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→Service
==Service==
==Service==
The A-7s combat debut came in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], where it was effective in attacks on North Vietnamese MiG bases and on the [[Ho Chi Minh Trail]] in [[Laos]]. One shining star on the career of the airplane came when six A-7s with Mark 55 mines, supported only by several [[F-4]]s and two [[EA-6 Prowler]]s, mined [[Haiphong]] [[Harbor]] in 1972. Despite doubts by some military leaders, the aircraft held its own against supersonic jets.
===Vietnam===
The A-7's combat debut came in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], where it was effective in attacks on North Vietnamese MiG bases and on the [[Ho Chi Minh Trail]] in [[Laos]]. The first A-7 squadron to be deployed to Vietnam was VA-147, based aboard the USS ''Ranger''; they flew over 1400 sorties, losing only one aircraft.
A-7's were effective in search and rescue missions, where they escorted [[helicopter]]s to the location of the downed aircraft; they replaced the [[A-1 Skyraider]] in this role. Air Force A-7D's flew nearly 13,000 missions in Vietnam, and the aircraft was second for the record for the most ordnance dropped on [[Hanoi]], after the [[B-52 Stratofortress]].
One shining star on the career of the airplane came when six Navy A-7s with Mark 55 [[mine]]s, supported only by several [[F-4]]s and two [[EA-6 Prowler]]s, mined [[Haiphong]] [[Harbor]] in 1972.
Despite doubts by some military leaders, the aircraft held its own against [[supersonic]] jets.
[[Image:A-7 wing.jpg|left|thumb|250 px|A flight of A-7s.]]
[[Image:A-7 wing.jpg|left|thumb|250 px|A flight of A-7s.]]
Corsairs saw combat again ten years later, in strikes on [[Syria]]n positions in [[Lebanon]] in December 1983.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_278.shtml Disaster in Lebanon]</ref> They also saw action against [[Libya]] in 1986, and against [[Iran]]ian targets in the [[Persian Gulf]] during [[Operation Praying Mantis]] in April 1988.
===Lebanon===
Corsairs saw combat again ten years later, in strikes on [[Syria]]n positions in [[Lebanon]] in December 1983.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_278.shtml Disaster in Lebanon]</ref>
===Libya===
A-7's also saw action against [[Libya]] in 1986; after Libyan air defense operators fired [[surface-to-air missile]]s at a pair of [[F-14 Tomcat]]s an A-7E accompanied them and used an [[AGM-88 HARM]] to destroy the Iranian radar. Later, they participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon, a retaliatory strike against Iranian targets with [[AGM-45 Shrike]] and AGM-88 HARM missiles.
===Iran===
The aircraft saw action against [[Iran]]ian targets in the [[Persian Gulf]] during [[Operation Praying Mantis]] in April 1988.
===First Gulf War===
Navy A-7s were still effective in the first [[Gulf War]], using Walleye TV guided bombs, HARMs, and [[laser]] bombs to attack Iraqi targets. Tanker A-7s also performed well.
Navy A-7s were still effective in the first [[Gulf War]], using Walleye TV guided bombs, HARMs, and [[laser]] bombs to attack Iraqi targets. Tanker A-7s also performed well.
By the second Gulf War, the A-7s had been retired. The last mission of A-7s in active duty was the testing of anti-radar equipment for the [[F-117]]. The plane has been replaced in the Navy by the [[F-18 Hornet]] and in the Air Force, by the [[A-10]].
===Retirement===
By the second Gulf War, the A-7s had been retired. The last mission of A-7s in active duty was the testing of anti-radar equipment for the [[F-117]]. The plane has been replaced in the Navy by the [[F-18 Hornet]] and in the Air Force, by the [[A-10]].
==Operators==
==Operators==