Attack Squadron 64 (VA-64) was established at NAS Oceana, Virginia, on 1 July 1961. The Black Lancers were equipped with A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk light attack jets.
Like many attack squadrons of its era, VA-64 provided air-defense detachments for antisubmarine aircraft carriers (CVSs). VA-64 sent Detachment 48 (later 18B) on board the USS Wasp (CVS-18) in February 1962 for a four-month deployment in the North Atlantic, flying A4D-2 versions. In October 1962, VA-64 boarded the USS Independence (CVA-62) with Carrier Air Wing 7 to enforce the naval quarantine around Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Midway through the quarantine, VA-64 switched places with VA-34 and operated with CVG-6 on board the USS Enterprise (CVAN-65).
The Black Lancers made their first major deployment to the Mediterranean in February 1963 on board the Enterprise. The squadron returned to the Mediterranean in February 1964, flying sorties off Cyprus during the 1964 crisis between factions on the island. The Enterprise, with VA-64 embarked, continued on her 65-day round-the-world cruise of an all-nuclear-powered task force, Operation Sea Orbit. Upon returning home, VA-64 moved to NAS Cecil Field, Florida.
From 1965 to 1967, VA-64 deployed twice to the Mediterranean with Carrier Air Wing 6 on board the USS America (CVA-66). During the second deployment, VA-64 launched A-4Cs to respond to the Israeli attack on the U.S. Navy intelligence-gathering ship USS Liberty (AGTR-5) in June 1967. The Skyhawks were recalled before they could engage the attackers.
VA-64 joined CVW-7 in October 1967 and deployed to the Mediterranean on board the Independence in April 1968, returning in January 1969. VA-64 was disestablished at Cecil Field on 7 November 1969, one of the few attack squadrons of its era never to deploy to the Vietnam war zone.
Lest We Forget: Attack Squadron 64 (VA-64)
By Lieutenant Commander Rick Burgess, USN (Ret.)
—Lieutenant Commander Rick Burgess, U.S. Navy (Ret.)