VA-56 A-7A BuNo.153144 and VA-93 A-7A BuNo.152673 demonstrating very low level air to air refueling. I took this slide standing on the flight deck of USS Midway (CV-41). This was part of an air power demonstration for dignitaries that were visiting the ship. The VA-93 A-7 is still wearing bicentennial markings commemorating the 200th anniversary of the U.S., which occurred in July 1976.

152665 is at the top of the photo. This was a flight of eight A-7As from VA-56 and VA-93 from the USS Midway (CV-41) participating in Exercise "Maulex" which was being conducted in South Korea. I took this slide from a VA-93 A-7A. On 13 January 1977 152665 slid off the flight deck of CV-41while being repositioned by a tug. Unfortunately the Plane Captain, who was in the cockpit riding the brakes, did not survive as the A-7 went into the water upside down.

photographer Masumi Wada

photographer Masumi Wada - to Greek Air Force

Delivered new to USN on 19 December 1967. Assigned to VA-97, VA-125, VA-153, back to VA-125, and finally to VA-56 in March 1974. Transferred to Naval Air Rework Center at NAS Alameda on 11 December 1976. Stricken there on 1 June 1978. In the photo this A-7A is loaded out with six live Mk.82 500# bombs, three on each wing. Note the nose gear launch bar is in the catapult shuttle. When the aircraft reaches the end of the flight deck the launch bar will go to its up position automatically in preparation for gear retraction.

This A-7A is in tanker configuration. VA-56 operated this A-7 from May 1973 through April 1977. It was transferred to MASDC in May 1977 and was stricken on 2 July 1980.

Assigned to VA-195 from 1973 - 1978, then transferred to VA-56. On 17 December 1980, after taking off from NAS Atsugi Japan, there was a loss of engine power and the aircraft crashed near Oshima Island. The pilot ejected safely. Slide taken by Mr. Akira Watanabe.

VA-56 A-7A about to begin taxi up to the bow catapults on USS Midway. 153220 was retired to MASDC in April 1977. It is now on display at American legion Post 1170 in Round Lake, Illinois.

Photo by Don Garrett.

Operating off Okinawa, a VA-56 A-7A is about to trap aboard USS Midway. Personnel across the deck are Landing Signal Officers (LSO) who monitor approaches and assist pilots with the safe recovery of their aircraft. The LSOs are pilots from the squadrons aboard the ship and are specially trained for this duty.

The catapult launch bar attached to the nose gear is in the catapult shuttle in preparation for launching. The white device in the lower center of the photo is a television camera used to record the launches. This A-7A is configured as an airborne tanker.

VA-56 A-7A being directed to catapult aboard USS Midway. Loadout is 6 Mk.82 500# live bombs (3 under each wing.) Ship conducting flight operations off Okinawa.