Heavy Photographic Squadron Histories (VAP)

Chap 3, 4, 5, 6, 7--295-3444/10/95 12:39 PM Page 309DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume ICHAPTER3096Heavy Photographic Squadron Histories (VAP)VAP-61 to VAP-62VAP-61LineageEstablished as Patrol Squadron SIXTY ONE (VP-61)on 20 January 1951.Redesignated Photographic Squadron SIXTY ONE(VJ-61) on 5 March 1952.Redesignated Heavy Photographic Squadron SIXTYONE (VAP-61) in April 1956.Redesignated Composite Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron SIXTY ONE (VCP-61) on 1 July 1959.Redesignated Heavy Photographic Squadron SIXTYONE (VAP-61) on 1 July 1961.Disestablished on 1 July 1971. The first squadron tobe assigned the VAP-61 designation.The squadron’s second insigniawas approved for use by theunit when it was designatedVCP-61. The acronym in thescroll was for Photo CompositeSquadron (VCP) 61.Squadron Insignia and NicknameWhen VCP-61 was redesignatedVAP-61, for the second time, itretained the stylized aircraft andglobe design and just changedthe scroll designation from PHOTOCOMPRON-61 to VAP-61.ver-blue background outlined in a medium blue; lightsilver-blue scroll outlined in dark blue with dark bluelettering; silver stylized aircraft with silver viewinglines; the land masses on the globe were an olive tan,a white ocean and dark blue longitude and latitudelines. The scroll designatation was changed to VAP-61in 1962.Nickname: World Recorders.The squadron’s first insignia was approved by CNOon 2 October 1951. This insignia had been used byThis insignia was used by adifferent squadron prior toits approval for use by VP61. It continued in use following VP-61’s redesignation to VJ-61, VAP-61 andthen VCP-61.Chronology of Significant Events20 Jan 1951: The squadron’s mission was aerial photographic reconnaissance and cartographic mapping. Itdeployed detachments around the world.Mar 1951: A squadron detachment was ordered tophotograph the Mississippi Delta area and adjacentcoastline.May 1951: A squadron detachment was ordered toAlaska in connection with mapping Alaska for the U.S.Army Map Service.1 Jul 1959: The squadron’s mission was to provideaerial photographic intelligence for naval operationsand cartographic mapping in the Pacific, providingdetachments for deployment aboard carriers, as wellas land facilities.May 1964: Squadron detachments began flying photographic reconnaissance missions over Laos andSouth Vietnam as part of Yankee Team Operations.Missions were flown from carriers operating in theSouth China Sea.VC-61 before being approved for use by VP-61. Colorsfor the insignia were: a blue background; a gray andwhite goose with a pink foot, green eyes, yellow bill,and a red tongue; the pilot and gunner’s uniformswere olive green with yellow life jackets, pink faces,brown gloves, boots were olive green and brown, rednose and green eyes; black and white pilot’s helmetand red gunner’s helmet; black gun with white highlights and a brown stock; gray camera with whitesides, a black and white lens with a blue and whitesight; the globe had blue water, yellow and white landareas and black longitude and latitude lines.A new insignia was approved by CNO on 11January 1961. Colors for this insignia were: a light sil309

Chap 3, 4, 5, 6, 7--295-3443104/10/95 12:41 PM Page 310DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume IA squadron PB4Y-1P in 1951 (Courtesy Robert Lawson Collection).2–5 Aug 1964: Squadron detachments aboard carriers operating in the South China Sea provided photoreconnaissance support during the Tonkin GulfCrisisinvolving North Vietnamese patrol boat attackson American destroyers.1965: Squadron detachments continued to operatefrom carriers in the South China Sea; providing photoreconnaissane support for Yankee Team Operations;as well as flying missions over North Vietnam, part ofthe Rolling Thunder Operations; and assisting inMarket Time Operations, coastal and shipping surveillance along the coast of South Vietnam.7 Aug 1966: The squadron flew its first night combatinfrared reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam.This began the use of infrared devices on squadronaircraft for interdicting truck convoys at night.31 Jan 1970: The squadron’s participation inYankee Team Operations came to an end after 68months of providing day and night reconnaissanceflights over hostile areas in Southeast Asia. YankeeTeam missions were flown from carriers operating inthe South China Sea as well as shore facilities inSoutheast Asia.1 Jul 1971: The squadron was disestablished. Duringits period of service the squadron conducted mappingand special photographic projects in theMediterranean area, Alaska, Hawaii and numerousother Pacific Islands, Korea, Japan, Okinawa,Philippines, North and South Vietnam, Laos, Thailand,New Guinea, New Britain, Australia and numerousplaces in the continental United States.A squadron F8U-1PCrusader in flight, circa1960 (Courtesy RobertLawson Collection).

Chap 3, 4, 5, 6, 7--295-3444/10/95 12:44 PM Page 311DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume IHome Port AssignmentsLocationNAAS Miramar/NAS Miramar*NAS AganaCommanding Officers—ContinuedAssignment Date20 Jan 1951Jun 1956* NAAS Miramar was redesignated NAS Miramar on 1 April 1952.Commanding OfficersDate Assumed CommandCDRCDRCDRCDRCDRCDRJesse L. PennellJohn S. HarrisHerbert L. SalyerDavid L. SoperGilbert B. Jansen, Jr.Sy E. Mendenhall31120 Jan19 JulJunMayJunNov195119521953195419551956Date Assumed y F. McDanielRalph W. SpuhlerJonathan J. CrowderDonald B. BradyRobert E. MorrisHal B. StewartD. A. WoodardGeorge H. LeeHorace B. ChambersArchibald S. ThompsonArthur R. DayWilliam E. PippinRobert L. SkillenA couple of squadron AJ-2P Savages in flight, March 1953.SepDec16 Sep09 Nov07 Nov24 Oct06 Nov16 Nov19 Nov14 Nov01 Nov10 Nov30 91970

Chap 3, 4, 5, 6, 7--295-3443124/10/95 12:46 PM Page 312DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume IAircraft AssignmentType of AircraftAircraft Assignment—ContinuedDate Type First an14 SepAugSep1951195219591959Type of AircraftDate Type First ReceivedKA-3B26 Dec 1963* PB4Y-1Ps were redesignated P4Y-1Ps in 1951.† The A3D-2P designation was changed to RA-3B in 1962.A squadron AJ-2P Savageover NAS Agana, Guam,April 1958.Air Wing AssignmentsAir WingTail PINESCOMFAIRSOWESTPACEF/PB*PBPB/SS†SSSSAir Wing Assignments—ContinuedAssignment DateAir WingTail CodeAssignment Date20 Jan 1951COMFAIRWESTPACSS15 Jan 19641955* It is believed the squadron’s tail code was changed from EF to PBin 1953.Jul 195601 Jan1959 † The tail code was changed from PB to SS in 1957. The effectivedate for this change was most likely the beginning of FY 58 (1 July19601957).A squadron RA-3BSkywarrior at NASAgana, Guam, surrounded by a display ofaerial cameras used forcartographic and reconnaissance photographytaken by the squadron,circa 1965 or 1966.

Chap 3, 4, 5, 6, 7--295-3444/10/95 12:47 PM Page 313DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume IUnit Awards ReceivedUnit AwardMUCNUCUnit Awards Received—ContinuedInclusive Dates Covering Unit Award02 Jun 196801 Jun 196402 Aug 196431328 Feb 197001 Jun 196805 Aug 1964Unit AwardAFEMInclusive Dates Covering Unit Award22 May 196113 Apr 1969A camouflaged squadron RA-3B Skywarrior on the flight line at Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, 1969.04 Jun 196115 Jun 1969

Chap 3, 4, 5, 6, 7--295-3443144/10/95 12:48 PM Page 314DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume IVAP-62LineageEstablished as Photographic Squadron SIXTY TWO(VJ-62) on 10 April 1952.Redesignated Heavy Photographic Squadron SIXTYTWO (VAP-62) on 2 July 1956.Disestablished on 15 October 1969. The firstsquadron to be assigned the VAP-62 designation.15 Oct 1969: The squadron was disestablished.During its period of service the squadron conductedmapping and special photographic projects in SaudiArabia, Turkey, Italy, Spain, various countries in northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Labrador, variousCentral American and Caribbean countries, Morocco,the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean areas andnumerous places in the United States.Squadron Insignia andNicknameThis was the only insignia officiallyapproved for use by the squadron.CNO disapproved the use of thecartoon tiger insignia as the official squadron logo.Thesquadron’sinsignia was approvedby CNO on 3 August1953. Colors for theinsignia were: a redbackground outlined inyellow; the film striphad gray frames withwhite borders; yellowwings; blue eye with awhite iris and a whitebeam emanating fromthe eye.Thesquadron’srequest for a newinsignia was disapproved by CNO on 20October 1960. The tigerinsignia was disapproved because cartoonportrayals were nolonger acceptable underthe insignia guidelines.Nickname: Tigers,1960–1969.A formation of squadron PB4Y-1Ps (P4Y-1P), 1953 (Courtesy RobertLawson Collection).Home Port AssignmentsLocationNAS JacksonvilleNAAS SanfordNAS NorfolkNAS JacksonvilleAssignment Date10 Apr20 OctJul15 Aug1952195219551957Chronology of Significant EventsApr 1952: The squadron’s mission was aerial photographic intelligence for naval operations, deployingdetachments in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Seaand other areas as required.1 Sep–19 Dec 1952: A squadron detachment wasdeployed to Dhahran Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia.29 Jul 1960: During a landing aboard Saratoga (CVA60), the squadron’s commanding officer, CommanderC. T. Frohne, and two other squadron crewmembers,were lost when the tailhook of their A3D-2PSkywarrior separated and the aircraft plunged off thedeck into the sea.Oct 1966: The squadron transferred a detachment ofaircraft and personnel to VAP-61 to augment thatsquadron’s operations in Vietnam.A formation of squadron AJ-2P Savages over Sanford, Florida, in 1953.

Chap 3, 4, 5, 6, 7--295-3444/10/95 12:50 PM Page 315DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume ICommanding OfficersCommanding Officers—ContinuedDate Assumed CommandLCDR D. C. McNeil (acting)CDR J. Kennedy, Jr.CDR H. S. KlenkCDR J. A. GoodwinCDR E. B. Johnson, Jr.CDR Henry W. DrumCDR Charles W. HollinsheadCDR Charles T. FrohneCDR W. L. Berkey (acting)31510 Apr 195230 Apr 1952Jun 1953Jul 1954Jan 195612 Jul 195710 Nov 195810 Nov 1959Jul 1960Date Assumed CommandCDRCDRCDRCDRCDRCDRCDRCDRCDRCDRJohn E. CousinsCharles H. Boldt, Jr.Robert F. RoemerJohn D. StuffiebeemJohn P. CullenWilliam E. NowersHarry F. BryantFrank S. ColemanBurke E. EakieJames E. Service09 Sep06 Oct04 SepJul08 Aug05 Jul22 Apr16 JunJul18 Jul1960196119621963196419651966196719681969A squadron A3D-2P Skywarrior on the deck of Independence (CVA 62) after a successful landing, 1961.Air Wing AssignmentsAircraft AssignmentType of AircraftP4Y-1PAJ-2PF7F-4NA3D-1PA3D-2P/RA-3B*Date Type First ReceivedMaySepMay14 Oct19 Oct* The A3D-2P designation was changed to RA-3B in 1962.19521952195319571959Air NVILLETail CodeAssignment DateTPTP10 Apr 1952Jul 1955TP/GB*15 Aug 1957* The tail code was changed from TP to GB in 1957. The effectivedate for this change was most likely the beginning of FY 58 (1 July1957).

Chap 3, 4, 5, 6, 7--295-3443164/10/95 12:52 PM Page 316DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume IA squadron A3D-2P in flight, 1961.Unit Awards ReceivedUnit AwardNUCAFEMInclusive Dates Covering Unit Award18 Jan 196006 Jun 196425 Oct 196213 Jul 1964A squadron A3D-2P Skywarrior on display at NS Mayport, Florida, in May 1961.

CDR Donald B. Brady 09 Nov 1961 CDR Robert E. Morris 07 Nov 1962 CDR Hal B. Stewart 24 Oct 1963 CDR D. A. Woodard 06 Nov 1964 CDR George H. Lee 16 Nov 1965 CDR Horace B. Chambers 19 Nov 1966 CDR Archibald S. Thompson 14 Nov 1967 CDR Arthur R. Day 01 Nov 1968 CDR William E. Pippin 10 Nov 1969 CDR Robert L. Skillen 30 Nov 1970