VAP-61

Heavy Photographic Squadron 61
VAP-61 squadron patch
Active	20 January 1951 – 1 July 1971
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Role	Photo-reconnaissance
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	World Recorders
Engagements	Korean 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}

• NAS Miramar – 20 January 1951
• NAS Agana – June 1956

Aircraft assignment

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

• PB4Y-1P/P4Y-1P Liberator - January 1951
• AJ-2P Savage - 14 September 1952
• F8U-1P Crusader - August 1959
• A3D-2P/RA-3B Skywarrior - September 1959
• KA3B Skywarrior - 26 December 1963

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. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
2. "LCDR John Turner Glanville". Virtualwall.org. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
3. "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.