VPNAVY VP-5 Mercury Capsule Recovery
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HistoryVAP-61 HistoryHistory

Circa 1939

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...The origin of VP-61 may have been as indicated. At NAS Alameda, California 1939, however the VP-61 which is covered in this web site was commissioned as VD-5. In WWII last serving in te pacific at Agana. The squadron left Agana in 1946 and went briefly to NAS Alameda, California and then to NAS North Island, San Diego, California. In early 1947 they went to NAS Miramar/MCAS Kearny Mesa. Sometime at the end of 1946 VD-5 was redesignated VPP-1 and still operating with PB4Y1Ps and continued to be stationed at NAS Miramar. In 1951 they were redesignated VP-61 then redsignated VJ-61. With the arrival of the AJ2P it was redesignated VAP-61. The squadron was composed of PB4Y1Ps, AJ2Ps and of course the SNBs. One more small item the squadron patch or logo came into existance in the early 1950s. There was a real Goose kept in a pen very near the old nose hangar we moved into then. That goose was named VIP and could make more noise than the aircraft. PS-old VIP was much harassed by everyone at all times day and night especially the mid watch on the flight line..." Contributed by Joe W. Parker, Jr PHOM3C PH1/AF1---LCDR Retired helenjoepar@webtv.net [10MAR2000]


Circa 1956

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News August 1956 "...Photo Squadrons Re-Named - Page 14 - Naval Aviation News - August 1956..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1956/aug56.pdf [09AUG2004]

VP History Thumbnail

Circa 1958

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Logo ThumbnailCameraVAP-61 History "...VAP-61 area located next to VW-3. NAS Agana, Guam Circa 1958..." Contributed by HAYES, Ken ADRC52@aol.com [24FEB2003]


Circa 1959

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News September 1959 "...Eight Planes 474.9 Hours - Page 38 - Naval Aviation News - September 1959..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1959/sep59.pdf [15AUG2004]

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Circa 1965

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation November 1965 "...Squadron History - Naval Aviation News - November 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/nov65.pdf [03SEP2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

Circa 1966

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY:  History ThumbnailCameraAQ1 "...This rate existed until about 1980. There were actually to rates one was AQB for Bomber and AQF for Fighter. We worked on the (VAP-61) aircraft Radar and Fire Control Systems. The two rates were combined into one about 1970 as AQ..." Contributed by Robert E. Snook rsnook@teledyne.com [28APR2006]


Circa 1968

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation October 1968 "...VAP-61 Gets Unit Commendation - Page 36 - Naval Aviation News - October 1968..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1968/oct68.pdf [15SEP2004]

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Circa 1972

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation February 1972 "...Decommissiongs - Page 19 - Naval Aviation News - February 1972..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1972/feb72.pdf [27SEP2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

Circa 1973

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation January 1973 "...Crossroads Of The Pacific - Page 34 to 39 - Naval Aviation News - January 1973..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1973/jan73.pdf [28SEP2004]

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Circa 1981

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation July 1981 "...Special Operations - Page 30 to 33 - Naval Aviation News - July 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/jul81.pdf [13OCT2004]

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Circa Unknown
Can you identify the Month and or Year?

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...The U.S. Navy/U.S. Coast Guard Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument, will be located on the Council International Sport Military Field on the US Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, CA. This monument will be a personal detailed, and heart-felt tribute to all Naval & Coast Guard personnel who died serving their country in the South East Asia Theater of the Vietnam War from 1960-1975. A few of the military squadrons represented are: VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-6, VP-17, VP-26, VP-40, VP-42, VP-48, VP-50, VAH-21, VAP-61, and VO-67. WebSite: Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument..." Contributed by BAILEY, AO3 Bob flynavy10@comcast.net [Updated 21DEC2000 | Updated 02JUL2000 | Updated 14APR2000 | 03APR2000]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "The lineage of VQ-1's "World Watchers" can be traced back to two PBY-5A Catalina "Black Cats" modified for electronic reconnaissance during World War II. The unit formally established as the Special Electronic Search Project at NAS Sangley Point, Philippines, in October 1951. By 13 May 1953, when it was redesignated Detachment Able of Airborne Early Warning Squadron One (VW-1), the unit operated four P4M-1Q Mercator aircraft. When Detachment Able was reorganized into Electronic Countermeasures Squadron One (VQ-1) at Iwakuni, Japan on 1 June 1955, it was the first squadron dedicated to electronic warfare. The A-3 Skywarrior, or "Whale" as it came to be known, served the squadron for the next three decades. In 1960, not only was VQ-1 moved to Atsugi, Japan and redesignated Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE, but the last Mercator was retired and replaced by the first of many WV-2Q Super Constellations. The "Willie Victor" would remain the backbone of VQ-1's long range, land-based reconnaissance efforts through the Vietnam Era and into the 1970's. The squadron's involvement in the Vietnam War started characteristically, at the very beginning when a Skywarrior crew was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for their role in the Gulf of Tonkin incident of 2 - 5 August 1964. For the next nine years, VQ-1 would operate from Danang, Cubi Point, Bangkok, aircraft carriers on patrol in Yankee Station and other bases in Southeast Asia. VQ-1's aircrews supported countless air strikes and are credited with assisting in the destruction of numerous MiG aricraft and Komar patrol boats. The first EP-3 Aries I joined the squadron in 1969, beginning the replacement program for the Super Constellations, which was competed in 1974. In 1971, the VQ-1 moved its homeport to NAS Agana, Guam. At that time it absorbed Heavy Photographic Squadron SIXTY ONE (VAP-61) and its former parent unit, VW-1. For a time VQ-1 consisted of thirty aircraft: sixteen Skywarriors, twelve Super Constellations and two Orions. After the departure of the last Skywarrior in the late 1980's, the squadron flew the EP-3 Aries I exclusively. In 1991 the squadron closed its permanent detachment in Atsugi, Japan after 30 years and moved it to NAF Misawa, Japan. In the same year, VQ-1 received the first EP-3E Aries II, an upgraded version of the Aries I using modified P-3C airframes. The squadron played a key role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Despite the harsh, difficult maintenance environment and 30 year old aircraft, VQ-1 amassed nearly 1400 combat flight hours with a 100% mission completion rate. Tasking included strike support, combat search and rescue, communications and over-the-horizon-targeting support to coalition forces. In 1994, as a result of the base closure of NAS Agana, VQ-1 was notified of the homeport change to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. Coincidentally, in July 1994, VQ-1 retired the Navy's oldest operational P-3, EP-3E Aries I BUNO 148887. Its retirement also marked VQ-1's transition to all EP-3E AIRIES II mission aircraft. Today, VQ-1 provides electronic reconnaissance from the east coast of Africa to the west coast of the United States. The squadron maintains a permanent detachment in NAF Misawa, Japan and has maintained a continuous presence in the Arabian Gulf since July 1992..." http://www.naswi.navy.mil/vq-1/history.html

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons CD-ROM: Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol. 2 Stock No. 008-046-00195-2 The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL), and VP(AM) Naval Historical Center, Department Of The Navy, Washington, D. C...." [17JUN2000]
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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VAP-61 Logo ThumbnailVCP-61 Crew Patch "...VAP-61 ranamed VCP-61..." Contributed by Ernie Green mfd132@webtv.net [28DEC2000]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VAP-61 Logo ThumbnailVCP-61 Crew Patch "...VAP-61 ranamed VCP-61..." Contributed by Ernie Green mfd132@webtv.net [28DEC2000]


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