--- title: "A-4 ‘Super’ Skyhawks Playing The Bad Guys In European Skies" date: "2026-10-22" modified: "2026-10-22" authors: - name: "Tyler Rogoway" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway.md" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/a-4-super-skyhawks-playing-the-bad-guys-in-european-skies" categories: - "A-4" - "Aggressors" - "Air" - "Attack" - "Private Contractor Adversary Support" --- # A-4 ‘Super’ Skyhawks Playing The Bad Guys In European Skies ![An image of a Top Aces A-4 adversary aircraft]() *Rich Cooper/COAP* Northern Germany probably isn’t the first place you’d think of to look for a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps classic attack jet. However, contract aggressor company Top Aces flies a squadron of deeply upgraded Douglas A-4N Skyhawks to support European air arms for their “red air” training needs. Nearly 3,000 A-4s were built between 1956 and 1979, and *TWZ’s* Jamie Hunter traveled to the Germany Navy base at Nordholz for the latest episode of our “Special Access" to witness some of the last, and by far the most modern, Skyhawks operating up close. There he learned what it was like operating the iconic but nearly antique jets against some of the world's most capable fighters. He also discovered that significant developments are on the horizon for Top Aces in Europe, principally the [arrival of F-16s]() that will further enhance the company’s aggressor services for its growing list of European customers. Enjoy the show! https://youtu.be/j5Oc2Ku_cLU?si=rSE7QnFC1VqPqdH5 ## Author Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day. ### Author social links [Twitter]()