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HistoryVQ-4 HistoryHistory

Circa 1997

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...NAVNEWS 023/97 NNS2301. Tinker AFB Navy hosts CNO visit Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jay L. Johnson, recently visited Oklahoma-based Sailors and airmen during a trip to Tinker Air Force Base. Admiral Johnson was the honored guest at the base's annual Communicators Banquet honoring Navy and Air Force strategic communicators. "I'm extremely proud of the 1,200 Navy men and women, civilians, and contractors, all those who do the great work at Strategic Communications Wing ONE, VQ-3, and VQ-4," said Admiral Johnson. "I certainly understand the strategic importance of what you do, both as the Chief of Naval Operations and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," he said. "So, for me, it would be impossible to overstate the contribution that's made from right here at Tinker." Admiral Johnson thanked the entire Tinker AFB team for its support of the Navy and for the accomplishments as a joint team. "You can feel it when you step off the airplane, you can see it everywhere you go, and it works," said Johnson. "I dare say there will come a time when this kind of organization becomes the way we are going to do business on lots of bases. It makes great sense, and I thank the Air Force and I thank the community for what you do for the Navy and the country." Admiral Johnson also had the opportunity to meet with Sailors from the VQ squadrons based at Tinker and tour an E- 6A TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) aircraft and associated maintenance and training facilities. -USN- NNS2302..." http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/news/navnews/nns97/nns97023.txt [06MAR2001]


Circa 1992

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News Magazine "...TACAMO Herks Retired - Naval Aviation News - November-December 1992.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1992/nd92.pdf [11NOV2004]

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Circa 1991

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Naval Aviation Units Involved in the Persian Gulf War (16 January–27 February 1991)...This Squadron Mentioned...Naval Historical Center ADOBE Download File: http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/APP29.PDF [27MAY2003]
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Circa 1990

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation March-April 1990 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 8, 28 and 30 - Naval Aviation News - March-April 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/ma90.pdf [22OCT2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation January-February 1990 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 7, 21 and 30 - Naval Aviation News - January-February 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/jf90.pdf [22OCT2004]

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Circa 1989

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation March-April 1989 "...History - Records - Page 10, 36, 27, and 38 - Naval Aviation News - March-April 1989..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1989/ma89.pdf [21OCT2004]

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Circa 1988

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation November-December 1988 "...Awards - Change-Of-Command - Page 32 to 33 - Naval Aviation News - November-December 1988..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1988/nd88.pdf [21OCT2004]

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Circa 1987

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation July-August 1987 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 29 to 31 - Naval Aviation News - July-August 1987..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1987/ja87.pdf [20OCT2004]

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Circa 1986

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation March-April 1986 "...Change-Of-Command - Page 31 - Naval Aviation News - March-April 1986..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1986/ma86.pdf [19OCT2004]

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Circa 1984

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation July-August 1984 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 37, 38 and 40 - Naval Aviation News - July-August 1984..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1984/ja84.pdf [17OCT2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation July-August 1984 "...Uniquely Missioned - Page 14 to 17 - Naval Aviation News - July-August 1984..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1984/ja84.pdf [17OCT2004]

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Circa 1983

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation November-December 1983 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 29 - Naval Aviation News - November-December 1983..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1983/nd83.pdf [17OCT2004]

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Circa 1982

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation September 1982 "...Records - Change-Of-Command - Page 44 and 46 - Naval Aviation News - September 1982..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1982/sep82.pdf [16OCT2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation July 1982 "...Awards - Change-Of-Command - Page 2, 44 and 46 - Naval Aviation News - July 1982..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1982/jul82.pdf [15OCT2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation April 1982 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 20 and 45 - Naval Aviation News - April 1982..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1982/apr82.pdf [15OCT2004]

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Circa 1981

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation October 1981 "...Awards and Change-Of-Command - Page 51 and 52 - Naval Aviation News - October 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/oct81.pdf [14OCT2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation September 1981 "...Change-Of-Command - Page 48 - Naval Aviation News - September 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/sep81.pdf [14OCT2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation June 1981 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 39 to 41 - Naval Aviation News - June 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/jun81.pdf [13OCT2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation May 1981 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 48 and 51 - Naval Aviation News - May 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/may81.pdf [13OCT2004]

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Circa 1980

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation January 1980 "...Change-Of-Command - Page 24 - Naval Aviation News - January 1980..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1980/jan80.pdf [11OCT2004]

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Circa 1979

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation July 1979 "...Awards - Rescues - Change-Of-Command - Page 5, 33 and 35 - Naval Aviation News - July 1979..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1979/jul79.pdf [10OCT2004]

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Circa 1978

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation October 1978 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 31 and 33 - Naval Aviation News - October 1978..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1978/oct78.pdf [09OCT2004]

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Circa 1975

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation November 1975 "...Safety Record - Page 25 - Naval Aviation News - November 1975..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1975/nov75.pdf [04OCT2004]

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Circa 1973

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation April 1973 "...Squadron Insignia - Naval Aviation News - April 1973..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1973/apr73.pdf [28SEP2004]

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Circa Unknown
Can you identify the Month and or Year?

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Patch ThumbnailCameraVQ-4 Logo "...VQ-4 Det at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland..." Contributed by Tom Grannis grannis1@earthlink.net [02JUN2003]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...VQ-4 Celebrates 32 Years of Service by Lt. j.g. Joe Palmer, Fleet Air Reconnaissance, Squadron Four..." http://www.tinker.af.mil/pa/VQ-4.htm [11JUL2001]

The VQ-4 Shadows, part of Tinker's Navy contingent, celebrate 32 years of service this month. The Shadows fly and maintain the E-6A and E-6B "Mercury" aircraft. VQ-4's primary mission is to provide the president of the United States and other decision-making authorities with a survivable and endurable means to command the nation's strategic nuclear weapons arsenal. The execution of the TACAMO mission requires aircraft to be on alert status 24 hours every day of the year.

Ten aircrews make frequent, independent deployments to U.S., Canadian, Caribbean and European bases. Each crew is deployed between five and six months per year. A typical aircrew consists of 14 crewmembers. The cockpit crew is made up of three pilots, one navigator, and two flight engineers. The communications crew consists of one airborne communications officer, one airborne communications supervisor, one airborne communicator, three flight technicians, who are also qualified airborne communicators, and two reel operators.

In the E-6B upgrade, the crew is augmented with a battlestaff; this platform provides increased communications capability. In addition to the required flying and communications duties, the crew is capable of repairing virtually every system on the aircraft.

The task of maintaining constant alert coverage requires tremendous effort from all squadron members. At VQ-4, operations continue around-the-clock to maintain and support deployed crews. Under the leadership of the commanding officer and the executive officer, the various departments have pulled together in a smooth, never-ending operation for an impressive 32 years.

The TACAMO mission began in 1961 as a test program to determine if an airborne Very Low Frequency communications system was feasible. Weapons Systems Test Division conducted this program, using a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130 aircraft as a test vehicle. The overwhelming success of the test program prompted funding for the first production aircraft. The project was designated TACAMO.

To avoid long lead-time delays, four U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft were taken from the production line in early 1963. After extensive modification, the aircraft was designated C-130G. The first

of these aircraft was delivered on Dec. 26, 1963. At this time, the communications equipment consisted of removable vans that could be installed in a matter of hours.

Plans were formulated in 1966 to expand the TACAMO program. This expansion included the addition of eight aircraft with the communications equipment permanently installed in the aircraft. The plans also updated the original C-130G aircraft to a new configuration aboard the EC-130Q aircraft. On July 1, 1968, VQ-4 was established at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., as a permanent operational squadron.

The next major aircraft modification in 1974 incorporated a new power amplifier, a dual trailing wire antenna system and a high-speed reel system for deployment and retraction of the antennas. Additional improvements included satellite communications and enhanced VLF capability.

On Jan. 25, 1991, VQ-4 took delivery of its first E-6A Mercury aircraft, and in November 1992 moved to Tinker AFB. On Sept. 20, 1999, VQ-4 took delivery of its first E-6B, which contains upgraded systems, enabling VQ-4 to perform the Airborne Command Post "Looking Glass" mission.

Despite an exceptionally demanding tempo, which included 175,000 hours of Continuous Airborne Operations, VQ-4 Shadow teamwork has achieved an incredible amount of unit excellence awards in 32 years including:

6 - Safety "S"s
7 - Battle Efficiency Awards
5 - Meritorious Unit Commendations
1 - Humanitarian Service Medal
3 - Secretary of the Navy Letters of Commendation
8 - Golden Anchor Awards for retention excellence
1 - Silver Anchor Award for retention excellence
2 - Golden Mercury Awards
4 - Maintenance Excellence Awards
2 - Omaha Trophies from U.S. Strategic Command

Since its commissioning, VQ-4 has evolved into a squadron of approximately 400 officers and enlisted personnel making it one of the largest operational aviation squadrons in the Navy today. The dedication and professionalism of the people who fly and support TACAMO, and their record of accomplishments, have shown that VQ-4 lives up to the challenge day and night. Indeed, their dedication to operational excellence has resulted in the squadron surpassing 28 years and 283,000 flight hours of mishap-free operations. The men and women of VQ-4 continue the tradition of excellence to this day. It has become a way of life.


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