VP-51

Patrol Squadron 51
Patrol Squadron 51
Active	1 April 1948 - 1 February 1950
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	squadron
Role	Maritime patrol
Aircraft flown
Patrol	PB-1W ; PB4Y-2

Last updated April 17, 2021

VP-51 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Air Early Warning Squadron 1 (VPW-1) on 1 April 1948, redesignated Patrol Squadron 51 (VP-51) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 1 February 1950. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-51; the first VP-51 was redesignated VP-71 on 1 July 1941 and the second VP-51 was redesignated VB-101 on 1 March 1943.^[1]

Operational history

1 April 1948: VPW-1 was established at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, as an Air Early Warning (AEW) squadron flying the PB-1W Flying Fortress. Some of the personnel identified for assignment to VPW-1 had been ordered to VX-4 for training on the PB-1W aircraft prior to their unit being established as a separate squadron. Another group of personnel for VPW-1 was located at Kwajalein Atoll participating in Operation Sandstone when the squadron was established. This detachment consisted of 17 officers and 29 enlisted personnel. The detachment's mission during this operation was to patrol a designated danger area during hours of darkness to ensure no unauthorized craft entered the atomic experimental test area.
1 Apr 1948: Immediately following the squadron's establishment at NAS Quonset Point it was assigned a new home port at NAAS Ream Field, Imperial Beach, California.
2–3 April 1948: The squadron received its first four PB-1Ws on 2 April. These aircraft had been B-17G's, held by the U.S. Army Air Force in reserve storage, and released to the Navy for modification by the NAMU Johnsville, Pennsylvania. The AN/APS-20 search radar was installed, with a distinctive large fairing projecting from the chin of the aircraft for the scanning unit. The bomb bays were sealed since no weapons were carried and extra fuel tanks were installed to increase range. On 3 April the squadron began the move to its new home port at NAAS Ream Field.
April – May 1948: The squadron participated in various fleet radar relay and search and rescue exercises.
29 May 1948: The squadron's Kwajalein Detachment return to NAAS Ream Field.
7 July 1948: VPW-1 was relocated to NAS Miramar, north of San Diego, California.
July 1948: The squadron established a detachment at NAS Agana, Guam. The detachment operated under the control of FAW-1. The primary mission of the detachment was typhoon reconnaissance.
1 September 1948: The squadron was redesignated VP-51. VP-51 was the first operational land-based AEW squadron. The primary mission of the squadron was Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) but it was also responsible for developing, improving and evaluating all aspects relating to the operational use of AEW.
May 1949: VP-51 received the PB4Y-2 Privateer to replace the PB-1W aircraft being taken out of service.
July – August 1949: The squadron participated in AEW intercept exercises in July and August and ASW hunter/killer exercises in August.
1 February 1950: VP-51 was disestablished at NAS Miramar. Personnel from the disestablished squadron were used to form a detachment of VX-4.

Aircraft assignments

The squadron was assigned the following aircraft, effective on the dates shown:^[1]

PB-1W - 2 April 1948
PB4Y-2 - June 1949

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:^[1]

NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island - 1 April 1948
NAS Ream Field, California - 3 April 1948
NAS Miramar, California - 1 August 1948

Related Research Articles

VP-23, Patrol Squadron 23, known as the Seahawks, was a U.S. Navy fixed-wing, anti-submarine and maritime Patrol Squadron based at Brunswick Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine, United States. It was established as Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Three (VPW-3) on 17 May 1946, redesignated as Meteorology Squadron Three (VPM-3) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) Three (VP-HL-3) on 8 December 1947, and to Patrol Squadron Twenty Three (VP-23) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 28 February 1995. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-23, the first VP-23 was redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 23 (VPB-23) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 25 January 1946.

VP-6 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Blue Sharks. Originally established as Bombing Squadron VB-146 on 15 July 1943, it was redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-146 on 1 October 1944, redesignated VP-146 on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) VP-ML-6 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-6 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 31 May 1993. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-6, the first VP-6 was disestablished on 3 May 1926 and the second VP-6 was disestablished on 20 June 1945.

VP-22 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Dragons from 1944 to 1950, and the Blue Geese from 1951 to 1994. It was established as Bombing Squadron VB-102 on 15 February 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-102 on 1 October 1944, redesignated VP-102 on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) VP-HL-2 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-22 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 31 March 1994. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-22, the first VP-22 was disestablished, merged with VP-101 on 18 April 1942 and the second VP-22 was redesignated VPB-22 on 1 October 1944.

VP-21 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Established as Bombing Squadron 111 (VB-111) on 30 July 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 111 (VPB-111) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 111 (VP-111) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 11 (VP-HL-11) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 21 November 1969. It was the fifth squadron to be designated VP-21, the first VP-21 was redesignated VP-45 on 1 July 1939, the second VP-21 was redesignated VP-1 on 30 July 1940, the third VP-21 was disestablished on 18 April 1942 and the fourth VP-21 was redesignated VPB-21 on 1 October 1944.

VP-25 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 25 (VP-25) on 20 April 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 25 (VPB-25) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 25 (VP-25) on 15 May 1946 and disestablished on 28 June 1946. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-25, the first VP-25 was redesignated VP-23 on 1 August 1941.

VP-25 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 115 (VB-115) on 1 October 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 115 (VPB-115) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 115 (VP-115) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 13 (VP-HL-13) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 25 (VP-25) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 1 January 1950. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-25, the first VP-25 was redesignated VP-23 on 1 August 1941 and the second VP-25 was disestablished on 28 June 1946.

VP-28 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 108 (VB-108) on 1 July 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 108 (VPB-108) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 108 (VP-108) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 8 (VP-HL-8) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 28 (VP-28) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 1 October 1969. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-28, the first VP-28 had that designation in 1944 and 1946.

VP-29 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 14-F (VP-14F) on 1 November 1935, redesignated Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14) on 4 September 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 52 (VP-52) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 72 (VP-72) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 122 (VPB-122) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 122 (VP-122) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 12 (VP-HL-12) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 29 (VP-29) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 18 January 1950.

VP-34 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 15-F (VP-15F) on 1 September 1936, redesignated Patrol Squadron 15 (VP-15) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 53 (VP-53) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 73 (VP-73) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 73 (VPB-73) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 73 (VP-73) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Amphibian Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-AM-4) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 34 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 30 June 1956.. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-34, the first VP-34 was redesignated VPB-34 on 1 October 1944.

VP-43 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 28 (VP-28) on 1 July 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 28 (VPB-28) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 28 (VP-28) on 25 June 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) 3 (VP-MS-3) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 43 (VP-43) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 31 March 1949. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-43, the first VP-43 was redesignated VP-81 on 1 July 1941 and the second VP-43 was redesignated VPB-43 on 1 October 1944.

VP-61 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Photographic Squadron 5 (VD-5) on 1 June 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron (Photographic) 1 (VPP-1) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 61 (VP-61) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 17 January 1950. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-61, the first VP-61 was redesignated VP-82 on 1 July 1941 and the second VP-61 was redesignated VPB-61 on 1 October 1944.

VP-62 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established Fleet Air Photographic Squadron, Atlantic Fleet (FltAirPhotoRonLant), on 3 May 1942, redesignated Fleet Air Photographic Squadron 2 (FAPS-2) on 11 October 1942, redesignated Photographic Squadron 2 (VD-2) on 1 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Squadron (Photographic) 2 (VPP-2) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 30 January 1950. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-62, the first VP-62 was disestablished on 1 July 1943 and the second VP-62 was redesignated VPB-62 on 1 October 1944.

VP-123 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 140 (VB-140) on 21 April 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 140 (VPB-140) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 123 (VPB-123) on 20 November 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 123 (VP-123) on 15 May 1946 and disestablished on 1 October 1946.

VP-7 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 119 (VB-119) on 15 August 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 119 (VPB-119) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 119 (VP-119) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 9 (VP-HL-9) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 7 (VP-ML-7) on 25 June 1947, redesignated Patrol Squadron 7 (VP-7) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 8 October 1969. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-7, the first VP-7 was redesignated VP-11 on 1 July 1939.

VPB-4 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 102 (VP-102) on 1 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 4 (VPB-4) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 1 November 1945.

VPB-197 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 1 September 1938, redesignated Patrol Squadron 45 (VP-45) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14) on 1 December 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26) on 15 April 1941, redesignated Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 14 (VPB-14) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 197 (VPB-197) on 2 December 1944 and disestablished on 1 April 1946.

VP-HL-5 was a Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 143 (VB-143) on 15 June 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 143 (VPB-143) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 143 (VP-143) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 5 (VP-HL-5) on 15 November 1946 and disestablished on 27 May 1947.

VPB-206 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron Two Hundred Six (VP-206) on 15 November 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron Two Hundred Six (VPB-206) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 4 June 1945.

VPB-210 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron Two Hundred Ten (VP-210) on 15 January 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron Two Hundred Ten (VPB-210) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 10 July 1945.

VPB-213 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron Two Hundred Thirteen (VP-213) on 1 October 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron Two Hundred Thirteen (VPB-213) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 10 July 1945.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons .

1 2 3 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (VP-49 to 3rd VP-61). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 306–7. Retrieved 15 June 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)

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[DANAS2-3-1] 1 2 3 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (VP-49 to 3rd VP-61). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 306–7. Retrieved 15 June 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)

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