Coming back after successful carrier qualification, our crew had just a few flights to finish the formal syllabus. Aerial mapping was one particular skill we were working on. It was left until last because it's something that fleet A-5 squadrons hardly ever do.
I had already received orders, to be executed when training was done. The orders were to Recon Attack Squadron ONE, the "Smoking Tigers". They were just beginning to work up toward a deployment in the fall, so joining the squadron at this time would be ideal. They were located across the ramp, and I visited them to introduce myself. "Best RVAH squadron" I was told.
This straightforward transition from the training squadron to an operational fleet squadron was not to be, however. Halfway across the world, an A-5 navigator decided he didn't like the idea of getting shot at, and turned his wings in. He needed to be replaced.
So a received a call to Wing headquarters. I was the one. My orders to RVAH-1 were cancelled, and I was to report to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron TWELVE. A few days later I was on a MAC charter over the Pacific, headed for Clark AFB, then Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Philipines. There I would meet up with the squadron, embarked in USS Constellation, heading in to Cubi after a short period on the line in the Gulf of Tonkin, conducting the systematic bombing of North Vietnam.
I was introduced to the squadron by CO CDR Pat O'Gara at an All Officer Meeting in our squadron ready room. We inhabited Ready 5, which was aft, port side, on the second deck. It was more like an initiation rather than an introduction. Rather than being asked to introduce myself, I was asked to specify what actions I would take in the event of a seat failure following ejection. (See book response nearby.) I passed the test.