VA-125 (U.S. Navy)

AD-5 Skyraider from VA-125 Rough Raiders aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) around 1955.

VA-125 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as Reserve Attack Squadron VA-55E, most likely during the activation of the Naval Air Reserve in 1946. It remained in an inactive status until January 1950, when it was redesignated VA-923. The squadron was called to active duty on 20 July 1950. It was redesignated VA-125 on 4 February 1953, and disestablished on 10 April 1958. Its nickname was the Rough Raiders from 1952 onward.

A second, unrelated, squadron was designated VA-125 in 1956.

Significant events

• 1 Feb 1953: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander J. C. Micheel, was killed in action in Korea.

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:

• NAS St. Louis – Assigned prior to 1950. Exact date unknown.
• NAS San Diego – 02 Aug 1950
• NAS Miramar – Jan 1952

Aircraft Assignment

The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:

• TBM Avenger – Prior to 1950. Exact date unknown.
• AM Mauler – 1950
• AD-2 Skyraider – Sep 1950
• AD-4Q Skyraider – Oct 1950
• AD-4 Skyraider – Dec 1950
• AD-3 Skyraider – Dec 1950
• AD-4B Skyraider – Jun 1953
• AD-4NA Skyraider – Sep 1953
• AD-6 Skyraider – Oct 1954
• AD-7 Skyraider – Jan 1957

See also

• Second VA-125 (U.S. Navy)
• Attack aircraft
• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• History of the United States Navy

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.