A BIT OF HISTORY: NAS Jacksonville, Florida "...A picture of NAS Jacksonville, Florida with VP-7, possibly VW-4 and VP-23. The photo was probably taken in summer of 1968 or 1969, in the late morning. The scanned image was given to me by my OLD Shipmate with VP-7 Wayne Gullett (also former XO of NAS Jacksonville, Florida) who has the original. It was taken by a VAHP-62 A3D, and the point obviously was to show the two VAHP-62 a/c in the break. However, it gives the best photo I have ever seen of operations along the seawall at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. It shows five VP-7 P2V's (one in the foreground between the first two hangars and the first four P2's along the seawall), four Willie Victors from VW-4 along the seawall, and four P2's from VP-23 (what were THEY doing there???), one between the second and third hangars and three along the seawall at the top. There are also two apparently unmarked P2's above the third hangar along with a P-3 with no visible markings, another P2 partially visible at the top left, and a P-3 taxiing north toward the runways. In the foreground you see two R4D's and a C-117, two A4's, and a gaggle of choppers. A typical day at the office in Jacksonville...WOODRUFF, William H. (Woody) whw00dy@att.net..." [28MAY2003]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...On Patrol - Page 30 - Naval Aviation News - November 1968..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1968/nov68.pdf [15SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Reduction In Force Is Scheduled - Page 3 - Naval Aviation News - October 1968..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1968/oct68.pdf [15SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Springboard '68: Bigger Than Ever - Page 10 to 12 - Naval Aviation News - June 1968..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1968/jun68.pdf [15SEP2004]

---

Circa 1967

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - August 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/aug67.pdf [11SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...I was with VP-23, the last P2 squadron in the U. S. Navy, from 1/67 to 7/71. At the time I joined them, the squadron was deployed to NAS Sigonella, Sicily. In 68, we again deployed to "Sunny Sig" and, in 69, following the Soviet's intervention in Czechoslovakia, for the third time in as many years, we were back in Sig. It was during a defense dept reduction in forces, which included two HS, four VS and two VP squadrons scheduled to be disestablished, that the soviets did their thing. Then-Secy of Defense Clark Clifford went to NATO and pledged a "previously scheduled MPA squadron" (VP-23) for reactivation. At the time, we were down to only three aircraft and forty-two total personnel. We picked up a full complement of the newest P2V's, built back up and made our third trip to Sigonella. When that one was over, we started our transition into P-3B's, with our next deployment split between NS Rota, Spain and NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal over the period 10/70 to 4/71..." Contributed by George Cummings gcnutmeg@webtv.net [03JAN99]

---

Circa 1966

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Crew-10 - NAS Souda Bay, Crete, Greece - Circa 1966..." Contributed by ROKOWSKI, AE3 Joseph G. jsrokowski@hotmail.com [26FEB2016]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - October 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/oct66.pdf [07SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - August 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/aug66.pdf

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 36 to 37 - Naval Aviation News - March 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/mar66.pdf [04SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Atlantic Air Wings On Patrol - Page 32 to 33 - Naval Aviation News - January 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/jan66.pdf [04SEP2004]

---

Circa 1965

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Atlantic Air Wings On Patrol - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - November 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/nov65.pdf [03SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...On Patrol With Atlantic Air Wings - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - March 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/mar65.pdf [31AUG2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...On Patrol With Atlantic Air Wings - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - January 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/jan65.pdf [31AUG2004]

---

Circa 1964

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Training In Maine - Page 27 - Naval Aviation News - July 1964..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1964/jul64.pdf [29AUG2004]

---

Circa 1963

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Fifty years ago (1963) this week, VP-23’s LJ-9 was flying from NAS Brunswick, Maine to NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to relieve one of the other Missile Crisis GTMO surveillance crews when we were stunned to hear the news of the Kennedy Assassination. We were passing abeam of Miami southbound and as PPC, I was worried about our safety in the Havana FIR and if we would have trouble from the Cubans getting into GTMO. My co-pilot Max Rumelhart cancelled our IFR flight plan and we gingerly let down into the airspace surrounding GTMO and of course, landed without incident - but with tons of questions concerning the news we had heard. I wonder if any of our old Crew-9 keep in contact through this wonderful VP website, and if they do, a tip of the hat in remembrance to Plane Captain Harry Grinder and the gang who saw us through those uncertain days..." Contributed by McINTYRE, CAPTAIN John vqplank@columbus.rr.com [19NOV2013]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Battle E For '63 Awarded - Page 3 - Naval Aviation News - September 1963..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1963/sep63.pdf [27AUG2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...P-2 Spots Hi-Jacked Ship - Page 3 - Naval Aviation News - April 1963..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1963/apr63.pdf [25AUG2004]

---

Circa 1962

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...CDR W. V. Collins - Page 40 - Naval Aviation News - January 1962..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1962/jan62.pdf [21AUG2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: VP-23 Crew "...Picture of Brothers who served together in VP23 in 1962. Our memory only allows us to identify (from left to right) individuals no. 3 & 4 that are the Maner Brothers, Gill and Jim respectively, then no. 7 & 8 are the McFarland brothers standing in front of LJ-1 buno 147951..." Contributed by James Maner AEC, USN, Retired via John N. Eubanks AECS-USN retired fesa@leading.net [23MAR2000]

---

Circa 1961

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Super Sleuths - Page 19 - Naval Aviation News - June 1961..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1961/jun61.pdf [20AUG2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Patrol Squadron TWENTY THREE Family Grand Number Three..." Contributed by John Eubanks fesa@leading.net [03JAN99]

U. S. Naval Station
Argentia, Newfoundland
May 29, 1961

Article Picture


Dear Friends,

During the month of May, Armed Forces Day vas observed here in Argentia, as well as in the United States. There were displays, parades, and aerial demonstrations with Patrol Squadron TWENTY THREE participating. Many naval and civilian personnel were given the opportunity to inspect the squadron aircraft and were told of the squadron's role in Antisubmarine Warfare. All scheduled activities demonstrated the "power for peace" theme President Kennedy proclaimed for this year's Armed Forces day celebration.

During the month, crews SIX, SEVEN, and ONE flew the ice patrol to Northern Greenland. All returned with a better understanding of the climatic conditions of the Arctic wastelands while contributing to the mission of the Military Sea Transportation Service Operation.

The squadron is proud of a new record that it has added to its history. On the 11th and 12th of May an endurance flight of 22 hours and 54 minutes was accomplished by crew ONE. This is the longest a P2V-7 aircraft in the squadron and Atlantic Fleet has remained in flight ready to perform its' mission with a full crew. I extend "congratulations" to the crew and all the ground support personnel for their motivation and proficiency in making the flight successful.

Included with this letter are pictures taken after a recent personnel inspection. It is regretted that space and time limitations have necessitated the small size, however, I hope you will be able to recognize your husband or son from among his shipmates.

This is the final family-gram for this deployment, I hope that this series has given each of you a closer look into the activities of the squadron while on deployment, the travel opportunities available to its personnel, and an understanding of some of the reasons why it is essential to maintain a highly combat ready Anti-Suhtearine Warfare squadron in the Newfoundland area.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to you who have accepted this separation from your loved ones so patiently. You may be assured that each and every man has contributed as an individual and as part of the team to make this an extremely successful deployment .

Sincerely,

W. V. Collins
Commander USN
Commanding Officer [23MAR2000]

---

Circa 1960

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...(VP-5, VP-7, VP-8, VP-10, VP-11, VP-16, VP-18, VP-21, VP-23, VP-24, VP-26, VP-44, VP-45, VP-49 and VP-56) - Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAV NOTICE 05400 for Fiscal Year 1960 dated 1 February 1960 is: DECLASSIFIED per Office of Chief of Naval Operations on 1 February 1965 by Op-501 - Atlantic Fleet Support Stations..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao53-68/fy1960-feb60.pdf [13MAR2007]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...(VP-7, VP-10, VP-11, VP-21, VP-23 and VP-26) - Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAV NOTICE 05400 for Fiscal Year 1960 dated 1 February 1960 is: DECLASSIFIED per Office of Chief of Naval Operations on 1 February 1965 by Op-501 - Atlantic Fleet Support Stations..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao53-68/fy1960-feb60.pdf [10MAR2007]

---

"VP-23 History Summary Page"

---

---