MISCELLANEOUS MEMORABILIA Multiple tours in Vigilante Units The only career servicemember to continuously serve in the Wing for the life of the RA-5C was PHC Daryl W. Moore. After leaving PH "A" School at NATTU, NAS Pensacola, he reported for duty as a PHAN to RVAH-3, NAS Sanford on 30 September 1964. While attached to VAH-7 between October 1964 and June 1967, he was appointed PH3 and PH2. During his latter tour in the same Squadron, RVAH - 7, he became PH1. After serving in RVAH - 3, RVAH-5, and RVAH-7, he was advanced to PHC while in RVAH-3. After RVAH-3 was disestablished, he was attached to CRAW-I Staff until its disestablishment in January 1980. Other servicemembers began their careers in Vigilante units and were in the community during its last days as well. ATC John C. Roberts, Jr., reported from "A" School to VAH-li on 1 March 1965, and served also in RVAH-12, RVAH-3, and RVAH-13 before finally disestablished RVAH-7 on 28 September 1979. AMHC Joseph A. Finley reported from recruit training to MATRON NINE on 30 October 1963; he served in RVAH-3 and RVAH-1 before also disestablishing RVAH-7 on 28 September 1979. Due to the particular Navy Enlisted Classification codes assigned to personnel trained to maintain the Vigilante, and due to the esprit de corps within the community, many members received "closed-loop detailing" for much of their careers. Officers, particularly flight crewmembers, received the same "closed-loop detailing." A great number of officers began their career after flight training by learning to fly the RA-5C in RVAH-3 and then alternate between one of the fleet squadrons and RVAH-3 or CRAW-1 Staff for years on end. This writer, for example, reported to RVAH-3 in 1969, made a cruise with RVAH-12 before rolling back to RVAH-3 for ins- tructor duty, then to RVAH-13 for another Mediterranean deployment. Upon disestablishment of the RVAH-13 "Bats," RVAH-6 was engraved on my nametag. The next shore duty assignment listed CRAW-1 Staff. Most flight crewmembers can relate similar assignment histories. Mr. Andy Carlson One individual who had a major influence on the history of the Vigilante was Andy Carlson. Since 1961, while attached to the Naval Air Rework Facility, Jacksonville, Florida, Andy Carlson provided assistance and technical advice to the Vigi- lante community of a caliber which epitomized professionalism and dedication of the highest order. As a Planner and Esti- mator for NARF Jax, he was frequently called upon to evaluate 144
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MISCELLANEOUS MEMORABILIA
Multiple tours in Vigilante Units
The only career servicemember to continuously serve in the Wing for the life of the RA-5C was PHC Daryl W. Moore. After leaving PH "A" School at NATTU, NAS Pensacola, he reported for duty as a PHAN to RVAH-3, NAS Sanford on 30 September 1964. While attached to VAH-7 between October 1964 and June 1967, he was appointed PH3 and PH2. During his latter tour in the same Squadron, RVAH- 7, he became PH1. After serving in RVAH - 3, RVAH-5, and RVAH-7, he was advanced to PHC while in RVAH-3. After RVAH-3 was disestablished, he was attached to CRAW-I Staff until its disestablishment in January 1980.
Other servicemembers began their careers in Vigilante units and were in the community during its last days as well. ATC John C. Roberts, Jr., reported from "A" School to VAH-li on 1 March 1965, and served also in RVAH-12, RVAH-3, and RVAH-13 before finally disestablished RVAH-7 on 28 September 1979. AMHC Joseph A. Finley reported from recruit training to MATRON NINE on 30 October 1963; he served in RVAH-3 and RVAH-1 before also disestablishing RVAH-7 on 28 September 1979. Due to the particular Navy Enlisted Classification codes assigned to personnel trained to maintain the Vigilante, and due to the esprit de corps within the community, many members received "closed-loop detailing" for much of their careers.
Officers, particularly flight crewmembers, received the same "closed-loop detailing." A great number of officers began their career after flight training by learning to fly the RA-5C in RVAH-3 and then alternate between one of the fleet squadrons and RVAH-3 or CRAW-1 Staff for years on end. This writer, for example, reported to RVAH-3 in 1969, made a cruise with RVAH-12 before rolling back to RVAH-3 for ins-tructor duty, then to RVAH-13 for another Mediterranean deployment. Upon disestablishment of the RVAH-13 "Bats," RVAH-6 was engraved on my nametag. The next shore duty assignment listed CRAW-1 Staff. Most flight crewmembers can relate similar assignment histories.
Mr. Andy Carlson
One individual who had a major influence on the history of the Vigilante was Andy Carlson. Since 1961, while attached to the Naval Air Rework Facility, Jacksonville, Florida, Andy Carlson provided assistance and technical advice to the Vigi-lante community of a caliber which epitomized professionalism and dedication of the highest order. As a Planner and Esti-mator for NARF Jax, he was frequently called upon to evaluate
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the material condition of an aircraft and schedule it for depot level maintenance if required. Not only did he .perform his function in such an outstanding manner, but he faithfully answered midnight calls for information or assistance from deployed squadrons and from aircrews on a Saturday morning divert from a carrier. Throughout the years, he has provided safe, sound aircraft for the Wing to fly. Andy Carlson is considered by Commander, Reconnaissance Attack Wing ONE to have contributed more to the RA-5C community than any other individual involved in the rework process, therefore, Andy was recommended by CRAW-1 for the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award. On 2 November 1979, Andy received this award, the Navy's second highest decoration for civilians.
NFO Skippers
In the early 70's, Naval Flight Officers (NFO's) became eligible for command at sea. The Wing's first NFO squadron Commanding Officer was CDR Jerry Gehrig, who assumed command of RVAH-12 in December 1972. Following him were CDR Ron Queen (RVAH-13), CDR Jim Osborne (RVAH-7), CDR Jerry Henson (RVAH-5), CDR Dan Rowley (RVAH-6), CDR Dave Sharp (RVAH-7), CDR Al Frank (RVAH-6). The last NFO Skipper was CDR O. P. Burch, who assumed command of RVAH-12 in August 1978 and dis-established that Command in July 1979.
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,Iter many ye.ars of close assoction with the peoe who lived the events recorded in this history, this project :.us been one of personal interest. Reviewing the pages of research material and files of information brought back many memorable occasions, some happy - some sad.
considering the dates of establishment and disestablish-ment, the Biblical statement that the first shall be last and the last shall be first holds true. RVAH- 7 was the first and last Vigilante squadron to deploy, RVAH-14 was the last Vigilante squadron to commission and the first to disestablish, and NIPSTRAFAC was the last CRAW-1 unit to be established and the first and only unit remaining after 7 January 1980.
So as this writer and LT Bill Westmoreland flew, on 20 November 1979, the last RA-5C to its final resting place, static display at NAS Memphis, the last page of this Wing's history was being written. Only the disestablishment of the Staff remained to be included. It was most fitting that v.len clearance to land was requested, LT Westmoreland said, "Flare 40, gear down and locked for final landing, the end of an era."
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NAISSANCE AIRCRAFT :.THE RA -5C AND'THE ENTIRE RECONNAISSANCE INVENTORY OF 156 VIGILANTE AIRCRAFT HAVE COMPLETED THEIR PHASE OUT. THE MAJORITY OF RA - 5'C AIRCRAFT ARE NOW IN STORAGE OR STRICKEN. THERE ARE•' RPv..5C'S ON DISPLAY AT NAS MEMPHIS, NAS PENSACOLA AT THE PHOTO SCHOOL AND AT.THE NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM,AAS KEY WEST, AT NAS PATUXENT RIVER . AND AT THE NAVAL TEST CENTER, PAX RIVER. 3. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 19 YEARS SINCE 16 JUN'1961 WHEN THE FIRST`" ' A-5A FROM NORTH AMERICAN -ROCKWELL AVIATION ARRIVED AT NAS SANFORD" FLA. THE RA -5C REPORTED FOR DUTY ON 10 DEC 1964, SHE MADE'
1 HER LAST CRUISE ON RANGER AND FLEW HER LAST FLIGHT ON 20V...4:279. THE ONLY CARRIER BASED JET RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT WITH AN 'ALL WEATHER MISSION COLLECTION CAPABILITY IS, NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. 4. THE LIST OF ADDRESSES . TO THIS MESSAGE IS LONG AND DETAILED. IN FULL MEASURE, THE AIR STATIONS, CAC' S, SHIPS, FLEETS AND VARIOUS OTHER COMMANDS THROUGHT OUT THE WORLD, HAVE ALL PLAYED. A MOST IMPORTANT PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT, OPERATION AND EXPLOITATION OF THE RA-5C IN NAVY TACRECCE. 5. ALL WEATHER NAVY TACRECCE BY THE RA-5C HAS COME TO THE END OF HER ROAD. A MOST IMPRESSIVE ERA 'IN NAVAL AVIATION. IS OVER. THERE IS HIGH HOPE THAT THE TACRECCE AIRCRAFT OF THE FUTURE . WILL
BE AS FAST AND AS CAPABLE AS THE RA-5C. BUT WE DOUBT. THAT IT .
WILL . BE AS BEAUTIFUL AND AS MAJESTIC AS THE VIGILANTE. BT #0824
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THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS BOOK IS TO ACQUAINT THE OPERATIONAL COMMANDER WITH
THE RECONNAISSANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE RA5C. INFORMATION IS PRESENTED IN
GENERAL TERMS ONLY. EXAMPLE PHOTOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED TO FAMILIARIZE THE
TASKER AND USER WITH GENERAL SENSOR CAPABILITIES AND IMAGE FORMATS. MORE
DETAILED INFORMATION ON AIRCRAFT AND SENSOR PERFORMANCE IS AVAILABLE IN
THE RA5C TACTICAL MANUAL AND THE IOIC/RA5C UTILIZATION MANUALS. THESE
PUBLICATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESSFUL RA5C TASKING AND MISSION PLANNING.
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