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;[[Air Force Systems Command]]
;[[Air Force Systems Command]]
Prototype YA-7D, YA-7K, YA-7F and some early production A-7D aircraft were assigned to [[Air Force Systems Command]] for flight testing and evaluation prior to being turned over to operational units. Flight testing began at Edwards and Eglin AFB in 1968. After testing was completed, several were retained by the test pilot school at Edwards to study flight characteristics and perform chase plane duties until being retired in August 1992.
Prototype YA-7D, YA-7K, YA-7F and some early production A-7D aircraft were assigned to [[Air Force Systems Command]] for flight testing and evaluation prior to being turned over to operational units. Flight testing began at Edwards and Eglin AFB in 1968. After testing was completed, several were retained by the test pilot school at Edwards to study flight characteristics and perform chase plane duties until being retired in August 1992.
[[Image:A-7d1-nafm.jpg|thumb|A-7D-3-CV 69-6195 assigned to the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. This aircraft was retired to AMARC on May 7, 1990 and sold as scrap on Jun 18, 1998.]]

* 6510th Test Wing [[Edwards Air Force Base]] [[California]] (ED)
* 6510th Test Wing [[Edwards Air Force Base]] [[California]] (ED)
** YA-7D 67-14582 - 67-14584.<BR> 14582 and 14584 sent to AMARC in August 1992. 14583 is currently on static display at Edwards.
** YA-7D 67-14582 - 67-14584.<BR> 14582 and 14584 sent to AMARC in August 1992. 14583 is currently on static display at Edwards.
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[[Image:A-7D-70-979-157thTFS-May1983.jpg|thumb|A-7D-8-CV 70-979 157th TFS, South Carolna ANG, May 1983. Sent to AMARC 1993]]
[[Image:A-7D-70-979-157thTFS-May1983.jpg|thumb|A-7D-8-CV 70-979 157th TFS, South Carolna ANG, May 1983. Sent to AMARC 1993]]
[[Image:A-7D-73-1014-125TFS-jan1983.jpg|thumb|A-7D-15-CV 73-1014 125th TFS, Oklaholma ANG, January 1983]]
[[Image:A-7D-73-1014-125TFS-jan1983.jpg|thumb|A-7D-15-CV 73-1014 125th TFS, Oklaholma ANG, January 1983]]
[[Image:A-7d3-nafm.jpg|thumb|A-7D-15-CV 73-1008 modified to YA-7K configuration. Shown with 152d TFS, Arizona Air National Guard, 1989. Formerly of the 4450th Tactical Group, Nellis/Tonapah Nevada during the 1980s. This aircraft was sent to AMARC on Aug 3, 1992.]]


* [[112th Air Refueling Group|112th Tactical Fighter Group]] [[Pennsylvania]] ANG (PT)
* [[112th Air Refueling Group|112th Tactical Fighter Group]] [[Pennsylvania]] ANG (PT)

Revision as of 14:25, 29 June 2008

The following is a list of units using the LTV A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft.

Operators

 Greece

LTV TA-7C Corsair II of the Greek Air Force, taxiing for take off at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, England, in 2005

Greece still operates the Corsair II's, in the form of the A-7H's, TA-7H's, A-7E's and TA-7C's variants, and uses these aircraft in the traditional tactical strike and ground attack roles for which it was designed. Greek A-7s have been upgraded with many improvements, such as greater thrust from their Allison TF-41 engines, upgraded avionics, radar, and full day/night capabilities.

Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polimiki Aeroporia)

 Portugal

Portugal A-7s (designated A-7P, TA-7P) were 20 converted Navy A-7A's and 6 TA-7C airframes powered by the TF30-P408 engine and were equipped with A-7E avionics. Deliveries to Portugal began in May 1981 and were completed by May 1986. These aircraft were retired in 1999.[1]

Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa)[2]
  • Attack Squadron 302 operated A-7s from Air Base 5 at Monte Real between 1981 and 1994.
  • Attack Squadron 304 operated A-7s from Air Base 5 at Monte Real between 1984 and 1999.

 Thailand

Thailand purchased 14 A-7E's and 4 TA-7C's for coastal defense and sea patrol duties. Aircraft were delivered during the summer of 1995 and were in service with the 104th "White Shark" squadron, 1st Wing at U-Tapao International Airport. These aircraft are currently not operational as of July 20th, 2007. However, the Royal Thai Navy continues to maintain the operability of the aircraft with the necessary maintenance and by starting up and taxi them on the airport's tarmac.

Royal Thailand Navy Air Arm (Ratchanavee Thai or Kong Tup Rua Thai)

 United States

The A-7 Corsair II made its initial military service and combat debut with the United States Navy in 1967 and, over time, became its most prolific user. It was gradually phased out in the 1980's with the introduction of its replacement, the F/A-18 Hornet. Eventually the US Navy retired their last Corsair II's in May 1991. Customized variants of the A-7 went on to serve in units of the United States Air Force and Air National Guard.

United States Navy

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

Current Naval Reserve squadrons or units that were former A-7 operators

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

  • VA-12 "Flying Ubangis"
  • VA-46 "Clansmen"
  • VA-55 "Warhorses"
  • VA-56 "Champions"
  • VA-66 "The Waldo's"
  • VA-67 "?" (Disestablished/Redesignated/Merged with VA-15)
  • VA-72 "Blue Hawks"
  • VA-82 "Marauders" (later became VFA-82. Disestablished September 30, 2005)
  • VA-93 "Blue Blazers"
  • VA-152 "Fighting Aces"
  • VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies"
  • VA-155 "Silver Foxes"
  • VA-174 "The Hellrazors"
  • VA-203 "Blue Dolphins" (later became VFA-203. Disestablished)
  • VA-205 "Green Falcons"
  • VA-215 "Barn Owls"
  • VA-303 "Golden Hawks" (later became VFA-303. Disestablished December 31, 1994)
  • VA-304 "Firebirds"
  • VA-305 "Hackers", later "Lobos" (Later became VFA-305. Disestablished December 31, 1994)

Other Squadrons or Units


United States Air Force
See also: A-7D Production Data

All active duty USAF units flew A-7Ds, except as noted below. A-7Ds were in production starting in 1969, ending in 1976. Aircraft produced in 1975/76 mostly sent directly to Air National Guard units. USAF retired their A-7s in 1981, last 20 A-7D aircraft used in developing the F-117 were withdrawn in January 1989.

Wing/Squadron Tail Codes are shown in parentheses.

A-7D-3-CV 68-6226, 310th TFTS, Luke AFB, AZ, May 1971. Aircrft was converted to GA-7D ground Trainer after operational use ended. Sent To AMARC, 1992
A-7D-9-CV 70-975, 356th TFS, Myrtle Beach AFB, SC, Sep 1971. Sent to AMARC, 1991
A-7D-9-CV 70-1051, 40th TFS, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, Mar 1972
A-7D-11-CV 71-0338, 75th TFS, England AFB, LA, May 1973. Sent to AMARC, 1992
  • 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada 1969 - 1981 (WA)
    • 4525th FWW, Det. 1 - Received a/c 9/1969. Transferred a/c to 66th FWS 6/1972.
    • 66th Fighter Weapons Squadron - Received a/c 6/72 from 4525th FWW - Transferred a/c to ANG 1981.
  • 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina 1970 - 1978 (MB)***
    • 353d Tactical Fighter Squadron (MR/MB) - Received a/c 7/1971 from deactivated 511th TFS. Additional a/c received during 1973/1974 after deployed assets transferred to 3d TFS/388th TFW. Transferred a/c to ANG 1976
    • 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron (MB) - Received a/c 12/1970. Transferred a/c to ANG 1977
    • 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron (MN/MB) - Received a/c 5/1971. Transferred a/c to ANG 1977.
    • 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron (MR) - Received a/c 6/1970. Transferred a/c to 353d TFS 7/1971 and deactivated.
    • 4554th Tactical Fighter Replacement Squadron (MB) - Received a/c 5/1972. Transferred a/c to ANG 1974/75.
  • 4450th Tactical Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada 1981 - 1989 (LV) **
    • 4451st Tactical Squadron (Formerly 4450TG (P) Unit) - Received eight A-7Ds from retiring 23d TFW a/c 6/1981, and two A-7K a/c (73-1008, 79-0469) in late 1981. Transferred a/c to ANG 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. The 4451st Tactical Squadron was only active-duty and first USAF or ANG squadron to receive the A-7K.

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


Air Force Systems Command

Prototype YA-7D, YA-7K, YA-7F and some early production A-7D aircraft were assigned to Air Force Systems Command for flight testing and evaluation prior to being turned over to operational units. Flight testing began at Edwards and Eglin AFB in 1968. After testing was completed, several were retained by the test pilot school at Edwards to study flight characteristics and perform chase plane duties until being retired in August 1992.

A-7D-3-CV 69-6195 assigned to the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. This aircraft was retired to AMARC on May 7, 1990 and sold as scrap on Jun 18, 1998.
  • 6510th Test Wing Edwards Air Force Base California (ED)
    • YA-7D 67-14582 - 67-14584.
      14582 and 14584 sent to AMARC in August 1992. 14583 is currently on static display at Edwards.
    • A-7D 68-6220 - 68-6224, 69-6191, 69-6217.
      6220 - 6224 sent to operational service with 57th FWW at Nellis. 6191, 6217 retained at Edwards until being sent to AMARC in August 1992.
    • YA-7K 73-1008 (From A-7D)
      Redesignated A-7K and sent to 4450th TG Nellis AFB Nevada late 1981.
    • 2 YA-7F (From A-7Ds 70-1039, 71-0344)
      71-0334 now on display at Edwards AFB, 70-1039 now on display at Hill AFB, Utah museum.


United States 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) in January, Des Moines (Iowa) in September, with the last unit being the 125th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tulsa (Oklahoma) in October 1993.

A-7D-3-CV 68-6228 175th TFS, South Dakota ANG, May 1986. Aircrft was converted to GA-7D ground Trainer after operational use ended.
A-7D-8-CV 70-979 157th TFS, South Carolna ANG, May 1983. Sent to AMARC 1993
A-7D-15-CV 73-1014 125th TFS, Oklaholma ANG, January 1983
A-7D-15-CV 73-1008 modified to YA-7K configuration. Shown with 152d TFS, Arizona Air National Guard, 1989. Formerly of the 4450th Tactical Group, Nellis/Tonapah Nevada during the 1980s. This aircraft was sent to AMARC on Aug 3, 1992.
  • 121st Tactical Fighter Wing Ohio ANG (OH)
    • 162d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Springfield MAP
      Received A-7D in 1978 and A-7K in 1982.
      Converted to Block 30 F-16C/Ds on 18 March 1992.
    • 112th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Toledo MAP
      Received A-7D in 1979 and A-7K in 1980.
      Converted to Block 25 F-16C/Ds in April 1992.
    • 166th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Rickenbacker ANGB, Lockbourne
      Received A-7D in 1974 and A-7K in 1983.
      Redesignated as 166th Air Refueling Squadron and equipped with KC-135Rs on 16 January 1993.
  • 162d Tactical Fighter Group Arizona ANG (AZ)
    • 152d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tucson IAP
      Received A-7D in 1978, A-7K in 1983.
      Converted to Block 10/15 F-16A/Bs on 29 May 1986, upgraded to Block 42 F-16C/D in 1995.
    • 195th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tucson IAP
      Received A-7D and A-7K in 1983.
      Converted to Block 15 F-16A/Bs on 16 March 1992.

References

  1. ^ WALKAROUNDS - select A-7P history
  2. ^ Air Base 5 - Monte Real entry at the official Portuguese Air Force website

Related content

Wikimedia Commons has media related to A-7 Corsair II.
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