The Douglas Skyraider had a major role in the nuclear age, and far more than has been acknowledged. It was in fact the first, and for a number of years, the only regular carrier aircraft that gave the US Navy a large scale nuclear capability. In 1945 the MK-II plutonium weapon dropped on Japan weighed 10,000 pounds and was carried by the B- 29. In 1948 nuclear weapon development went in two directions - - one was to increase yield, and the other to provide smaller weapons for smaller aircraft. These included the 8,500 pound MK-6 and the more compact MK-15 that could be carried by the AJ-I "SAVAGE" flown by VC-5. The next step was for smaller bombs that could be carried externally on fighter/attack aircraft. The AD-4B was the first with the low altitude bombing LABS system with wiring and controls for fuzing and arming, and the center line rack that could carry the 1680 pound MK-7. Also carried was the NAVY developed 3,250 pound MK-8 with delayed action detonation instead of the air burst of earlier weapons, to attack underground facilities. The next event was to match up the AD-4B with a suitable squadron for early development and training, and to provide the Fleet Commander with aircraft and fully qualified delivery pilots as soon as possible. As we know, VC-35 was that elected squadron. The following is extracted from the "History of Composite Squadron Thirty Five (VC-35)".
As the year 1952 rolled around, VC-35 would count four VAN (night attack) detachments deployed, (to Korea) and during the course of the next twelve months would train and deploy seven more to Pacific Fleet carriers, and one team to NAS Atsugi, Japan.
During the first six months of 1952, the parent squadron at NAS San Diego, CA received thirty AD-4N type aircraft equipped with APS-31B radar, and four AD-4B's. This enabled the squadron to increase its training program of more than two VAN Teams simultaneously as well as providing the deployed teams with AD-4N type aircraft. Teams would no longer be required to await arrival in 7th Fleet to be assigned AD-4N aircraft. The AD-4B would provide the squadron a new mission and additional training requirements."
As early as Nov. 7, 1950, and prior to deployment of any VAN team, VC-35 had been asked to conduct tests of the MK 3 MOD 3 toss-bombing equipment and report the results to Headquarters, Sandia Base, New Mexico. The AD-4B with its bomb director and a special AERO 3A center line ejector rack was capable of carrying atomic weapons. By the mid 1950's most "Attack Squadrons" would be equipped with the AD-4B thus providing the Navy with its first large scale nuclear capability.
During the interim, VC-35 would retain capability for the Pacific Fleet with a special team and AD-4B's until September 1953. "Training of personnel would now include high altitude dive, glide and toss-bombing conducted at NAS El Centro, Ca. And a two week period of instruction at Sandia Base, New Mexico."
On 16 June 1952, Essex (CV-9) departed for her second combat cruise to Korea. Embarked was ATF-2 and VC-35 detachment ITEM (#14), LCDR E. H. Potter OinC. Special detachment WILLIAM (#15) with LCDR W. Conely as OinC was also embarked for transportation to Japan where it would become the only VC-35 shore based detachment. William would remain ashore for a year during which time it's aircraft inventory would include AD-4B 's and pool AD-4N's. Additional VC-35 personnel and aircraft were sent to WILLIAM where they remained in a ready training status, and pilots were rotated between ship and WILLIAM as each carrier commenced or completed a tour on the line. The advantage of this was that the pilots could be utilized in combat and their special weapons training proficiency could be simultaneously maintained. However only four carrier deployed teams were involved in the rotation with WILLIAM since there were more disadvantages than expected. Pilots returning to the carriers after being ashore required extensive briefings concerning changes in the combat area. Proficiency in carrier operations had to be regained at the beginning of each line period, and the unit morale could not be maintained as high with the continual shift of pilots. The detachment of nuclear trained delivery pilots remained throughout the war, and all personnel of team WILLIAM returned to NAS San Diego, California in September 1953.
