A-4C Skyhawk VA-94 Enterprise ca 1965 Vietnam

A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk VA-94 Enterprise 1965-1966

VA-94 takes its nickname from a ferocious bird of prey, the Shrike. A light attach squadron, the Shrikes flew the A4C Skyhawk, made by Douglas, and were home-based at Lemoore, California, at the time they reported aboard Enterprise in September 65 on her first combat cruise.
On December 2, 1965, the Shrikes, along with sister squadrons from Air Wing Nine, became part of the world's first nuclear strike force when her planes struck Viet Cong installations in South Vietnam. The first aircraft to receive combat damage was from VA-94 and the squadron had the first aircraft to log 100 combat missions. From just south of the China border to the southern delta region of South Vietnam, the Shrikes left their calling card. 3,2862482 pounds of bombs were dropped; 73,489 rounds of 20mm cannon shells were put into buildings and boats; and 37,812 pounds of Bullpup air-to-ground missiles were used.