This A-6 Intruder website proudly developed for you by AT1(AW) Thomas Tye

The website is currently being run by LT Stephen Gaze

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THE EMBLEM
The Lizard serves as a sentinel over a blue sea that represents all oceans. It is ready to strike from anywhere, at anytime, to preserve freedom. The setting sun symbolizes the ability to operate day or night in any weather. A Trident, such as the one used by Neptune in Roman Mythology, is in the Lizard's grasp and symbolizes the power of the Grumman A-6E Intruder. The black border around the emblem serves as a reminder of fallen comrades who contributed to America's freedom.

This site was put together to honor Attack Squadron Ninety Five, the many men and women who served as Green Lizards and of course, the venerable A-6 Intruder we all love so much. Please feel free to leave me a note or short story if you've had any A-6 related experiences you'd like to share.

HISTORY

Originally established in World War II on 15 October, 1943, the Sky Knights of Torpedo Squadron 20 (VT-20) flew Grumman TBM Avengers and F-6F Hellcats. The squadron deployed from the decks of the USS ENTERPRISE, USS LEXINGTON AND USS KWAJALIEN. It distinguished itself in the Battles of Okinawa, Formosa, Leyte Gulf and the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea.

Following World War II, VT-20 was re-designated as Attack Squadron 10A. This lasted two years until 12 August, 1948, when the squadron became the VA-95 Sky Knights and received the new Douglas AD-1 Skyraider attack aircraft, affectionately known as the Spad. Shortly thereafter, the squadron was disestablished.

On 26 April, 1952, VA-95 came to life again to support the Korean War. This time the squadron deployed aboard the USS PHILIPPINE SEA. The Sky Knights distinguished themselves by being the first to successfully employ the Mighty Mouse, an air-to-ground rocket much appreciated by allied ground troops throughout the Korean Peninsula. During the conflict, the squadron was renamed the Green Lizards thanks to some intrepid junior officers who placed an iguana in the Air Wing Commander's stateroom.

During the early 1960's, the Green Lizards, deployed on board USS RANGER and USS TICONDEROGA, providing a credible deterrent to communist aggression during a time of growing tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. In late 1965, as the Vietnam War began to heat up, the squadron deployed to the South China Sea on board USS JOHN F. KENNEDY and transitioned from the AD-1 Skyraider to the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk.

The Green Lizards were back on the scene again in 1966, this time on board USS INTREPID. The squadron flew an amazing 2,171 combat sorties in their light attack Skyhawks during these early years of the Vietnam War without the loss of a single life or aircraft.

As the nation lightened its commitment to the conflict in Vietnam, The Green Lizards felt the crunch of a shrinking military. In March, 1970, the squadron was disestablished again. The hiatus would not last long. On 31 March, 1972, the Green Lizards were back in the scene. Based at NAS Whidbey Island, VA-95 found itself introduced to a new breed of naval attack aircraft and a whole new doctrine in the employment of the carrier battle group by the Navy.

With the delivery of their new two-seat A-6A medium attack jets, the Green Lizards helped usher in the Intruder Era, and the nature of naval strike warfare was changed forever. The ability to evade enemy defenses at low level day or night, courtesy of a revolutionary radar and navigation system, enabled the Intruders to prove there was no safe haven for any foe.

In 1975, the Green Lizards saw combat action again in Operation EAGLE LIFT, providing escort and close air support during the evacuation of Saigon. That same year, VA-95's Intruders pummeled targets in Cambodia with a hail of bombs during operations in support of the recovery of the SS MAYAGUEZ.

Following the Vietnam War, VA-95 deployed to the Western Pacific on board USS CORAL SEA and then made two cruises to the Mediterranean Sea on board USS AMERICA. During these deployments the squadron incorporated the improved A-6E Intruder with its now distinctive ball turret under the nose. The Target Recognition Attack Multi-sensor (TRAM) gave the two-man Intruder crews an improved ability to isolate and prosecute any target through the incorporation of television-like infrared imagery and laser designation.

In 1982 the Green Lizards joined Carrier Air Wing 11 on board USS ENTERPRISE. VA-95 distinguished itself during operations following the April, 1986 Libyan raid and was the first squadron to see combat in the Arabian Gulf during Operation PRAYING MANTIS against Iran in April, 1988. During this operation the squadron was credited with sinking the frigate SAHAND, damaging the frigate SABALAN and sinking two gunboats.

The World Famous Green Lizards were also the first to deploy with the A-6E SWIP. This enabled the Intruder to employ state-of-the-art weapons such as the HARM, SLAM, Harpoon, Maverick and Walleye missiles, as well as the traditional array of laser guided bombs, iron bombs, rockets, cluster bombs, mines, and a host of other conventional weapons. These plus the Intruder's other capabilities made it truly the world's most versatile modern combat aircraft.

In 1991, the Green Lizards deployed to the Arabian Gulf for combat missions in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH onboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. They also participated in Operation FIERY VIGIL, successfully evacuating American service personnel and their dependents from the Philippines following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. 1993 saw the Lizards in the Gulf again for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and Operation CONTINUE HOPE supporting the UN's mission in Somalia.

In 1995, VA-95 was back in action, flying combat missions in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and VIGILANT SENTINEL. As the squadron completed its Last Romp across the sea, a great chapter in the history of Naval Aviation came to a close. VA-95's Disestablishment Ceremony marked not only the end of one of history's finest squadrons, but also the end of the 30-year Intruder Era, a time when these robust aircraft led long range strikes over the beach day and night, in any weather, delivering heavy loads of ordnance on target, on time, every time.

Attack Squadron Ninety Five disestablished at NAS Whidbey Island on 18 November, 1995.

LEADERS

AIRCRAFT

The A-6E TRAM is a two-place, twin-engine subsonic mid wing monoplane, manufactured by the Grumman Aerospace Corporation, Bethpage, New York. The aircraft is designed for true all-weather attack and can carry a payload of 8-1/2 tons. A wide variety of weapons can be delivered without the crew ever having seen the ground or the target. The aircraft can be air-refueled and when carrying an air refueling store, can be used as a tanker. The KA-6D aircraft is a modified A-6 that retains the basic structure, power plant, and associated airframe systems without the all-weather weapons delivery systems. The KA-6D has a primary mission of refueling. The aircraft is capable of transferring large quantities of fuel at a rapid rate.

The aircraft are powered by two Pratt and Whitney axial-flow, turbojet engines, and are characterized by a large nose radome and sweptback wings. The aircraft have arrested-landing capabilities and, for jet aircraft, a relatively slow approach and landing speed. The aircraft, from a flight standpoint, are essentially hydraulic aircraft. Generally, the hydraulic systems are controlled electrically; the major departures from this being the actuation of the flight control servo-actuators, manual canopy operation, emergency landing gear actuation, and wheel-brake operations. In these operations, the hydraulic selector valves and servo-actuators are directly positioned by the pilot.

The chance of complete loss of essential functions due to battle damage or system malfunction is minimized in the electrical and hydraulic systems by the use of automatic isolation of less important electrical loads, redundant hydraulic power systems, and tandem actuators.

The zero fuel/zero store weight of the A-6E TRAM is approximately 28,300 pounds. The KA-6D weighs approximately 27,300 pounds. The aircraft accommodates a two-man crew consisting of the pilot and the bombardier/navigator in a staggered side-by-side seating arrangement. The aircraft are equipped with two MK-GRU-7 ejection seats.

The aircraft are configured with four wing pylons and a centerline store station for a total of five external store stations. The wing pylons are fitted with AERO 7A ejector racks and the centerline store is fitted with AERO 7B ejector rack. These racks are capable of being loaded with a variety of weapons, adapters, launchers, bomb racks, and ejector racks.

The aircraft are powered by two J52 P-8, nonafterburning, axial-flow, turbojet engines. At sea level, the J52 engine develops approximately 7,700 pounds normal static thrust and 8,700 pounds military rated static thrust. Significant heat, blast and noise hazards are present during normal engine operation. At 50 feet, with engines run up to maximum power, you could expect an air temperature of 200 degrees fahrenheit, exhaust blast of 136 MPH, and noise levels at 145 decibels.

The aircraft has a wing span of 53 feet when spread and 25 feet when the wings are neatly folded. Nose to tail the aircraft measures 54 feet and 9 inches. Height from ground to top of canopy is 12 feet and 5 inches, and from ground to the tip of the vertical stabilizer is 16 feet and 2 inches. Span from nose tires back to the main mount tires measures at 17 feet and 2 inches. The best description I think I've ever heard, to describe the appearance of the Intruder, is that it looks like a flying drumstick.

AVIONICS

INTRUDER LINKS

Lizard Contact List

 
-------- A-6 Approved For Foreign Sales ! --------

The Naval Air Systems Command, Program Manager AIR 222(PMA-222) has been assigned responsibility for all future sales and support of the A-6E International. PMA-222 is pursuing all potential leads that will result in future flights of the "International Intruders." More information can be obtained from Paul Soriano, PMA-222, Deputy for A-6 FMS. His number is 1-904-542-2751 Ext 123.



The Attack Squadrons(VA) trading card set is now available. This set of military collectible trading cards is unique and never before produced. Each card pictures a full color embroidered patch or insignia on the front and, on the back, the history of the unit. The cards are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. For more information and ordering instructions CLICK HERE.




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