Heavy Photographic Squadron 61 (VAP-61) began as Patrol Squadron 61 (VP-61), flying PB4Y-1P Liberator aircraft out of Miramar, California, on 20 January 1951. VP-61 was assigned the mission of worldwide aerial photographic reconnaissance and cartographic mapping. VP-61 was redesignated Photographic Squadron 61 (VJ-61) on 5 March 1952 and received its first carrier capable aircraft, the AJ-2P Savage. In April 1956, the squadron was redesignated Heavy Photographic Squadron 61 (VAP-61), and in June 1956 moved to NAS Aana, Guam.
On 1 July 1959, the squadron was once again redesignated, this time as Composite Photographic Squadron 61 (VCP-61). Later that year, the A3D-2P (RA-3B) Skywarrior and F8U-1P (RF-8A) jet aircraft arrived to replace the AJ-2Ps and upgrade the squadron's capability to conduct carrier-based combat reconnaissance. The squadron reverted to its VAP-61 designation on 1 July 1961 when its F8U-lPs were transferred out.
In May 1964, VAP-61 crews began flying Yankee Team reconnaissance missions over Laos and South Vietnam as communist infiltration increased. During the Vietnam War, the squadron deployed detachments to aircraft carriers off Vietnam but more frequently operated from land bases, particularly Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam. VAP-61 flew missions in support of Rolling Thunder and Market Time operations.
Beginning in October 1966, the detachment in Da Nang was augmented by RA-3Bs and crews from sister squadron VAP-62. As the enemy air defenses became more sophisticated, the squadron's RA-3Bs were used less for daytime photo reconnaissance and more for night photo-flash missions over the North Vietnamese infiltration road network.
In August 1966, VAP-61 began flying low-level infrared reconnaissance missions. The RA-3Bs were painted in various schemes including black and shades of gray for these hazardous missions. Four RA-3Bs and their crews were lost to enemy antiaircraft fire over North Vietnam, and two more were lost to mishaps. VAP-61 was disestablished on 1 July 1971.