Attack Squadron 46 (United States Navy)

Attack Squadron 46
VA-46 insignia
Active	24 May 1955 – 30 June 1991
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	All Weather Attack
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	Clansmen
Motto(s)	“Vincere Vel Mori” “To conquer or to die”
Engagements	Vietnam War * Operation Rolling Thunder * 1967 USS Forrestal fire Operation El Dorado Canyon Operation Desert Storm
Aircraft flown
Attack	A-4 Skyhawk A-7 Corsair II
Fighter	F9F Panther F9F Cougar

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.

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.

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.

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