Article

On August 21, 1967, two US Navy A-6 Intruders from VA-196 were shot down by Chinese J-6 fighters during a strike mission over North Vietnam. The squadron faced heavy enemy fire and challenging weather conditions.

Commander Leo Profilet's A-6, NK-410, was hit by a SAM, leading to his and his bombardier's capture. Only one A-6 returned to the USS Constellation. The Chinese government later announced the downing of the aircraft within their airspace, although the sole survivor, Bob Flynn, claimed they were attacked in North Vietnam. These incidents marked the only losses of A-6s to enemy aircraft during the Vietnam War.