Heavy Attack Squadrons
The VAH designation was established in 1955 when the Composite (VC) squadrons flying Heavy Attack aircraft (nuclear bombers) were redesignated Heavy Attack (VAH) squadrons. The designation was retired in 1971 with the disestablishment of the last VAH squadron (squadrons listed below with disestablishment dates after 1971 had been redesignated RVAH squadrons by 1966 except for VAH-2, 4 and 10 which were eventually redesignated VAQ squadrons). With the end of the Navy's nuclear bomber role, the VAH squadrons based on the east coast were redesignated RVAH squadrons and were equipped with the RA-5C Vigilante Reconnaissance aircraft. VAH squadrons based on the west coast retained the VAH designation but their A-3B Skywarriors were converted to KA-3B aerial tankers. By the late 1960s, electronic jamming equipment had been added to some KA-3B tankers and those "EKA-3B" aircraft led to the creation of VAQ squadrons.
| VAH- Squadrons | |
| VAH-1 | 1955 - 1964 |
| VAH-2 | 1955 - 1968 |
| VAH-3 | 1956 - 1964 |
| VAH-4 | 1956 - 1968 |
| VAH-5 | 1955 - 1964 |
| VAH-6 | 1956 - 1965 |
| VAH-7 | 1955 - 1964 |
| VAH-8 | 1957 - 1968 |
| VAH-9 | 1955 - 1964 |
| VAH-10 | 1961 - 1970 |
| VAH-11 | 1955 - 1966 |
| VAH-13 | 1961 - 1964 |
| VAH-15 | 1958 - 1959 |
| VAH-16 | 1958 - 1959 |
| VAH-21 | 1968 - 1969 |
| VAH-123 | 1959 - 1971 |
| HATU- Squadrons | |
| HATU | 1953 - 1956 |
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1957 - 1959 |
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| HATULant | 1957 - 1959 |
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