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With the increasing U.S. military involvement in Vietnam after 1964, RVAH-11 added to the mix of RVAH squadrons participating in combat operations in Southeast Asia, although its first such deployment would be a watershed event in terms of shipboard and aviation safety for the U.S. Navy in general and Naval Aviation. From 6 June - 15 September 1967, RVAH-11 was embarked aboard USS Forrestal for an Atlantic and Indian Ocean transit en route to its first Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and Vietnam deployment. On 29 July 1967, three of the squadron's were destroyed in the disastrous 1967 flight deck fire aboard USS Forrestal.

Designed to meet a US Naval requirement for a high-performance, all-weather attack aircraft, the A-5 was first flown on August 31st, 1958. The large, swept-wing design incorporated a bomb-bay between the two powerful J79 engines. This enabled the Vigilante to deliver a free-fall nuclear bomb while flying at supersonic speeds. Later versions of the A-5 were developed for a reconnaissance role and the bomb-bay housed additional fuel-tanks.

Info: RA-5C Vigilante - USN RVAH-11 Checkertails, AA606, USS Forrestal, 1967