RVAH-1

Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron 1
RVAH-1 squadron patch
Active	1 November 1955-29 January 1979
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Role	Photo-reconnaissance
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	Smokin' Tigers
Engagements	Vietnam War

RVAH-1 was a Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as Heavy Attack Squadron One (VAH-1) on 1 November 1955, it was redesignated as Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron One (RVAH-1) on 1 September 1964. The squadron was disestablished on 29 January 1979.^[1]

Operational history

VAH-1 A3D-2 Skywarrior in flight in 1959

2 VAH-1 A-5A Vigilantes being readied for launch from USS Saratoga (CV-60) c.1964

RVAH-1 RA-5C Vigilante lands on USS Independence (CV-62) off Vietnam in 1965

RVAH-1 RA-5C in 1969

VAH-1

VAH-1 became the first unit to operate the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior receiving their first five A-3D1s on 31 March 1956. In early November 1956 VAH-1's A3Ds were craned aboard the USS  Forrestal (CV-59) at Naval Station Mayport and the Forrestal put to sea to operate in the eastern Atlantic during the Suez Crisis, ready to enter the Mediterranean Sea should it be necessary. Carrier qualifications of the A-3 were conducted during this period and Forrestal returned to the US on 12 December 1956. In January 1957, VAH-1 embarked on Forrestal on its first formal deployment, a cruise to the Mediterranean.^[2]

VAH-1 ceased operating the A-3 by late 1962 in preparation for transitioning to the A-5A Vigilante.^[2]

Vietnam

• 10 May-13 December 1965, RVAH-1 was embarked on USS Independence for a Vietnam deployment.^[3]

• 16 October 1965, RA-5C #151615 was lost in combat.^[4] Both crewmen, LTCDR J Bell and LTCDR J Hutton ejected successfully, were captured and returned on 12 February 1973.^[5]

• 3 January-18 July 1968, RVAH-1 was embarked on USS Enterprise for a Vietnam deployment.^[3]

• 5 May 1968, RA-5C #149278 was lost in combat.^[4] Both crewmen, LT G Norrington and LT R Tangeman ejected successfully, were captured and returned on 14 March 1973.^[5]

• 27 October 1970-17 July 1971, RVAH-1 was embarked on USS Ranger for a Vietnam deployment.^[3]

• 11 April 1972-13 February 1973, RVAH-1 was embarked on USS Saratoga for a Vietnam deployment.^[3]

• 7 June 1972, RA-5C #156616 was lost in combat near Haiphong, both crewmen ejected successfully and were rescued.^[4]:87

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports:

• NAS Jacksonville
• NAS Sanford
• NAS Albany
• NAS Key West

Aircraft Assignment

• A3D-2 Skywarrior
• A-5A Vigilante
• RA-5C Vigilante

See also

• Reconnaissance aircraft
• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• History of the United States Navy

References

1. Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 1 The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. p. 547. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
2. "Skywarrior in Service with US Navy". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
3. "Carrier, Carrier Based Squadrons and Non-Carrier Based Squadron Deployments to Vietnam" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
4. Powell, Robert (2012). RA-5C Vigilante Units in Combat. Osprey Publishing. p. 86. ISBN 9781782005421.
5. "U.S. Accounted-For from the Vietnam War (Sorted by Name) Prisoners of War, Escapees, Returnees and Remains Recovered" (PDF). Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Retrieved 30 December 2015.

External links