MARCHETTI, AT1 James "Jim" tazmarchetti@yahoo.com "...I was a "Boomer" (VP-48) from October 1986 to September 1989, NAS Adak, Alaska (December 1985 to June 1986), 11 months later went to P.I. (April 1987 to September 1987) and 13 months later had a "memory tour" back to NAS Adak, Alaska (December 1988 to June 1989) again. I was a Special Projects (BT) IFT and Weapons System Technician (WST) and LOVED VP-48. Then on to VP-31 "Black Lightning" as an Instructor/MTS/Curriculum Dev. Mgr. until my departure in August 1992. Lived in Overland Park, Kansas for 5 years and came back to the SF Bay Area in 1997. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of any other Boomers, I would appreciate a quick note from you..." WebSite: http://www.patrolsquadron48.org/ [E-Mail/BIO Updated 07JAN2004 | 02DEC97]

MARTINEZ, Ricardo A. "Marty" ramart51@aol.com "...I served with VP-6, VP-9, VX-20 and VX-30. Working as a Maintenance Manager (LAWTFC Fueling Operations) at Los Angeles International Airport since retirement in 2004..." [05MAY2017]

McKINNEY, J. Michael mmckinne@navprgms.mar.lmco.com"...I'm a VP Sailor and a previous Lockheed P-3 Tech. Rep and I'm presently working in Lockheed Martin P-3 Engineering. My love of the P-3 began in 1973 when I got my first ride in one as an AT2. After that I received orders to VP-30 Pax River,MD to P-3B Weapons System Test (WST) school in 1974. Upon completion of Weapons System Test (WST) school I was assigned to VP-11 (1975)and starting working towards becoming an IFT. I was awarded my AC Wings after the 1975 Rota/Lajes deployment. I made the subsequent deployment in 1976 to Bermuda/Lajes. Nov.76 I was transferred to VP-30 for P-3C IFT school. I was then assigned to VP-45 in 1977 and deployed to Sicily in 1978, after which I got out of the Navy and went to work for Lockheed. As a Lockheed Tech. Rep.I was assigned to VP-46 (1979-1982), Royal Netherlands Navy (82-83) Royal Australian Air Force (84-86), VP-47 (86-87), VP-50 (87-88) Commander, Patrol Wing Five (CPW-5) (88-92) CPW-11 (92-93) and worked on the Korean Navy P-3C aircraft on the Lockheed flight line. Old shipmates please drop a line..."

MERRIWEATHER, Phil philgmerr@att.net "...I served several tours with VP a/c during my 22 year naval service. I was with VP-50 (65-67), NATC (WST) "Project Trim" (67-68), VAH21 (68-69), NATC (WST) (69-72), VC-5 (72-76), and VP-48 (79-82). I also did a tour at MAMTG-1012 (82-85) as the phase CPO for the P-3C Organizational Avionics Maintenance Courses. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who served in those organizations during the periods mentioned..." [E-Mail Updated 07JUN2002 | 01FEB98]

MOULIN, AWC "Dick" Retired rmoulin@ctel.net "...VP-18, VP-8, VPU-1, Special Projects, NATC ASW Test, CPWL, Commander, Patrol Wing Five (CPW-5), FAETUPAC NAS Whidbey Island, Washington-- Retired '80, 5600 P-3 Flight hrs, 2024 P2 Flight hrs. Qualified Aircrew P2/P3/WV-1/F3D/F4H -- and got 1 ride in a blimp just before it decomissioned. Duty Assignments: - NAS Glynco, Georgia/USNAVCIC Scol, '60-'62 - USS Saratoga, VA-36 Roadrunners, Cuban crisis ' '62, Med '63 - USS Enterprise, VA-66, Med '64, Operation Sea Orbit '64 - VP-18 Crew 7&1, (Roos Rds/ NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba/DOMREP), '65-'67 - FAETUPAC NAS Whidbey Island, Washington '68-'70 Weapons System Test (WST) & Non-Acoustic Instructor - VP-8 '70-'74, SS1, Crew 12, "The Tale of the Tiger" - Commander, Patrol Wing Five (CPW-5) Special Projects (Old Buzzards), '74-'75. Senior Acoustic Inel Analyst/Operator - Naval Air Test Center, ASW Directorate, P-3 Test. Acoustic Projects Test Chief, P-3 Skeds Officer '75-'78...Tech Evals; AQA-7 (3V), P-3 Super B, P3C UD1, 2, 2.5, UYS-1, SLOT, SS Operator interactive displays. Flight Evals; Super B, UD 1, 2, 2.5, UYS-1, IRDS. Omega Nav, Interactive Displays, TSCCS, Link 11. Factory Acceptance: IRDS, UD 2.5, 14B44, UYS-1. (Yep, you can blame most of the things used in current P-3's on me and the other guys at NATC/ASW/P-3 Test in the late '70's). - Special Projects (Old Buzzards) Senior Acoustic Operator '78-'80 - Retired 1980 -Vitro Corp, SOS Bath, '80-'83, programmer FFG-7 project - Summit Research Corp, COMPATWINGSLANT '83-'94 Tactical Information Management System, Site Manager/ Technology Advisor/ AIRDAS Project Manager/ NATO MPA Data & Programming Standards Committee/CNO ISAR Data Base Manager - LL Bean, Freeport, Maine, '95-pres. Customer Service representative/newhire,rehire training. Comments: From a position of semi retirement I'll say that I throughly enjoyed my 34 years of association with the airdale Navy. Most enjoyable was my time as an aircrewmember, and as a civilian at CPWL. A number of us retired in the Brunswick area, so I still see a lot of old Shipmates from CPWL, VP-8 and Special Projects. I remain fairly current on VP issues through the VPI magazine, and my son-in-law, who is an active duty chief presently assigned to the "Buzzards". Good luck &, "keep flying 'em safe"..." [07APR98]

MULICH, AWC Nick Retired nicknjax@gmail.com "...I entered the navy February 1958. After completing AE "A" school, my first assignment was Service Test at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland from November 1958 through November 1960. I attended S3H factory school and was transferred to VP-5 in April 1961. I was assigned to Crew 11 for the NS Rota, Spain/ NAS Keflavik, Iceland split deployment. VP-5 was was heavily involved in the Cuban crisis. I departed the Navy in February 1963 to work for TWA at the KC overhaul Plant. In October 1965 I returned to the Navy as an AX2 after completing "A" school. I was then sent to NAS North Island, San Diego, California for assignment with VP-50 after completing P5M Maintenance schools. I was in VP-50 from January 1967 through April 1969. I checked in 8 days after the P5M crashed. As an AX2, I was assigned to P5M Crew 5 until we transitioned to the P-3A at NAS Moffett Field, California. As an AX1 I was assigned to Crew 12 and remained there until transfer to "B" school. I changed rates to AW while attending "B" school and was assigned to VP-23 from January 1970 through January 1973. For 3 months I was the only enlisted qualified Aircrewman. I passed the AWC test and was transferred to Naval Air Development Center Warminster until June 1973 when I was selected for ADCOP at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. After ADCOP, I was transferred to VP-49 from April 1975 through October 1977. My final tour was NTEC Orlando where I led the factory acceptance team for the 14B44 and Weapons System Test (WST) trainers. I retired in December 1980 and now live in Jacksonville..." [E-Mail Updated 14APR2009 | E-Mail/BIO Updated 14NOV99]

MURPHY, John murphydad@hotmail.com "...I flew with VP-40 from '94 to '98. I missed the brawl at the Officer's Club but did do three deployments, the last with Jim Robinson and mighty CAC-4. I continued to fly NP-3D's and qualified in a Metroliner at the Weapons System Test (WST) Squadron. Stacy and I have two kids and I'm currently flying with Southwest Airlines. Hope to hear from you!..." [12JUN2001]

PAULES, AE2 James jrpaules@msn.com "...I served with VQ-2 (1970-07/1972). I got married on my way from Naval Weapons Test Squadron (WST) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland to NS Rota, Spain and brought my wife along to Spain. She was a freshman in college and picked up a few courses from the University of Maryland while we were there. I did one deployment on an aircraft carrier to support the "whales" and then decided I’d rather be an air crewman. I got qualified as the aviation electrician’s mate (i.e. cook) and an ECM Operator. VQ-2 was transitioning from the Super Connies to the P-3’s and since I wasn’t going to make the Navy my career, I got assigned to one of the Super Connie crews. I made several deployments to Athens and NAS Key West, Floridat and even got to go on a NATO exercise to Iceland and Norway … even got my "Blue Nose" card for going above the Arctic Circle. After I got out of the Navy I used my GI Benefits to get an Electrical Engineering degree from Penn State and then worked 33+ years at Three Mile Island..." [11MAR2014]

PETERSON, CDR Roy "Pete" Retired rptrsn@yahoo.com "...I enlisted in 1968. I earned my AC wings at NAS Lemoore, California as a helicopter rescue crewman, fly rescue mission in the Sierra Nevada mountains. After two years of shore duty, I received orders to VP-11 as an AT-2. I went through VP-30 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland trained as in IFT, but when I arrived at the squadron I found out that if I wanted to fly I have to be a radioman. No problem let me fly. I made the short notice deploy to WesPac with VP-11 July-Nov 1972 operating from NAS Cubi Point, Philippines and U-Tapao Royal Thailand Air Force Base, Thailand. After a, very short stint as a civilian, I returned to active duty and changed my rate to AW. After AW "A" school and another pass throught the RAG, I reported to VP-44. Flying the oldest P-3A as SS2 then SS1 I made two deployment NS Rota, Spain / NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and NAS Bermuda between 1974-1977 making AW1 along the way. I followed that tour with two years at TSC NAS Sigonella, Sicily, where I really learned acoustic analyis from some great AW's. AW1 Mike Stokes, AWC Al Cox, AWC Mike Cantor and AWC Mel Watkin a great acoustic analyist and one of the best leaders I had in my naval career. En route to shore duty at Naval Weapons Test Squadron (WST) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland by way of VP-30 I was selected for AWC and was intiated in 1979. A couple of weeks later, I found out I'd been select for an a commission as an Aviation Operations LDO Ensign. My shore duty was cut short and after knife and fork school, I to the USS Ranger, in NS Subic Bay, Philippines for an 8 month deployment to the Indian Ocean. Working in the ASW Module a was promoted to LT(jg) on my second deployment to the Indian Ocean. After 2 years 2 months and 1 day I departed USS Ranger to NAVAVSCHCOM NAS Pensacola, Florida for training as a Naval Flight Officer. VP-10 at NATU Mather Airforce Base, VP-31 and I found myself in Hawaii as an LT NavCom in VP-1, CAC-6. Under the leadership of LT Frank Dombrowski, I quickly qualified as a TC. After a split deployment to NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan / NAF Misawa, Japan I earned my Mission Commander designation and a JO crew. Select for the College Degree Program (CDP), with the help of the XO CDR Zambernardi, I made the very hard decision to forgo another VP-1 deployment and took orders to New Hampshire College. Completeing my BS degree in 9 months, transferred to Commander Patrol Wings Atlantic (CPWL) where I was the Aircrew Training Officer. A great job in a great location 1987-1991. From there it was time for my fourth patrol squadron. After my 5th time through the RAG, I reported to VP-8 as a LCDR Department Head. Two deployments to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR and all the det sites, I stretched this tour as long as I could, knowing that as an AW/LDO this was my last active duty squadron. It was a good tour (Tiger, Tiger) and I flew with them from Oct 1991 until June 1995, picking up my P-3 5000 hour pin along the way. Shore duty followed as the Director of Training, Fleet Aviation Specialized Training Group Atlantic (FASO). It was a very interesting job with schools in NAS Brunswick, Maine, NAS Jacksonville, Florida, Mayport, plus all the Marine air stations, not to mention SERE. We worked hard to keep up with all the changes in tmissions, new technology and the impacts on flight crew training. My last tour 1999-2002 was as XO of NAS Souda Bay, Crete, Greece where I retired with over 5500 hours in the P-3 and over 33 years active service. It was a great career. At my retirement ceremony, I was piped ashore then back aboard our 42' sloop Brilliant, where my bride Stephanie spent 5 years cruising the Med, crossing the Atlantic in 2006, the Caribbean, then the US East Coast until last year when we moved ashore in Florida..." [26MAY2015]

PETRONE, Andrew C. apetrone@thermawave.com "...I joined 01JUL77 went to boot camp at San Deigo then NATTC, Millington. I was at VP-9 from MAR78 to JUL81. From there I went to NAMTGD1012, NAS Moffett Field, California (SEP81-JUN85); NSF Diego Garcia (JUL85-JUL88); NAMTGD1012 (AUG88-MAY92; NSF Diego Garcia (JUN92-JUL93); VQ5 NAS Agana, Guam (AUG93-OCT94), San Diego (OCT94-FEB96) CVN72 Lincoln Deployment (MAY95-OCT95]; Weapons System Test (WST) Squadron, NAS Point Mugu, California (MAR96-JUL97) retired..." [25AUG2000]

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ROBERTSON, Robbie Jrobert329@aol.com "...Served in VP-4 from 1966-1970, Weapons System Test (WST) NAS Patuxent River, Maryland 1970-1975, VQ-2 1975-1978, BUPERS Aircrew Detailer 1978-1981, NPPSA DET Dallas 1981-1987. Still flying P-3's and C-130's for Lockheed in Marietta Ga. Looking forward to the VP-4 Reunion. Would like to hear from all my old Shipmates..." [10MAR98]

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SATTERFIELD, AEC Dick Retired gemstar@ibm.net"...Started with P-3's in WST, NATC Pax Riv. in '64 then to VP-9 and VP-31. Retired from VP-47 in Jan of '76 as an AEC. One outfit not mentioned is Weapons Systems Test Div. as a P-3 operator. We had the first one - 148276, a convert -ed Electra which was also a prototype Charlie. The other two were 148889 and 152141 which were used as test-beds for test and evaluation of new weapons systems. Interesting tour. Retired for a second time (from IBM) and live in San Jose, CA. Dick Satterfield, former AE ed Electra which also was the Charlie prototype..."

SMITH, ATC George E. Retired p3chief@gmail.com "...I served with VP-11 W/C 210 and Maint.Cont. from September 1987 till retirement in July 1990; AIMD NAS Brunswick, Maine W/C 610 & ATE and Production Control Chief from February 1984 through Augugst 1987; VP-10 August 1980 - January 1984, transitioned to P-3CUII as a WST in W/C 210 and "Still finding it HARD TO BE HUMBLE"; VP-30 WST school January 1980 through July 1980; NAS Jacksonville, Florida December 1976 - January 1980, Air Ops Tron shop, then sent to AIMD as W/C 610 supervisor; VS-28 June 1972 - November 1976 as an S-2G "I" level com/nav tech at AIMD NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island and IM-3 division aboard the INDY. In 1976 we then transitioned to the S-3A Viking and I as an "I" level APS-116 radar tech at AIMD NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida and IM-3 aboard AMERICA. I have worked the last 15 years for Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) at Kennedy Space Center as a Quality Inspector during the Space Lab days and now as a Quality Engineer processing the International Space Station. Nothing I have done since since, can come close to the pride and satisfaction I experienced in the Navy. Would love to hear from any of my old Shipmates!..." [E-Mail/BIO Updated 27FEB2006]

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TUCKER, AW2 Joseph (Mike) jmtss3@hotmail.com "...Served in VP-50 from 90-92. Now stationed at VP-5. Would like to hear from squadronmates. Also served aboard the USS Carl Vinson CVN-70, FASODETMOFFETT, CPW-11, and hope to soon be back at CPW-11 Weapons System Test (WST) Team for a much needed break from 4 and 1/2 years of sea duty in VP-5..." [19MAY99]

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VanREKEN, AVCM Mark H. Retired mvanreken@hotmail.com "...P-3B(D) Radio operator, VP-23 76-79; P-3C UII IFT, VP-26 80-81; P-3B Sensor operator, VP-26 (VPU-1) Special Projects, 81-84; NAMTGD 1011 IFT/WST Instructor, 84-87; P-3C(NUD) IFT, VP-56 87-91. Retired in 93 as AVCM...." [E-Mail Updated 13SEP2003 | E-Mail Updated 23MAY2000]

VATTER, AMEC Tom Retired tfvatter@us.hsanet.net "...I served a P-3 Flight Engineer from 1963 - 1989. I was pleased with to do the P-3 flying in Squadrons like VP-8, NATC NAS Patuxent River, Maryland WST, VP-19, VP-30, VP-50, VP-31, VXN-8, NATC ASW then Force Warfare, VXN-8 until retirement. During those years Logged a few hours I think it was 15,575 but who was counting. Looking to hear from any old Shipmates. Drop a line. I am now working as a support contractor for the P-3 Retrofits and Special Projects group at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland..." [18MAR99]

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Circa 1992/1998  "...WALKER, Kevin "Flash"...I'm looking for Shipmates of my brother, Kevin "Flash" Walker. He was an AD2. He was retired Navy, and passed away September 07, 2000 when he was shot twice in the back. As far as I can tell, these were the ships and the units Kevin Charles 'Flash' Walker was assigned to (some I have the years): USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 1983, 1984 and 1985 Mediterranean Cruise's; USS Coral Sea CV-43 1987 and 1988 Mediterranean Cruise's (Kestrel's 1985 - 1988); USS Forrestal CV-59 Atkron 176 E w/2 diagonal slashes underneath; 1990-1991 Final Operational Deployment VFA-132 'Privateers'; USS Independence CV-62 and USS George Washington CVN-73 1992 Shakedown cruise with CVW-7. Kevin's tours-of-duty (TOD) include NAS North Island, San Diego, California; NAS Patuxent River, Maryland; NS Rota, Spain; a TDY with Grumman Corporation on Long Island, NY (while he was there he got to observe the building of the USAF X-29A FSW prototype; the remaining TOD's were at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. Some of the units he was with that I can't place aboard any Faireconron Two (Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two) 'Batmen' (possibly NS Rota, Spain); VS-41; VS-31 Topcats; Fighting 143 Pukin' Dogs; Strike Force Squadron 137 (Strkfitron 137) F/A-18 Hornet; Naval Air Test Center Strike Aircraft (possibly NAS Patuxent River, Maryland); VQ-2; and Knighthawk VFA-136 F/A -18 (his last active duty unit). He was also a part of: 1990 Operation Desert Shield; 1991 Operation Desert Storm; and 1991 Team Incirlik Combined Task Force Operation Provide Comfort out of Incirlik, Turkey He also related to me that he had helped with the recovery of the Marine and Army personnel killed in the Beirut bombing..." Contributed by Stephen Kent Walker familysearch27292@yahoo.com [11MAY2004]

WALLACE, AOC(NAC)AW Louis Chance, Jr. "Wally" Retired wallace.chance@ngc.com "...I served with VP-68 (03/1974-31/12/1994) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, RTU68 (06/1973-03/1974) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, USS Independence (CVA-62) (03/1971-03/1973) at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, Air Launched Weapons School (02/1971-03/1971) at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, Naval Weapons Test Squadron (WST) (08/1969-02/1971) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, RTC Great Lakes (01/1969-03/1969), AO "A" School Naval Air Training Center (03/1969-08/1969) at NAS Jacksonville, Florida..." [07AUG2020]

WEBER, AT1 Lawrence laweber@verizon.net "...I was an AT Petty Officer on the crew of the VAH-21 TRIM '902 Iron Butterfly P2V, after its return from Vietnam. That was with NATC Naval Weapons Test Squadron (WST) from July 1970 until it was decommissioned. I served with Senior Chief Vincent and pilot LCMD Boyer..." [06JUN2022]

WHITTENBURG, Rob Weapons System Test (WST)@juno.com">p3cWeapons System Test (WST)@juno.com "...I was assigned to VP-31, WC210 Avionics as an AX2, Weapons System Test (WST)from 12/78 thru 11/81. I mostly worked on early preflights and enjoyed it very much. Presently I am corporate pilot for a local utility company here in Salt Lake City and am flying a Cessna Citation S-II. I am married to a beautiful Filipina school teacher and we have a cute little baby girl. It's wonderful! It would be nice to hear from some of the good Shipmates that I worked with at VP-31 like; J.J. Green, Corky Rootes, Chief Jim Hildebrant, AVCM Tom Doeller, Rex Oliver, Tony Miorin, Rick Taylor, and AXCS Foxe. We had a excellent crew, no AWM's, FMC aircraft, and a lot of fun. Feel free to e-mail me. I'd like to hear from you all!..." [E-Mail Updated 28FEB99 | 08MAR98]

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ZACHAR, AW1 Bob Robert6770@AOL.COM "...I was a Weekend Warrior with VP-92 9/70 - 6/72. VP-67 1/73 - 3/94. Flew countless Fri. & Sun night Airlifts picking up squadron mates on Thunder Chicken Airlines; 2600 hours in 21 years. Saw the world. Loved those PI trips!! Couldn't get past AW1, Got in trouble ?? sometimes. Now I'm a Platoon Sgt (E7) in MS Army National Guard - Tank Cmdr. on M1A1 Abrams tanks. 28 years service. The Army is different, but I love the sound of the tank's turbine starting up - reminds me of the P-3's APU. Any ole VP-67 Shipmates out there, email me..." [08JUN98]

ZAFRAN, LCDR Bob Retired vpfourever@gmail.com "...Flew in P2's, P-3's, and P5M's for 22 years. I was an ex-P2 Radioman (AT/AX). I was also a TACCO in the P-3 Orion. I served with VP-4 (1959-1962),FAETUPAC (1962-1965), Naval Flight Officer Training (1965-1966), NATC NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, Weapons System Test (WST) Squadron (1966-1968), Naval Postgraduate School (BS) (1968-1970), VP-4 (1971-1974), Naval Postgraduate School (MS) (1974-1976), VP-40 (1976-1978), NAS Moffett Field, California (1978-1979), and OinC PSD NAS Moffett Field, California 1979-1980)..." [E-Mail Updated 21OCT2008 | E-Mail Updated 12DEC2002 | BIO Updated 20NOV2000 | E-Mail Updated 30JUL98]

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"VX-30 Summary Page"

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