VP-5

VP-5 Mad Foxes
VP-5 Unit Insignia
Active	2 January 1937 - present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Patrol
Role	Maritime Patrol Anti-Submarine Warfare Anti-Surface Warfare Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance ELINT SIGINT Search and Rescue Drug Interdiction Ship Interdiction
Part of	Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Nickname(s)	Blue Foxes "Blind Foxes" (1943-1946) Mad Foxes (1948-Present)
Patron	Five
Motto	No Fox Like A Mad Fox
Colors	Royal Blue
Equipment	Boeing P-8A Poseidon
Engagements	World War II Aleutian Islands Campaign Cold War Vietnam War Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Operation Deliberate Force Operation Eagle Eye Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Joint Guardian Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Active Endeavor Operation Odyssey Dawn Operation Unified Protector
Decorations	Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2) Navy Unit Commendation (4) Coast Guard Unit Commendation Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Meritorious Unit Commendation(6) Navy E Ribbon (8) Navy Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Armed Forces Service Medal (2) Humanitarian Service Medal (4) Coast Guard Special Operations SECNAV Commendation CNO Commendation Republic of Vietnam Citation Retention Excellence Award (10) Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy (10) Golden Wrench
Commanders
Commanding Officer	CDR Alan M. D'Jock
Executive Officer	CDR Joseph M. Levy
Command Master Chief	CMDCM Joshua M. Davis
Aircraft flown
Patrol	Martin PM-1 (1937-1938) PBY-2 Catalina (1938-1941) PBY-5 Catalina (1941-1942) PBY-5A Catalina (1942-1943) PV-1 Ventura (1943-1945) PV-2 Harpoon (1945-1948) P2V-1 Neptune (1948-1951) P2V-3 Neptune (1951-1952) P2V-5 Neptune (1952-1964) SP-2E Neptune (1964-1966) P-3A Orion(1966-1974) P-3C Orion (1974-2013) P-8A Poseidon (2013-Present)

Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5) is a long-lived maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy. For over seven decades, the command now recognized as VP-5 has served the cause of freedom. From ocean to ocean, the Sailors and aviators who comprised this squadron’s roles helped build a record of Maritime Patrol Aviation (MPA) warfighting excellence and extraordinary professional achievement and service. 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. This article is about the second VP-5, but also includes information about the lineage of the first one.

Lineage

Current VP-5

• Established as VP-17F on 2 January 1937.
• Redesignated VP-17 on 1 October 1937.
• Redesignated VP-42 on 1 July 1939.
• Redesignated Bombing Squadron VB-135 on 15 February 1943.
• Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-135 on 1 October 1944.
• Redesignated VP-135 on 15 May 1946.
• Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) VP-ML-5 on 15 November 1946.
• Redesignated VP-5 on 1 September 1948, the second squadron to be assigned the VP-5 designation.
  As of early 2015, VP-5 is still active and is based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida.

Previous VP-5

• Established as VP-5S on 1 Jul 1931
• Redesignated VP-5F on 1 Apr 1933
• Redesignated VP-5 on 1 Oct 1937
• Redesignated VP-33 on 1 Jul 1939
• Redesignated VP-32 on 1 Jul 1941
• Redesignated VPB-32 on 1 Oct 1944
• Redesignated VP-32 on 15 May 1946
• Redesignated VP-MS-6 on 15 Nov 1946
• Redesignated VP-46 on 1 Sep 1948.
  As of early 2015, VP-46 is still in existence and is based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. VP-46 is the oldest American maritime patrol squadron, and the second oldest squadron in the United States Navy.

History

Pacific theater

Commissioned in 1937 and initially designated as VP-17, the Navy's second oldest VP squadron flew and maintained the PM-1. In part because the squadron operated predominately out of Alaska and other Pacific Northwest sites, the first squadron patch depicted a seal balancing a bomb on its nose. In 1938, VP-17 transitioned to the new PBY-2 and continued to operate primarily in northern patrol zones. VP-17 changed designation to VP-42 in 1939 and two years later transitioned to the newer PBY-5. In 1942, the squadron again accepted a new aircraft, the amphibious-capable PBY-5A.

PBY-2 of VP-17 over Alaska c 1939

VP-17 Squadron Photo c 1938

VB-135 PBY-5A and PV-1 transition in 1943

During World War II, the squadron directly contributed to some of the earliest Allied victories in the Pacific theater. In February 1943, the Navy redesignated VP-42 as Bombing Squadron ONE THIRTY FIVE (VB-135), the Blue Foxes at Whidbey Island, Washington. Nicknamed the "Blind Fox" squadron reflecting the squadron's method of flying "blind" through heavy weather, the squadron altered the patch to depict a fox riding a flying gas tank. In this classic patch, the blindfolded fox carried a bomb underneath one arm and with the opposite hand held a cane to assist in navigating through the clouds. This steely airmanship underpinned the squadron’s service in the "Kiska Blitz", wherein Blind Foxes joined sister squadrons in persistent bombing of Kiska Harbor in advance of an anticipated August 1943 amphibious assault of Kiska Island in the Aleutians. Undeterred by enemy fire and extreme weather, squadron aviators typically approached the target area shrouded in clouds, executed a diving descent to release ordnance below the cloud deck, then raced back above the layer to escape ground fire. Operating from the Aleutian Island Amchitka, VB-135 flew 160 missions against the enemy, helping to hasten the Japanese abandonment of the island and obviate the need for a costly amphibious assault. In 1944, the squadron shifted to Attu Island to support photo-reconnaissance efforts aimed at unveiling Japanese activity in the Kurile Islands.

VB-135 "Blind Foxes"

Atlantic theater

Following the war’s end, the squadron again received a new Lockheed aircraft, the PV-2 Harpoon. Peacetime brought significant force structure changes and in 1945, the Navy Department moved the squadron to Edenton, North Carolina, and then to Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Redesignated as VP-135 and then to Medium Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-ML-5), the Blind Foxes relocated again in January 1947 to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, under operational control of Commander, Fleet Air Wing 11.

VP-135 loads up a PV-1 1943

In 1948, the squadron took inventory of its first Lockheed P2V Neptune, an aircraft equipped with Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) equipment capable of detecting large magnetic objects underwater. The technology to detect submerged submarines through non-acoustic means facilitated a major capability leap in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and manifested itself not only in squadron operations but also in the evolution of the squadron name and patch. Designated as VP-5 in December 1948, the squadron became known as the "Mad Foxes" and changed the patch to depict a fox casually preparing to strike a submarine with a sledgehammer.

Tending to two seaplanes shortly after World War II

Alan Shepard 1961

Gus Grissom 1961

The Mad Foxes moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in December 1949, deploying regularly to Bermuda, Sicily, Spain, the Azores, Puerto Rico, Iceland, Newfoundland, and the Philippines. Continuing a well established record of long range maritime warfighting and surveillance excellence, the Mad Foxes excelled in Cold War Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) encounters with Soviet and Soviet-aligned forces. Additionally, the Mad Foxes continued to answer the nation’s call to service whenever it came. VP-5 aided the post-mission, seaborne recovery of one of America's first astronauts, Commander Alan Shepard, Jr., on 5 May 1961. Later in the year, VP-5 contributed to Captain Virgil Grissom’s project Mercury post-mission recovery. The cost of freedom became readily apparent to Mad Foxes everywhere when the squadron endured a tremendous setback the following year. On 12 January 1962, squadron Executive Officer Commander Norbert Kozak launched in LA-9 from Keflavik for an ice patrol mission along the Greenland coast. In an apparent controlled flight into terrain episode, the aircraft crashed into the upslope of the Kronborg Glacier near the Denmark Strait, killing all twelve men aboard. In 2004, the Navy accomplished a daunting recovery of remains and memorialized the crew at the crash site, fulfilling a dream of many active duty and retired Maritime Patrol Aviation (MPA) Sailors.

In October 1962, VP-5 became one of the first and most critical units supporting President John F. Kennedy’s ordered quarantine of Cuba. Staging patrols from Jacksonville, Roosevelt Roads, and Guantanamo Bay, Mad Fox crews encountered, photographed, and tracked the lead Soviet ship inbound to Cuba in advance of its contact with USN surface forces. Once again, MPA’s long legs and stalwart crews validated their value to the nation.

In June 1966, VP-5 transitioned to the Lockheed P-3A Orion and in the following years consistently succeeded in prosecuting front-line Soviet submarines in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Squadron crews also participated in Yankee Station patrols off of Vietnam. Duties included anti-filtration and open ocean surveillance flights, and night radar coverage of the Gulf of Tonkin in defense of USN aircraft carriers.

In early 1974, VP-5 transitioned to the P-3C Orion and began writing the next chapter in operational excellence with further Cold War triumphs over Soviet targets in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Mad Fox crews continued to be first on-scene for some of the period’s most notable maritime incidents. In February 1986, a VP-5 crew launched following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and located the space shuttle nose cone to help direct recovery vessels to the site. During August of the same year, another VP-5 crew spotted a disabled Soviet Yankee class submarine. The Mad Foxes remained on-top the stricken submarine for the final hours it remained afloat and provided critical information to the chain of command during an episode with clear national security implications.

Following the U.S. victory in the Cold War and subsequent dismantling of the Soviet Union, MPA continued to maintain core ASW competencies while serving the nation in other warfare areas. Flying the Orion Update III, the Mad Foxes deployed in early 1991 to Rota, Spain, with extended detachments to Souda Bay in direct support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

In August 1995, VP-5 became the first squadron to cover the entire Atlantic Ocean operational MPA requirement alone. "Tri-sited" between Keflavik, Puerto Rico, and Panama, VP-5 helped usher in an era of multiple detachments within a single deployment. In February 1997, the squadron repeated the deployment, maintaining high operational tempo in support of Keflavik-based ASW and NATO interoperability flights and Caribbean drug interdiction flights. Amassing over 6,000 flight hours through the six-month deployment, VP-5 contributed to a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) year-long total interdiction effort valued at over one billion dollars.

In 1998, VP-5 became the first East Coast deployer with the P-3C Aircraft Improvement Program (AIP) modification. Originally designated as the ASUW Improvement Program modification, the new warfighting suite enabled MPA fliers to improve their already formidable contributions to national security objectives during the Balkans Wars. The Mad Foxes excelled in missions over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Deliberate Forge and over Kosovo in Operation Eagle Eye, bringing to the theater the first long-legs, all-weather, day or night, overland reconnaissance sensor-to-shooter platform.

Deployed to Sigonella in August 2001, VP-5 relocated multiple crews and aircraft to Souda Bay, Crete, following the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D. C. Following the commencement of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Mad Foxes provided the backbone of a sweeping theater-wide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operation with 1,100 sorties encompassing 6,600 mishap-free flight hours. Additionally, the squadron supported continued efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Balkans with flawless performances in Operations Deliberate Forge and Joint Guardian.

On the eve of the Iraq War, Mad Foxes once again packed their seabags for deployment and in the months that followed proved their resilience and flexibility. In a deployment unprecedented in its scope of detached operations, the Mad Foxes executed 5,800 flight hours while operating from as many as eight sites simultaneously. VP-5 succeeded across a host of missions, including Pacific and Caribbean counter-drug operations, sensitive SOUTHCOM overland reconnaissance operations, Atlantic and Mediterranean armed escort missions, and critical surface surveillance missions in the Red Sea during U.S. combat operations against Iraq. The Navy’s premier ASW and maritime surveillance crews also flexed to Operation Iraqi Freedom requirements, completing the first P-3C sortie over northern Iraq, braving known high-threat areas to provide critical real-time intelligence to U.S. forces engaged with the enemy.

During their 2006-2007 deployment, the Mad Foxes conducted operations simultaneously in three operational theatres in support of the Global War on Terrorism and the War on Drugs. In SOUTHCOM, VP-5 aircrews executed nearly 150 missions in support of counter drug operations, resulting in 30 metric tons of drugs seized. In U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Mad Foxes flew over 70 missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In U.S. European Command (EUCOM), VP-5 flew 36 missions in direct support of Operation Active Endeavour and reinitiated support of Kosovo Force (KFOR).

In February 2008, VP-5 conducted a surge to Sigonella, Sicily, organizing and establishing PATRON Sigonella, a pioneering command encompassing elements from five different organizations. The Mad Fox leadership led PATRON SIG to unsurpassed operational achievements, providing combat ready power supporting Combatant Commander commitments and demonstrating the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aviation (MPRA) expeditionary operational model of the future.

In 2009, VP-5 was called upon for a multi-site deployment to include both SOUTHCOM and U. S. Pacific Command (PACOM) sites. In SOUTHCOM, VP-5 provided combat ready aircrews to execute missions in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South’s (JIATF-S) counter narcotics mission. They successfully prevented narco-terrorists and illicit drug traffickers from delivering over 30.7 metric tons of illegal narcotics worth over 2.8 billion dollars to the shores of the United States. This deployment also included redeployment to Netal, Brazil, to support the search and rescue effort for Air France Flight 447. VP-5 coordinated operations and search tactics with the Brazilian Search and Rescue Center and flew three flights searching over 6000 square miles of sea space.

In PACOM, VP-5 expertly directed the MPRA effort during several multi-national events. The Mad Foxes orchestrated and executed a bi-lateral ASW prosecution utilizing U.S. and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) assets resulting in over 165 hours of contact time. VP-5’s ASW prowess was officially recognized with the receipt of the 2009 Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy.

Afterwards in 2011, VP-5 completed a very demanding and complex tri-site deployment. There were 12 crews deployed to El Salvador, Sigonella, and Djibuoti, in support of CTG 47.1, CTG 67.1, and CTG 67.5. In response to many world events, VP-5 participated in major operations to include Odyssey Dawn, Unified Protector, Caper Focus and Enduring Freedom. VP-5 sent detachments to France (SPONTEX, George H.W. Bush Strike Group ASWEX), Greece, Sicily, and Spain (Enterprise ENCOUNTEREX) to support other United States assets and multi-nation exercises. The squadron flew over 3,956 flight hours. One of the major highlights during deployment was the historic AGM-65F Maverick engagement during Operation Odyssey Dawn. This was the first successful employment of a Maverick against a hostile target in the history of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft.

During VP-5’s following 12 month Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle (IDRC) the Mad Foxes demonstrated their exceptional skill set in support of USS Iwo Jima Composite Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Operation Bold Alligator, the largest joint and multinational amphibious assault exercise in the past ten years. Furthermore, in early 2012 Patrol Squadron Five continued their tradition of tackling new challenges in Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aviation as the first operational squadron to receive the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers for Anti-Submarine Warfare (C4ASW) upgrade for the P-3C. This upgrade included Link-16 and international maritime satellite capabilities, greatly enhancing the P-3C’s communication suite. The hard work of maintenance personnel and aircrew enabled VP-5 to utilize the upgrade on station and pass on to its sister squadrons techniques that contributed to a higher mission completion rate.

In May 2012 Patrol Squadron FIVE deployed to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan and the Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility. Bringing the first five C4ASW modified Orions seen in the theater, the Mad Foxes immediately began providing timely and accurate Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and ASW products to high level authorities in PACOM, all while practicing the ‘hub and two spoke’ method of detaching combat aircrews to Western Pacific Nations to build and foster relationships with allied countries in an ever important and dynamic region. VP-5 completed an impressive 30 detachments to countries including Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Furthermore, the summer of 2012 proved to be the busiest typhoon season in years and required the Mad Foxes to evacuate the island of Okinawa 11 times. While deployed, the squadron participated in a variety of major exercises and operations including Operation Island Chief, Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines, Exercise Valiant Shield, Exercise Keen Sword, and Operation Kuru Kuru.

Shortly after returning from deployment, VP-5 began 2013 by transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon after flying the P-3C for over 39 years. The transition was concluded on 2 August 2013 with the completion of the Safe-for-Flight inspection. Following Safe-for-Flight, the "Mad Foxes" independently launched the P-8A Poseidon for the first time on 6 August 2013. Following transition, VP-5 entered into a robust IDRC. For the first time "Mad Fox" Combat Aircrews tactically employed the P-8A in the USS George H.W. Bush Group Sail Exercise, Submarine Command Course - 38, the USS Bataan ARG/MEU Exercise, the USS George H.W. Bush Composite Training Unit Exercise and Joint Task Force Exercise, and Exercise Koa Kai 14-1 - Hawaii.

In July 2014 Patrol Squadron FIVE deployed to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan and the Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility. As VP-5's inaugural P-8A Poseidon deployment, the Mad Foxes executed over 20 detachments to countries and territories including Australia, Malaysia, Diego Garcia, Bangladesh, Guam, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea. In addition to the numerous detachments, VP-5 evacuated aircraft from the island two times to Guam and the Philippines due to the threat of typhoons. While deployed, the squadron participated in a variety of major exercises including Valiant Shield, Keen Sword, GUAMEX, Ulchi-Freedom Guardian, TAMEX, Silent Banshee, and PHIBLEX 15.

The P-8A provides continued growth potential while performing the essential tasks Patrol Squadron Five has excelled at for over 70 years. Currently, the Mad Foxes continue to move forward as one of the premier Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aviation squadrons while embodying their motto ‘No Fox Like a Mad Fox!’

Significant events

Pacific theater

• 2 Jan 1937: VP-17F was established at FAB Seattle, WA, under the administrative command of PatWing- 4, Base Force. The squadron’s PM-1 seaplanes were tended by USS Thrush (AVP 3).

• 1 Oct 1937: VP-17F was redesignated VP-17 when all patrol squadrons were removed from the Base Force and placed administratively under Patrol Wings.

• 17 Mar 1938: VP-17 turned in its PM-1s in March for the new PBY-2 Catalina seaplanes. Tender support for the squadron was supplied by USS Teal (AVP 5). The squadron participated in Fleet Problem XIX (Phase II) as part of White Force, along with aircraft of patrol squadrons 7, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 19. Missions included flights extending out to 600 miles to locate and successfully attack elements of Black Force. The exercises marked the first use of long-distance radio bearings for aircraft.

• 1 November 1938: PBY aircraft of the period lacked cabin heaters, resulting in great crew discomfort at high altitude or in northern regions. VP-17 was selected to test new electrically heated flying suits. In the first trials, the suits blew out fuses while at 18,700 feet. The general opinion was that the suits were too bulky and unreliable in the cramped confines of the aircraft. The manufacturer began to incorporate better heating and cabin insulation in later models of the PBY, greatly improving crew comfort on long flights.

• 30 January 1941: The squadron began a refit with new aircraft, turning in the older PBY-2 models for PBY-5 aircraft fresh from the factory.

• 15 July 1941: VP-42 was deployed to Sitka, Alaska, for advanced base operations and cold weather training. A detachment was maintained at Kodiak, Alaska. On 2 September 1941, the Kodiak detachment was visited by two aircraft from a Russian seaplane squadron under the command of General Gromof.

• 7 December 1941: Upon receiving word of the attack on Pearl Harbor, all squadron aircraft were put on alert and prepared for a move to Tongue Point, British Columbia. The movement of the squadron to the temporary location took place on 8 December 1941, and remained in effect until the next week.

• 29 January 1942: VP-42 flew all of its PBY-5s to San Diego, Calif., where they were turned in for new PBY- 5A amphibious models. Squadron strength was increased to 12 aircraft.

• 1 February 1942: VP-42 relieved VP-41 of patrol duties at Kodiak, Alaska. Beginning 1 March 1942, aircraft were sent in elements of two to NAS Alameda, Calif., for installation of ASD-1 radar.

• 3–15 June 1942: VP-42 participated in the first attack on Japanese vessels and positions while based at Dutch Harbor, in the Aleutians. Lieutenant (j.g.) Lucius D. Campbell flew through a snow squall to make contact with a heavy enemy concentration south of Umnak Island. Despite severe damage from enemy aircraft, he remained in the area until he had determined the extent of the enemy forces and their location. On his return to Dutch Harbor his Catalina ran out of fuel and he was forced to make an open sea landing. They survived the forced landing and were rescued later in the day. On 11 June 1942, Commander Patrol Wing 4 received a message from Commander in Chief Pacific which said, "bomb the enemy out of Kiska." Following unsuccessful missions by USAAF B-24s and B-17s, aircraft available from VPs 41, 42, 43 and 51 commenced continuous bombing missions against targets in Kiska Harbor from 11 to 13 June. These missions became known as the "Kiska Blitz." During these bombing strikes the aircraft were serviced by USS Gillis (AVD 12) at Nazan Bay, Atka Island. Efforts to use the PBYs as horizontal bombers dropping their bombs from above the clouds proved futile. Pilots began attacking singly, approaching from a direction that provided the best cloud cover. When they were over the harbor the Catalinas were put into a dive and bombs released at the appropriate time. The flak was intense. A pullout was initiated at between 500 and 1,500 feet, and the plane immediately again sought cover in the clouds. The raids continued until USS Gillis ran out of bombs and fuel. Lieutenant (j.g.) Campbell was awarded the Navy Cross for his conduct during the campaign in Alaska.

VP-42 PBY 2 Catalina Formation

• 1 July 1942: VP-42 relocated to Cold Bay, Alaska, to provide support to the FAW- 4 Air Search Group. On 20 July 1942, the squadron moved again to Nazan Bay, Atka Island. Tender support was provided by USS Gillis (AVD 12, former DD 260).

Every flight was a flight that the crew should not have returned from. Every man knew this and yet none wavered.

— Captain Leslie E. Gehres, Commander, Fleet Air Wing 4

• 3 August 1942: The squadron returned to Seattle for two weeks of leave, returning to Kodiak on 22 August 1942, for a continuance of combat operations.

• 31 August 1942: Lieutenant S. Coleman of VP-42 heavily damaged the Japanese submarine RO-61. The submarine, Commander Tokutomi commanding, was caught on the surface five miles north of Cape Shaw, Atka Island. RO-61 was located later on the same day by USS Reid (DD 369) and sunk. Several survivors were rescued from the frigid waters.

I don’t have much use for the Navy,
being an Army man.
But I must take my hat off
to some pilots of this seafaring clan.
These boys didn’t give a damn for the weather,
and Jap lead meant even less.
I’ve seen ‘em fly through storms aplenty,
their plane a riddled mess.
They even patrolled where we were fighting,
to save us if we fell.
They hid in the clouds from the Zeros,
and the ack-ack go to hell.
So here’s to those boys of the Navy,
a bunch of damn good guys,
And especially to those great pilots
who fly the PBYs.
— Jacob W. Dixon, First Lt., Air Corp
Foul Weather Front, by Rhodes Arnold

• 15 February 1943: While stationed at Umnak, Alaska, VP-42 was redesignated VB-135. On the same date, orders were received returning the squadron to Seattle, Wash., for a refit at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., with new PV-1 Ventura medium bombers, the first to operate in the Pacific and Aleutians area. The squadron began training on 24 February 1943 after a short leave for all hands.

• 23 March 1943: VB-135 was soon en route to Adak, Alaska, with its full complement of new PV-1 Venturas, arriving on 12 April 1943. Until May 1943, the primary duties of the squadron consisted of photoreconnaissance and high-speed patrols over enemy held islands. Most of the photo work was done with hand-held K-20 cameras, since the aircraft had not been fitted as photorecon models.

• 5 May 1943: On this date, VB-135 made its first fullscale attack on Japanese positions on Kiska in the Aleutians, using the aircraft ASD-1 radar to penetrate the cloud cover over the target area. The squadron was based during this period at Amchitka.

VB-135 1943

• 2 June 1943: 6 PV-1s of VB-135 bombed Little Kiska, one a/c to observe and photograph the results. 17 250-lbs bombs were dropped using radar through the cloud layer. Three bombs hit the water and fourteen straddled coast defense guns. The planes drew light AA fire, results were not observed.

VB-135 Crew PV-1 1943

• 10 August 1943: VB-135 had moved to the island of Attu by August, and was given the task of providing antiaircraft patrols 500 miles west and south of the island operating from a partially completed air strip at Alexai Point. Severe crosswinds and tent quarters made living and flying from the island a nightmare.

VB-135 PV-1 Ventura Whidbey Island 1943

• 5 November 1943–February 1944: The squadron returned to NAS Whidbey Island for leave and reassignment of personnel. Only four aircraft were able to depart Attu, the rest being unserviceable. On 3 February 1944, the squadron was reformed with new squadron personnel and aircraft. Transition training commenced for aircrews, many of whom had never flown the PV-1 Ventura.

VB-135 PV-1 1944

• 19 April 1944: The squadron flew to Adak, Alaska, where special training began on the use of LORAN for long-distance navigation in the hostile environment of the far north. LORAN was a system of electronic navigation using fixed beacons that constantly transmitted repetitive signals. An aircraft could determine its relative position between the two beacons based on the strength and direction of the signals. Each beacon had an identifying signal prefix that matched its location on the map. The HEDRON installed the new LORAN gear in the aircraft during this period and on 4 May 1944 flew to Casco Field, Attu, to resume combat operations.

• 10 May 1944: VB-135 conducted night photoreconnaissance over the Japanese-held islands of Paramushiro and Shimushu in the Kuriles. Photo flash bombs were used to light the target areas. The missions soon became known as the "Empire Express" runs, since they were the first to encroach on the Japanese home islands. This time the aircraft had been fitted with bow-mounted Fairchild K19-A cameras.

The Aleutian raids on the Kuriles bottled up 500 Japanese aircraft—one sixth of the Imperial Air Force at war’s end—and 41,000 ground troops. These were soldiers and materials diverted from Japan’s desperate fight to hold the South Pacific.

• 14 June 1944: The first Navy crew to be interned in Russia were from VPB-135. Six PV-1 crews departed for a daylight strike to destroy Japanese "Sally" bombers sited on Miyoshino Airstrip, while a sixth flew a daylight photo reconnaissance mission along the east coast of Shimushu and Paramushiro Islands. Japanese fighters attacked the bombers, damaging two and forcing the crews to land at Petropavlovsk in Russia where their aircraft were confiscated and the crews interned.

Stick your hand out [of the plane]. If it touches a ship’s mast, you’re flying too low.

— Pilot axiom on flying in the Aleutian fog

• 23 July 1944: Lieutenant Vivian attacked and sank a Japanese picket boat, but his aircraft was badly damaged by antiaircraft fire. He and his crew were forced to land in Russian territory to face an internment of several months.

• September 1944: During this month the squadron lost its 10th crew (the 9th in combat) and the 12th PV-1.

• 23 October 1944: VPB-135 transferred back to NAS Whidbey Island, WA, for reforming and training of new crews. Instrument training was conducted at NAS Whidbey Island, WA, from February–June 1945.

• 1 June 1945: VPB-135 transferred to NAAF Mount Vernon, WA, for transition training in the new PV-2 Harpoon. The squadron eventually received 15 of the aircraft. Repairs to the wing spars of the new planes at the Burbank factory from 23–30 June delayed the squadron’s return to combat for its third tour.

• 4 August 1945: The squadron returned to Attu, Alaska, for another combat tour. Indoctrination training on local weather conditions was given to all new crews through 18 August 1945, when the first sector searches were initiated.

Atlantic theater

• 20 November 1945: On this date VPB-135 aircraft and crews arrived at Edenton, N.C., for reforming of the squadron.

• 30 November 1946: VPB-135 was chosen to represent the U. S. Navy patrol squadron community during presidential inauguration ceremonies in Mexico City.

• June 1948: VP-ML-5 received the first P2V Neptune, and changed its nickname to the "Mad Foxes."

VP-5 PV2-1 Pilots circa 1949

• June 1958: The squadron deployed to Argentia, Newfoundland. "Ice reccos" and shipping patrols were flown without incident. "Ice reccos" were patrols over shipping lanes on the lookout for icebergs that might endanger surface vessels in the area. In July, half of the squadron deployed to Rota, Spain, to become the first patrol squadron based there.

VP-5 P2V-5 Neptune 1962

• April 1959: VP-5 deployed to Keflavik, Iceland. Two other squadrons were stationed there during this period, participating in exercises with the fleet. A Soviet submarine was tracked for 24 hours at one point in the exercise, but finally surfaced and proceeded on its way after failing to shake the trackers.

• July 1960: The squadron was scheduled for a five month deployment to Rota, Spain, for duties with the Sixth Fleet, but in September the deployment was rescheduled. VP-5 became the first full squadron to be deployed to Sigonella, Sicily, after the base became operational.

• April–May 1961: VP-5 participated in exercises in the Caribbean as well as aiding in the recovery of America’s first astronaut, Commander Alan B. Shepard, Jr., on 5 May 1961.

• July 1961: As part of the Project Mercury recovery team, VP-5 aided in the recovery of Captain Virgil I. Grissom, USAF.

P-8A during a routine maritime patrol

P-8A of VP-5 in September 2014

• 1 September 1962: The squadron was again called upon to assist in the recovery of astronauts, participating in the spotting of Commander Wally M. Shirra after his famous flight on 3 October 1962, orbiting six times around the earth.

• October 1962: The squadron was one of the first called up for the Cuban Quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis. VP-5 staged patrols from NAS Jacksonville; Roosevelt Roads, P.R.; and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It was the first squadron to spot and photograph a Soviet ship, Bucharest, carrying missiles, and later the first to locate and track the first Soviet ship departing Cuba with dismantled missiles aboard.

• 1 July 1966: VP-5 received its first three P-3A Orions. The squadron was the last fleet operational unit to fly the SP-2E.

• 1 June 1967: VP-5 deployed to WestPac with the majority of the squadron based at NS Sangley Point, R.P. Duties consisted of Yankee Station patrols (the operational staging area at 16N-110E in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam), anti-infiltration surveillance, and open ocean shipping surveillance flights. Yankee Station patrols provided night radar coverage of the Gulf of Tonkin as one measure in the defense of the fleet’s strike carriers from attack by high-speed surface craft.

• 23 May 1968: VP-5 deployed to Rota, Spain, supported by the USS Tallahatchie County (AVB 2) off Souda Bay, Crete. The use of a support vessel for land-based aircraft at an advanced base site was an experimental concept. The detachment at Crete proved that the idea had merit, but there were no subsequent deployments with support supplied solely by tenders.

• 7 December 1979: VP-5 deployed to Bermuda with squadron detachments sent at different times to Keflavik, Iceland; Lajes, Azores; Dakar, Africa; and Roosevelt Roads. From January–March the squadron flew in relief supplies to earthquake victims in the Azores.

• May 1982: VP-5 deployed to NAS Sigonella, Sicily. The squadron’s ASW activities during the deployment earned it a Meritorious Unit Commendation. For its support to the Sixth Fleet during the evacuation of the Palestine Liberation Organization from Lebanon and the subsequent deployment of Marines into that locality, the squadron was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal. During this period the squadron was one of several evaluating the effect of female personnel on squadron operations. Approximately 45 women had been assigned to the roster.

• February 1986: The squadron was sent on a SAR mission after the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. An aircraft from VP-5 located the nose cone from the shuttle and directed surface recovery vessels to the critical item.

• August 1986: VP-5 deployed to NAS Bermuda. During the deployment the squadron conducted seven Harpoon exercises with other squadrons. In October the squadron spotted a Soviet Yankee-class submarine on the surface in sinking condition. The hour-by-hour monitoring of the Soviet warship was continued until it sank beneath the waves, earning the squadron a recommendation for a Meritorious Unit Commendation from CINCLANTFLT. Dec 1986: While operating out of Bermuda, VP-5 participated in the Coast Guard’s drug interdiction program. The resulting operations in the Caribbean netted over 17,000 pounds of marijuana.

• June 1990: VP-5 participated in the drug interdiction program established by the Secretary of Defense. Detached to bases in the Caribbean and South America, the "Mad Foxes" played a key role in the interdiction effort spotting suspicious ships and aircraft in the patrol areas.

• 1 January 1991: VP-5 deployed to NAS Rota, Spain. Detachments were deployed to NAF Souda Bay, Crete; NAS Sigonella, Sicily; NAF Lajes Field, Azores; and NAS Keflavik, Iceland. During the Gulf War one aircraft of the Souda Bay detachment maintained surface surveillance patrols north of Egypt.

• 19 July 1991: During a change of command dinner at NAS Jacksonville, in honor of out-going commanding officer Commander Franklin D. Bryant, Jr., an honored guest was in attendance—Captain Vazhov, Flotilla Staff Officer from the Soviet Union’s Northern Fleet, was participating in an exchange program for foreign officers.

• 3 September 1992: VP-5 deployed to NAS Keflavik, Iceland. During the deployment the squadron participated in anti-surface/mining operations with USAF F-15 aircraft. Ten different NATO countries were visited during this period, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Netherlands, France, Germany and Canada.

• August 1995: VP-5 became the first squadron to cover the entire Atlantic Ocean operational MPA requirement alone. "Tri-sited" between Keflavik, Puerto Rico, and Panama, VP-5 helped usher in an era of multiple detachments within a single deployment. In February 1997, the squadron repeated the deployment, maintaining high operational tempo in support of Keflavik-based ASW and NATO interoperability flights and Caribbean drug interdiction flights. Amassing over 6,000 flight hours through the six-month deployment, VP-5 contributed to a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) year-long total interdiction effort valued at over one billion dollars.

• 28 March 2011: One of the major highlights during deployment was the historic AGM-65F Maverick engagement during Operation Odyssey Dawn. This was the first successful employment of a Maverick against a hostile target in the history of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft.

Chinese Shenyang J-11B Flanker intercepting a U.S. P-8A.

• 19 August 2014: A J-11B Flanker flew in a very close and very dangerous manner around one of the P-8As in international waters near Hainan during the squadron's first deployment to Japan with the new aircraft.

Home port assignments

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

• FAB Seattle, Washington 2 January 1937
• NAS Edenton, North Carolina 20 November 1945
• NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island 15 May 1946
• NAS San Juan, Puerto Rico January 1947
• NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico June 1947
• NAS Jacksonville, Florida December 1949

Wing assignments

• |* Patrol Wing 4 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4 on 1 November 1942.
• † The Squadron remained a part of FAW-5, but was assigned the tail code ED on 7 November 1948
• ‡ The squadron remained a part of Fleet Air Wing 11, but was assigned the new tail code MC on 4 August 1948.
• § FAW-11 was redesignated Patrol Wing 11 on 1 July 1973.
• |** The squadron's tail code was changed from MC to LA in 1957. The effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY1958 (1 July 1957).

Wing	Tail Code	Assignment Date
Base Force		2 January 1937
Patrol Wing-4 / Fleet Air Wing-4*		1 October 1937
FAW-6		15 February 1943
FAW-6		25 March 1943
FAW-4		5 November 1943
FAW-4		19 April 1944
FAW-6		5 December 1944
FAW-4		4 August 1945
FAW-5	ED†	20 November 1945
FAW-11 / Patrol Wing-11§	ED / MC‡ / LA**	1 January 1947

Deployments

Deployment Duration	Wing	Base	Aircraft	Operating Area
17 March 1938–April 1938	Patrol Wing-4	USS Thrush (AVP 3)	PBY-2	South Pacific
15 July 1941-1 Oct 1941	FAW-4	Sitka	PBY-5	North Pacific
1 February 1942 – 3 August 1942	FAW-4	USS Gillis (AVD 12)	PBY-5A	North Pacific
23 August 1942 – 15 February 1943	FAW-4	Kodiak	PBY-5A	North Pacific
23 March 1943 – 5 November 1943	FAW-4	Adak / Amchitka / Attu	PV-1	North Pacific
19 April 1944 – 23 October 1944	FAW-4	Adak / Attu	PV-1	North Pacific
4 August 1945 – 20 November 1945	FAW-4	Attu	PV-2	North Pacific
August 1950–January 1951	FAW-11	Argentia	P2V-3	North Atlantic
July 1953-December 1953	FAW-11	Keflavik	P2V-5	North Atlantic
October 1954-March 1955	FAW-11	Argentia	P2V-5	North Atlantic
November 1955-June 1956	FAW-11	Port Layuety	P2V-5	Mediterranean
March 1957-1 September 1957 (Split)	FAW-11	Keflavik	P2V-5	North Atlantic
March 1957-October 1957 (Split)	FAW-11	Port Layuety	P2V-5	Mediterranean
June 1958-October 1958 (Split)	FAW-11	Argentia	P2V-5	North Atlantic
July 1958-October 1958 (Split)	FAW-11	Rota	P2V-5	Mediterranean
April 1959-June 1959	FAW-11	Keflavik	P2V-5	North Atlantic
July 1960-September 1960	FAW-11	Rota	P2V-5	Mediterranean
September 1960-December 1960	FAW-11	Sigonella	P2V-5	Mediterranean
December 1961-1 September 1962	FAW-11	Rota	P2V-5	Mediterranean
December 1961-July 1962	FAW-11	Keflavik	P2V-5	North Atlantic
July 1963-November 1963	FAW-11	Sigonella	P2V-5	Mediterranean
1 December 1964 – 15 January 1965	FAW-11	Guantanamo	SP-2E	Caribbean
15 January 1965-June 1965	FAW-11	Sigonella	SP-2E	Mediterranean
1 June 1967 – 3 December 1967	FAW-8	Sangley Point	P-3A	West Pacific
23 May 1968 – 3 December 1968	FAW-11	Crete / USS Tallahatchie County (AVB 2)	P-3A	Mediterranean
1 March 1970-July 1970	FAW-11	Sigonella	P-3A	Mediterranean
1 March 1971 – 1 July 1971 (Split)	FAW-11	Rota	P-3A	Mediterranean
1 March 1971-June1971 (Split)	FAW-11	Lajes	P-3A	North Atlantic
24 March 1972 – 20 August 1972	FAW-11	Sigonella	P-3A	North Atlantic
March 1973-May 1973	FAW-11	Rota	P-3A	North Atlantic
June 1973-August 1973	FAW-11	Lajes	P-3A	North Atlantic
September 1974-March 1975	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
February 1976-July 1976	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
April 1977-September 1977	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
22 September 1978-February 1979	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
7 December 1979-April 1980	Patrol Wing-11	Bermuda	P-3C	Atlantic
7 February 1981-July 1981	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
May 1982-3 November 1982	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
November 1983-April 1984 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Rota	P-3C	Mediterranean
November 1983-April 1984 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Lajes	P-3C	Mediterranean
January 1985-20 June 1985	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
August 1986-January 1987	Patrol Wing-11	Bermuda	P-3C	Atlantic
January 1988-June 1988	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
1 August 1989 – 10 February 1990	Patrol Wing-11	Bermuda	P-3C	Atlantic
1 January 1991-July 1991	Patrol Wing-11	Rota	P-3C	Mediterranean
3 September 1992-March 1993	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
1 September 1993-March 1994	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
February 1994-August 1994	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
August 1995-February 1996	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
February 1997-August 1997 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
February 1997-August 1997 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Roosevelt Roads	P-3C	Caribbean
February 1997-August 1997 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Panama	P-3C	Caribbean
August 1998-February 1999	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
February 2000-August 2000 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
February 2000-August 2000 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Roosevelt Roads	P-3C	Caribbean
August 2001-February 2002 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
August 2001-February 2002 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Souda Bay	P-3C	Mediterranean
February 2003-August 2003 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Keflavik	P-3C	North Atlantic
February 2003-August 2003 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Roosevelt Roads	P-3C	Caribbean
February 2003-August 2003 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Hato	P-3C	Caribbean
December 2004-May 2005 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
December 2004-May 2005 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Al Udeid	P-3C	Gulf
December 2004-May 2005 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Comalapa	P-3C	Caribbean
December 2004-May 2005 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Hato	P-3C	Caribbean
June 2006-December 2006 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
June 2006-December 2006 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Al Udeid	P-3C	Gulf
June 2006-December 2006 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Comalapa	P-3C	Caribbean
December 2008-June 2009 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Kadena	P-3C	West Pacific
December 2008-June 2009 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Comalapa	P-3C	Caribbean
December 2010-June 2011 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Sigonella	P-3C	Mediterranean
December 2010-June 2011 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Djibouti	P-3C	Africa
December 2010-June 2011 (Split)	Patrol Wing-11	Comalapa	P-3C	Caribbean
May 2012-December 2012	Patrol Wing-11	Kadena	P-3C	West Pacific
June 2014 – February 2015	Patrol Wing-11	Kadena	P-8A	West Pacific

Further reading

• Arnold, Rhodes. (2000). Foul Weather Front: A History Of Air Operations In The North Pacific. Pima Paisano Publications. ISBN 9780961925345, ISBN 0961925345.
• Garfield, Brian. (1995). The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians. University of Alaska Press. ISBN 978-0912006833
• Scrivner, Charles, L. (1976). The Empire Express: The Story of the U.S. Navy PV Squadrons' Aerial Strikes Against the Japanese Kuriles During WWII. Historical Aviation Album . ISBN 0911852786
• Seiple, Samantha. (2011). Ghosts In The Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska’s WWII Invasion. Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0545296540
• Wetterhahn, Ralph. (2005). The Last Flight of Bomber 31: Harrowing Tales of American and Japanese Pilots Who Fought In World War II's Arctic Air Campaign. Carroll & Graf Publishers. ISBN 978-0786713608

See also

• Maritime patrol aircraft
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons
• Squadron (aviation)
• Naval aviation
• History of the United States Navy

External links

• Aleutian World War II. National Park Service
• North Pacific Skies of WWII
• VP Navy History

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