Officially Licensed US Navy RVAH-9 Hoot Owls Squadron Patch

Officially Licensed US Navy RVAH-9 Hoot Owls Squadron Patch — Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 9 Hoot Owls A-5 Vigilante Embroidered Patch

The Hoot Owls — RVAH-9, flying the magnificent A-5 Vigilante on reconnaissance missions over the most heavily defended airspace in the world.

Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 9 (RVAH-9), the "Hoot Owls," was a U.S. Navy reconnaissance squadron that operated the North American RA-5C Vigilante, one of the most beautiful and capable aircraft ever to fly from a carrier deck. The Vigilante was originally designed as a carrier-based nuclear strike bomber (the A-5) but was converted to the reconnaissance role, where its incredible speed, altitude capability, and advanced sensor suite made it the Navy's premier tactical reconnaissance platform.

RVAH-9's Hoot Owls flew the RA-5C Vigilante on high-speed, low-and-high altitude reconnaissance missions that required extraordinary skill and courage. During the Vietnam War, RVAH squadrons flew over the most heavily defended targets in North Vietnam, collecting vital photographic and electronic intelligence while enduring intense anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missile threats. The Vigilante's speed — capable of exceeding Mach 2 — was its primary defense, but the mission remained extremely dangerous.

The RA-5C Vigilante was one of the largest and heaviest aircraft to regularly operate from aircraft carriers, requiring exceptional piloting skill during carrier launches and recoveries. RVAH-9's aviators were among the best in naval aviation, selected for their ability to handle the demanding Vigilante in the most challenging operational environments.

Perfect For: RVAH-9 Hoot Owls veterans, RA-5C Vigilante enthusiasts, Vietnam-era naval aviation historians, Navy reconnaissance community members, and legacy squadron patch collectors.

RVAH-9 Hoot Owls — eyes of the fleet, speed of the Vigilante — the Hoot Owls saw everything.