 Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Kubva muna 1971 kusvika muna 1987, VA-86 yakapiwazve CVW-8. In mukupera muchirimo 1972, VA-86 akanga kumanikidzwa kuti chinja kuti A-7C nokuda zvisingatarisirwi matambudziko pamwe A-7E wacho TF-41 injini. The squadron then deployed from June 1972 to March 1973 aboard USS America for a ten-month combat cruise, participating in several intense and lengthy bombing campaigns, including Operation Linebacker and Linebacker IImukupera kwa1972. Boka racho rakaramba riri panzvimbo yacho kutozosvikira zvibvumirano zvorugare zveParis zvasainwa mukupera kwaJanuary 1973. Uku kwaive kuendeswa kwechina kwechikwata kuSoutheast Asia, kupfuura chero imwe East Coast squadron yekurwisa uye yakaguma nekugamuchira Meritorious Unit Commendation. 