 VP-907 History
Circa 1966
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Patrol Squadron NINETEEN Iwakuni, Japan Cruise Book August 1966 - February 1967..." Contributed by Bill Shoemaker Bill.Shoemaker@ci.seattle.wa.us [18MAY2000]
Patrol Squadron Nineteen History
Patrol Squadron NINETEEN was commissioned as Reserve Unit VPB-907 at Livermore, California in 1946.
In March 1951, the squadron was activated to participate in the Korean conflict. Flying the famed P4Y-2 aircraft, the squadron illuminated enemy positions with powerful red tinged flares and became known as "BIG RED" to ground forces.
Upon the conclusion of the Korean conflict and until 1961, the squadron participated in five Western Pacific Deployments and two Alaskan Area deployments. During this same period, the squadron transitioned in P2V-2, P2V-5, and P2V-7 aircraft. The earning of the Captain Arnold Jay lsbell Trophy for Excellence in Anti-Submarine Warfare in 1959 was the highlight of this era.
Routine ASW operations continued to occupy the squadron during 1962, and in 1963 the squadron deployed a detachment of aircraft to the Alaskan Area to supplement ASW Surveillance Forces in the Northern Pacific.
It was during 1963 that Patrol Squadron NINETEEN took on its present look. The squadron transitioned to the P3A Orion aircraft and moved homeport from NAS Alameda, California to NAS Moffett Field.
Patrol Squadron NINETEEN was deployed to the Naval Station Adak, Alaska from October 1964 until July 1965 at which time it returned to NAS Moffett Field to operate under the Operational and Administrative Control of Commander Fleet Air Wing EIGHT.
Patrol Squadron NINETEEN was deployed to MCAS lwakuni, Japan in August 1966 returning to Moffett Field in February 1967. the cruise marked the first time a P3 equipped squadron has been headquartered on the Japanese mainland.
Circa 1960
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-19 NAS Kodiak, Alaska Deployment 1960 Cruisebook..." [21MAR2001]
CDR E. E. Wood assumed command in November 1958 with LCDR B. B. Smith assigned as Executive Officer. The training cycle was concluded after several over water training flights and anti-submarine tracks originating from NAS Alameda, California.
An early February morning saw Patrol Squadron Nineteen commencing their seventh deployment, destination NAS Iwakuni, Japan via: Hawaii, Kwajalin, and Guam.
During the seven month deployment, Patrol Squadron Nineteen crews flew a total of 5212.4 accident free hours of which 1908 consisted of actual instrument time. After returning to NAS Alameda, California to begin a new training cycle CDR B. B. Smith, USN, assumed command on December 30th with CDR R. E. Anglemyer, USN, as Executive Officer.
As the crews trained, over-all squadron proficiency progressed. The squadron made ready for administrative-material inspection. COMFAIRALAMEDA administered the inspection on April 12, 1960 with a final over-all grade of 84.46%, high excellent. On April 25 the ORI, with assistance of the officres of VP-9 was administered by COMFAIRALAMEDA. An over-all grade of 88.43%, good, was awarded the squadron as we prepared to depart for NAS Kodiak, Alaska for four months' deployment.
Patrol Squadron Nineteen relieved VP-2 May 14, 1960. A detachment ws maintained as NAS Adak, Alaska and several ice patrols were flown out of Ladd AFB in Fairbanks. A total of 3681 accident free hours of which 1500 hours consisted of actual instrument time was flown during the deployment.
Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, the squadron has carried on routine patrol duty over the Bering sea, the Aleutian islands, and particpated in bombing ice-covered Alaskan rivers to relieve flooded conditions.
VP-19 was relieved by VP-17 at NAS Kodiak, Alaska on August 18, 1960. After a non-stop flight to NAS Alameda, California, Patron Nineteen will begin a new training cycle to qualify new pilots and crew members.
"VP-907 History Summary Page"
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