List of A-7 Corsair II operators

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

Operators

GRE

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")
*115th Fighter Wing, Souda Air Base operated A-7H and TA-7H aircraft.
*116th Fighter Wing, Araxos Air Base operates A-7E and TA-7C aircraft.

POR

Portugal A-7's (designated A-7P, TA-79) were 20 converted ex-USN A-7A airframes powered by the TF30-P408 engine and were equipped with A-7E avionics. These aircraft were purchase through the V-519 contract of May 5 1980, and initially 28 A-7A airframes were to be converted to the A-7P standard, but only the best 20 airframes were approved for the conversion. Deliveries of this contract to Portugal began in December 24 1981, date of the arrival of the first nine aircraft, and were completed by September 29 1982. [ [http://walkarounds.home.sapo.pt/ WALKAROUNDS] , select A-7P history]

In May, 1983, Portugal renegotiated the contract and put an order for an additional 24 A-7P and six converted ex-USN TA-7C to the TA-7P standard. Delivery of the aircraft of this second order took place between October 8 1984 and April 30 1986. However, one A-7P (PoAF s/n 15540) of the 24 ordered was lost in an accident in the United States prior to its delivery.

As part of the second order, the United States Navy leased one TA-7C (s/n 154404; c/n B-044) to Portugal between April of 1982 and June of 1985 for operational conversion of fighter pilots. This aircraft, a A-7B-1-CV Corsair II converted to TA-7C tandem-seat trainer, was nicknamed "Pomba Branca" (white dove) due to the original USN white painting that was kept. It was later returned to the United States Navy.

In June 10 1999, the last operational Corsair II conducted the last flight of the aircraft fleet in service with the PoAF, with 64,000 logged flight hours.

;Portuguese Air Force ("Força Aérea Portuguesa") [http://www.emfa.pt/www/unidadedetalhe.php?lang=ing&cod=11115 Air Base No. 5 - Monte Real history] at the official Portuguese Air Force website]
*Attack Squadron 302 "Águias Reais" based at Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real, between 1981 and 1996.
*Attack Squadron 304 "Magníficos" based at Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real, between 1984 and 1999.

THA

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 them up and taxiing them on the airport's tarmac.

;Royal Thailand Navy Air Arm ("Ratchanavee Thai" or "Kong Tup Rua Thai")
*104th "White Shark" squadron, 1st Wing, U-Tapao International Airport operated A-7E and TA-7C aircraft.

USA

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 1980s 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 NavyCurrently active-duty squadrons or units that were former A-7 operators
*VA-15 "Valions" (now VFA-15)
*VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks" (now VFA-22)
*VA-25 "Fists of the Fleet" (now VFA-25)
*VA-27 "Royal Maces" (now VFA-27)
*VA-37 "Ragin Bulls" (now VFA-37)
*VA-81 "Sunliners" (now VFA-81)
*VA-83 "Rampagers" (now VFA-83)
*VA-86 "Sidewinders" (now VFA-86)
*VA-87 "Golden Warriors" (now VFA-87)
*VA-94 "Mighty Shrikes" (now VFA-94)
*VA-97 "Warhawks" (now VFA-97)
*VA-105 "Gunslingers" (now VFA-105)
*VA-113 "Stingers" (now VFA-113)
*VA-122 "Flying Eagles" (now VFA-122)
*VA-125 "Rough Raiders" (now VFA-125)
*VA-146 "Blue Diamonds" (now VFA-146)
*VA-147 "Argonauts" (Now VFA-147)
*VA-192 "Golden Dragons" (Now VFA-192)
*VA-195 "Dambusters" (Now VFA-195)

Current Naval Reserve squadrons or units that were former A-7 operators
*VA-204 "River Rattlers" (now VFA-204)

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
*VAQ-33 "Firebirds" (EA-7L)
*VAQ-34 "Electric Horsemen" (EA-7L)
*VX-5 "Vampires"
*The Naval Strike Warfare Center

;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.
* 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.

* 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing Luke AFB Arizona 1969 - 1971 (LA)
** 310th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron - Received a/c 12/1969. Transferred a/c to 333d TFS/355th TFW 7/1971

* 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.

* 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona 1971 - 1979 (DM)***
** 333d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (DM) - Transferred from 310 TFTS/58th TFTW 7/1971. - Transferred a/c to ANG 1976.
** 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron (DA/DM) - Received a/c 7/1971. Transferred a/c to ANG 1979.
** 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron (DC/DM) - Received a/c 5/1971. Transferred a/c to ANG 1976.
** 358th Tactical Fighter Squadron (DD/DM) - Received a/c 10/1971. Transferred a/c to ANG 1978.

* 23d Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base Louisiana 1972 - 1981 (EL)
** 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Received a/c 7/1972. Transferred a/c to ANG 1981.
** 75th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Received a/c 7/1972. Transferred a/c to ANG 1981.
** 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Received a/c 10/1972. Transferred a/c to ANG 1981.

* 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand 1973 - 1975 (JH)
** 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron - Received a/c 3/1973 from deployed 353d TFS/354th TFW. Transferred a/c to ANG 1975.

* 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 CommandPrototype 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.
* 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.

*3246th Test Wing Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AD).
** A-7D 67-14585, 67-14586

;United States Air National GuardAir 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.

* 112th Tactical Fighter Group Pennsylvania ANG (PT)
** 146th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Greater Pittsburgh IAP
Received A-7D in 1980 and A-7K in 1983.
Redesignated as 146th Air Refueling Squadron with KC-135s on 16 October 1991.

* 114th Tactical Fighter Group South Dakota ANG (SD)
** 175th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Sioux Falls IAP/Joe Foss Field
Received A-7D in 1977 and A-7K in 1982.
Converted to Block 30 F-16C/Ds on 16 March 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.

* 127th Tactical Fighter Wing Michigan ANG (MI)
** 107th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Mount Clemens
Received A-7D in 1978 and A-7K in 1983.
Converted to Block 10 F-16A/B on 1 April 1990.

* 132d Tactical Fighter Wing Iowa ANG (IA)
** 124th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Des Moines MAP
Received A-7D in 1977 and A-7K in 1981.
Converted to Block 42 F-16C/Ds in September 1993.
* 185th Tactical Fighter Group (1976) (HA)
** 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Sioux City MAP
Received A-7D in 1976 and A-7K in 1983.
Converted to F-16C/Ds on 16 March 1992

* 138th Tactical Fighter Group Oklahoma ANG (TL/OK)
** 125th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tulsa IAP
Received A-7D in 1981 and A-7K in 1983.
Converted to Block 42 F-16C/Ds in October 1993.

* 140th Tactical Fighter Wing Colorado ANG (CO)
** 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Buckley ANGB, Aurora
Received A-7D in 1974 and A-7K in 1983.
Converted to Block 30 F-16C/Ds on 15 March 1992

* 156th Tactical Fighter Wing Puerto Rico ANG (PR)
** 198th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, San Juan
Received A-7D in 1976 and A-7K in 1983.
Converted to Block 15 ADF (Air Defense) F-16A/Bs on 16 March 1992.

* 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.

* 169th Tactical Fighter Group South Carolina ANG (SC)
** 157th Tactical Fighter Squadron, McEntire ANGB, Columbia
Received A-7D in 1975 and A-7K in 1982.
Converted to F-16A/Bs in 1983.

* 192d Tactical Fighter Group Virginia ANG (VA)
** 149th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Richmond IAP/Byrd Field
Received A-7D in 1981 and A-7K in 1982.
Converted to Block 30 F-16C/Ds on 15 Mar 1992.

References

* [http://www.emfa.pt/www/unidadedetalhe.php?lang=ing&cod=11115 "Air Base 5 - Monte Real" entry at the official Portuguese Air Force website]
* Hill & Campbell (2001), Tactical Air Command: An Illustrated History, 1946-1992, Schiffer, ISBN 0-7643-1288-X
* [http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present]

Related content

*A-7 Corsair II
*A-7D Production Data