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HistoryVP-5 HistoryHistory

Circa 1949

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...FAW-11, composed of Squadrons VP-3, VP-5, and FASRON-109, advance contingents arrive at NAS Jacksonville, Florida from San Juan, PR...." http://www.nasjax.navy.mil/command%20information/chronology.htm [10JAN2004]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-5 Crew ThumbnailCameraCirca 1949 "...VP-5, 1949, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. P2V-2's in background..." Contributed by STOCKMAN, CW03 Jim Retired jamesb131@earthlink.net [30JUN2001]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Patrol Squadron FIVE moved to NAS Jacksonville, Florida in December of 1949. From this pleasant home, deployments of varying lengths have ranged to such places as Newfoundland, Puerto Rico, Malta, Iceland, Bermuda, Morocco, Sicily and Spain.

The squadron recently completed a five month tour in NAS Sigonella, Sicily where it flew over 5000 hours in support of Mediterranean surveillance, Sixth Fleet and combined NATO operations. The primary mission of this squadron is to conduct air anti-submarine warfare operations. Secondary tasks include the necessary surveillance of wide areas of our maritime frontiers, and the conduct of aerial mining and search and rescue operations.

Today the squadron is made up of about 300 enlisted men and 59 officers; twelve aircraft are assigned.

Recognition for excellence has come in the form of three Chief of Naval Operations Safety Awards, seven Safety Citations from Commander Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, and three Battle Efficiency "E"'s. In addition, the squadron received the Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for outstanding achievement in Anti-Submarine Warfare during FY64.

The squadron is still flying the venerable P2V Neptune, although the aircraft has undergone many modifications over the years - the most recent of these being a change of designator "From P2V to SP2E" and a change of decor (from blue to gull gray.)

Conversion to the newer P3A Orion, which is already being flown by two local squadrons, is scheduled for 1966. Patrol Squadron FIVE is presently operating as one of the five NAS Jacksonville, Florida-based squadrons under Commander Fleet Air Wing ELEVEN, Captain H. B. Stott, USN. Captain Stott's superior in the chain of command is Rear Admiral A. R. Matter who, as Commander Fleet Air Wings, Atlantic Fleet, also exercises operational control of similar Fleet Air Wings based at Norfolk, Virginia and Brunswick, Maine..." 1967 WestPac CruiseBook ( NS Sangley Point, Philippines)

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-5 Crew ThumbnailCameraVP-5 Circa 1949 "...VP-5 Utility Division, 1949, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. P2V-2 in background..." Contributed by STOCKMAN, CW03 Jim Retired jamesb131@earthlink.net [30JUN2001]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-5 Crew ThumbnailCameraVP-5 Circa 1949 "...VP-5 Pilots, 1949, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. P2V-2 in background..." Contributed by STOCKMAN, CW03 Jim Retired jamesb131@earthlink.net [30JUN2001]


Circa 1948

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: UNIT: VP-5 PREVIOUS DES: VP-ML-5 NAME: Mad Foxes TAIL CODE: MC/LA ACTIVATED: 12-19-48 DEACTIVATED: TYPICAL LOCATION(S): NS Roosevelt Roads, PR / NAS Jacksonville, Florida
Books"Title: Lockheed P2V Neptune An Illustrated History by Wayne Mutza wmutza@wi.rr.com...A Schiffer Military History Book...ISBN: 0-7643-0151-9...286 pages full of pictures and history!


Circa 1947

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...I am pretty certain that the airport at San Juan, PR was designated, NAS San Juan in early 1947, and was homebase to VPML-5 as well as a PBY squadron. About mid year, it started to seriously go commercial, and VPML-5 moved to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. There was almost nothing at Roosevelt at that time. I believe only one hangar, and a couple of barracks, and some dependents quarters for officers and chiefs..." Contributed by Eugene GRAZIANO nginsb@msn.com [11JAN2000]


Circa 1942

HistoryHISTORY: "1942 Through 1966...The distinguished service of Patrol Squadron FIVE began in 1942 and has continued through World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Quarantine of Cuba. In the year the squadron was commissioned at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, Washington as VP-135, and was equipped with PBY "Catalinas." In 1943 the "Blind Foxes," as they were originally nicknamed, received the PV-1 "Vega Ventura." With these, and later with PV-2's, the squadron flew over 200 sorties against the Japanese mainland from bases in Alaska.

vp5pby.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...VB-135 PBY Picture..."

Following World War II, VPB-135, as it was redesignated in 1945, journeyed to the east coast of the United States. Thereafter Edenton, North Carolina; NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island; San Juan and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico all provided at one time or another a home for the well-traveled Foxes.

NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island knew them first as VP-135 and later as VP-ML-5. In San Juan the Foxes came under the command of Fleet Air Wing ELEVEN, and in 1948 underwent three other changes: VP-ML-5 was redesignated as VP-5; the "Blind Foxes" became the "Mad Foxes;" and the P2V "Neptune" replaced the PV-2.
vp5pv1a.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Manning The Planes Picture..."
vp5pv1d.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Toping Off The Tanks Picture..."
vp5pv1e.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Starting To Roll..."
vp5pv1b.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Adjusting Gear..."
vp5pv1c.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Loading Up..."
vp5pv1f.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Airborne..."

Bombing Squadron One Thirty Five

Officers
ROCKE
LANGTON
SELLERS
IANI
WHEAT
SCHATZER
FLETCHER
JOHNSON
JEPPESEN
KING
COOPER

Enlisted Men
JACKSON
DUFFIN
GREEN
BEAULIEU
DICKSON
PATZ
GARTLAND
AUSTIN
COPELAND
BURKOWSKI
EVERARD
PURD
CZAPLICKI
CATT
FARRELL
BEGGIN
STROM
WILSON


UPDATE "...The first four or five PV1 photos which are ascribed to VP-5 are almost certainly photos of VP-135 Venturas at Casco Field, Attu. The second photo entitled "topping the tanks" for certain as the names which are listed below the photo are a partical list of the aircrew lost during VP-135's 1944 deployment. My father was the co-pilot of PV1 BuAer no. 48733 lost the night of May 5-6, 1944 and is included on this listing together with the pilot, Lt(jg) Alonzo Wheat...Bill Shatzer bshatzer@oregonvos.net..." [12AUG2000]

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