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HistoryVP-91 HistoryHistory

Circa 1979

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation August 1979 "...History - Page 22, 23, 27, and 32 - Naval Aviation News - September 1979..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1979/sep79.pdf [10OCT2004]

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Circa 1978

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation October 1978 "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 31 and 33 - Naval Aviation News - October 1978..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1978/oct78.pdf [09OCT2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation April 1978 "...History and Change-Of-Command - Page 25 - Naval Aviation News - April 1978..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1978/apr78.pdf [09OCT2004]

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Circa 1977

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation July 1977 "...Squadron Insignia - Naval Aviation News - July 1977..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1977/jul77.pdf [08OCT2004]

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VP-91 P3 Tail Thumbnail"...Taken of a P-3A during the "Pink Panther" days. The photographs were taken on 15 July 1977 by Mr. Takafumi Hiroe..." Contributed by CAPT Jim Leslie, USNR (ret.) j_leslie99@yahoo.com


Circa 1975

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation November 1975 "...CNO Awards - Page 3 - Naval Aviation News - November 1975..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1975/nov75.pdf [04OCT2004]

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Circa 1972

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation April 1972 "...The Selected Air Reserve - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - April 1972..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1972/apr72.pdf [27SEP2004]

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Circa 1971

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation December 1971 "...Total Force - Page 30 - Naval Aviation News - December 1971..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1971/dec71.pdf [26SEP2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation November 1971 "...FY-1971 Safety Awardees Named - Naval Aviation News - November 1971..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1971/nov71.pdf [25SEP2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation January 1971 "...Selected Air Reserve - Page 32 to 33 - Naval Aviation News - January 1971..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1971/jan71.pdf [17SEP2004]

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Circa 1970

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-91 "BLACKCATS"..." http://www.navy-reserve.org/magazine/9805/nra9805b.html [02MAY99]

Patrol Squadron NINE ONE (VP-91), commanded by CDR Steve Sharkey, operate from Moffett Federal Airfield, California with a worldwide theater of operations. Their mission is to conduct ground and flight training for Naval Reserve personnel to achieve and maintain maximum combat readiness for mobilization and fleet support. VP-91 is a Naval Reserve Force Squadron (RESFORON) with a full wartime complement of eight P-3C Update III aircraft and the skilled officers and enlisted personnel required to operate them. Combat aircrews receive training in all phases of Undersea Warfare (USW) ranging from mission planning, search and localization of enemy submarines to the ultimate phase of weapon delivery. In addition to USW training, missions of surface search, surveillance, aerial photography and aerial mining are routinely executed. Successful mission accomplishment also requires mission capable aircraft and extensive material support. A team of highly skilled and motivated maintenance and administrative professionals receive intense and specialized training through formal schools and on-the-job training.

The BLACKCATS, commissioned in 1970, were the first Reserve squadron to fly the Lockheed P-3 Orion. In April 1979, the squadron completed the transition from the P-3A to the P-3B TACNAVMOD aircraft. In 1990 the BLACKCATS received their current complement of aircraft, the cutting edge P-3C Update III. This latest model of the ORION greatly enhanced the squadron's ability to provide the Fleet with on demand contributory support. The sole remaining link at Moffett Field to the proud heritage of Maritime Patrol Aviation from this historic airfield, the BLACKCATS are made up of veterans from every squadron that called Moffett home from the seventies and eighties. A large percentage of the squadron is made up of pilots, naval flight officers, aircrewmen and maintainers from the now disestablished West Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron, VP-31. In fact, many active duty P-3 aircrew and maintainers were trained by current BLACKCATS. The standard of excellence that VP-91 established will continue to shine long after its disestablishment in January 1999.

The BLACKCATS have a proud history. Men and women who have served onboard her aircraft and maintained those same planes have made numerous contributions to our Nation, both in uniform and as civilians in their communities. Among the awards they have earned together as a team are: 103,000 mishap-free flight hours; Mobilization during Operation Desert Storm; Navy Unit Commendation 1991; Meritorious Unit Commendation, 1984 and 1986; Battle "E" winners, ‘84, '86, '92, '96; CNO Aviation Safety Award, ‘71, '75, '83, '85, '96; US Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, 1989; Maintenance "Golden Wrench", 1983.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...The Back Cats of Patrol Squadron Ninety-One proudly operate from Moffett Federal Airfield, California with a worldwide theater of operations. VP-91 is one of the four long-range maritime patrol squadrons assigned to Commander, Patrol Wing Four for antisubmarine warfare and ocean surveillance. The Squadron, originally commissioned in 1970, was the first reserve patrol squadron to fly the Lockheed P3 Orion. In April 1979, the squadron completed transition to the P-3B TACNAV MOD Aircraft. In 1990, VP-91 underwent a transition to the P3-C Update III. This latest model of subhunter gives the Reserve Maritime Patrol Force greatly enhanced capabilities, identical to their Fleet counterparts. further strenthening reserve interoperability and underscoring the One-Navy concept..." http://www.spawar.navy.mil/nr/cnarf/wing4/vp91/about.html


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