How many missions did the US Navy's A-7 fly in Vietnam?

Short answer

Around 97,000 combat sorties with the US Navy. The first Navy A-7As reached Vietnam in 1967 with VA-147 aboard USS Ranger, which flew about 1,400 sorties in the following months with only one loss. In Operation Linebacker, the type flew 60% of the Navy's offensive sorties.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many missions did the US Navy's A-7 fly in Vietnam?

LTV A-7E Corsair II of VA-72 is prepared for launch aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), 26 February 1988

The A-7 arrives in Southeast Asia

The US Navy's first A-7As deployed to Vietnam in 1967 with squadron VA-147 "Argonauts," embarked aboard USS Ranger. Over the following months, VA-147 flew around 1,400 sorties and lost a single aircraft. The A-7B, the Navy's improved version, reached Vietnam in early 1969, and the definitive A-7E arrived in 1971.

Around 97,000 combat sorties

With the US Navy, the type flew around 97,000 combat sorties. In Operation Linebacker, the A-7 flew 60% of all US Navy offensive sorties. The US Air Force operated the A-7D, which flew a total of 12,928 combat sorties during the war with only six losses.