Fighter Squadron 126 (VF-126) was an aggressor squadron of the U.S. Navy, and were known as the Fighting Seahawks, and after 1981 as the Bandits.[1] The squadron was originally established as Attack Squadron 126 (VA-126) on 6 April 1956, it was redesignated VF-126 on 15 October 1965 and disestablished on 1 April 1994.[2]

Fighter Squadron 126
Active6 April 1956 – 1 April 1994
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Bandits
AircraftFJ-4B Fury
A-4E/M TA-4J Skyhawk
T-2C Buckeye
F-5E Tiger II
F-16N Viper

Operational history

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VA-126 FJ-4B Fury c.1960
 
VF-126 F-16N, F-5E, A-4E, TA-4J and T-2C in 1987
 
VF-126 A-4M at NAS Miramar c.1991
 
NFWS F-14A at NAS Miramar in 1991

VA-126 was a West Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron. With its redesignation as VF-126 it became a Navy aggressor squadron.

Notable former members

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Home port assignments

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The squadron was assigned to these home ports:

Aircraft assignment

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "VA-126 | The Skyhawk Association". skyhawk.org. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.