The A-6 Intruder's ship-bombing role in Operation Praying Mantis

Was bombing a ship standard for the A-6 Intruder, or did the pilot in Operation Praying Mantis do something unusual?

It was a standard mission, and naval aviators continued to practise ship attacks.

Bombing ships was a standard A-6 role, so the Operation Praying Mantis attack did not require an unusual departure from doctrine. The exchange treats the strike as an example of established anti-ship training. It also states that naval aviators continued to practise the mission at the time of the discussion. The concise answer is useful for separating an exceptional combat setting from a familiar aircraft task.