A U.S. Marine Corps Douglas A-4C <i>Skyhawk</i> (BuNo 148520) from Marine Attack Squadron 225 (VMA-225)  "Vagabonds" makes the first landing at Chu Lai, Vietnam, when the strip was only 1,050 m (3.500 ft) long. The total length of the strip after completion was later 2,440 m (8,000 ft). Note that the aircraft's tailhook is extended to catch the mobile arresting gear designed to stop planes in 40 m (130 ft).
Photographer's Mate Airman R.L. Dukes, U.S. Navy
Official U.S. Navy photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/USN-1112000/USN-1112164.html">USN 1112164</a> from the U.S. Navy <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.history.navy.mil">Naval History and Heritage Command</a>