VA-46 was nicknamed the " Clansmen " and they were based out of Naval Air Station Cecil Field , Florida . The squadron ’s Scottish identity was chosen by its first commander , Clifford A. McDougal and incorporated the McDougal clan tartan in its insignia . The squadron flew during the Vietnam War and was on board the USS '' Forrestal '' in 1967 when a fatal fire broke out on the flight deck killing 134 sailors . In 1986 they took part in strikes against Libya known as Operation El Dorado Canyon , and their last combat action was seen during Operation Desert Storm in 1991
fatal fire
1967 USS Forrestal fire
VA-46 (U.S. Navy)