RVAH-3

Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron 3
150px RVAH-3 squadron patch
Active	15 June 1956-17 August 1979
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Role	Photo-reconnaissance
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	Sea Dragons

RVAH-3 was a Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as Heavy Attack Squadron Three (VAH-3) on 15 June 1956 it was redesignated as Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron Three (RVAH-3) on 1 July 1964. The squadron was disestablished on 17 August 1979.

Operational history

File:A3D-1 making rocket assisted takeoff at NAS Jacksonville.jpeg

VAH-3 A3B Skywarrior makes rocket assisted takeoff from NAS Jacksonville c.1957

RVAH-3 TA-3B Skywarrior at NAS Sanford c.1967

File:RA-5C Vigilante RVAK-3.jpg

RVAH-3 RA-5C in 1976

VAH-3

VAH-3 was originally equipped with the A-3D1 Skywarrior and made its only operational cruise in the Mediterranean in 1958. In mid-1958 the squadron was merged with the Atlantic Fleet's Heavy Attack Training Unit and designated as a Fleet Replacement Squadron, inheriting a mix of aircraft including R4D-7s and F9F-8Ts and A-3D-2Ts.

VAH-3 received its first A3J-1s in June 1961. In December 1963 VAH-3 received its first RA-5Cs.

The last A-3 Skywarrior class graduated in January 1964, however RVAH-3 would continue to operate the TA-3B until its disestablishment

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports:

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

Aircraft Assignment

• A-3D1/A-3D-2T/TA-3B Skywarrior
• R4D-7/C-117 Skytrain
• F9F-8T Cougar
• TA-4J Skyhawk
• A3J-1/RA-5C Vigilante

See also

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