VA-304 (U.S. Navy) explained
VA-304, nicknamed the Firebirds, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve, based at NAS Alameda, California. It was established on 1 July 1970, and disestablished almost 25 years later, on 31 December 1994.[1]
Operational history
- 1 July 1970: VA-304, a reserve squadron, established as part of a reorganization intended to increase the combat readiness of the Naval Air Reserve Force. Elements of reserve unit, VA-20G3, were used to form the newly established VA-304.
- May 1987: VA-304 operated from the Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, Alberta, while participating in exercise Rendezvous 87-Bold Warrior. The exercise was a mock full-scale battle between elements of the Canadian Armed Forces with VA-304 acting as an aggressor force.
- August 1988: VA-304 was the first reserve squadron to receive and operate the A-6E Intruder.
Aircraft assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:
See also
Notes and References
- Book: Grossnick . Roy A. . Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 1, Chapter 2, Section 11: Attack Squadron Histories for VA-210 to VA-873 . Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy . 1995 . Washington, D.C. . 272–293 . 2016-06-16.