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Light Attack Squadron Four VAL-4 Black Ponies OV-10A Broncos Navy Challenge Coin
Light Attack Squadron Four VAL-4 Black Ponies OV-10A Broncos Navy Challenge Coin
Light Attack Squadron Four VAL-4 Black Ponies OV-10A Broncos Navy Challenge Coin
Light Attack Squadron Four VAL-4 Black Ponies OV-10A Broncos Navy Challenge Coin

Light Attack Squadron Four VAL-4 Black Ponies OV-10A Broncos Navy Challenge Coin

Light Attack Squadron Four / VAL-4

Black Ponies

 OV-10A Broncos

Veteran

Navy Challenge Coin

 

Condition : New in and in nice shape. Please see pictures.

This coin is 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Made by the Black Ponies Vietnam Veterans to honor and remember their brothers' both past and present.  Circa 2016-2022.

VAL-4

VAL-4 was a Light Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Established on January 3, 1969, it was disestablished on April 10, 1972.[1]

Operational History:

In September 1968 VS-41 began training personnel scheduled for assignment to VAL-4, receiving their first OV-10A Broncos the following month. On 3 January 1969 VAL-4 was established with the mission of conducting surveillance and offensive operations in support of river patrol craft, as well as providing air support for SEALS and combined U.S. Army, Navy and South Vietnamese operations, complementing the operations of HA(L)-3.[1]

In March 1969 VAL-4 was permanently based at the Naval Support Activity Detachment Airfield, Binh Thuy Air Base, South Vietnam, for combat operations. The squadron had two detachments, Detachment A assigned to Binh Thuy and Detachment B assigned to Vung Tau Airport.[1]

On 19 April 1969 the squadron began combat operations, flying air support for the Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam. The missions included normal patrol, overhead air cover, scramble alert and gunfire/artillery spotting.[1] The OV-10s large payload and long endurance meant that it could provide air support to US and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces throughout the delta.[2]

From April–May 1970 VAL-4 participated in combined South Vietnamese and U.S. Riverine Force operations designed to neutralize sanctuary bases in the Mekong delta in support of the Cambodian Campaign.[1]

On 1 July 1970 Detachment B was disestablished and all operations were concentrated at Binh Thuy.[1]: 308 

In February 1971 VAL-4 with HA(L)-3 provided air support for Republic of Vietnam Navy supply convoys up the Mekong river to Phnom Penh.[2]: 76 

On 31 March 1972 the squadron conducted its last combat mission prior to its disestablishment on 10 April 1972.[1]: 308 

(REF: Wikipedia)