Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5) is a long-lived
maritime patrol {{Unreferenced, date=March 2008
Maritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities.
Maritime patrol refers to ac ...
squadron
Squadron may refer to:
* Squadron (army), a military unit of cavalry, tanks, or equivalent subdivided into troops or tank companies
* Squadron (aviation), a military unit that consists of three or four flights with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, ...
of the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
. It is the second squadron to bear the VP-5 designation. VP-5 is the second oldest patrol squadron, the fourth oldest in the United States Navy, and the 33rd oldest squadron in the United States military. As of 2019, VP-5 is still active and is based at
Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville) is a large naval air station located approximately eight miles (13 km) south of the central business district of Jacksonville, Florida, United States., effective 2007-10-25
Location
NAS Jack ...
, Florida.
Lineage
The squadron was originally established as Patrol Squadron 17-F (VP-17F) on 2 January 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 17 (VP-17) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 42 (VP-42) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Bombing Squadron 135 (VB-135) on 15 February 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 135 (VPB-135) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 135 (VP-135) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 5 (VP-ML-5) on 15 November 1946 and redesignated Patrol Squadron 5 (VP-5) on 1 September 1948. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-5, the
first VP-5 was redesignated Patrol Squadron 33 (VP-33) on 1 July 1939.
Operational history
1937–1941
VP-17F was established at
FAB Seattle, Washington on 2 January 1937, under the administrative command of PatWing4, Base Force. The squadron's
PM-1 seaplanes were tended by . On 1 October 1937 VP-17F was re-designated VP-17 when all patrol squadrons were removed from the Base Force and placed administratively under Patrol Wings. During March 1938 VP-17 turned in its PM-1s in March for the new
PBY-2 Catalina seaplanes. Tender support for the squadron was supplied by . The squadron participated in
Fleet Problem XIX (Phase II) as part of White Force, along with aircraft of patrol squadrons
7,
9,
11,
12,
16 and
19. Missions included flights extending out to to locate and successfully attack elements of Black Force. The exercises marked the first use of long-distance radio bearings for aircraft. In November 1938 VP-17 was selected to test new electrically heated flying suits, in the first trials, the suits blew out fuses while at . The general opinion was that the suits were too bulky and unreliable in the cramped confines of the aircraft. The manufacturer began to incorporate better heating and cabin insulation in later models of the PBY, greatly improving crew comfort on long flights. On 30 January 1941 the squadron began a refit with new aircraft, turning in the older PBY-2 models for PBY-5 aircraft fresh from the factory. On 15 July 1941 VP-42 was deployed to
Sitka, Alaska
russian: Ситка
, native_name_lang = tli
, settlement_type = Consolidated city-borough
, image_skyline = File:Sitka 84 Elev 135.jpg
, image_caption = Downtown Sitka in 1984
, image_size ...
, for advanced base operations and cold weather training. A detachment was maintained at
Naval Air Station Kodiak, Alaska. On 2 September 1941, the Kodiak detachment was visited by two aircraft from a Russian seaplane squadron under the command of General Gromof.
World War II
On 7 December 1941 upon receiving word of the
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl HarborAlso known as the Battle of Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service upon the United States against the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, j ...
, all squadron aircraft were put on alert and prepared for a move to
Naval Air Station Tongue Point
Naval Air Station Tongue Point is a former United States Navy air station which was located within the former U.S. Naval Station Tongue Point, Astoria, Oregon.
In 1919, the United States Congress approved the construction of a submarine and destro ...
. The movement of the squadron to the temporary location took place on 8 December 1941, and remained in effect until the next week. On 29 January 1942 VP-42 flew all of its PBY-5s to
Naval Air Station San Diego
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island , at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay in San Diego, California, is part of the largest aerospace-industrial complex in the United States Navy – Naval Base Coronado (NBC ...
, California, where they were turned in for new PBY-5A amphibious models. Squadron strength was increased to 12 aircraft.
On 1 February 1942 VP-42 relieved
VP-41 of patrol duties at Naval Air Station Kodiak. Beginning 1 March 1942, aircraft were sent in elements of two to
Naval Air Station Alameda
Naval Air Station Alameda (NAS Alameda) was a United States Navy Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, on San Francisco Bay.
NAS Alameda had two runways: 13–31 measuring and 07-25 measuring . Two helicopter pads and a control tower were ...
, California, for installation of ASD-1 radar. From 3–15 June 1942 VP-42 participated in the first attack on Japanese vessels and positions while based at
Naval Air Facility Dutch Harbor, in the
Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands (; ; ale, Unangam Tanangin,”Land of the Aleuts", possibly from Chukchi language, Chukchi ''aliat'', "island"), also called the Aleut Islands or Aleutic Islands and known before 1867 as the Catherine Archipelago, are a cha ...
. Lieutenant (junior grade) Lucius D. Campbell flew through a snow squall to make contact with a heavy enemy concentration south of
Umnak
Umnak ( ale, Unmax, Umnax; russian: Умнак) is one of the Fox Islands of the Aleutian Islands. With of land area, it is the third largest island in the Aleutian archipelago and the 19th largest island in the United States. The island is home ...
Island. Despite severe damage from enemy aircraft, he remained in the area until he had determined the extent of the enemy forces and their location. On his return to Dutch Harbor his Catalina ran out of fuel and he was forced to make an open sea landing. They survived the forced landing and were rescued later in the day. On 11 June 1942, Commander Patrol Wing 4 received a message from Commander in Chief Pacific which said, "bomb the enemy out of Kiska." Following unsuccessful missions by
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...
(USAAF)
B-17s and
B-24s, aircraft available from VPs 41, 42,
43 and
51 commenced continuous bombing missions against targets in
Kiska
Kiska ( ale, Qisxa, russian: Кыска) is one of the Rat Islands, a group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. It is about long and varies in width from . It is part of Aleutian Islands Wilderness and as such, special permission is required ...
harbor from 11 to 13 June. These missions became known as the "Kiska Blitz." During these bombing strikes the aircraft were serviced by at Nazan Bay, Atka Island. Efforts to use the PBYs as horizontal bombers dropping their bombs from above the clouds proved futile. Pilots began attacking singly, approaching from a direction that provided the best cloud cover. When they were over the harbor the Catalinas were put into a dive and bombs released at the appropriate time. The flak was intense. A pullout was initiated at between and , and the plane immediately again sought cover in the clouds. The raids continued until USS ''Gillis'' ran out of bombs and fuel. Lieutenant (junior grade) Campbell was awarded the
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is eq ...
for his conduct during the campaign in Alaska. On 1 July 1942 VP-42 relocated to
Cold Bay, Alaska
Cold Bay ( ale, Udaamagax,; Sugpiaq: ''Pualu'') is a city in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 108, but at the 2020 census this had reduced to 50.
Cold Bay is one of the main commercial ...
, to provide support to the FAW4 Air Search Group. On 20 July 1942, the squadron moved again to Nazan Bay, Atka Island. Tender support was provided by USS ''Gillis''. On 3 August 1942 the squadron returned to Seattle for two weeks of leave, returning to Naval Air Station Kodiak on 22 August 1942, for a continuance of combat operations. On 23 Aug 1942 VP-42 was called upon to provide cover for the occupation of Adak. On 31 August 1942 Lieutenant S. Coleman of VP-42 heavily damaged the Japanese submarine
''RO-61''. The submarine was caught on the surface five miles north of Cape Shaw, Atka Island. ''RO-61'' was located later on the same day by and sunk. Several survivors were rescued from the frigid waters.
On 15 February 1943 while stationed at Umnak, Alaska, VP-42 was redesignated VB-135. On the same date orders were received returning the squadron to Seattle, for a refit at
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) is a naval air station of the United States Navy located on two pieces of land near Oak Harbor, Washington, Oak Harbor, on Whidbey Island, in Island County, Washington (state), Washington.
The main p ...
, Washington, with new
PV-1 Ventura
The Lockheed Ventura is a twin-engine medium bomber and patrol bomber of World War II.
The Ventura first entered combat in Europe as a bomber with the RAF in late 1942. Designated PV-1 by the United States Navy (US Navy), it entered combat in ...
medium bombers, the first to operate in the Pacific and Aleutians area. The squadron began training on 24 February 1943 after a short leave for all hands, by 23 March VB-135 was en route to
Naval Air Station Adak
Naval Air Facility Adak , was a United States Navy airport located west of Adak, on Adak Island in the U.S. state of Alaska.. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 11 February 2010. After its closure in 1997, it was reopened as Adak Airpor ...
, Alaska, with its full complement of PV-1s, arriving on 12 April 1943. Until the end of May 1943, the primary duties of the squadron consisted of photoreconnaissance and high-speed patrols over enemy held islands. Most of the photo work was done with hand-held K-20 cameras, since the aircraft had not been fitted as photorecon models. On 5 May 1943 VB-135 made its first full-scale attack on Japanese positions on Kiska, using their ASD-1 radar to penetrate the cloud cover over the target area. The squadron was based during this period at
Amchitka Air Force Base
Amchitka Air Force Base is an abandoned Air Force Base located on Amchitka, in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in southwest Alaska.
History Aleutians campaign
The Aleutian Islands Campaign was not considered a priority by the Join ...
. By 10 August 1943 VB-135 had moved to the
Naval Air Station Attu and was given the task of providing antiaircraft patrols west and south of the island operating from a partially completed air strip at Alexai Point. Severe crosswinds and tent quarters made living and flying from the island a nightmare.
From 5 November until February 1944 the squadron returned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for leave and reassignment of personnel. Only four aircraft were able to depart Attu, the rest being unserviceable. On 3 February 1944, the squadron was reformed with new squadron personnel and aircraft. Transition training commenced for aircrews, many of whom had never flown the PV-1 Ventura. On 19 April 1944 the squadron flew to Naval Air Station Adak, where special training began on the use of
LORAN
LORAN, short for long range navigation, was a hyperbolic radio navigation system developed in the United States during World War II. It was similar to the UK's Gee system but operated at lower frequencies in order to provide an improved range u ...
for long-distance navigation in the hostile environment of the far north. LORAN was a system of electronic navigation using fixed beacons that constantly transmitted repetitive signals. An aircraft could determine its relative position between the two beacons based on the strength and direction of the signals. Each beacon had an identifying signal prefix that matched its location on the map. The HEDRON installed the new LORAN gear in the aircraft during this period and on 4 May 1944 flew to Casco Field, Attu, to resume combat operations. On 10 May 1944: VB-135 conducted night photo reconnaissance over the Japanese-held islands of
Paramushir
russian: Парамушир ja, 幌筵島
, native_name_link =
, nickname =
, location = Pacific Ocean
, coordinates =
, archipelago = Kuril Island
, total_islands =
, major_islands =
, area_km2 = 2053
, length_km = 100
, width_km = 20
...
and
Shimushu
russian: Шумшу ja, 占守島
, image_name = Shumshu.jpg
, image_caption = A Landsat 7 image of Shumshu Island. The northern tip of Paramushir Island is at left. The First Kuril Strait lies across the upper portion of the image.
, image_siz ...
in the
Kurile Islands
The Kuril Islands or Kurile Islands (; rus, Кури́льские острова́, r=Kuril'skiye ostrova, p=kʊˈrʲilʲskʲɪjə ɐstrɐˈva; Japanese: or ) are a volcanic archipelago currently administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast in the ...
. Photo flash bombs were used to light the target areas. The missions soon became known as the "Empire Express" runs, since they were the first to encroach on the Japanese home islands. This time the aircraft had been fitted with bow-mounted Fairchild K19-A cameras. On 14 June 1944 VB-135 aircraft conducted daylight photoreconnaissance over Paramushir and Shimushu, resulting in the loss of two aircraft damaged and forced to land in Russian territory. The crews were interned by the Soviets for several months. On 23 July 1944: Lieutenant Vivian attacked and sank a Japanese picket boat, but his aircraft was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire. He and his crew were forced to land in Russian territory to face an internment of several months. On 23 October 1944 VPB-135 transferred back to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for reforming and training of new crews. Instrument training was conducted at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island from February–June 1945.
On 1 June 1945 VPB-135 transferred to
Naval Auxiliary Air Field Mount Vernon, Washington, for transition training in the new
PV-2 Harpoon
The Lockheed Ventura is a twin-engine medium bomber and patrol bomber of World War II.
The Ventura first entered combat in Europe as a bomber with the RAF in late 1942. Designated PV-1 by the United States Navy (US Navy), it entered combat in 1 ...
. The squadron eventually received 15 of the aircraft. Repairs to the wing spars of the new planes at the Burbank factory from 23 to 30 June delayed the squadron's return to combat for its third tour. On 4 August 1945 the squadron returned to Naval Air Station Attu for another combat tour. Indoctrination training on local weather conditions was given to all new crews through 18 August 1945, when the first sector searches were initiated.
[
The squadron was nicknamed the "Blind Fox" squadron reflecting the squadron's method of flying "blind" through heavy weather, the squadron altered the patch to depict a fox riding a flying gas tank. In this classic patch, the blindfolded fox carried a bomb underneath one arm and with the opposite hand held a cane to assist in navigating through the clouds.
]
1940s–1950s
On 20 November 1945 VPB-135 aircraft and crews arrived at Naval Air Station Edenton, North Carolina, for reforming of the squadron. On 30 November 1946 VPB-135 was chosen to represent the U. S. Navy patrol squadron community during presidential inauguration ceremonies in Mexico City. In June 1948 VP-ML-5 received the first P2V Neptune
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (designated P2V by the United States Navy prior to September 1962) is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. It was developed for the US Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and P ...
, equipped with magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) equipment capable of detecting large magnetic objects underwater. The technology to detect submerged submarines through non-acoustic means facilitated a major capability leap in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and manifested itself not only in squadron operations but also in the evolution of the squadron name and patch. Designated as VP-5 in December 1948, the squadron became known as the "Mad Foxes" and changed the patch to depict a fox casually preparing to strike a submarine with a sledgehammer.
In June 1958 the squadron deployed to Naval Air Station Argentia
Naval Station Argentia is a former base of the United States Navy that operated from 1941 to 1994. It was established in the community of Argentia in what was then the Dominion of Newfoundland, which later became the tenth Canadian province, Ne ...
, Newfoundland. "Ice reccos" and shipping patrols were flown without incident. "Ice reccos" were patrols over shipping lanes on the lookout for icebergs that might endanger surface vessels in the area. In July, half of the squadron deployed to Naval Station Rota, Spain
Naval Station Rota, also known as NAVSTA Rota ( es, Base Naval de Rota, links=no), is a Spanish-American naval base commanded by a Spanish Rear Admiral. Located in Rota in the Province of Cádiz, NAVSTA Rota is the largest American military comm ...
, to become the first patrol squadron based there. In April 1959 VP-5 deployed to Naval Air Station Keflavik
Naval Air Station Keflavik (NASKEF) was a United States Navy station at Keflavík International Airport, Iceland, located on the Reykjanes peninsula on the south-west portion of the island. NASKEF was closed on 8 September 2006, and its facilitie ...
, Iceland. Two other squadrons were stationed there during this period, participating in exercises with the fleet. A Soviet submarine was tracked for 24 hours at one point in the exercise, but finally surfaced and proceeded on its way after failing to shake the trackers.
In 1955,at NAS Jacksonville,on the P2V-5, a jet engine was installed outboard of the piston- engine in order to increase the speed during ASW operations.
1960s
In July 1960 the squadron was scheduled for a five-month deployment to NS Rota, Spain, for duties with the Sixth Fleet, but in September the deployment was rescheduled. VP-5 became the first full squadron to be deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is an Italian Air Force base ('' it, Aeroporto "Cosimo Di Palma" di Sigonella''), and a U.S. Navy installation at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. The whole NAS is a tenant of the Italian Air ...
, Sicily, after the base became operational. From April to May 1961 VP-5 participated in exercises in the Caribbean as well as aiding in the recovery of America's first astronaut, Commander Alan Shepard
Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. (November 18, 1923 – July 21, 1998) was an American astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot, and businessman. In 1961, he became the second person and the first American to travel into space and, in 1971, he beca ...
, on 5 May 1961. In July 1961 as part of the Project Mercury
Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program of the United States, running from 1958 through 1963. An early highlight of the Space Race, its goal was to put a man into Earth orbit and return him safely, ideally before the Soviet Un ...
recovery team, VP-5 aided in the recovery of Captain Gus Grissom
Virgil Ivan "Gus" Grissom (April 3, 1926 – January 27, 1967) was an American engineer, pilot in the United States Air Force, and member of the Mercury Seven selected by National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) as Project Mercur ...
, US Air Force. On 1 September 1962 the squadron participated in the recovery of Commander Wally Schirra
Walter Marty Schirra Jr. (, March 12, 1923 – May 3, 2007) was an American naval aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. In 1959, he became one of the original seven astronauts chosen for Project Mercury, which was the United States' f ...
.
On 12 January 1962, squadron Executive Officer Commander Norbert Kozak launched in LA-9 from Naval Air Station Keflavik for an ice patrol mission along the Greenland coast, in an apparent controlled flight into terrain
In aviation, a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT; usually ) is an aviation accidents and incidents, accident in which an airworthy aircraft, under aircraft pilot, pilot control, is unintentionally flown into the ground, a mountain, a body of ...
, the aircraft crashed into the upslope of the Kronborg Glacier
Kronborg Glacier ( da, Kronborg Gletscher) is a glacier on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet. It is named after Kronborg Castle in Denmark. Administratively this glacier is part of the Sermersooq Municipality.Google Earth The area surround ...
near the Denmark Strait, killing all twelve men aboard. The crash site was not discovered until 1966 when four geologists found it and while some remains were recovered in September 1966, it was not until 2004 that the Navy recovered all the crew remains and memorialized the crew at the crash site.
In October 1962 the squadron under command of Commander Robert P. Smyth was one of the first called up for the Cuban Quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the October Crisis (of 1962) ( es, Crisis de Octubre) in Cuba, the Caribbean Crisis () in Russia, or the Missile Scare, was a 35-day (16 October – 20 November 1962) confrontation between the United S ...
. VP-5 staged patrols from Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville) is a large naval air station located approximately eight miles (13 km) south of the central business district of Jacksonville, Florida, United States., effective 2007-10-25
Location
NAS Jack ...
, Florida; Roosevelt Roads Naval Station
Roosevelt Roads Naval Station is a former United States Navy base in the town of Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The site operates today as José Aponte de la Torre Airport, a public use airport.
History
In 1919, future US President Franklin D. Roosev ...
, Puerto Rico; and Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base ( es, Base Naval de la Bahía de Guantánamo), officially known as Naval Station Guantanamo Bay or NSGB, (also called GTMO, pronounced Gitmo as jargon by members of the U.S. military) is a United States military bas ...
, Cuba. It was the first squadron to spot and photograph a Soviet ship, ''Bucharest'', carrying missiles, and later the first to locate and track the first Soviet ship departing Cuba with dismantled missiles aboard.
On 1 July 1966 VP-5 received its first three P-3A Orions. The squadron was the last fleet operational unit to fly the SP-2E. On 1 June 1967 VP-5 deployed to WestPac with the majority of the squadron based at Naval Station Sangley Point
Naval Station Sangley Point was a communication and hospital facility of the United States Navy which occupied the northern portion of the Cavite City peninsula and is surrounded by Manila Bay, approximately eight miles southwest of Manila, th ...
, Philippines. Duties consisted of Yankee Station
Yankee Station (officially Point Yankee) was a fixed coordinate off the coast of Vietnam where U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and support ships operated in open waters over a nine-year period during the Vietnam War. The location was used primar ...
patrols, anti-infiltration surveillance, and open ocean shipping surveillance flights. Yankee Station patrols provided night radar coverage of the Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is a gulf at the northwestern portion of the South China Sea, located off the coasts of Tonkin (northern Vietnam) and South China. It has a total surface area of . It is defined in the west and northwest by the northern ...
as one measure in the defense of the fleet's strike carriers from attack by high-speed surface craft.
On 23 May 1968 VP-5 deployed to NS Rota, Spain, supported by off Souda Bay
Souda Bay is a bay and natural harbour near the town of Souda on the northwest coast of the Greece, Greek island of Crete. The bay is about 15 km long and only two to four km wide, and a deep natural harbour. It is formed between the Akr ...
, Crete. The use of a support vessel for land-based aircraft at an advanced base site was an experimental concept. The detachment at Crete proved that the idea had merit, but there were no subsequent deployments with support supplied solely by tenders.
1970s–1980s
On 7 December 1979 VP-5 deployed to Naval Air Station Bermuda
Naval Air Station Bermuda (Kindley Field) (usually described in Bermuda as United States Naval Air Station Bermuda, and not to be confused with the former Royal Naval Air Station Bermuda or the United States Naval Air Station Bermuda Annex, whi ...
with squadron detachments sent at different times to Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland; Lajes Field
Lajes Field or Lajes Air Base (; pt, Base Aérea das Lajes), officially designated Air Base No. 4 (''Base Aérea Nº 4'', BA4) , is a multi-use airfield near Lajes and northeast of Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island in the Azores, Portug ...
, Azores; Dakar, Africa; and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. From January–March the squadron flew in relief supplies to earthquake victims in the Azores. In May 1982 VP-5 deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella, the squadron's anti–submarine warfare activities during the deployment earned it a Meritorious Unit Commendation. For its support to the Sixth Fleet during the evacuation of the Palestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO; ar, منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية, ') is a Palestinian nationalism, Palestinian nationalist political and militant organization founded in 1964 with the initial purpose of establ ...
from Lebanon and the subsequent deployment of Marines into Beirut, the squadron was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal. During this period the squadron was one of several evaluating the effect of female personnel on squadron operations. Approximately 45 women had been assigned to the roster.
In February 1986, a VP-5 crew launched following the Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster and located the space shuttle nose cone to help direct recovery vessels to the site. During August of the same year, another VP-5 crew spotted a disabled Soviet on the surface in sinking condition. The hour-by-hour monitoring of the Soviet warship was continued until it sank beneath the waves, earning the squadron a recommendation for a Meritorious Unit Commendation from CINCLANTFLT.
In December 1986 while operating out of Naval Air Station Bermuda, VP-5 participated in the Coast Guard's drug interdiction program. The resulting operations in the Caribbean netted over of marijuana.
1990s
In June 1990 VP-5 participated in the drug interdiction program established by the Secretary of Defense. Detached to bases in the Caribbean and South America, VP-5 played a key role in the interdiction effort spotting suspicious ships and aircraft in the patrol areas.
On 1 January 1991 VP-5 deployed to Naval Air Station Rota, Spain, detachments were deployed to Naval Air Field Souda Bay, Crete; Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily; Naval Air Field Lajes Field, Azores; and Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland. During the Gulf War
The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: ...
one aircraft of the Souda Bay detachment maintained surface surveillance patrols north of Egypt. From 3 September 1992 VP-5 deployed to Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, during this deployment the squadron participated in anti-surface/mining operations with US Air Force F-15
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an American twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). Following reviews of proposals, the United States Air Force selected McDonnell Douglas's ...
aircraft. Ten different NATO countries were visited during this period, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Netherlands, France, Germany and Canada.
In August 1995, VP-5 became the first squadron to cover the entire Atlantic Ocean operational MPA requirement alone. "Tri-sited" between Keflavik, Puerto Rico, and Panama, VP-5 helped usher in an era of multiple detachments within a single deployment. In February 1997, the squadron repeated the deployment, maintaining high operational tempo in support of Keflavik-based anti–submarine warfare and NATO interoperability flights and Caribbean drug interdiction flights. Amassing over 6,000 flight hours through the six-month deployment, VP-5 contributed to a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) year-long total interdiction effort valued at over one billion dollars.
In 1998, VP-5 became the first East Coast squadron to deploy with the P-3C Aircraft Improvement Program (AIP) modification. Originally designated as the ASUW Improvement Program modification, the new warfighting suite enabled MPA fliers to improve their already formidable contributions to national security objectives during the Balkans Wars. VP-5 performed missions over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Deliberate Forge and over Kosovo in Operation Eagle Eye, bringing to the theater the first long-range, all-weather, day or night, overland reconnaissance sensor-to-shooter platform.
2000s
Deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella in August 2001, VP-5 relocated multiple crews and aircraft to Naval Air Field Souda Bay, following the September 11 attacks
The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercia ...
. Following the commencement of Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was the official name used synonymously by the U.S. government for both the War in Afghanistan (2001–2014) and the larger-scale Global War on Terrorism. On 7 October 2001, in response to the September 11 at ...
, VP-5 assisted in providing theater-wide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operation with 1,100 sorties encompassing 6,600 mishap-free flight hours. Additionally, the squadron supported continued efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Balkans in Operations Deliberate Forge and Joint Guardian.
On the eve of the Iraq War
{{Infobox military conflict
, conflict = Iraq War {{Nobold, {{lang, ar, حرب العراق (Arabic) {{Nobold, {{lang, ku, شەڕی عێراق (Kurdish languages, Kurdish)
, partof = the Iraq conflict (2003–present), I ...
, VP-5 was deployed to the theatre executing 5,800 flight hours while operating from as many as eight sites simultaneously. VP-5 performed a host of missions, including Pacific and Caribbean counter-drug operations, sensitive SOUTHCOM overland reconnaissance operations, Atlantic and Mediterranean armed escort missions, and critical surface surveillance missions in the Red Sea during U.S. combat operations against Iraq. VP-5 conducted sorties over northern Iraq, operating in high-threat areas to provide real-time intelligence to U.S. forces engaged with the enemy.
During their 2006–2007 deployment, VP-5 conducted operations simultaneously in three operational theaters in support of the Global War on Terrorism and the War on Drugs. In SOUTHCOM, VP-5 aircrews executed nearly 150 missions in support of counter drug operations, resulting in 30 metric tons of drugs seized. In U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Mad Foxes flew over 70 missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In U.S. European Command (EUCOM), VP-5 flew 36 missions in direct support of Operation Active Endeavour
Operation Active Endeavour was a maritime operation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It operated in the Mediterranean Sea and was designed to prevent the movement of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction. It had collateral benefit ...
and reinitiated support of Kosovo Force (KFOR).
In February 2008, VP-5 conducted a surge to Naval Air Station Sigonella, organizing and establishing PATRON Sigonella, a pioneering command encompassing elements from five different organizations.
In 2009, VP-5 was called upon for a multi-site deployment to include both SOUTHCOM and U. S. Pacific Command (PACOM) sites. In SOUTHCOM, VP-5 provided combat ready aircrews to execute missions in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South's (JIATF-S) counter narcotics mission. They successfully prevented drug traffickers from delivering over 30.7 metric tons of illegal narcotics worth over 2.8 billion dollars to the shores of the United States. This deployment also included redeployment to Natal
NATAL or Natal may refer to:
Places
* Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, a city in Brazil
* Natal, South Africa (disambiguation), a region in South Africa
** Natalia Republic, a former country (1839–1843)
** Colony of Natal, a former British colony ( ...
, Brazil, to support the search and rescue effort for Air France Flight 447
Air France Flight 447 (AF447 or AFR447) was a scheduled international passenger flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Paris, France. On 1 June 2009, inconsistent airspeed indications led to the pilots inadvertently stalling the Airbus A330 ser ...
. VP-5 coordinated operations and search tactics with the Brazilian Search and Rescue Center and flew three flights searching over of sea space.
In PACOM, VP-5 expertly directed the MPRA effort during several multi-national events. VP-5 orchestrated and executed a bi-lateral ASW prosecution utilizing U.S. and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force
, abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) ...
(JMSDF) assets resulting in over 165 hours of contact time. VP-5's ASW prowess was officially recognized with the receipt of the 2009 Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy.
2010s–present
In 2011, VP-5 completed a tri-site deployment. There were 12 crews deployed to El Salvador, Naval Air Station Sigonella, and Djibouti
Djibouti, ar, جيبوتي ', french: link=no, Djibouti, so, Jabuuti officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a country in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Somalia to the south, Ethiopia to the southwest, Eritrea in the north, and the Red ...
, in support of CTG 47.1, CTG 67.1, and CTG 67.5. In response to many world events, VP-5 participated in major operations to include Odyssey Dawn, Unified Protector
Operation Unified Protector was a NATO operation in 2011 enforcing United Nations Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973 concerning the Libyan Civil War and adopted on 26 February and 17 March 2011, respectively. These resolutions imposed s ...
, Caper Focus and Enduring Freedom. VP-5 sent detachments to France (SPONTEX, George H.W. Bush Strike Group ASWEX), Greece, Sicily, and Spain (Enterprise ENCOUNTEREX) to support other United States assets and multi-nation exercises. The squadron flew over 3,956 flight hours. One of the major highlights during deployment was the historic AGM-65F Maverick engagement during Operation Odyssey Dawn. This was the first successful employment of a Maverick against a hostile target in the history of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft.
During VP-5's following 12 month Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle (IDRC) VP-5 supported the Composite Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Operation Bold Alligator, the largest joint and multinational amphibious assault exercise in the past ten years. In early 2012 VP-5 continued was the first operational squadron to receive the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers for ASW (C4ASW) upgrade for the P-3C. This upgrade included Link-16 and international maritime satellite capabilities, greatly enhancing the P-3C's communication suite.
In May 2012 VP-5 deployed to Kadena Air Force Base
(IATA: DNA, ICAO: RODN) is a highly strategic United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is often referred to as the "Keystone of the Pacific" because of its highl ...
in Okinawa
is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi).
Naha is the capital and largest city ...
, Japan and the Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility. Bringing the first five C4ASW modified Orions seen in the theater, VP-5 immediately began providing timely and accurate Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Maritime Domain Awareness
Maritime domain awareness (MDA) is defined by the International Maritime Organization as the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment.
MDA is said to w ...
(MDA), and ASW products to high level authorities in PACOM, all while practicing the ‘hub and two spoke’ method of detaching combat aircrews to Western Pacific Nations to build and foster relationships with allied countries in an ever important and dynamic region. VP-5 completed 30 detachments to countries including Australia, Brunei
Brunei ( , ), formally Brunei Darussalam ( ms, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Jawi alphabet, Jawi: , ), is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its South China Sea coast, it is completely sur ...
, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau
Palau,, officially the Republic of Palau and historically ''Belau'', ''Palaos'' or ''Pelew'', is an island country and microstate in the western Pacific. The nation has approximately 340 islands and connects the western chain of the Caro ...
, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Furthermore, the summer of 2012 proved to be the busiest typhoon season in years and required VP-5 to evacuate from the island of Okinawa 11 times. While deployed, the squadron participated in a variety of major exercises and operations including Operation Island Chief, Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines, Exercise Valiant Shield
Exercise Valiant Shield is one of the largest United States military war games held in the Pacific Ocean. Nine Valiant Shield exercises were conducted between 2006 and 2022. According to the Navy, Valiant Shield focuses on cooperation between mi ...
, Exercise Keen Sword, and Operation Kuru Kuru.
Shortly after returning from deployment, VP-5 began 2013 by becoming the navy's second squadron to transition to the P-8A Poseidon after flying the P-3C for over 39 years. The transition was concluded on 2 August 2013 with the completion of the Safe-for-Flight inspection. Following Safe-for-Flight, VP-5 independently launched the P-8A Poseidon for the first time on 6 August 2013. Following transition, VP-5 entered into a robust IDRC. For the first time VP-5 Combat Aircrews tactically employed the P-8A in the Group Sail Exercise, Submarine Command Course – 38, the ARG/MEU Exercise, the USS ''George H.W. Bush'' Composite Training Unit Exercise and Joint Task Force Exercise, and Exercise Koa Kai 14-1 – Hawaii.
In July 2014 Patrol Squadron FIVE deployed to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan and the Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility. As VP-5's inaugural P-8A Poseidon deployment, VP-5 executed over 20 detachments to countries and territories including Australia, Malaysia, Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia is an island of the British Indian Ocean Territory, a disputed overseas territory of the United Kingdom. It is a militarised atoll just south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean, and the largest of the 60 small islands o ...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...
, Guam
Guam (; ch, Guåhan ) is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point and territory of the United States (reckoned from the geographic cent ...
, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the Republic of Korea. In addition to the numerous detachments, VP-5 evacuated aircraft from the island two times to Guam and the Philippines due to the threat of typhoons. While deployed, the squadron participated in a variety of major exercises including Valiant Shield, Keen Sword, GUAMEX, Ulchi-Freedom Guardian, TAMEX, Silent Banshee, and PHIBLEX 15.
On 19 August 2014 a People's Liberation Army Air Force
The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF; ), also known as the Chinese Air Force (中国空军) or the People's Air Force (人民空军), is an aerial service branch of the People's Liberation Army, the regular armed forces of the Peo ...
J11B Flanker flew in a very close and very dangerous manner around one of VP-5's P-8As in international waters near Hainan
Hainan (, ; ) is the smallest and southernmost province of the People's Republic of China (PRC), consisting of various islands in the South China Sea. , the largest and most populous island in China,The island of Taiwan, which is slightly l ...
during the squadron's first deployment to Japan with the new aircraft.
VP-5 became the first squadron to deploy the P-8A Poseidon in counter-narcotic operations in support of Operation Martillo at Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa El Salvador International Airport
El Salvador International Airport Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez ( es, Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez), , previously known as Comalapa International Airport ( es, Aeropuerto Internacional d ...
.
Aircraft assignments
The squadron was assigned the following aircraft, effective on the dates shown:[
* Martin PM-1 – January 1937
* PBY-2 Catalina – March 1938
* PBY-5 – January 1941
* PBY-5A – January 1942
* PV-1 – February 1943
* ]PV-2 Harpoon
The Lockheed Ventura is a twin-engine medium bomber and patrol bomber of World War II.
The Ventura first entered combat in Europe as a bomber with the RAF in late 1942. Designated PV-1 by the United States Navy (US Navy), it entered combat in 1 ...
– June 1945
* P2V-1 Neptune – June 1948
* P2V-3 – 1951
* P2V-5 – 1954
* SP-2E – 1964
* P-3A – 1 July 1966
* P-3A (DIFAR) – December 1971
* P-3C – February 1974
* P-3C UIIIR – 1989
* P-8A – 2013
Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[
* FAB Seattle, Washington – 2 January 1937
* Naval Air Station Edenton, North Carolina – 20 November 1945
* ]Naval Air Station Quonset Point
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It includ ...
, Rhode Island −15 May 1946
* Naval Air Station San Juan, Puerto Rico – January 1947
* Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico – June 1947
* Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville) is a large naval air station located approximately eight miles (13 km) south of the central business district of Jacksonville, Florida, United States., effective 2007-10-25
Location
NAS Jack ...
, Florida – December 1949
Wing assignments
* * Patrol Wing 4 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4 on 1 November 1942.
* † The Squadron remained a part of FAW-5, but was assigned the tail code ED on 7 November 1948
* ‡ The squadron remained a part of Fleet Air Wing 11, but was assigned the new tail code MC on 4 August 1948.
* § FAW-11 was redesignated Patrol Wing 11 on 1 July 1973.
* ** The squadron's tail code was changed from MC to LA in 1957. The effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY1958 (1 July 1957).
Deployments
Further reading
*Arnold, Rhodes. (2000). Foul Weather Front: A History Of Air Operations In The North Pacific. Pima Paisano Publications. , .
*Garfield, Brian. (1995). The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians. University of Alaska Press.
*Scrivner, Charles, L. (1976). The Empire Express: The Story of the U.S. Navy PV Squadrons' Aerial Strikes Against the Japanese Kuriles During WWII. Historical Aviation Album .
*Seiple, Samantha. (2011). Ghosts In The Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska's WWII Invasion. Scholastic Press.
*Wetterhahn, Ralph. (2005). The Last Flight of Bomber 31: Harrowing Tales of American and Japanese Pilots Who Fought In World War II's Arctic Air Campaign. Carroll & Graf Publishers.
See also
* Maritime patrol aircraft
A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), also known as a patrol aircraft, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, or by the older American term patrol bomber, is a fixed-wing aircraft designed to operate for long durations over water in maritime patrol roles ...
* List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
This is a list of active United States Navy aircraft squadrons. ''Deactivated'' or ''disestablished'' squadrons are listed in the List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons.
Navy aircraft squadron (aviation), squadrons are composed of ...
* List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
There are hundreds of US Navy aircraft squadrons which are not currently active dating back to before World War II (the U.S. Navy operated aircraft prior to World War I, but it did not organize them in squadrons until after that war). To be mo ...
*
* History of the United States Navy
The history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy" the ...
References
External links
Aleutian World War II. National Park Service
North Pacific Skies of WWII
VP Navy History
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vp-5
Attack squadrons of the United States Navy
Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons