A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-62 was commissioned 1 Nov 70 when all other Reserve Patrol Squadrons were formed. Flying the SP2H, the squadron was composed of two elements; VP-62 in NAS Jacksonville, Florida and VP-62 Det Atlanta. CDR Sam Hembree, from Montgomery, AL was the first XO of the Det in Artlanta. CDR Vince Charpentier was the first Tar O-in-C. The first CO was from the NAS Jacksonville, Florida contingent and their first O-in-C was a Tar, CDR Dennis -----? Both units were combined when the transition to P-3's occured in 1972 and the entire squadron became based in NAS Jacksonville, Florida..." Contributed by Vince Charpentier, CDR, USNR (Ret) vfc@webtv.net [04JUN99]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-62 "BROADARROWS"..." http://www.navy-reserve.org/magazine/9805/nra9805b.html [02MAY99]

The BROADARROWS of Patrol Squadron SIX TWO (VP-62), commanded by CDR Norm Dupree, are one of eight Reserve maritime patrol squadrons currently providing peacetime fleet contributory support. Additionally, during a crisis or wartime situation, the squadron is prepared to rapidly mobilize and deploy where needed.

VP-62 was commissioned on Nov-ember 1, 1970 as part of the Reserve Force Squadron (RESFORON) concept. This implemented the structure for the Naval Air Reserve Force to provide fully manned and equipped squadrons in the event of war or national emergency. VP-62 is located at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida and has operated the SP-2H "Neptune", the P-3A/B "Orion" and the P-3B TACNAVMOD aircraft. In 1987, VP-62 became the first Reserve squadron equipped with the P-3C Update III, the most formidable maritime patrol aircraft in the world.

The squadron is comprised of approximately 230 Selected Reservists and 120 Training and Administration of Reserve (TAR) personnel. Selected Reservists commute from across the Southeastern United States to take part in proficiency training and operational missions in support of maritime operations.

Since commissioning, VP-62 has logged thousands of operational flight hours supporting the fleet throughout the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and most recently the Caribbean. From Undersea and Anti-surface warfare to surface surveillance to the war on drugs, VP-62 is prepared for any contingency. During annual training periods, VP-62 personnel have participated in operations at such overseas deployment sites as the Azores, Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, Crete, Iceland, Norway, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sicily, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The overwhelming success of these deployments has highlighted the advanced capability of the P-3C Update III and demonstrated the Naval Reserve's ability to effectively operate and maintain front-line equipment in a most challenging real world environment in support of fleet requirements. Recent upgrades to Reserve aircraft sensor packages purchased through NGRE funding, include the AVX-1 electro-optical system and the Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) APS-137(A)V5, the most capable version of ISAR in operation today, active or Reserve.

Through the years, the BROADARROWS of VP-62 have been recognized in the areas of operational readiness and command efficiency. Command awards include: The Noel Davis Battle Efficiency "E" (1973, 1974, 1975, 1983, 1996), the Liberty Bell Trophy for ASW excellence (1978, 1983, 1994), the Top Blood-hound Award for torpedo delivery excellence (1989, 1991, 1996),the Mining Derby Award (1988), the Administrative Excellence Award (1995, 1996, 1997), the Retention Excellence Award (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996), and the AVCM Donald M. Neal "Golden Wrench" Award for maintenance excellence (1989, 1994).

With a proven track record for success, the BROADARROWS are constantly looking toward the future, not only for the future of VP-62 but for the entire Reserve maritime patrol community. With each new challenge comes the opportunity for VP-62 to provide the best possible product to the fleet. The BROADARROWS look forward to meeting that challenge.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Enlisted in the Naval Air Reserves 1969, @ NAS Jacksonville, Florida and assigned VP-67-F-1, P-2 Flight Crew. VP-67-F-1 was redesignated as VP-62 "A" Wing in fall of 1970 and the Squadron transitioned to P-3..." Contributed by E. A. (Joe) Brack, Jr. eocjoeb@nefcom.net

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) was commissioned on November I, 1970 as part of the Reserve Force Squadron (RESFORON) concept. This implemented the structure for the Naval Air Reserve Force to provide fully manned and equipped squadrons in the event of war or national emergency. VP-62 is located at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida and has operated the SP-2H "Neptune," P-3A/B "Orion," the P-3B TAC/NAV Mod, and the Navy's newest and most formidable maritime patrol aircraft, the P-3C Update III. VP-62 is under the operational and administrative control of Commander Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic. The squadron is comprised of 245 selected reservists and 127 active duty personnel. Selected reservists commute from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to take part in proficiency training and operational missions in support of maritime defense. Since commissioning, VP-62 has logged thousands of flight hours in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) patrols in a fleet support role throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean. During annual training periods, VP-62 personnel have participated in operations at such overseas deployment sites as NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal; Rota, Spain; Bermuda; Keflavik, Iceland; the United Kingdom; Puerto Rico; Panama; Portugal; Sicily; Crete; Lima, Peru; Andoya, Norway, and Santiago, Chile. In 1988, the Broadarrows became the first reserve squadron to launch a Harpoon air-to-surface cruise missile. In 1989, VP-62 deployed to Rota, Spain, becoming the first reserve squadron to deploy with the P-3C Update III aircraft. The overwhelming success of this and subsequent deployments to date have highlighted the advanced capability of the Update III and demonstrated the Naval Reserve's ability to effectively operate and maintain front-line equipment in a most challenging real world environment. Through the years, the "Broadarrows" of VP-62 have been recognized in the areas of operational readiness and command efficiency. Command awards include: Battle Efficiency "E", the Liberty Bell Trophy for ASW excellence, the Top Bloodhound Award for torpedo delivery excellence, the Mining Derby Award, the Administrative Excellence Award, the Retention Excellence Award and the AVCM Donald M. Neal Award for maintenance excellence. In 1995 the "Broadarrow" team was the Commander Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic nominee for the Battle Efficiency "E". In 1996 the Broadarrows received the Commander Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic Administrative EXCELLENCE Award (second consecutive), the Retention Excellence Award (unprecedented fifth consecutive), and the Top Bloodhound Award for Torpedo Delivery Excellence. The mission of VP-62 is to maintain assigned personnel, aircraft and equipment in a state of readiness and availability which: allows rapid deployment to meet crisis response and wartime mobilization requirements, and provides peacetime contributory support to the fleet..." Contributed by Chuck Kaylor kaylor@america.com

"VP-62 History Summary Page"

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