in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident aftermath and strikes related to Operation Rolling Thunder. During Cold War tensions the squadron deployed to the Western Pacific and engaged in carrier operations tied to incidents involving People's Republic of China maritime asserts and patrols near Taiwan Strait Crisis (1958). VA-112 participated in multinational exercises with units from United States Sixth Fleet, Royal Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during port calls to Yokosuka Naval Base, Subic Bay Naval Station, and Naval Air Facility Atsugi. The unit executed close air support missions, interdiction sorties, and carrier strike operations while integrating tactics developed at Naval Air Station Oceana and doctrine promulgated by Chief of Naval Operations task groups.

Aircraft and Equipment

VA-112 transitioned through several attack platforms, starting with the Douglas SBD Dauntless-era lineage into the Douglas A-1 Skyraider for heavy ordnance delivery and close air support. The squadron later adopted the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk for light attack and fleet defense, and subsequently reequipped with the Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II to employ precision ordnance, avionics suites influenced by developments at Naval Air Systems Command, and sensors interoperable with AN/ALR-45 and AN/APG-65 family systems. Maintenance and ordnance handling were coordinated with facilities at Naval Air Station Lemoore and logistics channels tied to Naval Supply Systems Command depots. VA-112 aviators trained in weapons delivery profiles consistent with manuals from Bureau of Naval Personnel and carrier qualifications administered aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during inter‑squadron exchanges.

Home Ports and Deployments

The squadron was assigned home ports including Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Air Station Alameda, and Naval Air Station Lemoore during different epochs. VA-112 mounted deployments aboard carriers such as USS Midway (CV-41), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), and USS Coral Sea (CV-43) to operate in regions spanning the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea in coordination with United States Sixth Fleet task groups. Port visits and logistics stops frequently involved Subic Bay Naval Station, Yokosuka Naval Base, and Guam where squadron maintenance worked with Commander, Naval Forces Japan facilities. Deployments included participating in multinational exercises like RIMPAC and interoperability operations alongside the Royal Australian Navy and Republic of Korea Navy.

Notable Personnel and Awards

Personnel assigned to VA-112 received decorations including the Presidential Unit Citation (United States), Navy Unit Commendation, and individual awards such as the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) and Air Medal. Notable aviators and officers associated with the squadron later held commands within organizations like Naval Air Systems Command, Carrier Air Wing 5, and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. The squadron’s leadership established training links with Naval War College and career pipelines leading to positions in Naval Aviation Schools Command and operational billets aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).

Insignia and Traditions

VA-112 adopted insignia reflecting its "Flying Eagles" nickname, with emblems approved through channels including the Bureau of Naval Personnel and heraldry guidance tied to Naval History and Heritage Command. Squadron traditions included ceremonial carrier qualifications, adoption of unit callsigns used on Naval Air Training Command sorties, and annual reunions held by veterans' organizations that collaborated with Veterans Affairs (United States) liaison offices and regional chapters of the American Legion. The unit maintained squadron patches and flight jackets that collectors reference in archives at the National Naval Aviation Museum and exhibits coordinated with Smithsonian Institution partnerships.

Category:United States Navy attack squadrons