RVAH-7 Peacemakers of the Fleet Plaque

Description

RVAH-7 Peacemakers of the Fleet Plaque
RVAH-7 Peacemakers of the Fleet Plaque
RVAH-7 Peacemakers of the Fleet Plaque
14 inch wooden plaque of the RVAH-7 Peacemakers! Carefully carved and painted, you’ll have a unique and colorful piece to display.
RVAH-7 was a Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as Composite Squadron Seven (VC-7) on 10 August 1950, it was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron Seven (VAH-7) on 1 November 1955 and was redesignated again as Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron Seven (RVAH-7) on 1 December 1964. The squadron was disestablished on 28 September 1979.
Reconnaissance Attack Squadron SEVEN, a component of the
Naval Forces, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, was originally commissioned
as Composite Squadron SEVEN (VC-7) at Naval Air
Station, Moffett Field, California, on 30 October 1950. Less
than a year after commissioning, Composite Squadron SEVEN
transferred their North American AJ “Savage” aircraft to the
Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia. After a deployment to
the Mediterranean, the Squadron moved to Patuxent River,
Maryland. In July of 1955, while detachments were deployed
on board USS INTREPID and USS CORAL SEA in the Mediterranean,
the Squadron was redesignated Heavy Attack Squadron SEVEN,
and its homeport was changed to Naval Air Station, Sanford,
Florida. HATRON SEVEN participated in the shakedown cruise
of USS FORRESTAL in 1956 and then deployed in 1957 to the
Mediterranean aboard USS ESSEX.
In March of 1958, the Squadron received its first Douglas
A3D “Skywarrior” and subsequently conducted carrier qualifications
on board USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. In August of
1961, after flying the A3D for three years, the Squadron
began transition to the North American A-5A “Vigilante.” A
new insignia was adopted and the men of HATRON SEVEN became
known as “The Peacemakers of the Fleet.”
1962 proved to be a bUsy year for HATRON SEVEN. Receiving
the Fleet’s first A-5A’s in January, the flight crews were
carrier qualified aboard the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. In
February, the PEACEMAKERS deployed with four “Vigilantes”
aboard the USS ENTERPRISE for her ten-week shakedown cruise
in the Caribbean. In June and July, HATRON SEVEN was once
more aboard ENTERPRISE participating in a SECOND Fleet
strike exercise and an air power demonstration for President
Kennedy. In August, while deployed to the Mediterranean,
HATRON SEVEN operated with the British and French Naval Air
Forces in SIXTH Fleet operations. After returning from the
Mediterranean, the PEACEMAKERS participated in the Cuban
Quanrantine operations. From February through July 1964,
HATRON SEVEN, on board USS ENTERPRISE, departed with USS
LONG BEACH and USS BAINBRIDGE from the Mediterranean as
Nuclear Task Force ONE on “Operation SEA ORBIT” to display
“Nuclear Power for Peace.” Numerous dignitaries viewed the
fire power demonstration of Carrier Air Wing SIX in which
HATRON SEVEN demonstrated the versatility of the “Vigilante.”
Late in 1964, pilots, reconnaissance attack navigators
and maintenance crews commenced indoctrination training for
the RA-5C, the reconnaissance version of the “Vigilante.” In
December, the Squadron was redesignated as Reconnaissance
63
Attack SEVEN. The PEACEMAK their first deployment
to the Western Pacific in October 1965 on board USS ENTERPRISE.
RECONATKRON SEVEN flew its first combat mission in support of
operations in South Vietnam on 2 December 1965. With a turnaround
of less than six months, the PEACEMAKERS once again
deployed to the Western Pacific in November of 1966 returning
in July 1967. In April 1968, RECONATKRON SEVEN deployed to
the Mediterranean on board USS INDEPENDENCE.
Upon return from this nine-month cruise, RECONATKRON SEVEN
settled at its new home, Naval Air Station, Albany, Georgia.
After five months of preparation for its third WESTPAC cruise,
the PEACEMAKERS deployed on board USS CONSTELLATION in August
‘q69 as part of Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN and returned to
– al Air Station, Albany, Georgia, in May 1970. RECONATKRON
lEN boarded USS FORRESTAL in January 1971 for a six-month
deployment to the Mediterranean with Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN.
Following its return in July 1971, RECONATKRON SEVEN began
making preparations for its fourth WESTPAC deployment. In
January 1972, as part of Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN, RECONATKRON
SEVEN deployed a month early on board USS KITTY HAWK in advance
of the massive North Vietnamese invasion of South
Vietnam. After a ten-month cruise, RECONATKRON SEVEN returned
to Naval Air Station, Albany, Georgia, in November 1972. Following
an intensive ten-month training cycle, the Squadron
deployed once again to the Western Pacific on board USS KITTY
HAWK in October 1973 as a member of Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN.
Upon return from this ten-month cruise in July 1974, which
included operations in the Indian Ocean, the Squadron settled
into its new home, Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida. Following
three type training periods in early 1975, RECONATKRON
SEVEN boarded USS FORRESTAL in March 1975 for a six-month
Mediterranean cruise as part of •Attack Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN.
Upon its return from a challenging “Summer in the Med”
in September 1975, the PEACEMAKERS embarked upon an arduous
training and competition cycle in preparation for its next
deployment.
In February 1977, the PEACEMAKERS embarked on a training
cycle which was to join the Squadron to Attack Carrier Air
Wing ELEVEN and USS KITTY HAWK. With a weapons deployment,
three type training, a very successful ORE, and a three-month
long 96-hour alert behind it, the Squadron rejoined Attack
Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN and USS KITTY HAWK during the middle
of their deployment while they were inport at Subic Bay, Republic
of the Philippines, in January 1978. After a four-month
deployment, RECONATKRON SEVEN returned to Key West in May
1978 to begin immediate preparations for an eventual deployment
aboard USS RANGER.
Following extensive training periods with CVW-2 and
RANGER, the Squadron was ready for their final cruise. On
21 February 1979, the PEACEMAKERS departed San Diego bound
for the Orient. •
On this cruise, the PEACEMAKERS participated in numerous
exercises from Hawaii to the Gulf of Thailand. The professionalism
the Squadron exhibited during these operations was
noted, as the PEACEMAKERS returned with numerous documents
and awards on their accomplishments. Included in these awards
were the AIRLANT Battle “E” Award for FY-79 and the Silver
Anchor Award for Retention.
The last cruise of the PEACEMAKERS ended on 22 September
1979 when the RANGER pulled back into San Diego. On 28 September
1979, only a few days after returning from the cruise,
the Squadron gathered for the solemn ceremony which disestablished
the PEACEMAKERS. At 1330, after remarks by CAPT R. V.
DEAN, Commander, Reconnaissance Attack Wing ONE, and CDR T. A.
MYERS, Commanding Officer, Reconnaissance Attack Squadron
SEVEN, the Squadron flag was lowered and the disestablishment
orders read, ending the proud history of the PEACEMAKERS.
COMMANDING OFFICERS
OF
RECONNAISSANCE ATTACK SQUADRON SEVEN
Commander J. J. JAPP Nov 50 – Dec 51
Commander E. J. McCONNELL Dec 51 – Sep 52
Commander J. H. ROCKWELL, Jr. Sep 52 – Oct 52
Commander R. S. McElroy Oct 52 – Jul 54
Commander T. L. GUILLROY Jul 54 – Dec 55
Commander L. B. LIBBEY Dec 55 – Jul 57
Commander R. C. KNIGHT Jul 57 – Oct 58
Commander H. F. LANG Oct 58 – Oct 59
Commander K. F. ROWELL Oct 59 – Jan 60
Commander F. D. MILNER Jan 60 – Jul 61
Commander B. B. GEAR Jul 61 – Jan 62
Commander L. “B” HOOP, Jr. Jan 62 – Jan 63
Commander L. A. HEATH Jan 63 – Jan 64
Commander B. B. BROWN, Jr. Jan 64 – Dec 64
Commander Kenneth E. ENNEY Dec 64 – Jan 66
Commander Robert H. LOVELACE Jan 66 – Jan 67
Commander
Commander
Phillip J. RYAN63,..„,,,), v,c ,kAtaabtilt.
R. L. PRITSCHER
,T3c, Jan
an
67 – Jan 1,1,4 09 8
Commander Robert S. DONALDSON Aug 69 – Apr 70
Commander Wyatte F. FOARD Apr 70 – Jan 71
Commander Gerald C. VAUGHT Jan 71 – Dec 71
Commander Arthur R. SKELLY Dec 71 – Jan 73
Commander John H. TOUCHTON Jan 73 – Dec 73
Commander Robert A. JOHNSON Dec 73 – Dec 74
Commander James T. OSBORNE Dec 74 – Dec 75
Commander Robert E. GASSER Dec 75 – Feb 77
Commander David R. SHARP Feb 77 – May 78
Commander Thomas A. MYERS May 78 – Sep 79
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