A U.S. Navy A Douglas A-1J <i>Skyraider</i> (BuNo 142028) of Attack Squadron 145 (VA-145) "Swordsmen" taxis into position for takeoff and crewmen wait to attach catapult cable aboard the aircraft carrier USS <i>Constellation</i> (CVA-64), in August 1964. VA-145 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) aboard the <i>Constellation</i> for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 5 May 1964 to 1 February 1965 and became involved in the first attacks of the Vietnam war starting on 4 August 1964. The A-1J 142028 was later passed on to the South Vietnamese Air Force.
Chief Journalist R.D. Moeser, 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-1142000/USN-1142104.html">USN 1142104</a> from the U.S. Navy <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.history.navy.mil">Naval History and Heritage Command</a>