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HistoryVP-31 HistoryHistory

Circa 1999

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...On June 13, 1999, three former VPers of the late 60's vintage got to tour P-3A BUNO 150520 at the Western Aerospace Museum at the Oakland (CA) airport. Ken Kriner WOCOWBOY1@aol.com and Peter Lindberg plindberg@surfnetusa.com, formerly of VP-28 and VP-22 (1967-70) and Dennis Reilly Plumber869@aol.com of VP-9 (1966-69) joined ADC (Ret) Don Drake (VP-47, VP-91), who overseas the restoration of the aircraft for the museum. Don now works for Alaska airlines and has the "keys" for what could be one of the finest "museum" pieces around. In fact 150520 was the last P-3 to come through overhaul at Alameda depot maintenance before it was shut down. The aircraft was surplused to the museum despite the fact that it will be fully flyable. No rotting on a museum ramp for this bird; she's in fine original configuration, less a sono rack and some sensor gear. She currently sports green primer but will get original Navy colors soon. 150520 is special to Ken and Pete because it was a VP-31 training aircraft at the time they came through VP-31, and was from the same block of aircraft they flew in VP-28 (150512-150519, 150521-150523). Anyone out there in VP Navy Land who was destined for PACFLT P-3As in the late 60's would have at least a couple flights in this aircraft. After 30 years, it was like seeing an old friend..." Contributed by Peter Lindberg plindberg@surfnetusa.com [23JUN99]

VP-31 History ThumbnailCameraForward/side view of A/C.
VP-31 History ThumbnailCameraHead on view.
VP-31 History ThumbnailCameraKen & Don in cockpit.
VP-31 History ThumbnailCameracockpit instrument panel.


Circa 1994

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News Magazine "...Awards, Major Deployments, Etc. - Naval Aviation News - July - August 1994.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1994/ja94.pdf [12NOV2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News Magazine "...Change-Of-Command, Disestablishment, Etc. - Naval Aviation News - January - February 1994.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1994/jf94.pdf [12NOV2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...28 OCT 94 - Ground was broken for a hangar that would become the new home of VP-30 at NAS Jacksonville, Fla. The fleet readiness squadron trained Navy pilots, naval flight officers, airborne systems specialists and ground maintenance personnel in the operation of the P-3 Orion patrol aircraft. VP-30 became the sole Navy P-3 fleet readiness squadron in October 1993 upon the disestablishment of VP-31 on the West Coast..." http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/PART12.PDF [28MAY2003]


Circa 1993

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Diestablishment - Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE - 26 August 1993 - Hanger One - NAS Moffett Field, California..." [17MAR2005]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News Magazine "...Change-Of-Command, Records, Etc. - Naval Aviation News - November - December 1993.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1993/nd93.pdf [12NOV2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News Magazine "...Maritime Patrol FRS Consolidation On Track - Naval Aviation News - July - August 1993.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1993/ja93.pdf [12NOV2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...09 SEP 93 - NAS Jacksonville, Florida, VP-30 merged with VP-31 based at NAS Moffett Field, California, to form the Navy's largest aviation squadron. The consolidation was the result of the military's downsizing. It enabled the Navy to train all P-3 aircraft crews in Jacksonville..." http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/PART12.PDF [28MAY2003]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...One of many letters...Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE Disestablishment...26 August 1993...Hanger One... NAS Moffett Field, California..." Contributed by Bob Zafran vpfourever@gmail.com [19JUL99]

Commanding Officer Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE Naval Air Station Moffett Field , California 94035


Dear Squadronmates,

As we mark the disestablishment of Patrol Squadron THIRTY - ONE I want to thank all of you, my squadronmates, for having cont inued the ' proud tradition of exce ll ence which has made this squadron so great throughout i ts thirty -three years of service to our nation. This past year has been challenging for al l of you, but you have unfailingly met every task head-on with typical "Black Lightn ing style. The true measure of your strengtn was shown when we received word that VP -31 has been selected for disestablisnment. Despite any personal concerns, you kept your focus on safely providing the best possible trained aircrew and maintenance students to tne fleet. Every graduate has been a direct result of your talents, hard work and dedication. Your performance in virtually every measurable category has been consistently outstanding, and your reputation is renown throughout the Pacific Fleet.

As we prepare to haul down our commissioning pennant for the f inal time, I sincerely hope that each of you share the fee ling of pride I have for having served in VP -31. Again, thank you so very much for your tremendous support and profess ionalism. It nas been an honor and a privilege to have been your Command ing Officer. I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

G A MARKWELL CAPT USN

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-31 Crew Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-31 Disestablishment Patch "...Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE Disestablishment...26 August 1993...Hanger One... NAS Moffett Field, California..." Contributed by Bob Zafran vpfourever@gmail.com [20JUL99]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-31 Crew Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-31 Disestablishment Patch "...Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE Disestablishment...26 August 1993...Hanger One... NAS Moffett Field, California..." Contributed by Bob Zafran vpfourever@gmail.com [19JUL99]


Circa 1992

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY:  History ThumbnailCameraID: DNSC9208275 "...LCDR Latta, tactical coordinator, monitors a radar screen aboard a P-3 Orion aircraft during a training session for Patrol Squadron 31 (VP-31). Camera Operator: PH1 (NAC) BEAN Date Shot: 17 Mar 1992..." WebSite: Defense Visual Information Center http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/ [03FEB2006]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY:  History ThumbnailCameraID: DNSC9208276 "...ENS Feldhuhn uses a sextant aboard a P-3 Orion aircraft to determine the plane's location during a Patrol Squadron 31 (VP-31) training flight. Camera Operator: PH1 (NAC) BEAN Date Shot: 17 Mar 1992..." WebSite: Defense Visual Information Center http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/ [03FEB2006]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY:  History ThumbnailCameraID: DNSC9208277 "...Aviation Anti-submarine Warfare Technician 1st Class Hoffman and ENS Feldhuhn conduct a preflight check of a P-3 Orion aircraft during a Patrol Squadron 31 (VP-31) training session. Camera Operator: PH1 (NAC) BEAN Date Shot: 17 Mar 1992..." WebSite: Defense Visual Information Center http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/ [03FEB2006]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News Magazine "...Base Closures, Change-Of-Command, Records, Etc. - Naval Aviation News - May-June 1992.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1992/mj92.pdf [11NOV2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News Magazine "...Change-Of-Command, Safe Flying, Etc. - Naval Aviation News - January-February 1992.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1992/jf92.pdf [11NOV2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

Circa 1991

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation November-December 1991 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Naval Aviation News - November-December 1991..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1991/nd91.pdf [25OCT2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation May-June 1991 "...History - Naval Aviation News - May-June 1991..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1991/mj91.pdf [24OCT2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "Commanding Officer 1960 through 1991...Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE Disestablishment...26 August 1993...Hanger One... NAS Moffett Field, California..." Contributed by Bob Zafran vpfourever@gmail.com [20JUL99]

VP-31 CO's ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-6 Patch Thumbnail "...Hussein Patch is a VP-31 patch started after he invaded Kuwait..." Contributed by Paul Miranda pwmirand@bellsouth.net [09NOV99]


Circa 1990

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation September-October 1990 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 6, 7, 30 and 31 - Naval Aviation News - September-October 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/so90.pdf [22OCT2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation May-June 1990 "...History and Change-Of-Command - Page 6, 29 and 31 - Naval Aviation News - May-June 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/mj90.pdf [22OCT2004]

VP History ThumbnailCamera

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-31 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-31 Instructor Patch Contributed by Tom Grannis grannis1@earthlink.net [10JUL2004]


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