VA-172 (U.S. Navy)

VA-172 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy.

It was established as Bomber Fighter Squadron VBF-82 on 20 August 1945, redesignated as Fighter Squadron VF-18A on 15 November 1946, as VF-172 on 11 August 1948, and as VA-172 on 1 November 1955.

The squadron was disestablished on 15 January 1971.

Its nickname was the Checkmates from 1946-1950, and the Blue Bolts thereafter.

[1] The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[1] The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:[1] This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.

VBF-82 F4U on USS Randolph c.1946
VF-172 F2Hs over USS Essex c.1951
VA-172 A-4C fully armed with bombs on the flight deck of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt off Vietnam, 1966. Note the blue lightning bolt painted on both aircraft.