VP-16

Patrol Squadron 16
Patrol Squadron 16
	VP-16 insignia
Active	May 1946 - present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	squadron
Role	Maritime patrol
Nickname(s)	War Eagles
Engagements	Vietnam War
Aircraft flown
Patrol	PV-2 ; PBY-5A/6A ; P2V-2/3/5/5F/SP-2E ; P-3A/C ; P-8A

Last updated April 09, 2023

VP-16, nicknamed the War Eagles, is an active Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It has been based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida since its founding in 1946. The squadron's mission is to operate Maritime patrol aircraft to the fleet in support of national interests.^[1] The squadron's radio callsign is "Talon," and their tailcode is "LF." Originally established as Reserve Patrol Squadron 906 (VP-906) in May 1946, it was redesignated Medium Seaplane Squadron 56 (VP-ML-56) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 741 (VP-741) in February 1950 and redesignated Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16) on 4 February 1953. It is the third squadron to be designated VP-16; the first VP-16 was redesignated VP-41 on 1 July 1939 and the second VP-16 was redesignated VPB-16 on 1 October 1944.^[2]

History

VP-906 was established in May 1946 as a reserve squadron, home-ported at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, under the operational control of FAW-11 and administratively under Naval Air Reserve Training Command. The squadron was one of 21 reserve patrol squadrons established after the war to accommodate the large number of aircrews recently released from active duty, utilize the enormous stocks of aircraft in the inventory and serve as a pool of experienced manpower in the event that the new Cold War tensions erupted into actual war. VP-906 flew the PV-2 Harpoon and the amphibious PBY-5A/6A Catalina.
15 November 1946 VP-906 was redesignated VP-ML-56 while at NAS Cecil Field, Florida. Under the new designation system, reserve squadron number designations began with the number 51 and regular Navy squadrons began with 1. All reserve patrol squadrons were designated as ML. The ML designation used by the reserves stood for either Medium Patrol Squadrons flying the twin-engine PV-2 Harpoon or Medium Seaplane Squadrons flying the amphibious PBY-5A Catalina. Regular Navy patrol squadrons flying the PV-2 were designated ML also, but those flying the PBY-5A were designated AM for Amphibian.
In February 1950 VP-ML-56 was redesignated VP-741 during the reorganization of Naval Aviation reserve units. In this period of extensive defense spending reductions the number of Naval Aviation reserve patrol squadrons was reduced from 24 in 1949 to only 9.
On 1 Mar 1951 VP-741 was recalled to active duty, the last of the nine reserve patrol squadrons recalled for service during the Korean War. In February 1953 the decision was made to augment all of the nine reserve patrol squadrons activated during 1950 to 1951 as part of the regular Navy. VP-741 was redesignated VP-16. The redesignations did not require changes in tail codes or home ports.
On 10 Nov 1956, the squadron deployed to NAS Keflavik, Iceland. During the Suez Crisis, the squadron was flying around the clock to protect NATO’s northern flank. After the situation was defused, VP-16 conducted a series of goodwill tours to several European countries before returning to the U.S. in April 1957.
Mar 1960: VP-16 deployed to NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and participated in Operation Springboard 1960.
May 1960: The squadron participated in test shots of the Redstone and Atlas missiles as part of Task Force 140, Project Mercury Recovery Force.
12 Dec 1960: VP-16 deployed to NAS Sigonella, Sicily, for a five-month tour of duty, relieving VP-5. The squadron provided shipping surveillance in the Mediterranean Sea for the U.S. Sixth Fleet.
In January 1961, it was one of several squadrons called on to assist in the search for the Portuguese cruise liner Santa Maria after it had been hijacked by opponents of the Salazar regime.
Between 29 November 1963 and March 1964 seven squadron aircraft operated from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, to provide surveillance during the Cuban Missile Crisis, relieving VP-23. The detachment was itself relieved in March 1964 by VP-11.
1 Dec 1964: VP-16 relieved VP-49 at NAS Bermuda. This was the first deployment for the squadron in its new P-3A Orion aircraft.
23 Mar 1965: The squadron participated in operations involving the launching and recovery of the Gemini 3 space capsule.
15 Feb 1966: A detachment of three aircraft was sent to RAF Ascension Island in support of the project Apollo-Saturn 201 flight, Task Force 140. This operation was the first uncrewed spacecraft of the Apollo series to be fired into suborbital flight by a Saturn rocket.
On 2 December 1966: VP-17 deployed to Naval Station Sangley Point in the Philippines. A detachment was based at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand and participated in the Vietnam War. During this deployment the squadron missions included Market Time patrols to interdict supplies by sea from North Vietnam, Yankee Team patrols, Ocean Surveillance Air Patrol, and Special Ocean Surveillance Air Patrols. Patrols were often conducted within 12 miles of the coasts of North Vietnam and throughout the Gulf of Tonkin. The squadron completed over 500 missions during its only tour in the Vietnam zone of operations.
12 December 1967: VP-16 deployed to Naval Station Rota Spain in southern Spain, as the first P-3 Orion detachment to operate from a Mediterranean base.
January 1971: VP-16 retrofitted all of its P-3A aircraft with the DIFAR advanced submarine detection system. In July, VP-16 deployed to NAS Sigonella, to test their newly outfitted DIFAR aircraft. The squadron conducted extensive testing of the new equipment during numerous exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.
25 October – 2 November 1983: VP-16 provided several aircraft and crews for patrols in the vicinity of Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. Invasion of Grenada.
August 1985: VP-16 deployed to NAS Bermuda. During the deployment three-aircraft detachments were maintained at NS Roosevelt Roads, to participate in Operation Hat Trick II, drug interdiction patrols in the Caribbean.
10 August 1988: VP-16 deployed to Bermuda, relieving VP-24. The squadron participated in Operation Checkmate 7, interdicting suspected drug trafficking in the Caribbean.^[2]
January 2013: VP-16 become the first U.S. Navy squadron to transition from the P-3C Orion to the P-8A.^[3]
July 2014: Aircraft from VP-16 return home after the U.S. Navy's first ever P-8A Poseidon overseas deployment. Lasting six months, the aircraft were based at Kadena AFB, Japan.^[4]

Aircraft assignment

The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:^[2]

PV-2 - May 1946
PBY-5A/6A - May 1946
P2V-2/3 - 1950
P2V-5 - February 1955
P2V-5F - March 1956
SP-2E - December 1962
P-3A - July 1964
P-3A DIFAR - January 1971
P-3C - August 1973
P-3C UII.5 - June 1983
P-3C UIIIR - October 1990
P-8A - March 2012

Related Research Articles

Patrol Squadron 10 (VP-10) is a United States Navy Patrol Squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It is nicknamed the "Red Lancers" and is equipped with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon. It is the third squadron to be designated VP-10. The first VP-10 was redesignated VP-2D15 on 21 September 1927 and the second VP-10 was redesignated VP-25 on 1 July 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-23</span> Military unit

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.

Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4) is a U.S. Navy land-based patrol squadron based at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington, which is tasked to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions flying the Boeing P-8 Poseidon.

Patrol Squadron 11 (VP-11), nicknamed Proud Pegasus, was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island on 15 May 1952 and was disestablished on 2 August 1997. It was the fourth squadron to be designated VP-11, the first VP-11 was redesignated VP-54 on 1 October 1937, the second VP-11 was redesignated VP-21 on 1 February 1941 and the third VP-11 was redesignated VPB-11 on 1 October 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-17</span> Military unit

VP-17, nicknamed the White Lightnings, was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy.

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 64 (VR-64), nicknamed the Condors, is a logistics squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve, based at Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 64 (VP-64) on 1 November 1970 and redesignated on 18 September 2004, after 34 years of service. It was based at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania until it got transferred to Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst in 2011. Units of the squadron made 26 major overseas deployments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-18</span> Military unit

VP-18, nicknamed the Flying Phantoms, was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as Reserve Patrol Squadron VP-914 in May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron VP-ML-64 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-861 in February 1950, redesignated VP-18 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 10 October 1968. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-18, the first VP-18 was redesignated VP-13 on 1 July 1939, and the second VP-18 was redesignated VPB-18 on 1 October 1944.

Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5) is a long-lived maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy. It is the second squadron to bear the VP-5 designation. VP-5 is the second oldest patrol squadron, the fourth oldest in the United States Navy, and the 33rd oldest squadron in the United States military. As of 2019, VP-5 is still active and is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.

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-48 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Boomerangers from 1975 to 1980, and the Boomers from 1981 to 1991. It was established as Reserve Patrol Squadron VP-905 in May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) VP-HL-51 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-731 in February 1950, redesignated VP-48 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 23 May 1991. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-48, the first VP-48 was disestablished on 31 December 1949.

VP-49 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy, having held that designation for 45 years from 1948 to 1994. Its nickname was the Woodpeckers from 1973 to 1994. It was established as VP-19 on 1 February 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-19 on 1 October 1944, redesignated VP-19 on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) VP-MS-9 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-49 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished 1 March 1994.

VP-50 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy, having held that designation for 39 years from 1953 to 1992. Its nickname was the Blue Dragons. Originally established as VP-917 on 18 July 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) VP-ML-67 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-892 in February 1950, redesignated VP-50 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 30 June 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-56</span> Military unit

VP-56, nicknamed the Dragons, was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was originally established as Patrol Squadron VP-900 on 1 July 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) VP-ML-71 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-661 in February 1950, redesignated VP-56 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 28 June 1991. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-56, the first VP-56 was redesignated OTS on 1 July 1941.

Uninhibited Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19) is an unmanned patrol squadron of the United States Navy, nicknamed the "Big Red" and established on 1 October 2013.

VP-2 was a Patrol Squadron of the United States Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 130 (VB-130) on 1 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 130 (VPB-130) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 130 (VP-130) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 3 (VP-ML-2) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 2 (VP-2) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 30 September 1969. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-2, the first VP-2 was redesignated VP-31 on 1 July 1939.

VP-3 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 16-F (VP-16F) on 2 January 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 41 (VP-41) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Bombing Squadron 136 (VB-136) on 1 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 136 (VPB-136) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 136 (VP-136) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (landplane) 3 (VP-ML-3) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 3 (VP-3) on 1 September 1948, and was disestablished on 1 November 1955. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-3, the first VP-3 was redesignated VP-32 on 1 July 1939.

VP-29 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 911 (VP-911) on 6 July 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 61 (VP-ML-61) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 812 (VP-812) in February 1950, redesignated Patrol Squadron 29 (VP-29) on 27 August 1952 and disestablished on 1 November 1955. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-29, the first VP-29 was disestablished on 18 January 1950.

VP-32 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) on 6 September 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 62 (VPB-62) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Amphibian Patrol Squadron 2 (VP-AM-2) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 32 (VP-32) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 6 June 1949. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-32, the first VP-32 was redesignated VP-52 on 1 July 1941.

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.

VPB-125 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 20 (VP-20) on 1 September 1938, redesignated Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44) on 1 July 1940, redesignated Patrol Squadron 61 (VP-61) on 6 January 1941, redesignated Patrol Squadron 82 (VP-82) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Bombing Squadron 125 (VB-125) on 1 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 125 (VPB-125) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 8 June 1945.

References

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

↑ "U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron Sixteen War Eagles". VP-16 Website. United States Navy. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
1 2 3 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-9 to 3rd VP-17). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 91–6. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
↑ "First Operational P-8A Squadron Prepares for Deployment; Fleet Transition Continues" . Retrieved 9 August 2019.
↑
{{cite web
- 14 March 2018: VP-16 awarded Humanitarian Service Medal by CPRW-11.
- December 2019: VP-16 awarded the Navy "E" Ribbon by Commander, 6th FLEET.|url=http://www.gonavy.jp/VP_VP16f.html%7Caccess-date=9 August 2019|title=VP-16 Deployment History}}

External links

Official Website of VP-16, Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[VP-16Website-1] "U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron Sixteen War Eagles". VP-16 Website. United States Navy. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.

[DANAS2-3-2] 1 2 3 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-9 to 3rd VP-17). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 91–6. Retrieved 26 June 2016.

[3] "First Operational P-8A Squadron Prepares for Deployment; Fleet Transition Continues" . Retrieved 9 August 2019.

[4] {{cite web
14 March 2018: VP-16 awarded Humanitarian Service Medal by CPRW-11.
December 2019: VP-16 awarded the Navy "E" Ribbon by Commander, 6th FLEET.|url=http://www.gonavy.jp/VP_VP16f.html%7Caccess-date=9 August 2019|title=VP-16 Deployment History}}

[mwvQ] 14 March 2018: VP-16 awarded Humanitarian Service Medal by CPRW-11.

[mwvg] December 2019: VP-16 awarded the Navy "E" Ribbon by Commander, 6th FLEET.|url=http://www.gonavy.jp/VP_VP16f.html%7Caccess-date=9 August 2019|title=VP-16 Deployment History}}

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