Vietnam War-era patch for the Black Ponies of Light Attack Squadron (VAL) 4 via NAAM
On 3 January 1969, the Navy established Light Attack Squadron (VAL) 4, the famed “Black Ponies.”
Prior to its disestablishment on 10 April 1972, the squadron flew OV-10 Broncos on hot-and-heavy close air support missions in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam supporting not only Navy and Marine forces but also ARVN, South Vietnamese Navy, and U.S. Army detachments as well. It was a wild 40-month ride, all of it in forward-deployed.
Look at that loadout…not bad for “light” attack
A U.S. Navy Rockwell OV-10A Bronco of light attack squadron VAL-4 Black Ponies attacking a target with a 12.7 cm (5 in) “Zuni” rocket in the Mekong Delta, South Vietnam, ca. 1969/70. PHC R.A. Hill, USN – Official U.S. Navy photograph No. 1139900 via National Naval Aviation Museum
U.S. Navy North American OV-10D Bronco (BuNo 155472) at the U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation shown in the VAL-4 livery complete with “UM” tail flash and Ponies crest. Originally an OV-10A which flew with The Black Ponies during the Vietnam War, she was transferred to the Marines after the unit was disestablished converted to a “D” model, retaining the aircraft in USMC service until 1991. She is one of only 14 Broncos on display in the U.S.