[Llarry]

The Grumman A-6A and later A-6E were the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' standard all-weather medium attack aircraft for many years from the mid-1960s until the end of the century.

Ever-increasing demand for inflight refueling caused the Navy to undertake the conversion of earlier A-6As into KA-6D carrier-based air refueling aircraft. Much of the complex attack avionics was removed and a refueling hose reel was installed behind the wings with the outlet visible under 'NAVY' on the aircraft pictured. The fuselage-mounted hose reel occasionally gave problems and so there was a backup refueling pod often installed on the aircraft belly. And to maximize available fuel, four external fuel tanks were usually carried as well.

By the time this photo was taken, the traditional gray uppers and white lowers had been replaced by the tactical paint scheme with shades of gray. However, KA-6Ds such as this one were not expected to see combat and so often retained their previous gray & white scheme.

This KA-6D belongs to Attack Squadron 185, mostly assigned A-6Es but with a couple of KA-6Ds as well. VA-185 was one of two small A-6 squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five on the USS Midway (CV 41) homeported in Japan This one is landing: Note the open speed brakes on the wingtips.