Attack Squadron 46 ( United States Navy ) Attack Squadron 46 ( VA - 46 or ATKRON 46 ) was an attack squadron of the United States Navy that was active during the Cold War . VA - 46 was deactivated as part of the post - Cold War drawdown of forces on 30 June 1991 . History . VA - 46 was nicknamed the " Clansmen " and they were based out of Naval Air Station Cecil Field , Florida . The squadron ’ s Scottish identity was chosen by its first commander , Clifford A . McDougal and incorporated the McDougal clan tartan in its insignia . The squadron flew during the Vietnam War and was on board the USS " Forrestal " in 1967 when a fatal fire broke out on the flight deck killing 134 sailors . In 1986 they took part in strikes against Libya known as Operation El Dorado Canyon , and their last combat action was seen during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 . Early years . Attack Squadron 46 was formed at Naval Air Station Cecil Field on 24 May 1955 flying F9F - 5 Grumman Panther . They departed the United States for their first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea on July 14 , 1956 aboard the USS " Randolph " with F9F - 8 Grumman Cougar . This was the first overseas deployment of the AIM - 9 Sidewinder . In October and November 1956 the squadron , along with other units of ATG - 202 , provided air support for the evacuation of foreign nationals from Alexandria , Egypt during the Suez Crisis . VA - 46 received A4D - 2 Douglas Skyhawk in March 1958 . In August 1965 , VA - 46 was on board the USS " Shangri - La " and operated off the coast of Cyprus in response to a crisis in that country between Greek and Turkish Cypriots . Vietnam War . On 25 July 1967 the Clansmen took part in their first combat operations during the Vietnam War flying from the USS " Forrestal " in Yankee Station . A few days later on July 29 , while aircraft were being prepared for the second launch of the day against targets in North Vietnam , a fire broke out on the flight deck of the " Forrestal " . Flames engulfed the fantail and spread below decks , touching off bombs and ammunition . Heroic efforts by VA - 46 personnel , along with other members of Carrier Air Wing 17 and ship ' s company , brought the fires under control . Damage to the carrier and aircraft was severe , and the casualty count included 134 dead and 62 injured . The squadron lost seven A - 4E Skyhawks during the fire . At the epicenter of the fire that day was squadron member and then Lieutenant Commander John McCain . He escaped from his burning jet and was trying to help another pilot escape when a bomb exploded ; he was struck in the legs and chest by fragments . Transition and the 1970s . From 4 May through 15 November 1968 , VA - 46 transitioned to the A - 7 Corsair II . On 17 September 1970 , while en route to the Caribbean for training exercises on board the USS " John F . Kennedy " , they received emergency orders to deploy immediately to the Mediterranean due to the hijacking of four airliners by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine . They remained on station off the coast of Israel until November . During October 1973 , with the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War between Israel , Egypt and Syria , the " Kennedy " and her air wing , while operating in the North Atlantic after just completing a Mediterranean deployment , were ordered back to the Mediterranean . During the latter part of October through mid - November , VA - 46 conducted flight operations while the carrier was on station south of Crete . On 22 November 1975 during night operations , the " Kennedy " collided with the USS " Belknap " , causing major damage to the cruiser . Eight VA - 46 personnel received awards for their heroism and devotion to duty as a result of their actions following the collision . 1980s , Gulf War and decommissioning . From 17 to 19 September 1985 , VA - 46 – along with other units of Carrier Air Wing 1 ( CVW - 1 ) – were the first to conduct flight operations from a carrier operating inside a fjord . The USS " America " operated in Vestfjord , Norway during this evolution . The next year on April 14 , 1986 , as a response to terrorist actions , the squadron took part in strikes against targets in Libya . During that action , VA - 46 provided air - to - surface Shrike and Harm missile strikes against Libyian radar missile sites . Beginning on 17 January 1991 , the squadron took part in Operation Desert Storm , the combat operations to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait . The squadron ' s A - 7E Corsair IIs participated in the first combat strike against Iraqi targets in Baghdad , and VA - 46 and VA - 72 made the last combat sorties of the A - 7 Corsair II during Desert Storm flying from the Red Sea . Upon their return from the Persian Gulf they were decommissioned on June 30 , 1991 . VA - 46 were the last United States Navy squadron to fly the A - 7 Corsair II .