VA-76
VA-76
VA-76
VA-76
VA-76
APH-6 VA-76
ATTACK SQUADRON SEVENTY-SIX “SPIRITS” (VA-76) was established on June 1st, 1955. First flying McDonnell F2H-2 Banshees and Grumman F9F-6 Cougars, in May 1959 the squadron transitioned to the new Douglas A-4B Skyhawk.
In March 1962, the A-4C replaced the older A4-B, a version that VA-76 would fly until the squadron disbanded in September 1969.
​
During the Dominican Republic crisis in June 1965, VA-76 was sent for one month to Puerto Rico from where it flew Armed Recce missions.
​
The SPIRITS next participated at two WESTPAC cruises in Vietnam, the first in 1965 aboard CVAN-65 USS ENTERPRISE and the second in 1967 aboard CVA-31 USS BON HOMME RICHARD.
​
​​
From the pictures published in the various USN Aircraft Carriers cruise books, this anonymous early APH-6 helmet has been used most likely during the 1965 WESTPAC cruise, since the VA-76 flight helmets art style changed with the 1967 cruise.
​
The same pictures demonstrate that VA-76 pilots were wearing green flight suits.
Considering that the High Temperature Resistant and CS/FRP-1 flight suits were introduced in mid-end 1965, it is very possible that VA-76 pilots aboard CVAN-65 were using the transition type OG-107 NYCO Coveralls Flying Men’s made of green cotton and introduced during 1964 in replacement of the previous beige MIL-5390G cotton flight suit.
​
Sources:
Yves LeClair - Militaria Magazine
This image is drawn from the USS Enterprise 1965 WESTPAC cruise book.
​
An APH-6 can be seen hanging from the canopy frame of a VA-76 SPIRITS' A4-C Skyhawk.