VP-68

Patrol Squadron 68
Patrol Squadron 68
	VP-68 patch
Active	1 November 1970-16 January 1997
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy Reserve
Type	squadron
Role	Maritime patrol
Nickname(s)	Blackhawks
Aircraft flown
Patrol	SP-2H Neptune ; P-3A/B/C Orion

Last updated February 20, 2023

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.^[1]

Operational history

1 Nov 1970: VP-68 was established at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, as a Naval Air Reserve land-based patrol squadron flying the SP-2H Neptune. The new squadron came under the operational and administrative control of Commander, Naval Air Reserve Forces, Atlantic and Commander, Fleet Air Reserve Wings, Atlantic. VP-68 was established as a result of a major reorganization of Naval Air Reserves that took place in mid-1970. Under the Reserve Force Squadron concept 12 land-based naval reserve patrol squadrons were formed and structured along the lines of regular Navy squadrons with nearly identical organization and manning levels. The 12/2/1 concept had 12 VP squadrons under two commands, COMFAIRESWINGLANT and COMFAIRESWINGPAC. These two commands came under the control of one central authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve. The new squadron was composed of elements of pre-existing reserve squadrons, VP-68A1 and VP-68A2 based at NAS Anacostia, D.C.
1971: VP-68 became the first East Coast reserve squadron to transition from the SP-2H to the P-3A Orion.
July–August 1973: VP-68 were deployed to Naval Station Rota, Spain. VP-68 became the first P-3A reserve squadron to operate in the Mediterranean, the Bay of Cádiz and the Straits of Gibraltar.
July–August 1975: VP-68 was the first reserve squadron to perform mini-det annual active duty for training while deployed to NAF Lajes, Azores. The squadron's aircrews were assigned under the operational control of fleet commanders and were tasked with operational readiness standards equal to that of the fleet.
3 May 1980: VP-68 were tasked with forming a detachment to assist in the search and patrol operations in the waters between Florida and Cuba during the Cuban Refugee Crisis. USS Saipan, several other Navy ships and all available patrol squadrons provided humanitarian search and rescue support operations for the vast sealift of Cuban refugees heading for the U.S. through the Florida Straits. Navy ships had been diverted from the annual combined training exercise Solid Shield to undertake the mission. VP-68 detachment's operations were concluded on 17 May 1980, resulting in the award of the Humanitarian Service Medal to the unit.
August 1983: VP-68 became the first Reserve patrol squadron to drop a live armed MK-46 torpedo.
August 1984: VP-68 received their first P-3B TAC/NAV MOD aircraft and began transition training on the new aircraft. The TAC/NAV MOD had more powerful engines and improved avionics. The IRDS/HACLS modifications in 1982 added infrared detection and Harpoon launch capability to the aircraft. This modernization of aircraft was in line with the Navy policy of keeping the Reserve Force operationally compatible with their active duty counterparts.
1 April 1985: VP-68 was relocated from NAS Patuxent River to NAF Washington, Maryland to make room at NAS Patuxent River for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor V/STOL program. During the relocation, the squadron continued the transition from the P-3A to the P-3B TAC/NAV MOD airframe, completing the task in November 1985.
April 1991: VP-68 received its first P-3C Update I for transition training, with the last of the squadron's eight aircraft being received in November 1991. Transition training was completed in December 1992. The P-3C UI had a seven-fold increase in computer memory, an Omega navigation system, improved DIFAR and additional tactical display sensor stations.
June 1992: A five-crew detachment deployed for a two-week ADT while the remainder of the squadron completed P-3C UI transition training at NAF Washington.
March–April 1993: A four-crew detachment deployed to NS Rota, Spain, and NAS Sigonella, Sicily, to participate in Operation Maritime Guard. Crews five, two and ten followed this detachment at one-week intervals. Operation Maritime Guard was conducted in support of UN resolutions directed at the former states of Yugoslavia.
15 May 1994: The squadron became the first in the reserve patrol aviation community to reach the 100,000 mishap-free flight hour mark.
October 1994: VP-68 received its first P-3C UII.5 aircraft and began transition training while the remaining seven assigned P-3C UI aircraft were being replaced. The P-3C UII.5 had improved electronics systems, new Integrated Acoustic Communication System, improved MAD, standardized wing pylons and improved wing fuel tank venting.
April–May 1995: VP-68 deployed to NAS Sigonella, in support of UN Operation Sharp Guard sanctions against the former Yugoslav republics. During the eight-week period the squadron flew 670 hours, including 46 armed missions.
16 January 1997: The squadron was disestablished at NAF Washington.^[1]

Aircraft assignment

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

SP-2H Neptune – November 1970
P-3A Orion – 1971
P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Orion – August 1984
P-3C UI Orion – April 1991
P-3C UII.5 Orion – October 1994

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-94</span> Military unit

VP-94Crawfishers was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve. Originally established on 1 November 1970 at NAS Belle Chase, Louisiana, it was disestablished in September 2006. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-94, the first VP-94 was redesignated VPB-94 on 1 October 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-92</span> Military unit

Patrol Squadron 92 (VP-92) is a former U.S. Navy Reserve patrol squadron. Established on 1 November 1970, it was disestablished on 17 October 2007. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-92, the first VP-92 was redesignated VPB-92 on 1 October 1944.

<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 Eight (VP-8) is a U.S. Navy land-based patrol squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (USA). VP-8 is tasked to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The Squadron is equipped with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon.

Patrol Squadron 9 (VP-9) is a U.S. Navy patrol squadron with its homeport located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. As of 2018, VP-9 is part of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten, Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific.

<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-93</span> Military unit

VP-93, nicknamed the Executioners, was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve. It was the second squadron to be assigned the VP-93 designation. The squadron was established on 1 July 1976 and disestablished 18 years later, on 30 September 1994. It flew the Lockheed P-3 Orion, and was based at NAF Detroit during its entire life. Units of the squadron made 17 major overseas deployments.

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-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-66</span> Patrol squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve

VP-66 was a patrol squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve. The squadron was established on 1 November 1970 at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, where it was based for the rest of its life. It was disestablished on 31 March 2006, after 25 years of service. The squadron's nicknames were the Flying Sixes from 1971 to 1974, the Dicemen from 1975 to 1980, and the Liberty Bells from 1981 onward. Elements of the squadron made 19 major overseas deployments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-67</span> Military unit

VP-67 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve. The squadron was established on 1 November 1970 at NAS Memphis, Tennessee, where it was based for its entire life. It was disestablished on 30 September 1994, after 24 years of service. The squadron's nickname was the Golden Hawks, also unofficially called the Thunder Chickens. Elements of the squadron made 23 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.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-60</span> Military unit

VP-60 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve, based at NAS Glenview, Illinois. Its nickname was the Cobras. The squadron was established on 1 November 1970, and disestablished on 1 September 1994.

<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.

Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30) is a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy, established on 30 June 1960. It is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-40 (1951–present)</span> Military unit

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-62 (1970–present)</span> Military unit

Patrol Squadron SIXTY TWO (VP-62) is a combat aviation squadron of the United States Navy Reserve. Since 31 July 2015, the squadron has been assigned to Commander, Maritime Support Wing, an Echelon IV organization under the Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. Nicknamed the Broadarrows, the squadron flies the P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from its home station of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, deploying worldwide. The squadron's aircraft can be identified by the stylized letters "LT" on the vertical stabilizer, the letter "L" being common to all U.S. Atlantic Fleet patrol aircraft, either Regular Navy or Navy Reserve, and the letter "T" being unique to VP-62. The stylized "LT" is also incorporated in the squadron's insignia as worn as a cloth patch on flight suits and flight jackets.

VP-69 is a Patrol Squadron of the United States Navy Reserve. The squadron was established on 1 November 1970.

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, Section 11: Patrol Squadron Histories for 2nd VP-62 to VP-90 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 341–343. Retrieved 25 February 2014.

External links

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.

[DANAS2-3-11-1] 1 2 3 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3, Section 11: Patrol Squadron Histories for 2nd VP-62 to VP-90 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 341–343. Retrieved 25 February 2014.

[1]