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Circa 2017

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY:  Maritime Patrol Association Planeside Quarterly NewsletterVQ-1 History "...West Coast Battle “E” Recipients... Maritime Patrol Association Planeside Quarterly Newsletter - 2017: Issue 2..." WebSite: Maritime Patrol Association [25MAY2017]
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Open VP History Adobe FileWest Coast Battle “E” Recipients - 2017: Issue 2 165 KB


Circa 2014

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY:  Maritime Patrol Association Planeside Quarterly NewsletterVQ-1 History "...VQ-1 Sends ATC Johnson to Civilian Marksmanship National Tournament... Maritime Patrol Association Planeside Quarterly Newsletter - 2014: Issue 4..." WebSite: Maritime Patrol Association [04NOV2014]
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Open VP History Adobe FileVQ-1 Sends ATC Johnson to Civilian Marksmanship National Tournament - 2014: Issue 4 353KB

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY:  Maritime Patrol Association Planeside Quarterly NewsletterVQ-1 History "...CPRW-10 Hosts Annual Awards Ceremony - VQ-1’s CRC-15 received the Electronic Warfare Crew of the Year award... Maritime Patrol Association Planeside Quarterly Newsletter - 2014: Issue 2..." WebSite: Maritime Patrol Association [01MAY2014]
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Open VP History Adobe FileCPRW-10 Hosts Annual Awards Ceremony - 2014: Issue 2 221KB


Circa 2011

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Ten-year anniversary for Hainan Island incident By LT(jg) VQ-1 - Thursday, March 24, 2011..." WebSite: Northwest Navigator http://www.northwestnavigator.com/ [27MAR2011]

On April 1, 2001, a mid-air collision between a United States Navy EP-3E Aries II surveillance aircraft and a People's Liberation Army Navy J-8II Finback occurred off the coast of Hainan Island, China. The crew of PR-32, assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1) based out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan was forced to make an emergency landing at the Chinese-controlled Lingshui airfield.

After the collision and subsequent emergency landing, the American crew was detained for eleven days while United States and Chinese diplomats disagreed over the cause of the incident. The Chinese government was persuaded to release the crew only after Washington, D.C., issued the “Letter of Two Sorries” on April 11. This official statement expressed sorrow and regret for the death of the J-8 pilot, Wang Wei, and for the landing at Lingshui airfield without proper clearance.

The Chinese returned the EP-3 aircraft to the United States government after a thorough examination and a partial disassembly. On July 3, the disassembled aircraft was flown back to the United States on a Russian An-124-100 Antonov.

To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of this incident and the safe return of the 24-man aircrew, VQ-1 will be hosting a remembrance at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 1 at the NAS Whidbey Island Officersí Club. A slide show of the Hainan Island Incident will be presented by five members of the PR-32 aircrew, Lt. Cmdr. Richard D. Payne, Chief Aviation Machinistís Mate Regina P. Kauffman, Chief Aviation Machinistís Mate Wendy S. Hermandorfer, Cryptologic Technical Technician 1st Class Bradford J. Borland, and Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Scott L. Guidry. They will discuss their experiences during the incident and facilitate a discussion of the incident after the presentation.

All active duty military members are welcome to attend.

© 2011 Sound Publishing, Inc.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Commander, Naval Air Forces Announces 2010 Battle 'E' Winners - Story Number: NNS110209-21 - Release Date: 2/9/2011 4:36:00 PM..." WebSite: Navy.Mil http://www.navy.mil/ [08MAR2011]

From Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) announced the winners of the 2010 Squadron Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") competition awards, Feb. 2.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), were the Battle "E" winners in the aircraft carrier category for the West and East Coasts, respectively.

The 2010 CNAF squadron Battle "E" winners for both the East and West Coasts are:

- VP-1, "Screaming Eagles"
- VP-45, "Pelicans"
- VQ-1, "World Watchers."
- VQ-3, "Ironman"
- VPU-2, "Wizards"

"In a time when we are continually asked to do more with less, the Sailors, officers and aviators of these carriers and squadrons continue to achieve and surpass the high standards of those who have come before," said CNAF Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers, in the Naval message announcing the winners. "I am proud of the tactical excellence and sound fiscal execution that you have all displayed. You have my personal congratulations on a job well done."

The Battle "E" competition is conducted to strengthen individual command performance, overall force readiness, and to recognize outstanding performance within the Naval Aviation Force.

For more news from Commander, Naval Air Forces, visit www.navy.mil/local/airpac/.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Top official: Optimal manning ‘went too far' By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer - Posted : Sunday Feb 6, 2011 8:23:24 EST... WebSite: NavyTimes http://www.navytimes.com/ [08FEB2011]

Waiting for permission to post entire article.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Former VQ-1 officer recalls squadron's role in Vietnam by Michael Kelley - Thursday, February 3, 2011..." WebSite: NorthWest Navigator http://www.northwestnavigator.com/ [06FEB2011]

Although U.S. military involvement in Vietnam had ended with the withdrawal of the last ground combat forces in 1973, the U.S. maintained close ties with the Republic of Vietnam government and continued logistical support of their Armed Forces. Missions flown by VQ-1 had also come to a close with the final withdrawal of U.S military forces.

By March 1975 North Vietnam launched the first attacks in direct violation of the 1973 agreement. American military forces began mustering in mid-April off the coast of South Vietnam and in bases in the Philippines, primarily NAS Cubi Point, Philippines (Navy) and Clark Air Force Base, and at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam.

Operating as Commander Task Group (CTG) 72.5, VQ-1 positioned two EP-3Es (PR-33 and PR-35), three aircrews (Crews 33, 35 and 36), and ground support personnel at NAS Cubi Point, Philippines beginning about April 20, 1975. This task group operated as a command separate from the usual VQ-1 Det Cubi Point.

PR-35 and Crew 35 arrived at Cubi Point after an across-the-Pacific odyssey which found them in the Philippines after 96 straight days of deployment and flight operations.

When the call came to form and activate CTG 72.5, Crew 35 had been flying in the Sea of Japan for four and a half weeks. During that time they had flown at a higher pace than usual, been intercepted twice by Soviet Naval Aviation MiG-23s (later designated MiG-27), and in early April narrowly missed being intercepted by a North Korean MiG-21 only by the fortune of having to abort a mission early due to an engine failure.

The flight crews began 24-hour overlapping surveillance 22 miles off the coast of South Vietnam on April 22. Missions sometimes lasted as long as 14.4 hours airborne due to the relieving aircraft and crew flying with the departing aircraft and crew for up to an hour for intelligence pass down.

As CTG 72.5 VQ-1, it fell to the squadron to make the first call to begin Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American and Vietnamese citizens, when predetermined criteria were met. After flying a week of 24-hour overlapping surveillance support, Crew 35 personnel were on-hand when the criteria were met and the first message was issued from PR-35. The designated on-scene commander used that to convince the American Ambassador to approve the evacuation which began April 29.

Flight operations for CTG 72.5 continued until May 7 when Crews 33 and 36 were returned to NAS Guam. Crew 35 and PR-35, after being deployed for 111 days, were relocated to Osan Air Force Base, Korea to fly several days of missions along the DMZ between South and North Korea. Crew 35 finally returned to Guam on May 11 after being deployed for 115 continuous days.

Crew 35 had the distinction of being the only EP-3 crew to that time to be awarded the Sea Service ribbon for extended deployment.

As a result of its participation in Operation Frequent Wind, VQ-1, as a command, was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. The flight crews and support personnel who composed CTG 72.5 VQ-1 were also individually awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for meeting 100 percent of mission requirements. The three flight crews - 33, 35, and 36 - were also issued "Combat Zone Base Pay Exemptionî forms for April 1975, making them the last VQ-1 Vietnam veterans.

This ended VQ-1's involvement in the Vietnam War in what was redesignated in 2003 as the Last Campaign of the Vietnam War. This also made Crews 33, 35 and 36 eligible to exchange their Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals for Vietnam Service Medals.

(Editorís note: Michael Kelley was commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola, Florida in 1973. He reported to VQ-1 in Guam in June 1974, following advanced Electronic Warfare training. He flew the last EC-121M Lockheed Super Constellation deployment before the Supper Connie was retired from VQ-1. He was deployed with Crew 35 for its extended odyssey and was present when the message to begin the Vietnam evacuation was sent. He left VQ-1 in December 1976, and went on to teach Leadership and Management, and fly the ERA-3B Douglas Skywarriors on Electronic Warfare Aggressor missions with the Firebirds of VAQ-33. He currently lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.)

© 2011 Sound Publishing, Inc.


Circa 2010

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...New leadership comes to VQ-1 - CDR Cory Howes - By LT(jg) Keith Ferrell - VQ-1 - Thursday, May 20, 2010..." WebSite: NorthWest Navigator http://www.northwestnavigator.com/ [21MAY2010]

The command the VQ-1 World Watchers changes today as Cmdr. Cory Howes steps in for Cmdr. Mike Giannetti, who has commanded the EP-3 aircraft squadron since May 2009.

Giannetti's vision and guidance led VQ-1 to achieve the highest Navy and squadron goals. Of note, World Watchers executed a 100 percent operational sortie completion rate, several consecutive months of 100 percent pilot proficiency training, awarded the 2009 Battle "E" award, received the 2009 Golden Anchor Award for retention, and received the 2009 Blue "M" Award for medical readiness.

VQ-1 performed over 4,535 mishap-free flight hours while continuously deployed all 12 months of Giannetti's tenure, flying missions in 5th and 7th Fleets to include Operations Iraqi Freedom and Ensuring Freedom in Afghanistan, and the Struggle Against

© 2010 Sound Publishing, Inc.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCameraVQ-1 History "...Volunteering Makes VQ-1 a Stronger Force By LT(jg) Patrick Polk - Thursday, February 25, 2010..." WebSite: NorthWest Navigator http://www.northwestnavigator.com/ [26FEB2010]

Photograph Caption: VQ-1 Sailors, from left, front row, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator (Electronics) 2nd Class Hanna Glenn, Yeoman 1st Class Sophia Graham, Olympic View Elementary School principal Martha Adams, and Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Brady gather at a recent assembly.

As the new volunteer coordinator for Patrol Squadron (VQ) 1, Yeoman 1st Class Sophia Graham has taken the lead to help build a strong community. Graham recently stepped in for Senior Chief Aviation Electrician's Mate Craig Olson who is currently deployed to Iraq.

At VQ-1, many Sailors deploy every two to four months, so they appreciate the volunteers' efforts at mentoring the young ones left back at home.

"Parents may not have time based on their deployment schedule, so why not pick up the slack and go give that time back at the schools," said Graham.

Graham recalls her own upbringing, and how volunteers were such a part of her growth and development.

"I've been volunteering for a long time and give back because I know [volunteer programs] were beneficial to me."

Her spirit of volunteerism is another example of how teamwork keeps the Navy running.

"The school that we have is made up of primarily military's children, so the majority of our Sailors' children are in that school."

Graham notes that it is not always easy for Sailors to fit volunteering into their schedule, particularly on weekends.

"I don't fault the Sailors for that. Time is limited," she said.

For Sailors that can find time to volunteer, the rewards are great.

"I think that's the best service that you can give. It's a lot of fun and the students keep me on my toes. They keep me hip," Graham said. "Depending on what you are volunteering for it can open up some doors—get you a different outlook on things."

Time spent volunteering might take away from family time, but the example parents set might well make up for that.

"To me volunteering is a priority, and I try to make sure that my children see that giving beyond themselves is a huge thing, so when they get older it's just not that ‘me, me, I, I' concept," said Graham.

Currently, Sailors from VQ-1 are giving back to their community by volunteering with the Oak Harbor School District. Sailors are offer their time and effort year round, and Sailors are currently gearing up to read to children for the Read Across America project, where on March 2 they will read to students at Olympic View Elementary school for 30 minutes each.

Through her volunteer work and coordination, Graham sets the example within her community, and will continue to open doors of opportunity for her fellow Sailors.

© 2010 Sound Publishing, Inc.


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