VP-44 (1951–1991)

Last updated
Patrol Squadron 44
VP-44 Golden Pelicans.jpg
VP-44 insignia
Active29 January 1951 – 28 June 1991
CountryUnited States of America
Branch United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg United States Navy
Type squadron
Role Maritime patrol
Nickname(s)Golden Pelicans
Budmen
Engagements Korean War
Vietnam War
Aircraft flown
Patrol PBM-5 Mariner
P5M-1 Marlin
P-2 Neptune
P-3 Orion

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. [1] 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. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Operational history

USS Greenwich Bay refuels a VP-44 Martin P5M-2 Marlin on 24 May 1955. Greenwich Bay is wearing the white paint of a Middle East Force flagship. USS Greenwich Bay (AVP-41) refueling VP-44 P5M-2 1955.jpg
USS Greenwich Bay refuels a VP-44 Martin P5M-2 Marlin on 24 May 1955. Greenwich Bay is wearing the white paint of a Middle East Force flagship.
VP-44 P-3A flies over the Soviet ship Metallurg Anasov and destroyer USS Barry during the Cuban Missile Crisis P-3A VP-44 over USS Barry (DD-933) and Metallurg Anosov during Cuban Missile Crisis 1962.jpg
VP-44 P-3A flies over the Soviet ship Metallurg Anasov and destroyer USS Barry during the Cuban Missile Crisis
VP-44 P-3C flying past Mount Etna, Italy, in the 1980s. P-3C VP-44 flying past Mt Etna c1984.JPEG
VP-44 P-3C flying past Mount Etna, Italy, in the 1980s.

Home port assignments

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

Aircraft assignment

The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown: [1]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-40</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VPB-125</span> Military unit

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.

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

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References

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3, Section 8: Patrol Squadron Histories for 2nd VP-30 to 3rd VP-45 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 246–252. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  2. Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 4, Section 6: Patrol Bombing Squadron Histories for VPB-121 to VPB-141 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 546–552. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  3. Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 4, Section 3: Patrol Bombing Squadron Histories for VPB-33 to VPB-54 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 462–466. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  4. Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Appendix 7: Lineage Listings for Patrol Squadrons (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. p. 772. Retrieved 27 February 2014.