VPNAVY VP-5 Open House
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

Note VP-69 NoticeNote

Note NOTICE: "...VP-69 Recruitment!..." Contributed by LCDR Daniel A. Johnson daniel.a.johnson@navy.mil [Updated 04FEB2009 | Updated 23FEB2008 | Updated 10AUG2007 | 27JUL2006]

Patrol Squadron SIXTY-NINE (VP-69) is a Navy Reserve Squadron located at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. The Totems fly the P-3C AIP aircraft in operations involving Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Identification/Surveillance/Reconnaissance, and Battle Group Support all over the world alongside active duty counterparts. Despite recent changes in both the Active and Reserve VP community, VP-69 is still operational and programmed to fly the P-3C Orion until at least 2019.

Opportunities are available for drill weekend pickups at Fairchild AFB, WA; Missoula, MT; Pasco, WA; Portland, OR; Eugene, OR; Moffet Field, CA; and McClellan Field, CA.

We are looking to fill the following part-time (SELRES) positions:

OFFICERS

Naval Flight Officers (NFO) - Fully qualified P-3C UIII/AIP Tactical Coordinators, LCDR and below. Interested NFOs please contact LCDR Russ Dicks at COMM (360) 257-6916, DSN 820-6916 or russell.dicks@navy.mil.

Naval Aviators (Pilots) - Fully qualified P-3C Aircraft Commanders, LCDR and below, willing to commit four or more drill days per month. Interested Pilots please contact LCDR Mark Russell at COMM (360) 257-6918, DSN 820-6918 or mark.s.russell@navy.mil.

VP-69 is not currently resourced to cross-train officers from outside the VP community, sorry.

ENLISTED AIRCREW

Aviation Warfare System Operators (AW) - We are currently looking for both acoustic and non-acoustic operators holding the P-3C AW NEC 7841/7861. Any other enlisted personnel with a proven record of superior performance, willing to change rate to AW(7841/acoustic), and commit one year to active duty to attend Naval Aircrew School in NAS Pensacola, Florida and initial AW qualification training at VP-30 in NAS Jacksonville, Florida will be considered.

Flight Engineers (FE)- Either previously qualified flight engineers or AT, AE, AD, AM, AME, or AO rated and Aircrew-qualified personnel with a proven record of superior performance willing to commit nine months on active duty to attend initial P-3C Flight Engineer qualification training at VP-30 in NAS Jacksonville, Florida.

In-flight Technicians (IFT) - P-3C In-flight Technicians, previously qualified aircrew or AT ground technicians willing to commit one year to active duty to attend Naval Aircrew School in NAS Pensacola, Florida and initial or refresher IFT qualification training at VP-30 in NAS Jacksonville, Florida.

Naval Aircrew Point of Contact: AWOC Bill Brown at COMM (360) 257-4607, DSN 820-4607 or william.m.brown1@navy.mil.

Thank you,

LCDR Ted Diamond theodore.diamond@navy.mil
VP-69 Current Operations Officer   [Updated 04FEB2009]


Note NOTICE: "...Disestablishment of Commander Reserve Patrol Wing (SEE: OPNAVNOTE 3111)..." Contributed by Merrill Kruse kruse@navmar.com [03FEB2007]

Disestablishment of Commander Reserve Patrol Wing
Squadron Logo


This invitation is extended to ALL personnel active duty, FTS/TAR & SelRes who served in any Reserve VP Squadron (VP-60, VP-62, VP-64, VP-65, VP-66, VP-67, VP-68, VP-69, VP-90, VP-91, VP-92, VP-93, VP-94, VP-MAU, VP-SAU/SRU), any Reserve VP Training Command (RATCEN, RESASWTAC, RESASWTAC East/RESASWTAC West) or any Reserve VP Support Unit (TSC units, MOCC units).

On 23 June 2007, following the Change of Command for Capt. Ken Lewko (VP-92,VP-66, CO RATCEN, Wing CSO, etc.) there will be a "celebration" of sorts, to commemorate Commander Reserve Patrol Wing (formerly COMRESPATWINGLANT & COMRESPATWINGPAC) at its Disestablishment. It is thought that this would be the best "Last Chance" for those that have served in the Reserve Force Maritime Patrol Aviation community across the years to get together one last time and remember the long and proud heritage of which each of us is a part.

Plans are underway, with a major question being "how many will attend?" If you plan on attending please send an email response to:

CDR Phillips
samuel.phillips@navy.mil

You should then receive an evite invitation which will provide additional details and costs. You must return the evite with payment in order to ensure access to the event.

Date: 23 June 2007
Place: NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Time: TBA

Note NOTICE: "...VP-2 Memorial Project for NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. We are looking for Maintenance and Structural Manuals for the P2V7. The Memorial is going to be for all the Squadrons who were at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and the Shipmates who Died in the Operation of the Squadrons. So if you know or if you hear of Manuals please let me know so we can get bird to Nas Whidbey. SEXTON, Guy Capecod2443@aol.com..." [10FEB2002]

UPDATE "...Patrol squadrons finally recognized - By Jessie Stensland - Sep 16 2006 - Whidbey News Times http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/..." Forwarded by Jim Campbell blandjcampbell@aol.com [26NOV2006]

Hundreds of people traveled thousands of miles to be in Oak Harbor Thursday morning.

The first-of-its-kind Patrol Squadron Memorial was dedicated to aircrews past and present, and presented to the Oak Harbor community, in a dignified and emotional ceremony at the Veterans Park on East Pioneer Way. It began with a flyover by a P-3 Orion.

Linda MacDonald and her husband, Bob, flew to Oak Harbor from California to be at the ceremony with their two daughters. Linda said they came to the event in memory of her brother Dale Armour, whose name is engraved in a granite wall of the memorial along with the 84 other servicemen who lost their lives in Whidbey-based patrol squadron operations.

The memorial has deep meaning for the family.

"It's a culmination," Linda said. "It's closure. It gives us a place to come now to remember him."

Armour, a 22-year-old member of VP-42, was in a VP-2 Neptune aircraft that disappeared while on patrol in Alaska in 1967. The site of the crash wasn't found until 16 years later.

The MacDonald family was among more than 600 people who attended the ceremony. It coincided with a Reunion of Patrol Squadron Two Association, which is the group behind the memorial.

Capt. David Taylor, Commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, spoke passionately during the ceremony about the history of the Navy's patrol and reconnaissance squadrons, which is a history inextricably linked to Oak Harbor. The first patrol squadron at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station flew PBY Catalinas in the 1940s.

Taylor spoke about how patrol squadrons helped to win the Cold War by "playing a cat-and-mouse game" with Soviet submarines and planes.

"Anywhere we could chase the enemy bear, we wore the enemy down," he said.

Yet Taylor said the patrol mission is still valid today, even with the end of the Cold War.

"This is a time of great challenge and change to the patrol and reconnaissance squadrons," he said, "our Navy and our nation."

Taylor also spoke about the bronze statue of a 1960s era airman, which is the centerpiece of the memorial.

"I see a proud warrior of the past," he said, "but I also see in his face the warrior of the present."

Floyd Palmer, president of the Patrol Squadron Two Association, turned over ownership of the memorial to the citizens of Oak Harbor with an official presentation to Mayor Patty Cohen.

Afterward, Palmer explained that the effort to build a memorial started when he took a tour of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station more than six years ago and realized that there was nothing to recognize patrol squadrons. It took the work of many members of the association and money from many generous donors to finally make his dream a reality.

During her speech, Cohen said the patrol squadrons didn't receive as much recognition as others in the military because "their missions were always classified," but she said they were definitely "so deserving of a permanent place in town."

The Northwest Navy Ceremonial Band ended the ceremony by playing Taps. Afterward, the audience got the chance to look at the memorial close up.

Robert Lenson, a member of the VP-2 Association, attended the event with his wife, Raye. He was the skipper of VP-17 in 1964.

Husband and wife agreed that such a memorial was long overdue.

"It means a great deal," Raye said. "We mourn the loss of crewmates. This recognition is important."

© Copyright 2005 Whidbey News Times

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UPDATE "...LEFT PICTURE: Appeared on page 2 of the 9-27 issue of the Northwest Navigator, NAS Whidbey Edition. This is the Northwest Navy newspaper for the region. RIGHT PICTURE: Win Stites..." Forwarded by McLAUGHLIN, LT Bob banddmcl1964@msn.com [04OCT2006]

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UPDATE "...On 9-14-2006 a Patrol Squadron Memorial dedication ceremony was held in Oak Harbor, WA. In attendance were approximately 600 past and present members of the VP community that had served at NAS Whidbey Island and the speakers were a mix of community and military leaders as well as those who had served. If you would like further info for your website I'll be glad to send what I have. Attached are a few photos..." Contributed by GOODMAN, AWCS Edward E. (Ed) Retired edusnret@gmail.com [25SEP2006]

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UPDATE "...If you don't get the "Wings" magazine, there is an article in it about a new Patrol Squadron memorial being built. Here are the highlights...Contributed by LARSON, LCDR John Retired oriondriver1975@yahoo.com..." [01NOV2005]

In 2004 the city of Oak Harbor approved the placement of the memorial in the city's Veterans Memorial Park.

VP squadrons have served at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington since 1942. In the Cold War periods, when most other active duty military forces were limited to exercises, simulators and war games to train for their various warfare specialties, VP aircraft and crews flew all-weather missions around the clock keeping track of the growing fleet of Soviet submarines in our waters and in theirs. VP crews did much of their training against live Soviet submarines. In addition to the ASW mission, VP crews were responsible for ocean reconnaissance, surveillance, mining and electronic warfare operations.

The Memorial has a single, simple purpose: the recognition of the contribution to freedom that the men and women of the NAS Whidbey Island, Washington patrol squadron community have made in over 60 years of service. Hundreds of Whidbey Is personnel have been lost in the VP operations since 1942. Among them are those whose names will appear on this Memorial from the Whidbey Is. P2V community.

The Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial is dedicated to all USN personnel who served in Navy patrol squadrons at NAS Whidbey Is. and to those Whidbey P2V airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty in VP operations.

The Memorial design consists of a life-size bronze statue of an airman in flight gear standing in front of a 3-section granite wall. Featured on the wall are an outline of a P2V, the Memorial dedication, a map depicting deployment sites, a list of Whidbey VP units and the names of those who perished in P2V flight ops.

Surrounding the walls are bricks inscribed in accordance with the wishes of donors who purchase the bricks. Brick purchases form the primary means of fund-raising for the Memorial which is scheduled for dedication in mid 2006. See http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html for info on the Memorial, a listing of the 59 VP squadrons that served at Whidbey, the history of Whidbey VP operations and info on the Catalinas, Venturas, Mariners, Privateers, Neptunes, Marlins, and Orions involved.

Widespread support and donations for this memorial are encouraged. Brick orders and donations should be sent to Vic Gulliver, 1900 Franklin Dr, Glenview, IL 60026. Inquires including requests for brick-order-forms by mail should be sent to the VPSM Committee, 1376 West Beach Rd, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or via email: wpsm@comcast.net.

UPDATE "...The following squadrons are all listed on the wall of the forthcoming Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial. The memorial, to be built in Oak Harbor, WA and dedicated in September 2006 includes a comemorative wall and a lifesize bronze statue of a typical VP aircrewman ready for flight.

If you are, or know any members of these squadrons, please contact us so we can keep everyone informed of the memorial progress. More information is available at http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html.

VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-6, VP-12, VP-17, VP-20, VP-27, VP-29, VP-32, VP-40, VP-42, VP-43/VPB-43, VP-46, VP-47, VP-50, VP-53/VPB-53, VP-57, VP-61/VPB-61, VP-62/VPB-62, VP-69, VPB-91, VP-107, VPB-112, VPB-115, VP-120/VPB-120, VP-122/VPB-122, VP-130/VPB-130, VP-131/VPB-131, VPB-135, VP-136/VPB-136, VPB-138, VPB-139, VPB-144, VPB-148, VPB-199, VPB-212, VP-772, VP-812, VP-931, VP-AM-1, VP-AM-2, VP-AM-5, VP-ML-1, VP-ML-2, VP-ML-4, VP-ML-61, VP-HL-7, VP-HL-10 and VP-HL-12.

It is a great Memorial, honoring all who served with NAS Whidbey Island, Washington Patrol Squadrons.

Al Hall, WPSM Committee, VP-2 1950-1952...Al Hall alandmarylou@comcast.net..." [24MAY2005]

UPDATE "...A project is underway to create a Memorial recognizing the contributions of all Whidbey-based VP personnel. Please advise your friends, and consider supporting this worthwhile effort to honor our Shipmates. Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial - Veteran's Memorial Park - Oak Harbor, WA. Completion scheduled for Summer 2006. This memorial is dedicated to all United States Naval personnel who served in Navy Patrol Squadrons based at NAS Whidbey Island, to their families, and to those Whidbey P2V airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty in VP operations. For more info: http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html..." Contributed by Doug Donohue nvsoar@charter.net [24DEC2004]

Note NOTICE: "...I'm building a 1/12th-scale model of the P2V-7. I would like to obtain a squadron insignia for VP-69, or a good quality photo of the patch, so I can make a decal to apply to the model. Any suggestions would be appreciated...David F. Plummer pdf3@comcast.net..." [12MAY2005]


Note NOTICE: "...For the last 15 years, we (AeroCorp Australia Pty Ltd) have owned and operated our own P2V-7 Neptune (former US Navy VP-69 BUNO: 145921). Our aircraft will shortly be retired from service, and in celebration of the centenary of aviation, and U.S. – Australian friendship, we plan to recreate the historic flight of the Truculent Turtle of 1946. As it happens, we are based in Perth, Western Australia (the original starting point of the record-breaking flight), and we are currently looking for expressions of interest from various parties in the USA. We would dearly love to attract the participation of the US Navy, and we would be grateful if you could assist us in making contact with the appropriate personnel in the Navy, along with associated veterans of the original project. We feel that the time has come for this amazing record to be re-enacted and properly document for the enjoyment of all. We would like nothing more than to see our aircraft gracefully retired alongside the original Truculent Turtle, to properly represent the first (P2V-1), and last (P2V-7) models of an outstanding aircraft. The planned commencement date will depend on how quickly we can muster sponsorship and support for the mission. Any original calculations and flight planning data that may still exist, would be greatly appreciated. We believe CDR Eugene P. Rankin is the only surviving member of the original flight crew. Comments please from ANYONE who may be interested!...Steve Payne steve@aeropc.com [18DEC2003]


Note NOTICE: "...Navy Establishing Augment Units For All FRS's Including VP-30..." Contributed by LCDR Robert J. Cable cablerj@vp30.navy.mil [03DEC2003]

VP-30 SAU The Navy is scheduling the establishment of a Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) attached to VP-30 for 1 October, 2004. Final numbers have yet to be released, but the SAU is likely to total near 150 personnel composed of Officer and Enlisted instructors and maintenance personnel. The SAU has begun recruiting the advance party of 20 maintainers in the AD, AE, AT, AM, and AME rates. If you are interested in serving as a Selected Reservist in VP-30 SAU, have P-3 NEC's and P-3 experience within the last 6 years, and are within drilling distance of NAS Jacksonville, Florida, please call Naval Reserve Recruiting Area SE at 904-542-3320 ext 490 or the SAU OIC at 904-542-0990.

AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate    AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate    AT - Aviation Electronics Technician    AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic

Note NOTICE: "...I have been told the following is the schedule for the Reserve Patrol Squadrons to disestablish over the next 6 years..." Contributed by James Turnbull dxorion@nbnet.nb.ca [19SEP2003]

2004  -  No units will disestablish.
2005  -  VP-64 and VP-92 will disestablish.
2006  -  VP-62 and VP-66 will disestablish.
2007  -  VP-65 and VP-69 will disestablish.
2008  -  VP-94 will disestablish


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