Grove, Michael/Romano, Angelo Smokin' Tigers. A Pictorial History of Reconnaissance Attack Squadron ONE (RVAH-1)

On 1 Nov 1955, Heavy Attack Squadron ONE (HATRON ONE or VAH-1) was established and temporarily based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida. On the same day, CDR P. F. Stevens assumed the command of the squadron. He was a highly decorated patrol-bomber pilot during World War II.
In 1956, VAH-1 underwent an intensive training schedule in anticipation of the receipt of the new jet, Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior. Designed with an eye toward the Heavy Attack mission, the A3D was an atomic bomber, fully capable of carrier operations. On 31 Mar 1956, the squadron received five A3D-1s, thereby becoming the first fleet unit to take delivery of the jet-powered nuclear bomber. The squadrons initial deployments were to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic area onboard U.S.S. Forrestal (CVA-59) and U.S.S. Independence (CVA-62). Following their return from their Apr-Aug 1962 cruise, the Smokin' Tigers began transitioning to the North American A-5A Vigilante. On 22 Jan 1963, the first A-5A was accepted for service by the squadron at NAS Sanford, Florida, and in March of that year, VAH-1 became the first squadron to win a monthly bombing contest while flying the A-5A. The squadron also completed one deployment with the heavy attack version of the Vigilante on the Independence during Aug 1963-Mar 1964, participating on several NATO and Sixth Fleet exercises. Upon returning to Sanford, VAH-1 began transitioning to the RA-5C, with squadron skipper CDR J. W. Taft delivering the first example from the North American plant at Columbus on 10 July 1964 .On 1 Sep 1964, the squadron was redesignated RVAH-1. The Smokin' Tigers logged their first combat deployment to Southeast Asia during May-Dec 1965, completing 308 combat missions. Over the course of the next 13 years, RVAH-1 alternated between the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, completing three additional combat cruises. Like all RA-5C squadrons, it shifted homeports from Sanford to NAS Albany, Georgia, in 1968, and in 1974 moved to NAS Key West, Florida. The second fleet squadron to operate the Vigilante, RVAH-1 disestablished on 29 Jan 1979.

The squadron's first missions took place in the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic on board the U.S.S. "Forrestal" (CVA-59) and the U.S.S. "Independence" (CVA-62). After returning from their cruise in April/August 1962, the "Smokin' Tigers" began the conversion to the North American A-5A "Vigilante". On 22 January 1963, the first A-5A was received by the squadron at NAS Sanford, Florida, and in March of that year, VAH-1 became the first squadron to win a monthly bombing contest with the A-5A. The squadron also completed a mission with the heavy attack version of the "Vigilante" on the "Independence" from August 1963 to March 1964 and participated in several NATO and U.S. 6th Fleet exercises. After returning to Sanford, the VAH-1 began conversion to the RA-5C, with Squadron Captain CDR J. W. Taft delivering the first example from the North American factory in Columbus on 10 July 1964. On 1 September 1964, the squadron was renamed RVAH-1. The "Smokin' Tigers" completed their first combat mission in Southeast Asia from May to December 1965, totalling 308 combat missions. Over the next 13 years, the RVAH-1 moved back and forth between the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, completing three more deployments with combat missions. Like all RA-5C squadrons, it changed its home base from Sanford to NAS Albany, Georgia, in 1968 and moved to NAS Key West, Florida, in 1974. The second fleet squadron to use the "Vigilante", RVAH-1, was disbanded on 29 January 1979.