VAH9 and RVAH9

• Origins as VAH-9: The squadron was originally established as Heavy Attack Squadron 9 (VAH-9) on January 15, 1953, at Naval Air Station Sanford, Florida. • Early Aircraft: VAH-9 was initially equipped with the North American AJ Savage, one of the U.S. Navy’s earliest carrier-based nuclear bombers. • Transition to A-3 Skywarrior: In 1957, the squadron transitioned to the Douglas A-3B Skywarrior, known as the “Whale,” a crucial Cold War heavy bomber. • Vietnam War Service: While VAH-9 did not deploy directly to Vietnam, its later incarnation as RVAH-9 would support reconnaissance missions related to Cold War and Vietnam-era operations. • Redesignation as RVAH-9: On June 1, 1964, VAH-9 was redesignated as Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron 9 (RVAH-9), reflecting its new role and aircraft. • RA-5C Vigilante: RVAH-9 flew the North American RA-5C Vigilante, a supersonic reconnaissance jet known for its speed, advanced sensors, and challenging maintenance. • Global Deployments: RVAH-9 deployed on numerous U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, including USS Saratoga (CV-60), USS America (CV-66), and USS Nimitz (CVN-68), operating in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Oceans. • Nickname and Insignia: The squadron’s nickname was “Hoot Owls,” and their insignia featured a distinctive owl, symbolizing night vision and reconnaissance prowess. • Cold War Missions: RVAH-9 played a key role in intelligence gathering during the Cold War, providing photo-reconnaissance of Soviet naval and military activities. • Disestablishment: Due to budget cuts and the retirement of the RA-5C, RVAH-9 was disestablished on September 30, 1977, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, marking the end of an era for carrier-based heavy reconnaissance.