Officially Licensed US Navy RVAH-13 Bats Squadron Patch — Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 13 Bats Embroidered Patch

Bats — RVAH-13's nocturnal reconnaissance hunters.

Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 13 (RVAH-13) "Bats" was a United States Navy reconnaissance squadron that operated the RA-5C Vigilante, one of the fastest and most sophisticated reconnaissance aircraft ever to operate from an aircraft carrier. The Bats' mission was to fly deep into enemy territory at high speed, collecting photographic and electronic intelligence that gave commanders the battlefield picture they needed.

RVAH-13 flew the RA-5C Vigilante, a supersonic aircraft originally designed as a nuclear bomber (the A-5) that was converted into a reconnaissance platform. The Vigilante was the largest and fastest aircraft operating from carrier decks, capable of Mach 2 speeds and carrying an advanced sensor suite that included high-resolution cameras, infrared sensors, and side-looking airborne radar. During the Vietnam War, RVAH squadrons like the Bats flew some of the most dangerous missions in naval aviation — unarmed reconnaissance runs over heavily defended targets, relying on speed and altitude to survive. The Bats callsign reflected the squadron's ability to operate in darkness and uncertainty, using their sophisticated sensors to "see" what others could not.

This patch preserves the Bats' reconnaissance legacy.

Perfect For: RVAH-13 Bats veterans, RA-5C Vigilante enthusiasts, Vietnam War reconnaissance aviation historians, and carrier-based recon squadron patch collectors.

Bats see in the dark — RVAH-13.