Reconnaissance Heavy Attack Squadron 13 (RVAH-13) was established on 3 January 1961 as Heavy Attack Squadron 13 (VAH-13) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. The Bats were assigned the nuclear strike role with their A3D-2 (A-3B) Skywarrior carrier-based attack aircraft.
VAH-13 joined Carrier Air Group 11 (CVG-11) on board the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) for the carrier’s shakedown cruise that began in August 1961. VAH-13 remained with CVG-11 for two deployments to the Western Pacific, and its A-3Bs participated in Yankee Team operations over Southeast Asia in 1964.
The Bats moved to NAS Sanford, Florida, in August 1964 and were redesignated RVAH-13 on 1 November 1964 when the squadron gave up the heavy attack role for the photo-reconnaissance role. With its new RA-5C Vigilante jets, RVAH-13 deployed to the Vietnam war zone twice on board the Kitty Hawk in 1966 and 1967. The Bats flew reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam and Laos, and during the two deployments the squadron lost a total of five RA-5Cs to enemy fire, as well as three fliers killed and six captured (three of whom died in captivity).
In late 1967 RVAH-13 joined CVW-6 for a 1968 Vietnam deployment on board the USS America (CVA-66). The Bats suffered no combat losses during this period. After moving to NAS Albany, Georgia, in December 1968, the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean in 1969 with CVW-17 on board the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) and subsequently in 1971 with CVW-8 on board the America.
RVAH-13 returned to operations over Vietnam in September 1972 with CVW-14 on board the USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) and participated in the Linebacker II bombing campaign. The Bats lost one RA-5C and one flier to a North Vietnamese MiG-21 in December 1972.
After moving to NAS Key West, Florida in April 1974, RVAH-13 returned to the Western Pacific one last time with CVW-2 on board the USS Ranger (CV-61), and made its final deployment with CVW-7 to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean on board the USS Independence (CV-62). RVAH-13 was disestablished on 30 June 1976.
U.S. Navy (Retired)