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A-6E CAINS BuNo 155707/AB 511 of VA-34, USS John F Kennedy (CV-67), 1979
The ‘Blue Blasters’ missed Vietnam as an Intruder squadron, having been established as the second VA-34 at Oceana in 1970 with the insignia and name of an earlier A-4 Skyhawk unit. By the late 1970s they were flying A-6E CAINS as a member of CVW-1 embarked in CV-67. AB 511 is depicted here in the full-colour markings of the period, and it carries a load of Mk 106 practice bombs – a high-drag ‘weapon’ with characteristics similar to the Mk 82 Snakeye. Delivered to the US Navy as an A-6A in 1969, BuNo 155707 spent its final three years of fleet service as VA-115’s CAG jet, flying from Atsugi, Japan. The veteran A-6 was stricken in May 1995.
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A-6E SWIP BuNo 157002/AG 503 of VA-34, USS George Washington (CVN-73), 1993
CVN-73 was commissioned in July 1992 as the sixth member of the Nimitz class. It would be the newest carrier to deploy with the Intruder, VA-34 joining CVW-7 for two cruises in the vessel before the unit was re-designated as VFA-34 in 1996 prior to transitioning to the Hornet. AG 503 is a SWIP airframe, and it is depicted here with a set of ‘Intruder Eyes’ on the radome as was favoured by the unit during this period. The aeroplane carries a load of six Mk 83 1000-lb bombs, now supplied to the US Navy in grey so as to match the airframe. All markings are in black or dark grey.
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A-6E CAINS BuNo 155703/AJ 505 of VA-35, USS Nimitz
(CVN-68), 1981
The ‘Black Panthers’’ jets wore some of the classiest markings ever applied to the Intruder, and AJ 505 displays them here in their full glory just as the Tactical Paint Scheme was coming on the scene. The aeroplane carries a full load of 28 Mk 82 Snakeyes – perfect for an air wing air power demonstration off the carrier, where several A-6s would ripple their loads to create a ‘Wall of Water’ alongside the ship for the entertainment of observers. Originally delivered to the US Navy in 1969 as an A-model, BuNo 155703 went to the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, on 16 November 1993, having spent its final months in service with Reserve unit VA-205.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 161232/AA 503 of VA-35, USS Saratoga (CV-60), 1991
VA-35 flew off of Saratoga with CVW-17 during Operation Desert Storm, losing one A-6E and having another severely damaged. AA 503, with mission markings under the aft canopy, is depicted here carrying six Mk 83 bombs on the outboard MERs, the inboard stations being clean. The seemingly light load represents the change in thinking in the Medium Attack community during this period, where ‘max tonnage’ was replaced by carrying enough ordnance to hit the target while also retaining reasonable aircraft performance. Delivered to the US Navy in 1982, BuNo 161232 saw barely a decade of fleet service before it was withdrawn from use at NAS Norfolk in 1992 – its final fleet unit had been VA-85.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 161667/AJ 533 of VA-36, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), 1991
CVW-8 had two Intruders that started Desert Storm in experimental water-soluble desert camouflage, with each of its A-6 squadrons having one aeroplane painted in anticipation of low-altitude flight. Both jets flew in combat in their desert colours until the paint was removed in early February, it being determined that the brown scheme was irrelevant at the medium altitudes that were actually being flown in the war. VA-36’s AJ 533 shows seven mission symbols aft of the boarding ladder and carries 12 Mk 82 Snakeyes. BuNo 161667 was stricken in April 1994, just ten years after it had been delivered new to VA-34. Indeed, The jet's entire fleet service was spent with either the ‘Blue Blasters’ (up to 1990) or the ‘Road Runners’.
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A-6E SWIP BuNo 155655/NL 500 of VA-52, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), 1993
Shown late in the Intruder’s career, ‘Knightrider’ NL 500 exhibits very subtle CAG markings and no colour. It carries a ‘buddy store’ on its centreline and a load of six Mk 76 ‘Blue Death’ practice bombs on a MER. In this case the opposite station would normally be clean. Originally built as an A-6A in 1969, BuNo 155655 would be sent to AMARC in July 1994.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 159317/AK 501 of VA-55, USS Coral Sea (CV-43), 1986
The ‘War Horses’ of VA-55 made their first deployment after their 1983 establishment on board Coral Sea as a member of CVW-13 and participated in combat off Libya. AK 501, marked for CO Cdr Rob Weber, is loaded for ‘Freedom of Navigation’ flights in the Gulf of Sidra and carries an AIM-9 on station one for self-defence and a Harpoon inboard on station two for use against any threatening Libyan naval units. The inboard station on the starboard wing would have had a MER with two Mk 20 Rockeyes, while station five (right outboard) carried an empty MER. Delivered to the US Navy in 1975, BuNo 159317 served with VA-155 and VA-165 after being transferred out of VA-55 following its 1985-86 Mediterranean cruise. It was flown to AMARC by the ‘Boomers’ in October 1995 and struck off charge on 25 July 2000.
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A-6E BuNo 154131/AG 500 of VA-65, USS Independence (CV-61), 1974
The mid- to late 1970s marked the height of the US Navy’s ‘full colour’ period, as exhibited here by ‘Cupcake 500’ – the VA-65 CAG bird for CVW-7. An early A-6E conversion that lacked the CAINS modification, this former A-model (originally delivered in 1968) carries 12 inert Mk 82 bombs as might be seen during air wing work-ups at NAS Fallon, Nevada. A veteran of Desert Storm with VA-145, BuNo 154131 was subsequently stricken in May 1994 and mounted on poles ‘in a climb’ within Walker Field Park in Grand Junction, Colorado. The aircraft is painted in the colours of VMA(AW)-533, despite having never served with this unit.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 149957/AJ 504 of VA-65, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), 1991
The ‘Tigers’ joined CVW-8 in 1990 and participated in Desert Storm alongside stablemate VA-36 in what would prove to be the final deployment for VA-65. AJ 504 is configured for Armed Surface Reconnaissance, with a load that could be recovered back aboard the ship without having to be jettisoned for weight. It carries a single Mk 20 Rockeye on station five and an AGM-123 Skipper II on the inboard pylon. The opposite wing would have had another Rockeye on the station one MER and a clean inboard station. The aircraft also has flak screens installed along the lower edge of the canopy. Veteran BuNo 149957 – the 43rd Intruder built – flew as an A-6A and B during the Vietnam War and would be stricken in February 1994. It was subsequently salvaged at Grumman’s Saint Augustine plant in Florida prior to being dumped in the Atlantic Ocean to help form ‘Intruder Alley’ reef in June 1995. More than 60 parted out A-6 airframes were disposed of in this way, being used to create a recreational reef for divers some 25 miles off the Florida coast.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 157002/AC 502 of VA-75, USS John F Kennedy (CV-67), 1983
ATKRON-75 participated in the 4 December 1983 raid into Lebanon while flying from John F Kennedy. AC 502 is depicted here in the full Tactical Paint Scheme, with all other markings in black and greys. It carries a load of eight CBU-59 APAM, as denoted by the black lightning bolts on the weapon bodies. The inboards are empty, and the standard 300-gallon fuel tank is carried on the centreline. Also the subject of profile two, BuNo 157002 (delivered to the US Navy in 1970 as an A-6A) completed its final deployment with VA-34 as part of CVW-7 embarked in George Washington on 18 November 1994. Five months earlier, the aeroplane had been one of several A-6s painted with invasion stripes by the ‘Blue Blasters’ to participate in a ‘Missing Man’ formation over the Normandy beaches on 6 June to mark the 50th anniversary of D-Day. It was sent to AMARC at Davis-Monthan AFB and placed in storage on 8 December 1994.
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A-6E SWIP BuNo 162195/AC 505 of VA-75, USS John F Kennedy (CV-67), 1991
The ‘Sunday Punchers’ were one of two squadrons to fly the A-6E SWIP in Desert Storm, VA-145 being the other. VA-75 put the aircraft’s improved systems to good use, flying a variety of missions that included having Intruders configured as ‘HARM trucks’, as depicted here with BuNo 162195 carrying four AGM-88s. The aircraft also boasts an extensive mission tally on the nose, as well as a ‘Safety S’ just aft of the cockpit. Amongst the last Intruders built, BuNo 162195 served exclusively with VA-75 following an initial spell with test and evaluation unit VX-5. Stricken in September 1994, the aeroplane was supplied to the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola and then loaned to the San Diego Air and Space Museum. It is presently on display at the latter organisation’s Gillespie Field Annex, also in San Diego – the aircraft has not been repainted since retirement.
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A-6E BuNo 158793/AA 500 of VA-85, USS Forrestal (CV-59), 1976
VA-85 was the first squadron to deploy with the A-6E, taking the new version to the Mediterranean in the autumn of 1972. ‘Buckeye 500’ has full CAG markings and a ‘Battle E’, as well as special red, white and blue feathers on the ‘Black Falcon’ that adorns the fin denoting America’s 1976 Bicentennial (the design itself was influenced by the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons logo). The aeroplane carries a typical ‘peacetime’ load of three external fuel tanks and empty MERs on the inboard stations. Delivered new to VA-85 in 1974, BuNo 158793 was eventually stricken in February 1994 following a decade of service with the US Marine Corps (primarily with VMA(AW)-332). The aeroplane was one of the Intruder airframes dumped off the Florida coast in 1995-96, the jet helping to form the reef known as ‘Intruder Alley’.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 154136/AC 554 of VA-85, USS John F Kennedy (CV-67), 1983
The ‘Black Falcons’ joined VA-75 as part of CV-67’s ‘All-Grumman’ air wing in 1983 and participated in the 4 December 1983 strikes in Lebanon that led to the loss of squadron aircraft AC 556 BuNo 152915. During this cruise the unit flew a mixed fleet of grey/white and TPS aircraft with simplified lower-visibility markings. AC 554 is armed with just four Mk 20 Rockeyes, representing the incomplete bomb loads most aircraft carried on the day of the Lebanon strikes. Delivered to the US Navy as an A-6A in 1968, BuNo 154136 spent its final years of service with the US Marine Corps (specifically VMA(AW)-322 and -224) prior to being sent to AMARC in June 1993.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 149955/AB 506 of VA-85, USS America (CV-66), 1991
VA-85 flew off America with CVW-1 during Desert Storm and became the only Intruder squadron to launch combat missions from both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. AB 506, another ‘oldie’ (the 41st A-6 built, it was delivered to as an A-6A in 1963, modified into a B-model during the Vietnam conflict and was upgraded into an A-6E in the mid-1970s), totes a pair of GBU-12 500-lb LGBs alongside empty MERs. Markings are standard TPS in black and dark greys. BuNo 149955 participated in VA-196’s final A-6 WestPac in 1996 (embarked in CVN-70 with CVW-14) and was then sent to AMARC for storage upon the unit’s return to CONUS in November of that year.
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A-6A BuNo 157019/NL 506 of VA-95, USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), 1975
Amongst the last A-models built (it was delivered in 1970), NL 506 BuNo 157019 was one of the ‘Green Lizards’ jets that struck Ream Field in Cambodia during the Mayaguez incident of 15 May 1975. Originally configured to support the Marines engaged on Koh Tang Island, NL 506 would instead be flown by Lt Steve Richmond and Lt(jg) Jim Kennedy against Ream Field. Its bomb load was six Mk 82 Snakeyes, with four on a MER on station one (left outboard) and singles on stations two (left inboard) and four (right inboard). Station five (right outboard) had a MER with four Mk 20 Rockeyes attached. This mission would be the last time A-6As were used in combat. Upgraded into an E-model in the mid-1970s, BuNo 157019 was sent to AMARC by VA-128 in May 1994.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 152925/NH 502 of VA-95, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), 1988
VA-95, flying off Enterprise as part of CVW-11, played a key role in Operation Praying Mantis – the one-day ‘War At Sea’ against Iranian naval vessels in the Persian Gulf on 18 April 1988. The missions flown that day followed several weeks of escorting friendly tankers throughout the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. A-6s were flown during this period with a number of different weapons configurations that provided a wide variety of possible responses to Iranian actions. With a fuel tank on the centreline, NH 502 carries a MER inboard with three Mk 20 Rockeyes and a single GBU-12 LGB outboard on its starboard side. Beneath the opposite wing was a single AGM-84 Harpoon on station two (inboard) and another external fuel tank outboard on station one. Delivered in 1967 as an A-model, BuNo 152925 became an A-6E nine years later and was eventually flown to AMARC in December 1993 following the disestablishment of its final fleet unit, VA-145.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 161690/NF 504 of VA-115, USS Midway (CV-41), 1988
One of two Intruder squadrons working off Midway during Desert Storm, the ‘Eagles’ of VA-115 flew seven (primarily late-build) A-6E TRAMs and a pair of KA-6Ds. BuNo 161690, which was delivered in 1985 and saw most of its fleet service with VA-115, carries a SUCAP load of three Mk 20 Rockeyes next to an empty station four. This aeroplane was one of a number of airframes at Grumman’s St Augustine plant awaiting an overhaul and upgrade when the Intruder’s future career with the US Navy was terminated. Its ‘carcass’ was eventually dumped in ‘Intruder Alley’ in 1995.
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A-6E SWIP BuNo 162197/NE 501 of VA-145, USS Ranger (CV-61), 1991
The ‘Swordsmen’ were the second SWIP squadron to fly in Desert Storm. Late-build BuNo 162197 carries a load of 12 Mk 82 Snakeyes and has a full set of mission markings on its engine bay door. The aircraft also shows the application of its three-digit modex number near the engine exhaust, this seemingly odd location proving useful during a night rendezvous where the wingman could see them illuminated by lights located in the rear of the wing pylons. Delivered new to VA-145 in late 1986, BuNo 162197 saw all of its fleet service with this unit. Transferred to west coast A-6 FRS VA-128 in early 1993, the aeroplane was flown to AMARC by the ‘Golden Intruders’ in December of that same year – barely seven years after it had been delivered to the US Navy.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 154128/NE 414 of VA-155, USS Ranger (CV-61), 1991
ATKRON-155 was one of two additional Intruder squadrons formed at Whidbey during the ‘growth period’ of the late 1980s, the unit being teamed with VA-145 as part of Ranger’s ‘All-Grumman’ air wing during Desert Storm. NE 414 bears the name CARRIE on the base of its rudder and the silhouette of a camel on the engine door, the latter being adorned with the number 44 to denote the number of strikes it participated in. When the aeroplane came home to Whidbey it carried a much more elaborate scoreboard on its rudder, as did all of the squadron aircraft. Built as an A-6A in 1968, BuNo 154128 was retired in February 1994 and eventually dumped in ‘Intruder Alley’ the following year.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 161659/NG 501 of VA-165, USS Ranger (CV-61), 1994
NG 501 represents a Whidbey Intruder late in the community’s life, with the aircraft being depicted in TPS greys with black side numbers. It is loaded as a ‘mini-tanker’ with two external fuel tanks on the wings and a buddy store on the centreline. Delivered in 1983, this aeroplane spent the majority of its career serving with AirLant units. Indeed, it participated in Desert Storm with VA-35. BuNo 161659 was sent to AMARC in July 1994.
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KA-6D BuNo 149942/AE 522 of VA-176, USS Independence (CV-62), 1975
VA-176 BuNo 149942 is shown in a typical mid-1970s tanker configuration, with five external fuel tanks adding 10,000 lbs of fuel to the aircraft’s maximum give. Only the 28th Intruder delivered – in 1963 – and one of 78 A-6As modified to KA-6D configuration in the late 1960s (an additional 12 were converted later from A-6Es as attrition replacements for the 23 KAs lost in mishaps), BuNo 149942 was the oldest airframe assigned to VA-176 in 1975. The veteran jet spent its final years in the fleet with VA-196 prior to being struck off charge at Whidbey Island in August 1990. Most US Navy Intruder squadrons had three to five KA-6Ds assigned for cruise during the 1970s and 1980s.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 159178/AE 500 of VA-176, USS Independence (CV-62), 1984
Typical for the early to mid-1980s, VA-176 took a mixed bag of grey/white and TPS aircraft on its 1983-84 Mediterranean cruise embarked in Independence. The squadron would participate in operations over Grenada and Lebanon during this deployment. AE 500, ostensibly a CAG bird, shows no distinguishing markings to denote its assignment to the commander of CVW-6, with subdued paint predominating. The squadron designation and ship’s name were either not applied or, more likely, have already faded into the background colour. The aeroplane is depicted with a light bomb load of a trio of Mk 82 Snakeyes on the inboard MER. Delivered in 1974, BuNo 159178 was eventually sent to AMARC in December 1995.
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KA-6D BuNo 154154/NF 412 of VA-185, USS Midway (CV-41), 1991
By Desert Storm CVW-5 normally had four KA-6Ds assigned, with two belonging to each of its Intruder units. While the ‘bombers’ were all in TPS by now, KA-6Ds were still prescribed to be in the older grey/white scheme in order to make them more conspicuous while plying their tanker role. VA-185’s NF 412 carries four 300-gallon fuel tanks under the wings, although 400-gallon tanks could alternately be carried on the inboards. The centreline has a buddy store, which was not uncommon for KAs at that point, giving the aircraft a secondary refuelling point if the fuselage system failed. Delivered in 1968 as a straight A-6A, BuNo 154154 did not last long after the war, being stricken in April 1992 following VA-185’s disestablishment the previous year.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 152905/NK 500 of VA-196, USS Independence (CV-62), 1990
While the arrival of the TPS in the early 1980s generally led to the demise of the gaudy markings of the Vietnam War period, some air wings still allowed one ‘Easter Egg’ per squadron, which typically meant a CAG bird. CVW-14 was one of these air wings, with ‘Milestone 500’ showing a full-colour tail (including DCAG titling in orange and an old-school ‘CAG rainbow’) in 1990 while flying from Independence. Like most Intruders at this point, NK 500 carries a buddy store on the centreline to ‘feed’ CVW-14’s thirsty Hornets, drawing fuel from two external tanks inboard. The outboard pylons have MERs loaded with Mk 62 ‘Quick Strike’ weapons – Mk 82 500-lb bombs modified with sensors and fusing allowing their use as sea mines. This aircraft participated in Desert Shield during the latter stages of CVW-14’s 1990 WestPac/‘IO’/Persian Gulf deployment. Delivered in 1967 as an A-6A, BuNo 152905 ended its fleet service with VA-145 after completing the unit’s final fleet deployment in 1992-93. The ‘Swordsmen’ disestablished on 1 October 1993 and this aircraft was sent to AMARC the following month.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 161688/NE 401 of VMA(AW)-121, USS Ranger (CV-61), 1985
The ‘Green Knights’ were one of two US Marine Corps Intruder squadrons to regularly deploy aboard carriers in the 1980s, in their case joining VA-145 as part of Ranger’s CVW-2. NE 401 is shown during the air wing’s 1985 Fallon detachment, armed with two Mk 84 2000-lb bombs and a Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System pod on the inboard station. The squadron would eventually be the first Marine A-6 unit to re-equip with the F/A-18D, in 1990. Delivered new to VMA(AW)-121 in 1983, BuNo 161688 was eventually sent to AMARC for storage in November 1993 following brief service with VA-205.
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A-6E TRAM BuNo 155684/WK 502 of VMA(AW)-224, Shaikh Isa, Bahrain, 1991
One of two US Marine Corps A-6 squadrons to participate in Desert Storm, VMA(AW)-224 flew TRAM jets from Shaikh Isa, Bahrain, with the 3rd MAW. WK 502 is armed with four Mk 77 napalm bombs on its inboard wing stations, with clean outboards. Two canisters per MER, always hanging on the lower points, was the maximum load allowed by A-6 NATOPS, which ensured clean separation of the fire weapon. The Marines appear to have been the only service to use napalm during the conflict, delivering it on Iraqi troops from both A-6s and AV-8Bs. WK 502 is shown here prior to the application of the large bomb scoreboard that was seen when the jet returned home to Cherry Point after the war. Delivered in 1969 as an A-6A, BuNo 155684, was upgraded into a C-model the following year and then became an A-6E in 1974-75. Following fleet service with both AirPac and AirLant units, the aeroplane was transferred to the US Marine Corps in 1983. It served with both VMA(AW)-224 and VMA(AW)-332 prior to being stricken in February 1994 and salvaged at Grumman’s Saint Augustine plant. It too was dumped in ‘Intruder Alley’ in 1995.
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A-6E BuNo 159179/DT 12 of VMA(AW)-242, MCAS El Toro, California, 1978
This early-build A-6E exhibits full colour markings synonymous with the period after the Vietnam War. DT 12 is carrying an empty MER on the centerline and TERs on the outboard, with a single LAU-10 Zuni launcher on the latter – a practice load that it could use on the ‘Kitty Baggage’ and ‘Inky Barley’ bomb ranges near Yuma. Delivered in 1974, BuNo 159179 also spent time with VMA(AW)-121 prior to being transferred to AirLant. It ended its career with VA-34, participating in the unit’s final Mediterranean deployment with the jet, as part of CVW-7, between January and July 1996. The aeroplane was flown to AMARC from Oceana shortly after the ‘Blue Blasters’ returned from cruise.
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A-6E BuNo 152641/EA 363 of VMA(AW)-332, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, 1981
The early 1980s saw a rapid decrease in colourful paint schemes in both US Navy and US Marine Corps Intruder squadrons in order to reduce their visual signature. As the new TPS arrived many units subdued the plumage on their existing grey and white aircraft accordingly. VMA(AW)-332 used these markings during its 1981 UDP to Japan, featuring off-white lettering. While not unattractive, this scheme did not have the same impact as the colours previously carried. EA 363 (a 1966-build A-6A that became an early E-model upgrade in 1973) is armed with 12 Mk 82 Snakeyes. The external fuel tanks at this point could be either white or TPS grey. Used almost exclusively by the US Marine Corps (bar a brief spell with VA-35 in the mid-1980s), BuNo 152641 ended its career with VA-205. Flown to AMARC in November 1993, it was stricken just three months later.
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KA-6D BuNo 152927/AA 516 of VMA(AW)-533, USS Saratoga (CV-60), 1984
When VMA(AW)-533 became the first US Marine Corps Intruder squadron to be assigned to a carrier air wing after Vietnam, it had a quartet of KA-6Ds assigned, becoming the second – and last – ‘Leatherneck’ unit to fly the type. AA 516 BuNo 152927 was one of the tankers assigned to VMA(AW)-533, the aeroplane being transferred in from VA-34. It is depicted here in standard markings, which includes a dark grey ‘tanker stripe’ around the fuselage and a stylised version of CVW-17’s ‘AA’ tailcode. The jet carries five external fuel stores, at least two of which are in TPS grey, the others in white. Delivered in 1967 as an A-6A, BuNo 152927 ended its service career with the ‘Blue Blasters’, being stricken in November 1992 after completing VA-34’s 1991-92 Mediterranean deployment with CVW-7 and CVN-69.
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EA-6A BuNo 148618/CY 02 of VMAQ-2, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, 1977
Undoubtedly the most famous of all EA-6A markings were those carried by VMCJ-2/VMAQ-2, its glossy black tail and Playboy bunny emblem hailing from a less sensitive era. ‘Charlie Yankee 02’ carries three ALQ-76 jamming pods, two external fuel tanks and ALE-32 chaff pods on stations A/B, outboard of the wing fold. BuNo 148618 was the eighth Intruder built (in 1961), and it would serve as the A2F-1H (EA-6A) prototype in 1962-63. After many years with the Naval Air Test Center, the aeroplane eventually commenced frontline service with VMCJ-3 in 1973. It switched to VMAQ-2 the following year, where the aeroplane remained until it spent more than a year in storage at AMARC in 1980-81. Returning to service with newly established VMAQ-4 in May 1981, the jet was passed on to VAQ-209 shortly thereafter. When the latter unit re-equipped with EA-6Bs in 1990-91, BuNo 148618 was assigned to VAQ-33. It was eventually retired when the EW squadron disbanded in 1993, the aeroplane subsequently being preserved at VAQ-33’s NAS Key West, Florida, home as ‘GD 100’.