Returning from a Med cruise in mid 1964, VAH 6 recovered at NAS, Sanford, Florida to commence a most interesting transition to the North American RA-5C Vigilante.  On 16 Sept’65 the Squadron received its first RA5C aircraft.  On 23 Sept’65 the Squadron was designated Reconnaissance Attack Squadron SIX (RVAH 6).  The Squadron departed NAS Sanford for its first deployment in Connstellaton  on ___ 19___ .  

On 4 Dec’66 the Squadron, while at NAS Sanford, commenced training for a second combat cruise.  RVAH 6 departed NAS, Sanford in Nov’67, for another WestPac deploying this time with CAG 2 in RANGER.  From Yankee Station the Squadron again participated in daily air operations against highly defended recce targets in North Vietnam. 

In Jan’68, the USS Pueblo a ship assigned the task of collecting SIGINT against North Korea was fired upon, boarded and captured by the North Korean navy.  This happened at the end of the second line period: RANGER and CAG 2 were ordered to the Sea of Japan in preparation for overt actions against North Korea.  During these winter ops off the coast of North Korea, RVAH 6 was the first CRAW 1 squadron fitted with an infrared (IR) imaging system manufactured by Texas Instruments.  In a few months things quieted down over the Sea of Japan, Pueblo and its crew remained in the hands of the North Koreans: RANGER, CAG 2 and RVAH 6 returned to the Gulf of Tonkin in late Mar’68 for two more line periods.  Returning home in May’68, RANGER, CAG 2 and RVAH-6 were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for combat operations during that 1967/68 WestPac cruise.  

While on this 1968 combat cruise, NAS Sanford was closed and the RA5C Wing moved to NAS Albany.  RVAH 6 was the first deployed squadron to return to this new base and was given a memorable welcome. 

In Jan’69, RVAH 6, again with CAG 2, sailed for WesPac in USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN‑65). Shortly thereafter while participating in an Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) in the Hawaii op area, the ship experienced a series of devastating flight deck explosions.  Because of substantial damage to the flight deck from these explosions Enterprise was mooredin PearlHarbo for repairs and the Squadron moved ashore to NAS Barbers Point.  While shore based, RVAH 6 obtained unique photographic and IR coverage of the Hawaiian Islands. 

In Mar’69, repairs to ENTERPRISE were completed and the ship departed Hawaii for WestPac. 

In Apr’69 the North Koreans again caused a serious international incident when they shot down an EC 121 conducting a surveillance mission over the Sea of Japan. ENTERPRISE and CAG 2 were again ordered north to the Sea of Japan again for possible action against North Korea. 

It was later reported that RVAH 6 and the ENTERPRISE battle group were part of the largest task force assembled since World War II.  Following this sortie, ENTERPRISE returned to Yankee Station for several line periods against North Vietnam.

Commander Task Force SEVENTY-SEVEN commended RVAH 6 and ENTERPRISE for their efficiency and effectiveness in collecting data and developing high quality intelligence while operating from Yankee Station. 

On 2 Jul’69, RVAH 6 returned to NAS Albany.  On 8 Aug’69 the Squadron was assigned the unique mission of supporting RVAH 3 flight crew training.  While maintaining its own identity, the Squadron eagerly accepted the assignment of providing operational RA-5C aircraft to help meet the Viet Nam operational demands for quality reconnaissance training. 

On 11 Mar’70 RVAH 6 ceased the RVAH 3 support mission and commenced their own operational training cycle for a 1970 deployment.  During this work-up the Squadron received the new RA5C, 156 series Vigilantes from North American.  

On 6 Sept’70, USS KITTY HAWK (CVA 63), CAG 11 and RVAH 6 departed again for WesPac. During this eight month cruise RVAH 6 engaged in 456 combat reconnaissance missions.  When RVAH 6 returned to NAS Albany on 18 Jul’71, they had completed a year of intense carrier based operations in which the Squadron flew more flight hours, completed more combat sorties and amassed more carrier landings than any other RA-5C Squadron that year: all accident free!.

From 28 Nov’71 until 13 Dec’71, the Squadron provided assistance to the Government of Barbados.  Operating from NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, a Squadron detachment flew daily reconnaissance missions to record the volcano eruption signatures of Mt. Soufriere on St. Vincent Island, in the West Indies.  Working with the U. S. Geological Survey, the Squadron gathered valuable, and otherwise unobtainable research data on one of nature's most spectacular phenomenon.  

April and May of 1972 were spent in USS AMERICA (CVA-66) conducting the ORE exercise EXOTIC DANCER V.  Ten days prior to a Med deployment, RVAH 6 and CAG 8 learned they would deploy instead to Southeast Asia. 

On 5 Jun’72 RVAH 6 commenced a nonstop thirty-one day transit south across the South Atlantic, around the south coast of Africa, into the Indian Ocean and on to Yankee Station.  During the remainder of 1972, RVAH 6 compiled a most enviable combat record conducting pre and post strike recce flights, bomb damage assessment, and electronic reconnaissance collections missions over highly defended North Vietnam targets in support of Linebacker Operations.  RVAH 6 was commended directly by CINCPAC for a 27 Nov’72 recce mission that resulted in a CAG 8 attack mission that destroyed 45 enemy trucks. During the five line periods for this cruise, RVAH 6 completed 303 combat sorties, totaling 578 flight hours: again accident free. 

On 22 Mar’73, the Squadron returned to NAS Albany, after a most arduous combat cruise that ended after the Vietnam Peace Pact was signed on 27 Jan’73.  Over 100 members of the squadron received medals or letters of commendation for this most effective and safe cruise. 

For the next cruise, RVAH 6 was assigned to CAG 17 and commenced training for a Med cruise in USS FORRESTAL (CVA 59) In Sep’73 the Squadron won REDEX 3-73 in competition with five other CRAW 1 squadrons. 

On 11 Mar’74 the Squadron deployed to the Med in FORRESTAL.  While there, RVAH 6 participated in several fleet exercises including "Flaming Lance" and "Dawn Patrol". July and August of 1974 found FORRESTAL protecting United States interests as affected by the civil war on Cyprus.  During two extended Med line periods RVAH 6 provided sustained tactical reconnaissance to 6th Fleet Commanders.  On 5 Sept’74 FORRESTAL departed Rota and sailed for home.  On 9 Sept’74 the Squadron's aircraft arrived at NAS Key West. 

On 17 Oct’74 RADM DIXON, Commander Naval Safety Center awarded the CNO Aviation Safety Award to RVAH 6 for the most outstanding safety record achieved among Reconnaissance Attack Squadrons in 1974. 

In Feb’75, RVAH 6 began work ups with CAG 11 in USS KITTY HAWK (CV‑63).  Operations for this carrier air wing team included Exercise RIMPAC 75 near the Hawaiian Islands. On 21 May’75 the Squadron deployed to WesPac in KITTY HAWK, and returned to NAS Key West in Dec’75.  While deployed, RADM HARRIS, CTF‑77 presented the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E" to RVAH 6 for excellence in tactical reconnaissance readiness by placing first in CRAW 1 competition during the 1975 competitive cycle. 

In Apr’76, during extended shore based operations, RVAH 6 won first place in the CRAW 1 competitive Readiness Exercise "Phoe­nix 76".  In May’76 the Squadron completed its annual Training Exercise with the highest assigned grade for that training cycle: flying all ten full spectrum recce missions in an unprecedented three and one half days. Two months later the Squadron achieved another Vigilante milestone, surpassing 51 months and 5,100 training and operational flight hours without incurring any foreign object engine damage attributable to maintenance error.  

On 22 Nov’76 Capt Ed Williams, COMRECONATKWING ONE presented the COMNAVAIRLANT Bartholomew Award to RVAH 6 for excellence in Naval leadership. 

In Apr’77, the Squadron was assigned to CAG 8 and commenced an intensive training cycle and exercises, during several short deployments in USS NIMITZ (CVN 68).  The pre-deployment work culminated in an Operational Readiness Exercise wherein RVAH 6 took top carrier honors among all CAG 8 squadrons.  A Med deployment in NIMITZ commenced in Dec’77 and ended in Jun’78.  This turned out to be the Squadron’s final deployment.  

The decommissioning ceremony took place at NAS Key West on  __Sep’78. 

Reconnaissance Attack Squadron SIX flew the RA5C Vigilante for thirteen years, distinguishing itself in combat, operational training mission effectiveness, Naval leadership and aviation safety.  It was a great recce squadron.