VA-128 Squadron Patch (Blue/Gold)

This is the blue version of the squadron patch that depicts a bird with outstretched wings. This bird is a phoenix who, in ancient mythology, was consumed by fire and resurrected from its own ashes. As VA-128 was created from VAH-123, in 1967 the new A-6A Intruder replaced the A-3B Skywarrior as the Navy's all weather attack bomber. The body of the phoenix in the patch is the number one which symbolizes the first west coast A-6 Intruder operational unit. The color gold is representative of the squadron's nickname, "The Golden Intruders". It was derived from the color which most aptly describes the mythological phoenix and for the geographical area in which our squadron aircraft operate, "The Golden West". The color also represents the squadron's product, i.e., the replacement flight crews and maintenance personnel, which were literally "worth their weight in gold" to the U.S. Navy's aerial offensive striking arm, in peacetime or at war. When VA-128 disestablished in 1995, the squadron patch was transferred to the Wing commander. In 1997 it was given to an newly formed EA-6B Electronic Warfare Squadron - VAQ-128. This patch does not come with velcro attached.