The Douglas EA-1F Skyraider of VAW-33 Detachment 66: The “Night Hawks” Aboard USS America, 1965

In the mid-1960s, at the height of the Cold War and on the eve of America’s deepening involvement in Vietnam, the U.S. Navy operated a wide variety of specialized aircraft from its growing fleet of modern carriers. Among them was a remarkable machine that seemed, at first glance, a relic of an earlier age—the Douglas Skyraider. In an era increasingly dominated by sleek jet fighters and advanced electronic systems, the piston-engine Skyraider not only survived but thrived.

One particularly notable example was the Douglas EA-1F Skyraider (Bureau Number 132621), flown by Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-33 Detachment 66, nicknamed the “Night Hawks.” In 1965, this unit deployed aboard the new supercarrier USS America (CVA-66) as part of Attack Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6). The story of this aircraft and its squadron highlights both the adaptability of the Skyraider and the Navy’s pragmatic approach to the rapidly changing technological landscape of the Cold War.

The Douglas Skyraider: A Veteran Warhorse

The Douglas AD Skyraider, later redesignated A-1, first flew in 1945. Designed by the legendary engineer Ed Heinemann, it was conceived as a single-seat, long-range attack aircraft capable of carrying a massive ordnance load. Although too late to see combat in the Second World War, the Skyraider earned fame in the Korean War and later in Vietnam, where its toughness, loiter time, and versatility made it indispensable.

By the early 1960s, many Skyraiders had been repurposed for specialized missions. The airframe’s rugged design, spacious fuselage, and powerful Wright R-3350 radial engine made it an ideal platform for conversions, ranging from electronic warfare (EW) to airborne early warning (AEW). Among these specialized variants was the EA-1F, which carried electronic countermeasures equipment for jamming enemy radars and communications.

VAW-33: The “Night Hawks”

Airborne Early Warning Squadron 33 (VAW-33) traced its lineage back to composite squadrons established after World War II. Known as the “Night Hawks,” the unit specialized in electronic warfare, night operations, and support missions that often went unheralded compared to the more glamorous roles of fighters or attack jets.

By the mid-1960s, VAW-33 maintained multiple detachments assigned to different carrier air wings. Each detachment typically included a handful of aircraft tailored to the needs of the carrier strike group. Detachment 66, which operated from the USS America in 1965, was one such unit. Flying the EA-1F Skyraider, these aviators and crew provided critical electronic warfare support at a time when radar-guided weapons and sophisticated air defense systems were emerging threats.

The USS America and CVW-6

Commissioned in 1965, USS America (CVA-66) was the fourth of the Kitty Hawk-class supercarriers. At more than 80,000 tons displacement, she was among the most advanced warships of her time, capable of projecting American air power globally.

Her assigned air wing, Attack Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6), was a mix of fighters, attack aircraft, reconnaissance platforms, and specialized support squadrons. Alongside cutting-edge jets like the F-4 Phantom II and A-6 Intruder, the piston-powered Skyraider might have seemed antiquated. Yet the inclusion of VAW-33 Det.66’s EA-1Fs reflected a pragmatic Navy decision: while newer aircraft like the E-2 Hawkeye were coming online, the Skyraider remained reliable, effective, and proven in the electronic warfare role.

EA-1F Skyraider (BuNo 132621) in Flight

The specific aircraft, EA-1F BuNo 132621, exemplified this adaptability. Outfitted with an array of electronic countermeasures equipment, the EA-1F carried a crew of up to four: pilot, ECM operators, and observers. Its mission was not to engage in dogfights or drop bombs, but to protect the carrier strike group by jamming enemy radars, deceiving hostile defenses, and providing vital situational awareness.

Flying from USS America, 132621 operated in an environment increasingly defined by the Cold War’s technological chess match. Soviet-built radar systems, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and electronic detection equipment were proliferating in client states worldwide. The presence of an EA-1F aboard the carrier ensured that America’s air wing had a measure of protection against these threats.

1965: A Year of Transition

The year 1965 was pivotal for U.S. naval aviation. The Vietnam War was escalating, with Operation Rolling Thunder beginning in March. Carrier air wings were deploying to Southeast Asia, launching strike missions deep into North Vietnam. The skies over Hanoi and Haiphong were becoming some of the most heavily defended airspaces in the world, bristling with Soviet-supplied SAMs and radar-guided anti-aircraft artillery.

While USS America did not deploy to Vietnam until later, her shakedown and early operations in 1965 prepared her air wing—including VAW-33 Det.66—for the demanding missions ahead. The inclusion of EA-1Fs aboard emphasized the Navy’s recognition that electronic warfare was no longer optional but essential.

Life Aboard for the “Night Hawks”

For the crews of VAW-33 Det.66, life aboard USS America in 1965 blended routine with high-stakes readiness. Unlike fighter pilots who often drew public attention, electronic warfare crews worked in relative obscurity. Their missions required long hours of preparation, constant calibration of sensitive equipment, and flights that might not involve dramatic dogfights but were crucial to the survival of others.

Flying a piston-engine aircraft from a modern carrier posed its own challenges. Jet aircraft created powerful turbulence on the flight deck, and deck crews had to carefully coordinate operations. Yet the Skyraider’s rugged landing gear and dependable handling qualities made it surprisingly well-suited to carrier operations, even alongside its faster stablemates.

Legacy of the EA-1F and VAW-33

By the late 1960s, the Skyraider was gradually phased out of electronic warfare and AEW roles, replaced by the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and other jet-powered platforms. VAW-33 itself was eventually redesignated, and its detachments were absorbed into newer squadrons as the Navy restructured its electronic warfare community.

Nevertheless, the service of EA-1F BuNo 132621 and her squadron in 1965 remains an important chapter. It represents a transitional moment in naval aviation when older piston-powered aircraft still held vital roles even as jets took center stage. More importantly, it underscores how electronic warfare became a cornerstone of modern naval combat, a lesson that continues to shape strategy today.

Remembering the “Spad”

The Skyraider, often affectionately called the “Spad,” remains one of the most beloved naval aircraft of its generation. Pilots admired its toughness, adaptability, and ability to carry out missions long after newer designs had faltered. The EA-1F variant, though less celebrated than the attack versions that flew dramatic ground-support missions in Vietnam, was equally critical in its specialized role.

Aircraft like BuNo 132621 remind us that warfare is not won solely by glamorous fighters or bombers but by a team of diverse aircraft and crews. The “Night Hawks” of VAW-33 Det.66 ensured that their carrier and its strike group could operate with greater safety and effectiveness in an uncertain world.

Conclusion

The Douglas EA-1F Skyraider (BuNo 132621) of VAW-33 Det.66 “Night Hawks”, operating from USS America (CVA-66) in 1965, may seem like a small footnote in the vast history of U.S. naval aviation. Yet its story illuminates a critical period of transition. At a time when jet power was reshaping warfare, this rugged piston-engine aircraft continued to prove its worth, carrying out electronic warfare missions that protected its fellow aviators and preserved the carrier strike group’s fighting edge.

In doing so, it embodied the adaptability of the U.S. Navy and the enduring value of the Skyraider design. As the “Night Hawks” flew their missions from the deck of America, they demonstrated that even in an age of supersonic jets and missile technology, there was still a place for the humble, hardworking “Spad.”