VA-85 (Black Falcons): A United States Navy attack squadron (the second to bear the designation) established as reserve Attack Squadron VA-859 on 1 February 1951 at NAS Niagara Falls, New York, initially flying the TBM-3E Avenger, and called to active duty amid the Korean War. Redesignated VA-85 on 4 February 1953, it transitioned through aircraft including the AD Skyraider (A-1 variants), A-6A Intruder (1968), and KA-6D tanker version. Nicknamed the “Black Falcons,” the squadron saw combat in Korea (1953 aboard USS Lake Champlain), Vietnam War (multiple deployments, over 10,000 sorties), Operations Attain Document/El Dorado Canyon against Libya (1986), Desert Shield/Storm (1990-1991, including first A-6 night strikes), and Operation Southern Watch (1993). VA-85 was disestablished on 30 September 1994 at NAS Oceana, Virginia.
