 VP-66 History
Circa 1978
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...NAS Willow Grove - Page 24 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - July 1978..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1978/jul78.pdf [09OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...VP-66 In Naples - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - January 1978..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1978/jan78.pdf [09OCT2004]
Circa 1977
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Change-Of-Command - Page 31 - Naval Aviation News - May 1977..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1977/may77.pdf [08OCT2004]
Circa 1976
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Bermuda - Page 28 - Naval Aviation News - December 1976..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1976/dec76.pdf [07OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Six-Week Stay In Bermuda - Page 26 - Naval Aviation News - October 1976..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1976/oct76.pdf [07OCT2004]
Circa 1975
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...VP-66 - Page 25 - Naval Aviation News - November 1975..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1975/nov75.pdf [04OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...VP-66 - Page 29 - Naval Aviation News - October 1975..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1975/oct75.pdf [04OCT2004]
Circa 1972
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Joint Exercise - Page 18 - Naval Aviation News - July 1972..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1972/jul72.pdf [27SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Deployment To Rota - Page 31 - Naval Aviation News - February 1972..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1972/feb72.pdf [27SEP2004]
 
Circa 1971
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania Welcome Aboard 1971 Brochure - Patrol Squadron 66 - The Command and the Mission - Page 10-13, 2007..." [06SEP2007]
Patrol Squadron Six Six is comprised of approximately 350 enlisted and 72 officers. Three officers and 68 enlisted men are full-time active duty to supervise the day-to-day operations and provide professional training to the remainder of the squadron personnel.
The Selected Air Reserve Personnel assigned to the Squadron come from all walks of life and from localities as distant as Bermuda, Rochester, N.Y., Washington, D.C., New York. These men are dedicated "minute men" with civilian occupations such as lawyers, policemen, firemen, businessmen, students, airline pilots, engineers, laborers and social workers. A great number of these men are World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans, while others are strictly reserve program inputs with limited active duty experience.
VP 66 is assigned twelve SP2H "Neptune" patrol-type aircraft. They are equipped with the latest electronic and weapon systems available. The aircraft have the following statistics: Lockheed Aircraft Corp.; two 18 cylinder, air-coo I ed, Wright R-3350-32WA reciprocating compound engines and two Westinghouse 534-WE-36 turbojet engines; 180 knots normal cruise with top speed being 300 knots; up to 2800 mile range; 15 crew members, 8,000 pounds of ordnance in bombay and 4,000 pounds of ornance on the wings; maximum weight, 80,000 pounds; land-based, all weather, day and night, long-range patrol and anti-submarine warfare.
Patrol Squadron Six Six is located in the front of Hangar 15 at the South end of the field. The aircraft are located on the adjoin ing ramp area next to Hangar 15.
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Selected Air Reserve - Page 32 to 33 - Naval Aviation News - January 1971..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1971/jan71.pdf [17SEP2004]
Circa 1970
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Brief history of VP-64 for 1970. I have included two crew pictures (they are already in the crew history section of VP-64) to illustrate the change in attitude before VP-64 and after it was formed. I have also included a list of the SARs assigned to the squadron at the start (plank owners)..." Contributed by ROBIDEAU, AWCS Larry Retired larobidoo@comcast.net [19SEP2006]
On 1 November 1970, VP-64 was established at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, using selected personnel from VP-66W-1, VP-66W-2, and VP-66W-3 and from three fleet support units (VP-21W-4, VP-26W-5, and VP-23W-6) that were already at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The squadron consisted of 323 enlisted men and 60 officers. There were 249 enlisted Selected Air Reserves (SARs) and 74 enlisted Training and Administration of Reserves (TARs). The TARs were full-time active duty reservists. There were 14 aircrews formed of which 12 were SARs and 2 were TAR personnel only. This flexible organization allowed the squadron to conduct normal operations (training, test flights, etc.) during the week when there were usually no drilling SARs on duty.
The newly-created, structured, squadrons (VP-64 and VP-66, which was established at the same time as VP-64) were headquartered in Hanger 15 which was located at the south end of the field. Hanger 15 was a large wooden structure with doors that were operated manually at the East and West end of the hanger. It had maintenance and administration spaces located in two-deck structures at the other two sides of the hanger. Roof supports divided the hanger into two bays; each bay could accommodate two P2Vs (SP-2Hs) comfortably. VP-64 was assigned the spaces and hanger bay on the north side of the hanger while VP-66 was assigned the spaces and hanger bay on the south side of the hanger. VP-66 was formed using personnel from similar support units from NAS New York, New York (NAS Floyd Bennett Field, New York), which had been relocated to NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The members of VP-64 soon referred to VP-66 as "Brand X" and a friendly rivalry developed between the two units across Hanger 15 and years later, along side each other in newly built Hanger 175 where they both moved in 1977.
VP-64 was assigned twelve SP-2H (P2V-7) aircraft and the tail designation of LU (Lima Uniform). The squadron painted the LU on the tail slightly offset as an indication of their individuality. VP-64 and VP-66 divided the parking spots on the ramp for their 24 aircraft in a way that was equitable for each squadron (distance to maintenance, etc.). Some of the parking spots were on the old cross runway (6-24) that was no longer used. Thus began the first time that VP-64 functioned as a squadron(comparable to fleet squadrons) with the department heads assuming all maintenance, training, operations, administrative, and safety duties of a regular squadron. (Previously, NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania had provided the aircraft and much of the flight training, maintenance support, etc.)
The squadron was divided into two wings for drill purposes. Wing A included the odd-numbered aircrews and was under the Commanding Officer, CDR J. W. Danaher. They drilled on the first weekend of the month. Wing B included the even-numbered aircrews and was under the Executive Officer, CDR E. C. Neuman. They drilled on the third weekend of the month.Aircrew members were given an additional 48 drills to maintain their proficiency. These crews came in on off-weekends to perform these extra drills for flight training missions, weapons system trainer (WST) periods and similar exercises.
The aircrews, who had been flying together for many years in VP-66W-1, VP-66W-2, and VP-66W-3 retained many of their original members during the transition to VP-64; however, there were a few a new officers assigned to the crews My old crew, VP-66W-3, Crew 3 became VP-64, Crew 4, which was typical of the transition, consisted of:
VP-64 Crew 4 VP-66W-3 Crew 3
PPC LCDR Art McManus PPC CDR Bill Oehrle
2P LT Lynch 2P LT Ziercecki
NAV LT Hayes NAV LT Hayes
Jez AXC Larry Robideau Jez AXC Larry Robideau
Julie AW3 Ron Smith Julie ATR3 Preston Moyer
MAD AE2 Andy Nazak MAD AE2 Andy Nazak
Ord AO1 Joe Hughes Ord AO1 Joe Hughes
PC AMS2 Dave Hughes PC ADR2 Sam McNulty
Radio ATC Clyde McFee Radio ATC Clyde McFee
A whole new attitude seemed to invest members of VP-64. New issues of flight gear were distributed to almost all fight crews. Green Nomex flight suits replaced the orange and tan ones. A view of crew photographs previous squadrons (VP-66W-1, VP-66W-2, and W-3) reveal a disparity of flight equipment including a variety of helmets, flight suits, and flight jackets. Equipment such as flight equipment bags and helmet bags were unavailable to aircrewmen until the creation of VP-64. Pictures of those earlier crews appeared to be a disorganized scramble while later VP-64 crew photographs display a marked improvement in military bearing and appearance. No longer were the reserves being treated like an orphan; the coffers were opened and many aircrewmen even got a leather flight jackets.
 VP-66W-3 Crew 3 VP-66W-3 Crew 3 - Late 1960s Note the Assortment of Flight Suits
 VP-64 Crew 6 VP-64 Crew 6 - Middle 1970s Note the Uniformity in Appearance
The training routine continued in a manner similar to that which was in effect for VP-66W-1, VP-66W-2, and VP-66W-3. This included night LIGHTEX exercises to Tangier Island, in Virginia, ROCKETEX exercises, JEZEX exercises, MADEX exercises, SNIFFEX exercises, and ship rigging and photographing missions were conducted in the operating areas (warning areas) off the New Jersey coast. The "roof top" facility at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania was a radio station that broadcast simulated ASW missions to aircraft orbiting over the NAS; these missions aided team coordination in solving ASW problems. There were Weapons System Trainers located behind RESASWTAC where tactical crews and flight crews could conduct simulated ASW exercises including search, localization, tracking, and attack phases. Another training resource available to the squadron were the OP-5 (80 hours) and OP-11 (40 hours - refresher) courses that RESASWTAC made available for squadron sensor operators.
Roof-top flights were generally started about 1630 hours and continued to about 2000 hours on Saturday nights. The flight crews then logged several night landings doing touch-and-go landings and finishing about 2100 hours. There were also evening flights with minimum crews to give flight crews night landings and other routines so they could maintain their currency. This made some enlisted aircrewmen late for the Saturday night muster at the enlisted club. We always had a pitcher of beer ready for them after they landed.
Operations in the warning areas off New Jersey became a standard routine. We would leave NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, proceed to Sea Isle, NJ, and go "feet wet" on the 135 radial out of Sea Isle to the operating area. When we operated outside the CONUS Air Defense Zone (ADZ), we had to enter at the correct point or we would be intercepted by USAF fighter aircraft as we approached the coast. I remember at least one occasion that we were met by a F-102 (I think it was a F-102) who made a visual identification of us and didn't have to shoot us down. If our Navigator got us lost, it would have been embarrassing to say the least. We would return from Sea Isle, proceed to Coyle Field (a satellite field of McGuire AFB about 35 miles North West of Atlantic City, then to North Philly airport, and then to NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
The first winter (Dec. 70 to Mar. 71) was a very cold one, and getting flight time required using pre-heaters during the preflight and exerting a great deal of effort just to get a SP-2H in the air. Since the squadron drew several members from NAS Niagara Falls/Syracuse areas, we continued the airlift that left NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania on Friday evening to pick up squadron members on a round robin flight to Syracuse and Buffalo and back.. On Sunday afternoon, we had another round robin flight to return the members. This Sunday night flight was sometimes uncertain and sometimes left a crew and aircraft to RON (remain overnight) with a problem at one of the stops. If you were a SAR and had to go to work on Monday morning, you sweated out the flight. In the winter, even after launching, the aircraft heaters were often unusable so it required the aircrew to dress accordingly (long underwear, thermal gloves, etc.).
In 1970, at the time that VP-64 was formed, the regular Navy VP squadrons required that all sensor operators (in the P-3s - SS1, SS2, and SS3) to be in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Operator rating (AW). At this point, VP-64 had a variety of ratings operating their SP-2H sensor stations (MAD/trail, Jezebel, Julie/ECM). We had AT, AX, and AE, ratings flying in those sensor seats. New aircrewmen that were sensor operators coming in from the fleet and B schools were in the AW rating. This inconsistency was resolved a few years later when all sensor operators who were qualified were permitted to make a lateral transfer to the AW rate. If they did not want to change, they could revert to the department where they were assigned and work in their own original specialty. AT and AX ratings were later given the opportunity to train for the Radioman (COM) seat and the In-Flight Tech (IFT) seat in the P-3A if they wished to continue in a flight status. I, personally, didn't change from AXC to AWC until 1 March 1972, almost 18 months after the squadron was formed.
So, 1970 closed with two months worth of experience for VP-64 under its belt. The squadron was slowly taking shape. Word was received from Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic (RESPATWINGLANT) that VP-64 would be conducting its first Active Duty for Training (ACTDUTRA) cruise with their SP-2Hs in May 1971 in Rota, Spain. VP-64 would be the first of the newly formed wing to be deployed with SP-2Hs. At that time, the Black Hawks of VP-68 in NAS Patuxent River, Maryland had already moved up to the P-3A and would be cruising at NAF Lajes, Portugal. Also, VP-62 was beginning transition to the P-3A and would not cruise overseas in 1971. Four short months to prepare for our first European Deployment.
The initial draft of 249 SAR enlisted men for VP-64 (plank owners) was prepared in a directive and distributed to affected personnel on 5 October 1970 informing them that they had a pay billet in the squadron. The following is a copy of the original letter heading with a list of those in that initial draft of enlisted personnel, reproduced with the Service Number left out for personal security reasons. Note that the letterhead (NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania); subsequent squadron directives would be made under the Patrol Squadron Sixty Four letterhead. All AW ratings were on flight orders (DIFOT); other ratings in aircrew positions that were authorized for DIFOT have a designation (AC) after their name and rating.
Modification of inactive duty for training orders...
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Land-based Naval Reserve Patrol Squadrons..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap3-11.pdf [13SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-66 "LIBERTY BELLS"..." http://www.navy-reserve.org/magazine/9805/nra9805b.html [02MAY99] Patrol Squadron SIX SIX (VP-66), commanded by CDR Dave Mitchell, was commissioned 1 November 1970 at Naval Air Station, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, as a result of the reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve. Initially composed of units from NAS New York, the squadron was known as the BOX CARS. In celebration of our Nation's 200th anniversary, VP-66 was renamed the LIBERTY BELLS in 1976.
VP-66 flew the Lockheed SP-2H "Neptune" aircraft until 1973, at which time the squadron transitioned to the Lockheed P-3A "Orion" aircraft, and again in 1990, transitioned to the P-3B TACNAVMOD aircraft. This new weapons platform, with its dramatically increased Undersea Warfare (USW) and open ocean-surveillance capabilities, enabled squadron aircrews to reach a level of expertise and operational readiness comparable to the fleet. On 1 May 1994, the LIBERTY BELLS again began a transition to a new aircraft,the P-3C Update II. This transition was complete in May of 1996, and the squadron has resumed normal operations in this updated airframe.
VP-66 has accumulated over 95,000 mishap free flight hours in the past 27 years and was the recipient of the 1980, 1991, 1996 and 1997 CNO Safety Awards, the 1984 and 1992 AVCM Donald M. Neal (Golden Wrench) Maintenance Awards, the 1986 Retention Excellence Award, and the 1988 Administrative Excellence Award. Additionally, VP-66 was the Commander Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic's nominee for the CNO Safety Award for 1988 and 1990, the recipient of the Noel Davis Battle "E" Award for 1993, and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1996. Of particular note was the squadron's victory at the 1997 International Maritime Patrol Aviation Symposium. Competing against crews from five NATO nations and other active duty U.S. Navy Squadrons, the VP-66 aircrew took first place in an USW exercise.
The citizen-Sailors of VP-66 are far more than "weekend warriors". Squadron personnel operate and maintain nine assigned P-3C aircraft on a full time basis and fly over 2400 hours annually. The squadron's 14 flight crews are capable of deploying world-wide with minimal advance notice. To enable the squadron to carry out missions on a 24 hour per day basis, there are nine officers and 126 enlisted personnel assigned full-time to the Command. This active duty cadre provides the training and administration for 57 officers and 143 enlisted personnel who make up the Selected Reserve (SELRES) segment of the squadron.
The capabilities of Reserve Patrol Squadrons have increased our country's ability to perform USW and surveillance missions. VP-66 is on the front lines providing contributory support to the fleet. VP-66 completed its 1993 Annual Training supporting two five-week active duty periods in Rota, Spain and Sigonella, Sicily. The missions operating from Sicily, augmented active duty squadrons supporting the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Annual Training in 1994 saw the LIBERTY BELLS deployed to Puerto Rico, directly supporting the U.N. embargo of Haiti. In June 1995, two VP-66 aircrews and maintenance personnel operated from Puerto Rico in support of CNO directed Counter Narcotics (CN) operations. In 1996, VP-66 returned to Sigonella, Sicily, providing contributory support to fleet commanders. During Annual Training in 1997, the LIBERTY BELLS were a force multiplier as they flew Counter-Narcotics missions with the AVX-1 electro-optical system from Puerto Rico and Panama.
VP-66 also performed the Electronic Warfare Training mission for the fleet. Since accepting this mission in 1993, VP-66 EP-3J aircrews conducted nearly 60 world-wide detachments in support of Second, Third, Sixth, and Seventh Fleet Battle Groups. In 1997, these aircraft and personnel were established as a separate command, VQ-11, home ported in Brunswick, Maine.
The 335 officers, men, and women of Patrol Squadron 66 are proud of their accomplishments and contributions in support of the "One Navy" concept. They look forwarded to providing service to the Fleet and the Nation in the future.
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Patrol Squadron (VP) 66 was commissioned 1 November 1970 at Naval Air Station, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, as a result of the reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve. Initially composed of units from NAS New York, New York, VP-66 began with three active duty officers, 50 active duty enlisted, and approximately 300 Selected Reserve personnel. In less than a year, the squadron's combat readiness jumped from last to first place among all Atlantic Fleet Reserve VP Squadrons, resulting in a special commendation from the Commander, Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic. VP 66 flew the Lockheed SP-2H "Neptune" aircraft until 1973, at which time the squadron transitioned to the Lockheed P-3A "Orion" aircraft, and again in 1990, transitioned to the P-3B TACNAVMOD ("Super Bee") aircraft. This new weapons platform, with its dramatically increased anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and ocean-surveillance capabilities, enabled squadron aircrews to reach a level of expertise and operational readiness comparable to the fleet. On 1 May 1994, the "Liberty Bells" began the transition to the P-3C Update II aircraft. This transition will continue through May of 1996, at which time the squadron will resume normal operations in this updated airframe. VP-66 has accumulated over 87,469 accident free flight hours in the past 25 years and was the recipient of the 1980 and 1991 CNO Safety Awards, the 1984 and 1992 CNO Donald M. Neal (Golden Wrench) Maintenance Awards, the 1986 Retention Excellence Award, and the 1988 Administrative Excellence Award. Additionally, VP-66 was the Commander, Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic's nominee for the CNO Safety Award for 1988 and 1990. Most recently, VP-66 was the recipient of the Noel Davis Battle "E" Award for 1993. The citizen-sailors of VP-66 are far more than "weekend warriors". Squadron personnel operate and maintain eight assigned P-3C and two EP-3J aircraft on a full time basis and fly over 4600 hours annually. The squadron's 14 P-3C, and three EP-3J flight crews are capable of deploying world-wide with minimal advance notice. To enable the squadron to carry out missions on a 24 hour per day basis, there are 20 officers and 130 enlisted personnel assigned full-time to the command. This active duty cadre administers the training and operations of 70 officers and 150 enlisted personnel who make up the Selected Reserve (SELRES) segment of the squadron. The capabilities of U.S. Navy, Reserve Patrol Squadrons have increased their role in our country's ASW and surveillance missions. VP-66 is on the front lines providing contributory support to the fleet. VP-66 completed its 1993 Annual Training supporting two five-week active duty periods in Rota, Spain and Sigonella, Sicily. The missions operating from Sicily, augmented active duty squadrons supporting the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Annual Training in 1994 saw the "Liberty Bells" deployed to Puerto Rico, directly supporting the U.N. embargo of Haiti. In June 1995, two VP-66 aircrews and maintenance personnel operated from Puerto Rico in support of CNO directed Counter Narcotics (CN) operations. In September 1995, VP-66 was again back in Puerto Rico for CN operations. Six VP-66 aircrews maintained a five-week detachment conducting CN operations. Additionally, during this period, Hurricane Luis forced the evacuation of our aircraft from Puerto Rico. Operating out of the Dutch Antilles, VP-66 aircrews provided hurricane relief to the devastated island of St. Marteen. Annual Training in 1996 will find the "Liberty Bells" conducting ASW operations in Keflavik, Iceland. Another mission performed by VP-66 is Electronic Warfare Training. Two EP-3J aircraft provide formidable electronic warfare training for the fleet. VP-66 is the only naval asset capable of providing this training for the our surface forces. As a result, demand for these services is very high. Since accepting this mission in 1993, VP-66 EP-3J aircrews have conducted nearly 60 world-wide detachments in support of Second, Third, Sixth, and Seventh Fleet Battle Groups. The 400 officers, men, and women of Patrol Squadron 66 are proud of their accomplishments and contributions in order to make the "One Navy" concept, a reality." http://www.spawar.navy.mil/nr/cnarf/crpwl/vp66/history.html
"VP-66 History Summary Page"
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