USMC Helicopter Squadrons
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Embroidered
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Officially Licensed US Navy VA-153 Blue Tail Flies Patch — Attack Squadron 153 Blue Tail Flies Embroidered Patch
The Blue Tail Flies — VA-153, buzzing the enemy with the A-4 Skyhawk, one of the most colorfully named and combat-proven attack squadrons in Navy history.
Attack Squadron 153 (VA-153), the "Blue Tail Flies," was a U.S. Navy carrier-based attack squadron that operated the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. The Blue Tail Flies' whimsical name — inspired by the famous American folk song — belied the squadron's deadly serious mission: delivering air-to-ground ordnance from carrier decks in support of American military operations around the world.
VA-153 saw extensive combat during the Vietnam War, where the Blue Tail Flies' A-4 Skyhawk pilots flew hundreds of strike missions over North and South Vietnam. The squadron deployed multiple times to the Western Pacific aboard aircraft carriers, launching from Yankee Station to strike targets ranging from bridges and rail lines to supply depots and troop concentrations. The A-4's small size and exceptional maneuverability gave VA-153's pilots a fighting chance in the deadly skies over North Vietnam, where enemy air defenses were among the most formidable ever assembled.
The Blue Tail Flies' name became one of the most recognizable in Navy attack aviation, and the squadron's combat record earned it a respected place in the annals of Vietnam-era naval aviation. This patch preserves the colorful identity and proud heritage of one of the Navy's most distinctively named attack squadrons.
Perfect For: VA-153 Blue Tail Flies veterans, A-4 Skyhawk community members, Vietnam-era naval aviators, Pacific Fleet attack aviation historians, and Navy heritage squadron patch collectors.
VA-153 Blue Tail Flies — don't let the name fool you — these flies bit hard, and the enemy never forgot the sting.
If you want to swap patches on/off gear, choose hook & loop (velcro). If you’re attaching permanently to uniforms or fabric, choose sew-on. If you want quick application on compatible fabric, choose iron-on / heat seal (when offered). Backing options are shown on the page and update based on the variant you select.
Size is shown on the product page and updates with the variant you select (example: 3"). If you’re mounting on a hat or small panel, choose smaller sizes; for plate carriers and display boards, larger sizes fit better.
If the product is officially licensed, it will say “Officially Licensed” in the title and/or in the product details. If it doesn’t, it’s still a legitimate product—just not part of a licensed program.
Yes. If you see a note like “bulk reruns available,” that means we can support group orders or reruns. If you don’t see it, contact us with the unit/squadron and quantity and we’ll confirm options.
Yes—custom solutions are available (patches, name tags, lanyards, apparel). Use the custom request page and include artwork, size, backing preference, and quantity.
