A-4C Skyhawk VMA-225 Enterprise Oct 1962 Cuba

Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk/Bu. 147776 as CE-02.

In October 1962, 20 USMC A-4D Skyhawks from VMA-225 from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, N.C. deployed aboard USS Enterprise CVAN-65 spending the last three months of 1962 aboard the "Big E" during the Cuban Missile crisis. The Skyhawks being considered more appropriate for CAS due to their lighter characteristics. This was the first time that a Marine squadron operated from a nuclear-powered carrier, and completing the transfer while underway in the midst of a crisis demonstrated the flexibility for combat commanders afforded by the ship. During the height of the crisis, upward of 100 aircraft would be packed on board Enterprise.