VA-215 Attack Squadron B Version Patch

VA-215 Attack Squadron B Version Patch (U.S. Navy) 4.25" x 4.5" Embroidered Patch with Sew-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.

Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.

Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.

Versatile Use: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality. 

Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
Attack Squadron 215 (VA-215), nicknamed the "Barn Owls," was established on March 22, 1955. This was the second squadron to carry the VA-215 designation. Formed during the Cold War's peak, the unit was designed to deliver conventional and nuclear ordnance in support of naval strike missions, specializing in close air support, interdiction, and deep strike against enemy positions. Stationed primarily at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California, and later NAS Lemoore, VA-215 was part of Carrier Air Wings (CVW) that deployed with the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Notable Commanders
Over its years of operation, VA-215 was led by several highly skilled and combat-tested naval aviators. Many of its commanders had experience from the Korean War and early Vietnam operations, bringing leadership honed in real combat scenarios. They emphasized precision, discipline, and a deep understanding of strike warfare, setting a high bar for performance both in training and during combat deployments.

Major Campaigns/Operations
VA-215 played a prominent role in the Vietnam War, participating in multiple combat cruises from 1964 through the early 1970s. The squadron flew off aircraft carriers such as USS Hancock (CV-19) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43), delivering ordnance on North Vietnamese supply routes, troop concentrations, and infrastructure targets. They were active participants in major operations such as Rolling Thunder and Linebacker I, enduring intense anti-aircraft fire and risky low-altitude strike profiles to fulfill mission objectives.

Specialized Role/Equipment
During its Vietnam service, VA-215 operated the Douglas A-1 Skyraider before transitioning to the jet-powered A-4 Skyhawk, specifically the A-4B version in the early 1960s. The A-4B was a light attack jet known for its agility, reliability, and ability to carry a diverse weapons payload. Designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear ordnance, it could operate from smaller aircraft carriers, making it ideal for forward deployment. The squadron later flew upgraded variants of the Skyhawk, maintaining a combat-ready posture throughout its lifespan.

Acts of Heroism
VA-215 aircrews demonstrated repeated acts of valor during the Vietnam War. Pilots routinely flew into intense enemy air defenses, including surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), radar-directed anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), and small arms fire, to strike key enemy positions and support embattled U.S. ground forces. Several aviators from VA-215 were awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses and Air Medals for their bravery, particularly during close air support missions where precise delivery of ordnance under fire helped save lives on the ground.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
VA-215 built a reputation as a professional, battle-hardened attack squadron, respected throughout the fleet for its precision and resilience. The unit was part of the backbone of naval air strike capability during some of the most intense years of Cold War conflict in Southeast Asia. It was officially disestablished on October 31, 1977, but its legacy endures in the squadrons that followed and in the annals of carrier-based airpower. The "Barn Owls" patch, featuring a vigilant owl in flight, symbolizes the squadron’s stealth, lethality, and unwavering watch over the battlespace.