Wikipedia

VP-16: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
added other uses disambiguation hatnote to WP16
c/e
 
(43 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1:
{{Other uses|VP16 (disambiguation){{!}}VP16}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name =Patrol Squadron VP-16
| image= Patrol Squadron 16 (US Navy) insignia 2016.png
| image =[[File:VP-16.jpg|200px]]
| image_size = 200
| caption =VP-16 insignia
|caption=VP-16 insignia
| dates = 1953-
|dates=May 1946 - present
| country = USA
|country= United States of America
| allegiance =
|allegiance=
| branch = US Navy
|branch= {{nowrap|[[Image:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg|30px|United States Navy Seal]] [[United States Navy]]}}
| type =
|type= [[Squadron (aviation)|squadron]]
| role = maritime patrol
|role= [[Maritime patrol]]
| size = squadron
|size=
| command_structure =
|command_structure=
| garrison =
|garrison=
| garrison_label =
|garrison_label=
| nickname =
|nickname= ''War Eagles''
| patron =
| motto patron=
| colors =
| colors_label =
| march =
| mascot =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles=[[Vietnam =War]]
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
|battle_honors=
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| disbanded =
| flying_hours =
| website =
<!-- Commanders -->
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Aircraft -->
|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_interceptor=
|aircraft_patrol=[[Lockheed Ventura#PV-2 Harpoon|PV-2]]<br>[[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY-5A/6A]]<br>[[Lockheed P-2 Neptune|P2V-2/3/5/5F/SP-2E]]<br>[[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3A/C]]<br>[[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8A]]
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}
 
'''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 19531946. The squadron's mission is to operate [[Maritime patrol aircraft]] to the fleet in support of national interests.<ref name='"VP-16Website'"> {{cite web | url = http://www.vp16.navy.mil/ | title = U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron Sixteen War Eagles | accessdateaccess-date = 2014-03-03 | work = VP-16 Website | publisher = [[United States Navy]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140326200915/http://www.vp16.navy.mil/ | archive-date = 26 March 2014 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> ItThe squadron's radio callsign is the"'''Talon'''," thirdand their tailcode is "LF." Originally established as '''Reserve Patrol [[Squadron 906 (aviationVP-906)|squadron]]''' toin haveMay held1946, theit 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 designation.(VP-16)''' Thison article4 isFebruary about1953. It is the currentthird squadron, butto itbe includesdesignated VP-16; the lineages[[VP-3|first ofVP-16]] thewas firstredesignated twoVP-41 on 1 July 1939 and the [[VPB-16|second VP-16s16]] was redesignated VPB-16 on 1 October 1944.<ref name='DANAS2-3-3'>{{cite book | last1 last= Roberts | first1 first= Michael D. | title=Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, | volume =Volume 2, |chapter=Chapter 3 SectionPatrol 3|Squadron publisher(VP) =Histories (2nd VP-9 to 3rd VP-17)|publisher=Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy | year = 2000 | location = Washington, D.C. | chapterurl url= httphttps://www.history.navy.mil/avhresearch/histories/naval-vol2aviation-history/chap3dictionary-of-american-naval-aviation-squadrons-volume-2/chapter-3-patrol-squadron-vp-histories-2nd-vp-9-to-3rd-vp-17.pdf html| pages = 91–96 91–6|formataccess-date=pdf26 | accessdate =June 2014-03-032016}}</ref>
 
==History==
[[File:P-3C VP-16 over NAS Bermuda 1985.JPEG|thumb|right|250px|VP-16 P-3C over [[NAS Bermuda]] in 1985]]
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 [[Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon]] and the amphibious [[Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina|Consolidated PBY-5A/6A Catalina]].
[[File:VP-16s colour bird again. (6282480857).jpg|thumb|right|250px|VP-16 P-3C lands in 2011]]
 
[[File:P-8A Poseidon of VP-16 takes off from NAS Jacksonville 2013.JPG|thumb|right|250px|VP-16 P-8A takes off from [[NAS Jacksonville]] in 2013]]
On 15 November 1946 VP-906 was redesignated VP-ML-56 while at 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.
[[File:Boeing P-8A Poseidon flies over Jacksonville (1).jpg|thumb|right|250px|VP-16 P-8A over NAS Jacksonville in 2013]]
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.
*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 [[Lockheed Ventura#PV-2 Harpoon|PV-2 Harpoon]] and the amphibious [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY-5A/6A Catalina]].
 
*15 November 1946 VP-906 was redesignated VP-ML-56 while at [[Naval Air Station Cecil Field|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.
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.
*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 [[Keflavik]], Iceland. During the Middle East Crisis, sparked by the seizure of the [[Suez Canal]], 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.
*On 10 Nov 1956, the squadron deployed to [[Naval Air Station Keflavik|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 [[Roosevelt Roads Naval Station|NS Roosevelt Roads]], P.R.Puerto Rico, and participated in Operation Springboard 1960.
*May 1960: The squadron participated in test shots of the [[PGM-11 Redstone|Redstone]] and [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]] missiles as part of Task Force 140, [[Project Mercury]] Recovery Force.
 
*12 Dec 1960: VP-16 deployed to [[Naval Air Station Sigonella|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]].
*May 1960: The squadron participated in test shots of the Redstone and Atlas missiles as part of Task Force 140, [[Project Mercury]] Recovery Force.
*In January 1961, it was one of several squadrons called on to assist in the search for the Portuguese cruise liner ''Santa Maria'' after [[Santa Maria hijacking|it had been hijacked]] by opponents of the [[Estado Novo (Portugal)|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.
*12 Dec 1960: VP-16 deployed to NAF Sigonella, Sicily, for a five-month tour of duty, relieving VP-5. The squadron provided shipping surveillance in the Mediterranean Sea for the Sixth Fleet and responded to the Santa Maria incident—the seizure of a Portuguese vessel by dissidents. VP-16 was one of several squadrons called on to assist in the search for the ship.
*1 Dec 1964: VP-16 relieved VP-49 at [[Naval Air Station Bermuda|NAS Bermuda]]. This was the first deployment for the squadron in its new [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3A Orion]] aircraft.
 
*23 Mar 1965: The squadron participated in operations involving the launching and recovery of the [[Gemini 3]] space capsule.
Between 29 November 1963 and March 1964 seven squadron aircraft operated from [[Guantanamo Bay]], Cuba, to provide surveillance during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], relieving VP-23. The detachment was itself relieved in March 1964 by VP-11.
*15 Feb 1966: A detachment of three aircraft was sent to [[RAF Ascension Island]] in support of the project [[AS-201|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 [[Operation Market Time|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.
*1 Dec 1964: VP-16 relieved VP-49 at Kindley AFB, Bermuda. This was the first deployment for the squadron in its new P-3A Orion aircraft.
*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.
*23 Mar 1965: The squadron participated in operations involving the launching and recovery of the [[Gemini 3]] space capsule, which carried [[John Young]] and [[Virgil Grissom]] into orbit and returned them safely after completing three orbits.
*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, [[Interdiction|drug interdiction]] patrols in the Caribbean.
*15 Feb 1966: A detachment of three aircraft was sent to Ascension Island in support of the project [[AS-201|Apollo-Saturn 201]] flight, Task Force 140. This operation was the first unmanned spacecraft of the Apollo series to be fired into suborbital flight by a Saturn rocket.
*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.<ref name=DANAS2-3/>
 
*January 2013: VP-16 become the first U.S. Navy squadron to transition from the P-3C Orion to the [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8A]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/02/27/first-operational-p-8a-poseidon-squadron-readies-for-deployment/|access-date=9 August 2019|title=First Operational P-8A Squadron Prepares for Deployment; Fleet Transition Continues}}</ref>
*2 Dec 1966: VP-17 deployed to NS Sangley Point, R.P., with a detachment at NAF U-Tapao, Thailand. During the deployment the squadron missions included Market Time patrols and 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.
*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.<ref>{{cite web
 
*14 March 2018: VP-16 awarded Humanitarian Service Medal by CPRW-11.
*12 Dec 1967: The Eagles deployed to [[Naval Station Rota Spain|Naval Station Rota]] in southern Spain, as the first P-3 Orion detachment to operate from a Mediterranean base.
*December 2019: VP-16 awarded the Navy "E" Ribbon by Commander, 6th FLEET.|url=http://www.gonavy.jp/VP_VP16f.html|access-date=9 August 2019|title=VP-16 Deployment History}}</ref>
 
*Jan 1971: VP-16 retrofitted all of its P-3A aircraft with the DIFAR advanced submarine detection system. In July, the Eagles deployed to NAF Sigonella, Sicily, to test their newly outfitted DIFAR aircraft. The squadron conducted extensive testing of the new equipment during numerous exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.
 
*25 Oct–2 Nov 1983: VP-16 provided several aircraft and crews for patrols in the vicinity of Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury, in which U.S. forces [[Invasion of Grenada|invaded the island of Grenada]] in response to a military coup.
 
*Aug 1985: VP-16 deployed to NAS Bermuda. During the deployment three-aircraft detachments were maintained at NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R., to participate in Operation Hat Trick II, drug interdiction patrols in the Caribbean.
 
*10 Aug 1988: VP-16 deployed to NAS Bermuda, relieving VP-24. The squadron participated in Operation Checkmate 7, interdicting suspected drug trafficking in the Caribbean.<ref name='DANAS2-3-3'/>
 
==Lineage==
===Current VP-16===
The current squadron has held the VP-16 designation for over 50 years. Its lineage is as follows:<ref name='DANAS2-3-3'/>
*Established as '''Reserve Patrol Squadron VP-906''' in May 1946.
*Redesignated '''Medium Seaplane Squadron VP-ML-56''' on 15 November 1946.
*Redesignated '''VP-741''' in February 1950.
*Redesignated '''VP-16''' on 4 February 1953, the third squadron to be assigned the VP-16 designation.
 
===First VP-16===
The first VP-16 held the designation for 21 months in 1937-1937, with a squadron that ultimately became '''[[VP-3]]'''. Its lineage is as follows:<ref name='DANAS2-7'>{{cite book | last1 = Roberts | first1 = Michael D. | title = Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons |volume=Volume 2 |chapter= Appendix 7: Lineage Listings for Patrol Squadrons | publisher = Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy | year = 2000 | location = Washington, D.C. | chapterurl = http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/Append7.pdf | pages = 770 | accessdate = 2014-03-02}}</ref>
*Established as '''VP-16F''' on 2 Jan 1937
*Redesignated '''VP-16''' on 1 Oct 1937
*Redesignated '''VP-41''' on 1 Jul 1939
*Redesignated '''VB-136''' on 1 Mar 1943
*Redesignated '''VPB-136''' on 1 Oct 1944
*Redesignated '''VP-136''' on 15 May 1946
*Redesignated '''VP-ML-3''' on 15 Nov 1946
*Redesignated '''VP-3''' on 1 Sep 1948
*Disestablished 1 Nov 1955
 
===Second VP-16===
The second VP-16 held the designation for 10 months in 1943-1944, with a squadron that ultimately became '''[[VPB-16]]'''. Its lineage is as follows:<ref name='DANAS2-7'/>
*Established as '''VP-16''' on 20 Dec 1943
*Redesignated '''VPB-16''' on 1 Oct 1944
*Disestablished on 30 Jun 1945
 
==Aircraft assignment==
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:<ref name='DANAS2-3-3'/>
* [[Lockheed Ventura#PV-2 Harpoon|PV-2]] - May 1946
{|class="wikitable"
* [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY-5A/6A]] - May 1946
|-
* [[Lockheed P-2 Neptune|P2V-2/3]] - 1950
!Aircraft type
* P2V-5 - February 1955
!From
* P2V-5F - March 1956
|-
* SP-2E - December 1962
|[[Lockheed Ventura|PV-2 ''Harpoon'']]
* [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3A]] - July 1964
|May 1946
* P-3A DIFAR - January 1971
|-
* P-3C - August 1973
|[[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY-5A/PBY-6A ''Catalina'']]
* P-3C UII.5 - June 1983
|May 1946
* P-3C UIIIR - October 1990
|-
* [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8A]] - March 2012
|[[Lockheed P-2 Neptune|P2V-2/3 ''Neptune'']]
|1950
|-
|[[Lockheed P-2 Neptune|P2V-5 ''Neptune'']]
|Feb 1955
|-
|[[Lockheed P-2 Neptune|P2V-5F ''Neptune'']]
|Mar 1956
|-
|[[Lockheed P-2 Neptune|SP-2E ''Neptune'']]
|Dec 1962
|-
|[[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3A ''Orion'']]
|Jul 1964
|-
|[[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3A DIFAR ''Orion'']]
|Jan 1971
|-
|[[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3C ''Orion'']]
|Aug 1973
|-
|[[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3C UII.5 ''Orion'']]
|Jun 1983
|-
|[[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3C UIIIR ''Orion'']]
|Oct 1990
|}
 
==See also==
{{Wikipedia books|United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}
 
* [[List of Lockheed P-3 Orion variants]]
* [[List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
* [[List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
* [[List of Unitedsquadrons Statesin Navythe aircraftDictionary squadronsof American Naval Aviation Squadrons]]
* [[History of the United States Navy]]
 
==References==
{{DANAS}}
{{reflist}}
<div class='references-small'>
<references/>
</div>
 
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140326200915/http://www.vp16.navy.mil/ Official Website of VP-16, Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN]
{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}
 
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vp-16}}
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VP-16"