VPNAVY VP-5 Mercury Capsule Recovery
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

HistoryVU-10 HistoryHistory

Circa 1964

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation November 1964 "...VU-10 Does More Than Go And Tow - Page 28 - Naval Aviation News - November 1964..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1964/nov64.pdf [30AUG2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

Circa 1950

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCameraVU-10 JD-1 Invader "...Looking Back To The 1950s - Thursday - December 10, 2009..." WebSite: JaxAirNews http://www.jaxairnews.com/ [11DEC2009]

Assigned to VU-10, this Douglas JD-1 Invader awaits its next target-towing mission from NAS Jacksonville, Florida (Originally a USAAF A-26B, it is not to be confused with the B-26 Marauder). It was flwon until the mid 1960s by Navy Utility Squadrons (VU-1, VU-2, VU-3, VU-4, VU-5, VU-7 and VU-10) as target tug, drone director and general utility aircraft. It was powered by two Pratt and Whitney R-2800-79 radials


Circa 1946 to 1948

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "... The History of Guantanamo Bay 1494 -1964 - by M. E. Murphy, Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy - U. S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Squadrons Mentioned: VJ-16 and VU-10..." WebSite: U. S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba http://www.nsgtmo.navy.mil/ history/gtmohistorymurphyvol1ch16.htm [10DEC2006]

Utility Squadron

During 1945, however, all efforts were not bent toward reduction. The DD-DE Shakedown Task Group was moved to Guantanamo from Bermuda in February and March 1945 and became the Training Group (later Fleet Training Group). Another command that arrived in Guantanamo about that time was VJ-16.

VJ-16 had been established in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 1 December 1943. There it served the need for aircraft towing and utility services for the Atlantic Fleet in the Caribbean area. VJ-16 was moved from San Juan on 10 May 1944, and after eleven months stay in Miami the Squadron arrived in Guantanamo Bay on 1 April 1945 under the command of LCDR V. C. Wright. The Squadron furnished utility services for Fleet units in the Guantanamo Bay area, particularly during Fleet problems. In the summer of 1946 the designation was changed to Utility Squadron 10, commonly known as VU-10.

The duties of this squadron include target towing for anti-aircraft gunnery practices, various radar exercises, rescue missions for ships or aircraft in distress, and bringing in emergency supplies and spare parts for the Base.

In the summer of 1948 two helicopters were attached to the Squadron and were used to provide security patrols for the Base, furnish a platform for spotting shore bombardments, furnishing air-sea rescue, plane guard, and emergency transportation. Santa Claus even arrives by helicopter in this tropical country.

VU-10 also has a large drone component, the drone Planes being used as targets for anti-aircraft practice.


Return
"VU-10 Summary Page"