In 1995, the U.S. Navy made a surprising decision that would forever change the waters off the coast of Florida. They took 40 of their retired A-6 Intruder aircraft, which had been used for decades in combat, and deliberately sunk them into the ocean to create an artificial reef called “Intruder Reef.” But why would they destroy these powerful jets instead of saving them for museums or turning them into scrap metal? The answer is both practical and surprising.

What Was the A-6 Intruder?
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