This official U.S. Navy photograph captures four Douglas A-4 Skyhawk attack jets from USS Ticonderoga's embarked air wing flying in formation during the Vietnam War era. Compact, agile, and capable of carrying a substantial bomb load, the A-4 Skyhawk was a workhorse of Navy carrier aviation throughout the conflict, flying strike and close air support missions over North and South Vietnam. USS Ticonderoga, an Essex-class carrier, played a pivotal role in the early years of American involvement in Vietnam, including operations following the Gulf of Tonkin incident of August 1964. Project: 218408