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HistoryVP-ML-5 HistoryHistory

Circa 1948

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News September 1943 "...Hydraulic Test Stand Build (VP-ML-5) - Naval Aviation News - September 1948 - Letters - Page 34..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1940s/1948/sep48.pdf [08JUL2004]

Naval Aviation News September 1943

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: UNIT: VP-5 PREVIOUS DES: VP-ML-5 NAME: Mad Foxes TAIL CODE: MC/LA ACTIVATED: 12-19-48 DEACTIVATED: TYPICAL LOCATION(S): NS Roosevelt Roads, PR / NAS Jacksonville, Florida
Books"Title: Lockheed P2V Neptune An Illustrated History by Wayne Mutza wmutza@wi.rr.com...A Schiffer Military History Book...ISBN: 0-7643-0151-9...286 pages full of pictures and history!


Circa 1947

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...I am pretty certain that the airport at San Juan, PR was designated, NAS San Juan in early 1947, and was homebase to VPML-5 as well as a PBY squadron. About mid year, it started to seriously go commercial, and VPML-5 moved to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. There was almost nothing at Roosevelt at that time. I believe only one hangar, and a couple of barracks, and some dependents quarters for officers and chiefs..." Contributed by Eugene GRAZIANO nginsb@msn.com [11JAN2000]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: 21JUL67--"VP-5 Patrol Squadron FIVE Arrives Aboard Station, Relieves VP-16... NS Sangley Point, Philippines.

vp16.jpg ThumbnailCamera"...WELCOME ABOARD, VP-5!..." "WELCOME ABOARD, VP-5! CDR J. V. Josephson, skipper of VP-5 ("Mad Foxes") just arrived (extr. Right) is greeted by CAPT H. S. Ainsworth, COMFAIRWING-8, while other squadron COs look on. CDR D. C. Carruth of VP-16 (in whites), CDR H. L. Beesley, of VP-42." Patron Squadron FIVE, commanded by CDR John V. Josephson, has officially relieved Patron Squadron SIXTEEN at Sangley Point. The "Eagles" of VP-16 issued warm welcome and cold refreshments to the "Mad Foxes" as they stepped off their P-3 Orions to begin a six-month deployment at Sangley Point. Many handshakes were exchanged between friends, for the two squadrons are not strangers to each other by any means. Both are home-based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, and did share the same hangar for many years. Commissioned on November 10, 1942, at Whidbey Island, Washington, the "Mad Foxes" of VP-5 have had an interesting history. Initially designated VB-135 and nicknamed "The Blind Foxes," the squadron distinguished itself during the World War II with its Lockheed PV-1 "Vega Ventura" patrol bombers. 160 missions were flown against the Japanese, including many missions against the Japanese mainland. The squadron's successes during the war earned it the name "The Empire Express." Before the end of the war, the "Blind Foxes" transitioned to the new PV-2 patrol plane, the early version of the famed P-2 "Neptunes" series of aircraft. A move was then made to Edenton, North Carolina, then to Quonset Point, Rhode Island, where operations began in February, 1946. Redesignated VP-ML-5 in January, 1947, the squadron again moved its home base. This time to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where it came under the operational control of Commander, Fleet Air Wing ELEVEN, under whom it has served since. In 1948, VP-5 received the initial version of the present-day SP-2E "Neptune" and had its name officially change to VP-5. A new nickname, "Mad Foxes," was also adopted and has identified the squadron for the past seventeen years. The following year, the "Mad Foxes" settled at their present home port, Jacksonville. Further deployments to Malta in 1952, Iceland in 1953, and Argentia in 1954 went smoothly, as indicated by the ComNavAirLant Safety Award and the CNO Safety Award being awarded in 1955. Another "E" was awarded to VP-5 in 1959 for operations which included the tracking of a Russian submarine for an amazing twenty-four hours. Deployments to Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Sicily; and a return deployment to NAS Port Lyautey, French Morocco followed. Back in Jacksonville, the "Mad Foxes aided in the rescue of America's first astronaut, CDR Alan B. Shepard, on May 5, 1961. Further work with Project Mercury resulted in the squadron's assistance in the recovery of the late Captain Virgil I. Grissom. After two deployments to Sigonella, Sicily in 1964 and 1965, the "Mad Foxes" settled in Jacksonville again, but for a longer period of time. In June 1966, the P-3 Orion was proudly welcomed to the "Foxes Den" and the following months were spent mainly in preparation for deployment to Sangley. Patron FIVE has looked forward to this deployment eagerly, and hopes to continue its impressive record here at Sangley Point..."


Circa 1946 - 1948

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons CD-ROM: Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol. 2 Stock No. 008-046-00195-2 The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL), and VP(AM) Naval Historical Center, Department Of The Navy, Washington, D. C...." [15JUN2000]
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Circa 1942

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...1942 Through 1966...The distinguished service of Patrol Squadron FIVE began in 1942 and has continued through World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Quarantine of Cuba. In the year the squadron was commissioned at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, Washington as VP-135, and was equipped with PBY "Catalinas." In 1943 the "Blind Foxes," as they were originally nicknamed, received the PV-1 "Vega Ventura." With these, and later with PV-2's, the squadron flew over 200 sorties against the Japanese mainland from bases in Alaska.

vp5pby.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...VB-135 PBY Picture..."

Following World War II, VPB-135, as it was redesignated in 1945, journeyed to the east coast of the United States. Thereafter Edenton, North Carolina; NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island; San Juan and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico all provided at one time or another a home for the well-traveled Foxes.

NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island knew them first as VP-135 and later as VP-ML-5. In San Juan the Foxes came under the command of Fleet Air Wing ELEVEN, and in 1948 underwent three other changes: VP-ML-5 was redesignated as VP-5; the "Blind Foxes" became the "Mad Foxes;" and the P2V "Neptune" replaced the PV-2.
vp5pv1a.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Manning The Planes Picture..."
vp5pv1d.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Toping Off The Tanks Picture..."
vp5pv1e.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Starting To Roll..."
vp5pv1b.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Adjusting Gear..."
vp5pv1c.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Loading Up..."
vp5pv1f.jpg ThumbnailCamera "...Airborne..."

Bombing Squadron One Thirty Five

Officers
ROCKE
LANGTON
SELLERS
IANI
WHEAT
SCHATZER
FLETCHER
JOHNSON
JEPPESEN
KING
COOPER

Enlisted Men
JACKSON
DUFFIN
GREEN
BEAULIEU
DICKSON
PATZ
GARTLAND
AUSTIN
COPELAND
BURKOWSKI
EVERARD
PURD
CZAPLICKI
CATT
FARRELL
BEGGIN
STROM
WILSON


UPDATE "...The first four or five PV1 photos which are ascribed to VP-5 are almost certainly photos of VP-135 Venturas at Casco Field, Attu. The second photo entitled "topping the tanks" for certain as the names which are listed below the photo are a partical list of the aircrew lost during VP-135's 1944 deployment. My father was the co-pilot of PV1 BuAer no. 48733 lost the night of May 5-6, 1944 and is included on this listing together with the pilot, Lt(jg) Alonzo Wheat...Bill Shatzer bshatzer@oregonvos.net..." [12AUG2000]

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