List of LTV A-7 Corsair II operators

The following is an (incomplete) list of units using the LTV A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft.

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THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES

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The A-7 Corsair II made its service debut with the U.S. Navy, which became its most profilic user, and went on to serve in units of the U.S. Air Force & Air National Guard.

U.S. NAVY

Note: The unit designations that are in the list below are for historical purposes, denoting the actual designation of those units whilst operating the A-7 Corsair II (eg. VA-***). Updates in those designations are also indicated, especially for units that transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet (eg. VFA-***).

Currently active-duty squadrons or units who were former A-7 operators

• VA-15 "Valions" (now VFA-15) NB: Disestablished on June 1, 1969 but merged with VA-67 on June 2, 1969, gaining that unit's A-7B Corsairs. Were originally scheduled to transition to the A-6 Intruder in 1965, but instead transferred to the A-4 Skyhawk after flying the A-1 Skyraider. The unit today flies the F/A-18C Hornet.

• VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks" (now VFA-22 and now flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet)

• VA-25 "Fists of the Fleet" (now VFA-25) NB: With sister unit VFA-113, 1st to operationally deploy with the F/A-18 Hornet (with CVW-14 aboard USS Constellation, CV-64). They currently fly the F/A-18C Hornet.

• VA-27 "Royal Maces" (now VFA-27 and now flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet)

• VA-37 "Ragin Bulls" (now VFA-37, and flying the F/A-18C Hornet)

• VA-81 "Sunliners" (now VFA-81 and currently flying the F/A-18C Hornet) NB: Two pilots in Aircraft 401 and 410 downed two Iraqi Air Force MiG-21 fighters. LCDR Michael S. Spiecher was shot down in another VFA-81 aircraft. Currently he is still missing in action in Iraq.

• VA-83 "Rampagers" (now VFA-83 and flying the F/A-18C Hornet)

• VA-86 "Sidewinders" (now VFA-86 and flying the F/A-18C Hornet)

• VA-87 "Golden Warriors" (now VFA-87 and flying the F/A-18C Hornet)

• VA-94 "Mighty Shrikes" (now VFA-94 and flying the F/A-18C Hornet)

• VA-97 "Warhawks" (now VFA-97 and flying the F/A-18C Hornet)

• VA-105 "Gunslingers" (now VFA-105 and flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet)

• VA-113 "Stingers" (now VFA-113) NB: With sister unit VFA-25, 1st to operationally deploy with the F/A-18 Hornet (with CVW-14 aboard USS Constellation, CV-64). The unit currently flies the F/A-18C Hornet.

• VA-122 "Flying Eagles" (now VFA-122 and flying the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet) NB: Reestablished as the first USN Super Hornet unit. It's the Pacific Fleet's Replacement Squadron (FRS)

• VA-125 "Rough Raiders" (now VFA-125 and flying the C/D Models of the F/A-18 Hornet) Pacific Fleet Hornet Replacement Squadron (FRS)

• VA-146 "Blue Diamonds" (now VFA-146 and flying the F/A-18C Hornet)

• VA-147 "Argonauts" (Now VFA-147 and flying the F/A-18C Hornet)

Disestablished or merged squadrons or units, that had operationally used the A-7 Corsair II

• VA-12 "World Famous Flying Ubangis" (Disestablished) had a squadron emblem of a floating skull blowing a kiss, sister squadron was VA-66, in 1980 was assigned to the USS Dwight D. Eisnhower CVN-69, and spent time in the Persian Gulf off of the coast of Iran, on what was called "Gonzo" station...

• VA-46 "Clansmen" (Disestablished) NB: With sister unit VA-72, Last active duty units and the last to deploy A-7 in combat (Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm, 1991), flying from USS John F. Kennedy, CV-67.

• VA-55 "Warhorses" (Disestablished) NB: This unit initially flew the A-7 but was disestablised. It was reactivated in 1983, flying the A-6 Intruder until it was finally disestablished in the early 1990's.

• VA-56 "Champions" (Disestablished, August 31, 1986) NB: At the time of its demise the unit was part of Carrier Air Wing 5, aboard the USS Midway, and was slated to become VFA-56 with the transition to the F/A-18 Hornet, but this was not to be.

• VA-66 "The Waldo's" (Disestablished) the Waldo's had an emblem that was an angry chicken, carrying a shotgun, sister sqaudron to VA-12, in 1980 was assigned to the USS Dwight D. Eisnhower CVN-69, and spent time in the Persian Gulf off of the coast of Iran, on what was called "Gonzo" station

• VA-67 "?" (Disestablished/Redesignated) NB: Merged with the diestablished (on June 1, 1969) A-4 Skyhawk-equiped VA-15 "Valions" and adopted their designation but kept their existing complement of A-7's in the form of the "B" model, on June 2, 1969. Today they are presently known as VFA-15 "Valions" and currently fly the F/A-18C Hornet.

• VA-72 "Blue Falcons" (Disestablished) NB: With sister unit VA-46, Last active duty units and the last to deploy A-7 in combat (Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm, 1991), flying from USS John F. Kennedy, CV-67.

• VA-82 "Marauders" (now VFA-82, and flew the F/A-18C Hornet, but was disestablished on September 30, 2005) NB:Corsairs from this unit and then-VA-86 "Sidewinders", in addition to all units assigned to CVW-8 aboard the USS Nimitz (which was part of the US Atlantic Fleet at the time) featured in the movie The Final Countdown, which was released in 1980.

• VA-93 "Blue Blazers" (Disestablished)

• VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies" (Disestablished, September 30, 1977)

• VA-155 "Silver Foxes" (Disestablished, September 30, 1977) NB: Reactivated as an A-6 Intruder squadron but has since been disestablished commesurate with the phaseout of the A-6 Intruder fleet.

• VA-174 "The Hellrazors" Atlantic Fleet A-7 Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) was based at (N.A.S.) Naval Air Station Cecil Field Florida, this squadron trained all A-7 pilots, and maintenance crews

• VA-205 "Green Falcons" CVWR-20 (Atlantic Fleet Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20). NB: Reserve Squadron, who transitioned to the A-6 Intruder before being disestablished.

• VA-304 "Lobos" (Disestablished) CVWR-30 (Pacific Fleet Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20). NB: Reserve Squadron, who transitioned to the A-6 Intruder before being disestablished.

Other Squadrons or Units

• VAQ-34 "Little John/Agressors". This unit was equiped with EKA-3B Skywarriors and modified TA-7C aircraft to provide U.S. Navy fleet units with simulated adversary (mainly Soviet) electronic warfare and missile threat training. The modified dual-crewed Corsairs were assigned the designation EA-7L.

• VX-5 "Vampires" NB: Merged with VX-4 "Evaluators to become VX-9 "Vampires. Test and Evaluation Unit.

U.S. Air Force

All active duty USAF units flew A-7Ds, except as noted below. Tail Codes shown in parentheses.

• 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing Luke AFB Arizona 1969 - 1971 (LA)
  • 310th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Recieved a/c 12/1969. Transferred a/c to 333d TFS/355th TFW 7/1971

• 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina 1970 - 1978 (MB)***
  • 353d Tactical Fighter Squadron (MR/MB) - Recieved a/c 6/1970. Addl. a/c recieved 1973 after deployed assets xfrd to 3d TFS/388th TFW. Transferred a/c to ANG 1976
  • 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron (MB) - Recieved a/c 12/1970. Transferred a/c to ANG 1977
  • 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron (MN/MB) - Recieved a/c 5/1971. Transferred a/c to ANG 1977.

• 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona 1971 - 1979 (DM)***
  • 333d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (DM) - Transferred from 310 TFS/58th TFTW 7/1971. - Transferred a/c to ANG 1976.
  • 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron (DA/DM) - Recieved a/c 7/1971. Transferred a/c to ANG 1979.
  • 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron (DC/DM) - Recieved a/c 5/1971. Transferred a/c to ANG 1976.
  • 358th Tactical Fighter Squadron (DD/DM) - Recieved a/c 10/1971. Transferred a/c to ANG 1978.

• 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada 1969 - 1975 (WA)
  • 4525th FWW, Det. 1 - Recieved a/c 9/1969. Transferred a/c to 66th FWS 6/1972.
  • 66th Fighter Weapons Squadron - Recieved a/c 6/72 from 4525th FWW - Transferred a/c to ANG 1981.

• 23d Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base Louisiana 1972 - 1981 (EL)
  • 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Recieved a/c 7/1972. Transferred a/c to ANG 1981.
  • 75th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Recieved a/c 7/1972. Transferred a/c to ANG 1981.
  • 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Recieved a/c 10/1972. Transferred a/c to ANG 1981.

• 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand 1973 - 1975 (JH)
  • 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron - Recieved a/c 3/1973 from deployed 353d TFS/354th TFW. Transferred a/c to ANG 1975.

• 4450th Tactical Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada 1981 - 1989 (LV) **
  • 4451st Tactical Squadron (Formerly 4450TG (P) Unit) - Recieved a/c 6/1981. Transferred a/c to AMARC 1989.

Note:** Although officially assigned to Nellis, the 4450th TG used A-7D/K aircraft at Tonopah Test Range Airport, Nevada for training and to provide a cover story for F-117 Nighthawk development.

Note:*** Prior to June 1972, Squadron Tail Codes were used on Myrtle Beach and Davis-Monthan aircraft. 354th TFW tail codes were MB, MN, MR; 355th TFW tail codes were DA, DD, DM. These were standardized to MB for 354th TFW and DM for 355th TFW IAW AFM 66-1 in June 1972.

Prototype YA-7D, YA-7K, YA-7F and some early production A-7D aircraft were assigned to the 6510th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California (ED) and the 3246th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AD).

• YA-7D 67-14582 - 67-14584 to Edwards AFB. 67-14583 is currently on static display at Edwards AFB
• A-7D 67-14585, 67-14586 to Eglin AFB
• A-7D 68-6220 - 68-6224 to Edwards AFB
• YA-7K 73-1008 (From A-7D) to Edwards AFB - Later redesignated A-7K and sent to operational service in ANG.
• 2 YA-7F (From A-7Ds 70-1039, 71-0344) to Edwards AFB - 71-0334 now on display at Edwards AFB, 70-1039 now on display at Hill AFB, Utah museum.

U.S. Air National Guard

Air National Guard units flew a combination of A-7D and twin-seat A-7K aircraft. Transfers of A-7D aircraft from active duty units began in 1974, ending in 1981. Deliveries of new A-7K aircraft directly to ANG units began in 1980, ending in 1983.

In the early 1990s, the A-7 was phased out of the ANG inventory, with the aircraft being sent to AMARC. In 1993 the last units to retire the A-7 were the ANG units at Rickenbacker ANGB (Ohio), Des Moines (Iowa), Tulsa (Oklahoma) and Springfield (Ohio).

• 162d Tactical Fighter Group Arizona ANG
  • 152d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuscon IAP (AZ)
    Recieved A-7D in 1978, A-7K in 1983. Converted to F-16s in 1985
  • 195th Tactical Fighter Squadon, Tuscon IAP (AZ)
    Recieved A-7D and A-7K in 1983. Converted to F-16s in 1985

• 140th Tactical Fighter Wing Colorado ANG
  • 124th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Buckley ANGB, Aurora (CO)
    Recieved Recieved A-7D in 1974 and A-7K in 1983. Converted to F-16s in 1992

• 132d Tactical Fighter Wing Iowa ANG
  • 124th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Des Moines MAP (IA)
    Recieved Recieved A-7D in 1977 and A-7K in 1981. Converted to F-16s in 1993.
• 185th Tactical Fighter Group (1976)
  • 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Sioux City MAP (HA)
    Recieved A-7D in 1976 and A-7K in 1983. Converted to F-16s in 1992

• 127th Tactical Fighter Wing Michigan ANG
  • 107th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Mount Clemens (MI)
    Recieved A-7D in 1978 and A-7K in 1983. Converted to F-16s in 1991.

• 121st Tactical Fighter Wing Ohio ANG
  • 162d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Springfield MAP (OH)
    Recieved A-7D in 1978 and A-7K in 1982. Converted to F-16s in 1993.
  • 112th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Toledo MAP (OH)
    Recieved A-7D in 1979 and A-7K in 1980. Converted to F-16s in 1992.
  • 166th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Rickenbacker ANGB, Lockbourne (OH)
    Recieved A-7D in 1974 and A-7K in 1983. Converted to F-16s in 1993.

• 138th Tactical Fighter Group Oklahoma ANG
  • 125th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tulsa IAP (TL/OK)
    Recieved A-7D in 1981 and A-7K in 1983. Converted to F-16s in 1993.

• 155th Tactical Fighter Wing Puerto Rico ANG
  • 198th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, San Juan (PR)
    Recieved A-7D in 1976 and A-7K in 1983. Converted to C-130s in 1991.

• 112th Tactical Fighter Group Pennsylvania ANG
  • 146th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Greater Pittsburgh IAP (PT)
    Recieved A-7D in 1980 and A-7K in 1983. Converted to KC-135s in 1991.

• 169th Tactical Fighter Group South Carolina ANG
  • 157th Tactical Fighter Squadron, McEntire ANGB, Columbia (SC)
    Recieved A-7D in 1975 and A-7K in 1982. Converted to F-16s in 1983.

• 114th Tactical Fighter Group South Dakota ANG
  • 175th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Sioux Falls IAP/Joe Foss Field (SD)
    Recieved A-7D in 1977 and A-7K in 1982. Converted to F-16s in 1991.

• 192d Tactical Fighter Group Virginia ANG
  • 149th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Richmond IAP/Byrd Field (VA)
    Recieved A-7D in 1981 and A-7K in 1982. Converted to F-16s in 1991.

Greek Air Force (Elliniki Polimiki Aeroporia)

• 115th Fighter Wing, Souda Air Base (A-7H, TA-7H)
• 116th Fighter Wing, Araxos Air Base (A-7E, TA-7C)

Royal Thailand Navy Air Arm (Kong Tha Han Lur Thai)

• 104th "White Shark" squadron, 1st Wing, U-Tapao International Airport (A-7E, TA-7C)