VAP-61

Heavy Photographic Squadron 61
VAP-61 squadron patch
Active20 January 1951 – 1 July 1971
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
RolePhoto-reconnaissance
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)World Recorders
EngagementsKorean War
Vietnam War

VAP-61 was a Heavy Photographic Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as VP-61 on 20 January 1951, it was redesignated VJ-61 on 5 March 1952. It was redesignated as VAP-61 in April 1956, redesignated as VCP-61 on 1 July 1959 and redesignated as VAP-61 on 1 July 1961. The squadron was disestablished on 1 July 1971.[1]

Operational history

VAP-61 AJ-2P near Guam, c.1956-9
VAP-61 RA-3B landing on USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) c.1968
Camouflaged VAP-61 RA-3B at NAS Agana
  • March 1951: A squadron detachment was ordered to photograph the Mississippi Delta area and adjacent coastline.
  • May 1951: A squadron detachment was ordered to Alaska in connection with mapping Alaska for the U.S. Army Map Service.
  • May 1964: Squadron detachments began flying photographic reconnaissance missions from carriers operating in the South China Sea over Laos and South Vietnam as part of Yankee Team Operations.
  • 2–5 August 1964: Squadron detachments aboard carriers provided photo reconnaissance support during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
  • 1965: Squadron detachments continued to operate from carriers in the South China Sea; providing photo-reconnaissance support for Yankee Team Operations, Operation Rolling Thunder and Operation Market Time.
  • 13 June 1966: A squadron RA-3B operating from USS Hancock was shot down on a nighttime photo-reconnaissance mission over Hà Tĩnh Province, North Vietnam, the 3 man crew were killed in action, body not recovered.[2][3]
  • 7 August 1966: The squadron flew its first night combat infrared reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam interdicting truck convoys at night.
  • 1 January 1968: RA-3B #144847 operating from USS Oriskany was hit by ground fire on a night photo-reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam, its 3 man crew were missing in action, presumed dead.[3][4]
  • 20 August 1968: A squadron RA-3B on an R&R flight to Bangkok went out of control at 25,000 ft and the 3 passengers bailed out. Only two parachutes were observed and two men were recovered. At 10,000 ft the pilot recovered control of the RA-3B and flew it back to Da Nang Air Base. The other passenger Photographer 2nd Class Charles Lindbloom from VAP-62 was killed in action, body not recovered.[3][5]
  • 31 January 1970: The squadron’s participation in Yankee Team Operations came to an end after 68 months.[1]: 309–10 

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[1]: 311 

Aircraft assignment

The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:[1]: 312 

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  2. ^ "LCDR John Turner Glanville". Virtualwall.org. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "U.S. Unaccounted-For from the Vietnam War" (PDF). Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  4. ^ "James Dennison, CDR". The Virtual Wall. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  5. ^ "PH2 Charles David Lindbloom". The Virtual Wall. Retrieved 28 December 2015.