VA-36 (U.S. Navy)

VA-36, nicknamed the Roadrunners, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as Fighter Squadron VF-102 on 1 May 1952, redesignated VA-36 on 1 July 1955, and disestablished on 1 August 1970. It was the first squadron to be designated VA-36, the second VA-36 was established on 6 March 1987 and disestablished on 1 April 1994.

Operational history

 * November 1953–September 1954: During the squadron's world cruise aboard USS Tarawa (CVA-40), it visited 14 different ports in 10 foreign countries and transited the Suez and Panama Canals.
 * July–August 1961: While deployed on a training cruise aboard USS Saratoga (CVA-60) in the Caribbean Sea, the squadron was on an alert status due to the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
 * 2 December 1965: The squadron conducted its first combat operations, flying from USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) on Dixie Station in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam. This marked the first time a nuclear powered ship had engaged in combat.
 * December 1965–June 1966: During this period of combat operations squadron personnel were awarded over 170 Air Medals.
 * May–June 1967: VA-36, embarked on USS America (CV-66), was on station in the eastern Mediterranean during the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Units of Americas air wing were launched to provide air cover for USS Liberty (AGTR-5) when it came under attack by Israeli forces.

Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:
 * NAAS Cecil Field – 1 May 1952
 * NAS Jacksonville – July 1955
 * NAS Cecil Field – April 1956

Aircraft assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft in the months shown:
 * FG-1D Corsair – May 1952
 * F9F-5 Panther – Oct 1952
 * F9F-8 & F9F-8B Panther – 02 Nov 1956
 * F9F-8T Panther – 14 Apr 1957
 * A4D-2 Skyhawk – 11 Sep 1958
 * A4D-2N/A-4C Skyhawk – 21 Mar 1961 (The A4D-2N designation changed to A-4C in 1962.)
 * A-4E Skyhawk – Oct 1967 (The squadron began its transition to A-4Es in October 1967 and in November 1967 transitioned back to A-4Cs)