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The aircraft quickly proved invaluable in the [[Vietnam War|fighting in Southeast Asia]]. Its advanced electronics allowed it to fly in all weather, and it could carry a large bombload. When a pair of A-6 bombers with 17,000 pounds of bombs aboard demolished a power plant in [[Haiphong]], the [[North Vietnamese]] criticized the U.S. military for using [[B-52 Stratofortress]]es against the city! In spite of the aircraft's advanced weaponry, 84 were shot down over North Vietnam.

The aircraft quickly proved invaluable in the [[Vietnam War|fighting in Southeast Asia]]. Its advanced electronics allowed it to fly in all weather, and it could carry a large bombload. When a pair of A-6 bombers with 17,000 pounds of bombs aboard demolished a power plant in [[Haiphong]], the [[North Vietnamese]] criticized the U.S. military for using [[B-52 Stratofortress]]es against the city! In spite of the aircraft's advanced weaponry, 84 were shot down over North Vietnam.

In December 1983, Intruders and A-7 Corsairs struck [[Syria]]n positions in [[Lebanon]], after the Syrians had fired SAMs at Navy [[F-14 Tomcat|F-14s]] on reconnaissance.  The strike hit several artillery and radar sites, but one A-6 was lost to a SAM, the pilot being killed and the bombardier-navigator being captured.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_278.shtml Disaster in Lebanon]</ref>

In December 1983, Intruders and A-7 Corsairs struck [[Syria]]n positions in [[Lebanon]], after the Syrians had fired SAMs at Navy [[F-14 Tomcat|F-14s]] on reconnaissance.  The strike hit several artillery and radar sites, but one A-6 was lost to a [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]], the pilot being killed and the bombardier-navigator being captured.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_278.shtml Disaster in Lebanon]</ref>

The A-6 next saw action in the Gulf of Sidra, during tensions with [[Libya]].  In late March of 1986, during Operation Prairie Fire, Intruders sank the missile boat ''Waheed'' (the first combat victim of the Harpoon missile) and the corvette ''Ean Mara'', and damaged another corvette.  Three weeks later, A-6s from the USS ''Coral Sea'' and USS ''America'' struck at the military barracks in Benghazi and at nearby Benini airfield as part of Operation El Dorado Canyon.<ref>''El Dorado Canyon: Reagan’s Undeclared War with Qaddafi'', by Joseph T. Stanik, Naval Institute Press, 2003</ref>

The A-6 next saw action in the [[Gulf of Sidra]], during tensions with [[Libya]].  In late March of 1986, during [[Operation Prairie Fire]], Intruders sank the missile boat ''Waheed'' (the first combat victim of the [[AGM-84 Harpoon|Harpoon missile]]) and the corvette ''Ean Mara'', and damaged another corvette.  Three weeks later, A-6s from the USS ''Coral Sea'' and USS ''America'' struck at the military barracks in [[Benghazi]] and at nearby Benini airfield as part of [[Operation El Dorado Canyon]].<ref>''El Dorado Canyon: Reagan’s Undeclared War with Qaddafi'', by Joseph T. Stanik, Naval Institute Press, 2003</ref>

During Operation Praying Mantis in the [[Persian Gulf]] in April 1988, US Navy A-6s helped sink the Iranian frigate ''Sahand''.  On the same day, a lone A-6 attacked the frigate ''Sabalan'' and severely damaged it, forcing it to limp home in retreat.<ref>''Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles that Shaped American History'', by Craig L. Symonds, Oxford University Press, 2005</ref>

During [[Operation Praying Mantis]] in the [[Persian Gulf]] in April 1988, US Navy A-6s helped sink the [[Iran]]ian frigate ''Sahand''.  On the same day, a lone A-6 attacked the frigate ''Sabalan'' and severely damaged it, forcing it to limp home in retreat.<ref>''Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles that Shaped American History'', by Craig L. Symonds, Oxford University Press, 2005</ref>

A-6s also saw extensive action in the [[Gulf War]].  In addition to striking land targets, Intruders sank at least two Iraqi patrol boats.  On January 25, 1991, the ninth day of the war, A-6Es made a highly successful attack on the naval base at Umm Qasr, damaging facilities and leaving four ships burning.<ref>''Desert Storm:  Air War'', by Robert F. Dorr, Motorbooks International, 1991</ref>

A-6s also saw extensive action in the [[Gulf War]].  In addition to striking land targets, Intruders sank at least two [[Iraq]]i patrol boats.  On January 25, 1991, the ninth day of the war, A-6Es made a highly successful attack on the naval base at Umm Qasr, damaging facilities and leaving four ships burning.<ref>''Desert Storm:  Air War'', by Robert F. Dorr, Motorbooks International, 1991</ref>

==Variants==

==Variants==