VA-196 Douglas AD-6 Skyraider 137495 by Wing attack Plan R Via Flickr: Attack Squadron 196 (VA-196) was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. It was established as Fighter Squadron 153 (VF-153) on 15 July 1948, redesignated as VF-194 on 15 February 1950, and finally redesignated VA-196 on 4 May 1955. Its nicknames were the Thundercats from 1948 to the 1950s, and The Main Battery from the 1950s thereafter. Beginning in 1979 the squadron used the nickname Milestones interchangeably with Main Battery. The squadron was disestablished on 21 March 1997, after more than 48 years of service. 137495: *1958-59: VA-196 as NA-413. *1965: VA-35 as AC-xxx. *1/16/1965: Written off on USS Saratoga. Photo Credit's: Likely Candid Aero Files, 137495 info: Forgotten Props
