The Skyraider played a key role in the Vietnamese conflict, especially in the early years. Powerfully armed, slower than a jet aircraft, it came the closest to having the same characteristics as the anti-guerilla COIN, which at that time was desperately in demand. The A-1Hs were originally designated the single-seat AD-6s, and the A-1Es the two-seat AD-5s, last generation of the Skyraiders. At the time of the Gulf of Tonkin crisis, in August 1964, all aircraft carriers of the 77th Task Force had attack squadrons of Douglas A-1Hs, which were among the first sent into action against targets in North Vietnam. Two of them even achieved the incredible feat of shooting down two jet-engined MiG-17s. The US Navy Skyraiders remained at the front until April 1968, earning the nickname of 'Workhorse of the Fleet' and losing 48 machines, mainly from anti-aircraft fire. A number of aircraft of this type (25) surplus to Navy requirements, were also assigned to the VNAF, the first six in September 1960, the other ones in March 1961, as replacements for the obsolete North American T-28. But even the USAF sent a few twin-seater A-1Es to the front in summer 1963, when the 1st Air Command Squadron was formed. Useful for low-level attacks, and ideal as escorts for rescue missions, during the early years of the war they did everything and flew everywhere, being given the familiar name of 'Spad' from the famous World War One fighter. Skyraider, the last piston-engined fighter aircraft of the US Navy, carried out some 100,000 missions in the skies of Vietnam prior to its final disappearance .