photo #3265617

(11/1957) U.S. Navy Douglas AD Skyraider aircraft of Carrier Air Group One (CVG-1) on the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) during the NATO "Operation Strikeback", some time between August and October 1957. The first seven planes are AD-6 of Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15) "Valions" (tail code AB-4XX). The next plane and the last three are AD-5Q of Attack Squadron (All-Weather) 33 (VA(AW)-33) DET.42 "Night Hawks" (GD-8XX). The fouth plane from the bow is an AD-5W from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12 (VAW-12) DET.42 "Bats"(GE-7XX). In the foreground is an Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron 1 (VAH-1) "Smokin' Tigers".U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photp