VP-40 (1951–present)

Patrol Squadron 40
Patrol Squadron 40
	VP-40 insignia
Active	15 September 1951 - present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	squadron
Role	Maritime patrol
Nickname(s)	Fighting Marlins
Engagements	Korean War ; Vietnam War ; Gulf War
Aircraft flown
Patrol	PBM-5/5S ; P5M-1/2/SP-5B ; P-3B/C ; P-8A

Last updated March 09, 2023

VP-40 is a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established on 20 January 1951. It is the second squadron to be designated VP-40, the first VP-40 was disestablished on 25 January 1950.^[1]

Operational history

20 January 1951: VP-40 was established at NAS San Diego, California, under the operational control of FAW-14, as a seaplane squadron flying the PBM-5 Mariner.
15 May – 12 December 1951: The squadron conducted its first operational deployment to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. Part of VP-40's complement of aircraft had been augmented prior to deployment with new PBM-5S aircraft. Upon arrival the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-6, relieving VP-892. The squadron's first combat patrols during the Korean War were flown on 9 June 1951. Over the next six months VP-40 patrolled the Tsushima Strait, flew cover for replenishment groups in the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan and made weather reconnaissance flights for the fleet forces.
2 September 1952: VP-40 deployed to NS Sangley Point, Philippines, with operations conducted from Okinawa and the Pescadore Islands, relieving VP-892. During this period the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-2, patrolling the Formosa Strait. VP-40 returned to NAS San Diego in April and began refitting with the new P5M-1 Marlin seaplane.
1 July 1958: Six VP-40 P5M-2s landed at Bangkok, Thailand, the first occasion on which any U.S. seaplane squadron had visited the city.
1 August 1959: The squadron home port was changed from NAS San Diego to NS Sangley Point, to become the first permanently based seaplane patrol squadron in the Pacific. During the deployment the squadron adopted the motto “Laging Handa,” Tagalog for “always ready.”
2 August 1962: The VP-40 commanding officer, Commander N. P. Vegelan, and 11 of his crew were killed when aircraft QE-1 crashed into the side of a mountain.
22 March 1964: Six month deployments for WestPac patrol squadrons were resumed, necessitating a change in VP-40's home port back to NAS North Island, California.
27 February 1965: VP-40 deployed to NS Sangley Point, relieving VP-47. During the deployment the squadron received tender support from USS Salisbury Sound and USS Currituck, while conducting operations from remote sites at Koh Samui, Thailand; Con Son Islands and Danang, South Vietnam.
15 March 1966: VP-40 deployed to NS Sangley Point, with detachments at various locations throughout WestPac tended by USS Salisbury Sound.
1 March 1967: Seaplane tender USS Currituck participated in the last official tender operation in a combat zone with the Navy while supporting VP-40 operations. During the Vietnam War VP-40 had rotated assignments with VP-50 out of NS Sangley Point and Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, supported by tenders USS Currituck, USS Salisbury Sound and USS Pine Island. This was the last deployment for VP-40 as a seaplane squadron.
17 May 1967: Commander Hugh E. Longino, VP-40 commanding officer, conducted the last patrol in a squadron SP-5B over the South China Sea during the squadron's deployment to the Philippines. Later that month, the NS Sangley Point seadrome was closed and all remaining SP-5B aircraft were flown to Kōnan, Japan, where they were dismantled for scrap.
15 November 1967: The last flight of a SP-5B took place, marking the move of the squadron from NAS San Diego to NAS Moffett Field, California, and the transition to the land-based P-3B Orion. The ceremonial flight closed an era of Navy seaplane operations that had begun in 1911.
12 July 1968: The last SP-5B Marlin was flown from NAS San Diego to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, for addition to the historic aircraft preservation program of the National Air and Space Museum. This aircraft is now on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Florida.
1 February 1969: VP-40 made their first deployment in the P-3B to MCAS Iwakuni, relieving VP-4. Advanced base elements were maintained at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam. Operations consisted of surveillance air patrols in the Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk and North Pacific. Anti-infiltration patrols were conducted in the Yellow Sea in search of North Korean agent boats. Similar patrols were flown from NAF Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, against Viet Cong infiltration and supply routes.
15 April 1969: VP-40 assisted in the efforts to locate survivors of a Navy EC-121 shot down by the North Koreans in the Sea of Japan. Of 30 crewmembers in the missing aircraft, only 2 bodies were recovered; 28 were listed as missing.
1 May 1970: VP-40 deployed to NS Sangley Point, with a detachment at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand. The squadron participated on a regular basis in Operation Market Time patrols along the 100 miles (160 km) coastline of South Vietnam.
14 July 1971: VP-40 deployed to Okinawa with its new DIFAR-equipped aircraft, the first deployment of this aircraft by any WestPac patrol squadron. DIFAR (directional low frequency analysis and recording) was used in Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) for passive acoustic signal processing in tracking enemy submarines. A detachment was also maintained full-time at NAS Agana, Guam. In addition to participation in a multitude of operations throughout the Pacific, the squadron took part in experimental cloud seeding missions in the skies over Okinawa in an attempt to relieve the unusual drought conditions afflicting the region. The squadron returned to NAS Moffett Field in late December 1971, leaving a detachment at NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, in the event of further escalation of events in the Pakistan/India dispute.
1 August 1972: VP-40 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, with a detachment at U-Tapao.
10 August 1975: In an experimental departure from routine WestPac deployments, VP-40 participated in a series of detachment deployments consisting of three aircraft and four aircrew elements assigned to NAS Adak, Alaska, for a nine-month period. Deployments ended 10 May 1976 with the return of the last aircraft to NAS Moffett Field.
3 July 1980: VP-40 deployed to NAF Misawa, Japan, with two-crew detachments at NAS Cubi Point and Diego Garcia. In August VP-40 was the first on the scene of a Soviet Echo class nuclear submarine casualty in the Philippine Sea, observing closely the ensuing Soviet rescue and recovery operations.
June 1983: VP-40 deployed to NAF Misawa with a two-crew detachment at Diego Garcia. In July, a second detachment was established at NAF Atsugi, Japan, to conduct exercises with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, ASW Operations Center.
1 September 1983: VP-40 engaged in the search for survivors and the flight data recorder of Korean Air Lines Flight 007, the South Korean airliner shot down by a Soviet interceptor. During the search the squadron had frequent encounters with Soviet fighter aircraft.
February 1991: VP-40 deployed to NAF Misawa, Japan. During the deployment the squadron participated in Operation Desert Storm, operating from the island of Diego Garcia, flying sorties in support of the Persian Gulf operations.
10 March 1992: VP-40 celebrated 25 years of accident-free flying, one of only two P-3 squadrons to lay claim to this achievement as of that date.
13 November 1992: VP-40 began a multi-site deployment with detachments at NAS Adak; Howard AFB, Panama; and Acapulco, Mexico. The detachments at the latter sites were in support of the drug interdiction program in the Central America region, Joint Task Force Four. During the deployment the squadron began replacing all of its P-3C UIII aircraft with P-3C UII.5 versions from VP-31. The change was necessitated by the pending change of home base from NAS Moffett Field to NAS Brunswick, Maine, where all of the patrol aircraft were the UII.5 version.^[1]
March 2019: VP-40 departed for Bahrain’s Isa Air Base and Okinawa's Kadena Air Base on the U.S. Navy's final deployment of the P-3 with an active-duty squadron.^[2]
14 May 2020: VP-40 completed the transition to the P-8 Poseidon, the final active-duty Navy squadron to do so.^[3]

Aircraft assignments

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

PBM-5 - January 1951
PBM-5S - May 1951
P5M-1 - April 1953
P5M-2 - 1957
SP-5B - October 1960
P-3B - November 1967
P-3B DIFAR - December 1970
P-3C - September 1974
P-3C UIII - July 1985
P-3C UII.5 - 1992/1993
P-3C UIII - 1993
P-8A - 2020

Home port assignments

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

NAS San Diego, California - 20 January 1951
NS Sangley Point, Philippines - 1 August 1959
NAS North Island, San Diego - 15 November 1963
NAS Moffett Field, California - 15 November 1967
NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - 1993

Related Research Articles

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<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-65</span> Military unit

VP-65, nicknamed the Tridents, was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve. The squadron was established on 16 November 1970 at NAS Los Alamitos, California, and moved on 6 January 1971 to NAS Point Mugu. It was disestablished on 4 March 2006, after 35 years of service. Elements of the squadron made 22 major overseas deployments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-68</span> Military unit

VP-68 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve. The squadron was established on 1 November 1970 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Its home port moved to Naval Air Facility Washington in 1985. The squadron was disestablished on 16 January 1997, after 26 years of service. Its nickname was the Blackhawks from 1972 onward. Elements of the squadron made 28 major overseas deployments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-44 (1951–1991)</span> Military unit

This VP-44 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established on 29 January 1951 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia and disestablished 40 years later, on 28 June 1991, at NAS Brunswick, Maine. Units of the squadron made 40 major overseas deployments. Its nickname was the Golden Pelicans from 1961 to 1991, and it was also known as the Budmen from 1989 to 1991. The squadron had four different insignia during its lifetime, featuring a marlin, King Neptune, a cartoon pelican, and, finally, a more formal pelican design. It was the fourth squadron to be designated VP-44, the first VP-44 was redesignated as VP-61 on 6 January 1941, the second VP-44 was redesignated VPB-44 on 1 October 1944 and the third VP-44 was disestablished on 20 January 1950.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-22 (1943–1994)</span> Military unit

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-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-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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-16</span> Military unit

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. 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.

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-40 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 55 (VP-55) on 1 August 1940, redesignated Patrol Squadron 74 (VP-74) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 74 (VPB-74) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 74 (VP-74) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) 10 (VP-MS-10) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 25 January 1950.

VP-42 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 22 (VP-22) on 7 April 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 22 (VPB-22) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 22 (VP-22) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) 2 (VP-MS-2) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 42 (VP-42) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 26 September 1969.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-45</span> Military unit

Patrol Squadron 45 (VP-45) is a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy. The squadron was established on 1 November 1942 and is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Since 2014, VP-45 is equipped with the Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft.

References

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

1 2 3 4 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-40 to 3rd VP-45). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 227–31. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
↑ "End of an era: Navy's P-3C Orion embarks on its final deployment" . Retrieved 7 August 2019.
↑ "VP-40 Completes Fleet's Final Active Duty P-8A Transition" . Retrieved 25 July 2020.

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[DANAS2-3-1] 1 2 3 4 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-40 to 3rd VP-45). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 227–31. Retrieved 23 June 2016.

[2] "End of an era: Navy's P-3C Orion embarks on its final deployment" . Retrieved 7 August 2019.

[3] "VP-40 Completes Fleet's Final Active Duty P-8A Transition" . Retrieved 25 July 2020.

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