The original caption on the back of this photograph taken on May 31, 1967, forty-six years ago today, reads: "South China Sea ... Two A-4 Skyhawks of Attack Squadron (VA) 93, bomb racks bristling with a ready load of ordnance, await their call to action aboard the attack carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19). Aircraft of each type on the ship are kept in the ready status, fully-loaded, twenty-four hours a day on call."
Interesting view showing the bridle catapult in action during the launching of an A4D-2 Skyhawk of Attack Squadron (VA) 72 from the carrier Independence (CVA 62) during her shakedown cruise in the Caribbean Sea on May 14, 1959, fifty-four years ago today.