VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

ShipmateVAH-3 ShipmatesShipmate

CYR, AT3 Algie P. St. w5tjz@yahoo.com "...Came aboard VAH-3 NAS Jacksonville, Florida from AT "A" school sometime in 1957, just in time to make the Med Cruise. Went aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) as AT3. Enjoyed the liberty in Cannes, Barcelona, Genoa, Athens, Salonika, Palma, Gibralter. Were supposed to go to Istanbul, but did not because of the Suez Canal Crisis. Took the Second Class Test on the ship on the way back to the USA and made AT2. Finished my four year enlistment at Sanford, Fla. with VAH-3 in December 59. I enjoyed my time in the Navy, it was a very rewarding experience. I am proud to be Ex-Navy..." [11JUN2003]


GROVE, AFCM Don Retired fogydong@gmail.com "...I was with VP-23 at NAS Brunswick, Maine, as a young AMAN and AM3 in 1952, 53, and 54. Worked in the Airframes Division. The squadron was equipped with PB4Y-2 Privateers (the Navy version of the B-24) when I arrived. Just a few months before I checked-in the squadron had been transferred to NAS Brunswick, Maine from Opalaka (Miami), Florida, where they had been the Navy's hurricane hunters. VP-23 returned from their second consecutive deployment to NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada, in November of 1953 and began transitioning to P2V-5's. We were one of the very few squadron's to receive brand-new P2V-5's from the Lockheed factory at Burbank, California, without the jet engines installed under the wings. In the fall of 1954 VP-23 deployed to NAF Port Lyautey, Morocco, with these "twin-engined" P2V-5's. After that deployment the jet-less Neptunes were returned to the Lockheed factory to have the jet engine modification installed. By then, I had already departed for duty at NATTU, Pensacola. In July of 1968, after a four-year tour of recruiting duty, I reported to VP-2 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington as an AMCS. I served mostly as Aircraft Division Chief, and for a short time as Operations Department Chief. The squadron was flying the P2V-7, or as it had been re-titled by decree of Congress, the SP2H. In February 1969 VP-2deployed to NS Sangley Point, Philippines, with a permanent detachment at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. The size of our Vietnam detachment varied from 3 to 6 planes depending on enemy activity and the dark-of-the-moon. The squadron was also sporadically tasked with maintaining a small detachment, usually 2 aircraft, in Tainan, Taiwan. During this deployment plans were laid and necessary technical school quotas obtained to support a transition to P-3 Orions. This transition was scheduled to begin after VP-2's return to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. Alas, it was not to be. Another NAS Whidbey Island, Washington P2V squadron, VP-42, had been scheduled as our relief squadron at the completion of deployment. But, VP-42 was not sent to WestPac. VP-2 left the Philippines for home without a turn-over squadron, arriving at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington during the latter part of August 1969. It was soon determined, by those that decide such matters, that the last two active-duty Navy P2V squadrons on the west coast, VP-2 and VP-42 would be disestablished. There was to be no transition to P-3's for VP-2. The squadron was officially deactivated on 30 September 1969. I was transferred across the hanger to VP-1, a squadron then in the middle of a transition to P-3B Orions. Other squadrons that I was a part of were VAH-3 (sea duty), VAH-3 (shore duty), VAH-13, all A3D squadrons, and VQ-3 (EC-130Q's), VC-5(A-4's & US2F's), VFP-63 (RF-8K's), and NATTU (SNB-5P's & F9F-6P's)...." [E-Mail Updated 24APR2010 | E-Mail Updated 19JUN2002 | BIO/E-Mail Updated 29DEC2001]


HUTCHESON, Tony tchutch@stx.rr.com "...Would like to hear from any Shipmates with whom I had the pleasure of serving during my career which began in 1956 and ended in 1976. Aviation commands in which I served were U.S.S Wasp (CVS-18), July 1957 until Feb. 1958; VR-24 NAF Port Lyautey, Morocco, March 1958 until March 1960; VU-2 & VU-2 Det., NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, April 1960 until Nov. 1961; VAH-3 NAS Sanford, Florida Aug. 1962 until Sep. 1963; VAH-6 & RVAH-6 NAS Sanford, Florida & NAS Albany, Georgia June 1965 until Nov. 1969; NAVSTA NS Rota, Spain AIMD (T-56 Shop) Dec. 1969 until Sep. 1970; HS-1 NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island and NAS Jacksonville, Florida Oct. 1970 until Dec. 1973; VP-56 NAS Jacksonville, Florida & NAS Keflavik, Iceland March '75 until March '76. Smooth seas and following winds to all and may God Bless you all. If I served with you, I was blessed - hope you were, too..." [08JAN2005]


JOHNSON, AT2 Culver "Johnny" culverj@directvinternet.com "...I served with VAH-3 NAS Sanford Florida from 1961-63 as an AT2. Transitioned the A3s to Vigilantes. Would welcome any old Shipmates' contact..." [24SEP2002]

JOHNSON, Edward edjohn3408@gmail.com "...I served with RVAH-3 (1978-1979) at NAS Key West, Florida, NATC (1979-1981) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, VP-10 (1981-1986), AIMD (1986-1989) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, VP-56 (1989-1991), VP-45 (1991-1995) and Naval Research Laboratory FLighT SUPPort DETachment (NRLFLTSUPPDET) (1995-1998) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland..." [11MAR2017]


KING, AT1 Jack G. Retired 303 S Du Quoin St Benton, IL 62812-1460 "...I served with VP-661 from 1952 to 1953. VP-661 was redesignated VP-56 early 1953. I went USN VP-661 was a reserve squadron at NAS Anacostia, Washington, D.C.. I was an AL in 1946 with ATU-10 NAS Jacksonville, Florida, VR-22 from 1961 to 1962, VAH-3, VAH-6, VAH-8 NAS Sanford, Florida, OS2U Squadron 7 NAS Pensacola, Florida in 1945, VC-33 from July 1953 to February 1955, VS-27 from 1957 to 1961 got manny hrs R4D8 and 5 at Oceana (was there 50-51-63-64), flew much hrs UF1 NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey from 1955 to 1956. Did some ferry VRF31 also flew radio on B17 Johnsville development center between VC-33 and back to NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey. We had infra-red aboard plane at develop stage..." [12MAY2004]

KRETSINGER, AD3 Vic H. vknchar@cox.net "...I served with VAH-3 from 1956 to 1959 (Plane Captain). Anyone remember LtCDR Webb and AD 1 Glover??? They were my PPC and PC respectively..." [E-Mail/BIO Updated 20JUN2004 | 18SEP99]


McKEE, AEC Homer R. Retired mckee_homer@bellsouth.net "...My first tour of duty VAH-3 Sanford Fl. after AE B school. I started VP duty with VP-49 NAS Bermuda from 1962-1964 (P-3 F/E school in 1963), VP-30 F/E Inst. from 1965-1967, TAR VP-68 from 1971-1974 NAS Glenview, Illinois, VP-90 from 1974-1977, VP-62 from 1977-1980, VP-60 from 1980-1981, and retired August 1981. I am still employed at NADEP NAS Jacksonville, Florida as a P-3 ASI..." [E-Mail Updated 02MAR2004 | E-Mail Updated 10AUG2002 | E-Mail Updated 25MAY2001 | 07SEP98]

MOFFITT, AE2 Jerry ridergroup@cox.net "...Hello fellow RVAH-3 (Sea Dragons!). I always get a kick out of seeing names and places from the past. As I sit here wriying I am surrounded by photo reminders of Heavy 3 and the terrific folks I served with. I hope life has dealt you a good hand and you have played them well!..." [27MAY2004]


SCOTT, PH3 John D. jscott401@comcast.net "...I served with RVAH-3 NAS Sanford, Florida 1966 to 1968 as a Training Petty Officer. Would like to hear from anyone serving at that time..." [26NOV2003]

SHREVE, Richard N. Rvah3@hotmail.com "...I served with RVAH-3 at NAS Albany, Georgia. I worked in Air Frames as an AMH-3 from 1972-1974. If anyone remembers me, please e-mail..." [E-Mail Updated 06NOV2002 | E-Mail Updated 07JUN2001 | 18MAY2000]

SMALL, AE2 Rick rlsmall@maine.rr.com "...I was an AE2 when I was discharged in 1969. Boot - Great Lakes 1965, NAS Key West, NAS Jacksonville, Florida for AE "A" School, and NAS Sanford, FL with RVAH-3 (worked mostly on RA-5Cs) and Quals on the USS America. I now have a PhD in Theology and serve as a minister in Gorham, Maine. Anyone know Lyle Dawson (Nebraska), Stan Meyers (Tennessee) or Micheal Philshephter (not sure of spelling)?..." [13MAR2003]


WALKER, Rich SkyBoss79@aol.com "...Served in RVAH-3 from September 1966 till August 1969 in FAETULANT Detachment as a pilot instructor on the CPT and WST trainers for the Vig. NATTC NAS Memphis, Tennessee January 1966 till Augugust 1966. Boot Camp at NTC San Diego October 1965 to December 1965..." [22APR2002]


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