VAH-2 Royal Rampants KA-3B Skywarrior
During the Vietnam War detachments from Heavy Attack Squadron Two (VAH-2) were deployed on aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations. Heavy Attack Squadron 2 (VAH-2) lineage traces back to November 1955 when a core group of personnel from Patrol Squadron VP-29 transitioned to the A-3D Skywarrior and changed homeport the following year to NAS Whidbey Island, WA.
On 26 July 1967 Squadron HATRON-2 Detachment 43 deployed with KA-3B Skywarrior aircraft for the 3rd USS Coral Sea Vietnam Combat Cruise until the ship returned on 8 April 1968.
VAH-2 primarily provided air refueling for the fleet with A-3Bs configured as tankers and later with KA-3Bs. Finally, as combined tanking/electronic warfare came into being, VAH-2 was re-designated Electronic Attack Squadron 132 — VAQ-132 on November 1, 1968.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Operations
During late February 1968 there was snow and ice on deck while conducting Operation Formation Star cold weather training in the Sea of Japan. This operation prepared men and machines for duty in March 1968 while USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), with VAH-2 DET 43 Royal Rampants embarked, operated on station off the coast of Korea following the capture of USS Pueblo (AGER-2) in January by North Korea.
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