A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-64 Deployment - May/June 1980...(Squadrons Mentioned: VP-5, VP-11, VP-45, VP-49, VP-62 and VP-93)..." Contributed by ROBIDEAU, AWCS Larry Retired larobidoo@comcast.net [03DEC2005]

During May and June, VP-64 conducted Active Duty for Training (ACTDUTRA). It was a complex deployment that was unparalleled in the history of Patrol Squadrons. It involved the deployment site, NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and three detachments: NAS Bermuda; NS Roosevelt Roads, PR; and Howard AFB, Panama. In fact, a review of the deployment schedules of the squadrons that comprise Patrol Wing 5 and Patrol Wing 11 (Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2) reveals that none of those squadrons had more than a three-site split deployment. VP-5 (in 1997) and VP-10 (in 1998) deployed to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR, and Panama. In 1990, VP-49 deployed to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR, and NAS Bermuda.

In May 1980, the CO of the squadron was CDR Ken Wall, a legend in the VP Navy. The initial planning called for the squadron deployment at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and a detachment at NAS Bermuda. The primary purpose was to conduct ASW operations. The first echelon of VP-64 (even numbered crews) was deployed on May 2 to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and supported the VP-11 Bandits (which itself was on a split deployment between NS Rota, Spain (CTG-84.3) and NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal (CTG-84.2)). A detachment was sent to NAS Bermuda to support Patron Bermuda which was the VP-49 Woodpeckers. Later in the deployment, a detachment was sent to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR from NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and another detachment was sent to Panama via NS Roosevelt Roads, PR.

At the time of the deployment, CTG-84.2 and Patron Bermuda were primarily conducting ASW operations against Soviet Union Yankee-class SSBNs in their Atlantic patrol box east of Bermuda. The ASWOCs in both NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and NAS Bermuda coordinated the ASW operations to ensure that patrol aircraft of the various squadrons were "on top" of the Soviet Union SSBNs constantly.

I was in Crew 6 and was in the initial NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal echelon. One of the first things we did was to go to Praia and check on George the Crook to see if he sustained any damage from the earthquake that struck the island of Terceira several months earlier. The Cafe Azores was not damaged and George the Crook was fine.

During this deployment, Crew 6 consisted of the following:

PPC CDR Joe Gareffa       SS1 AWCS Larry Robideau
PPC LCDR Ken Giacin       SS2 AW1 Jim Wilkinson
TC CDR Lou DiLullo       SS3 AW2 Joe Dolan
NAV LCDR Jim Neve       Ord AO1 Pete McCaughley
FE AD1 Dave Fuchs       FCO AT1 Walt Eife IFT AT2 Al Bunting

Operating out of NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, Crew 6 flew ASW sorties, some beginning and terminating at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, and one sortie beginning at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and terminating at NAS Bermuda; another sortie took us back to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal after a RON in Bermuda.

During the deployment at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, Crew 6 got some time off between flights that allowed us to check out island. We met an Air Force Sgt. Henry Carpenter who had a pickup truck and he took us on a tour of the island to survey the earthquake damage.

VP-64 History USAF Sgt. Henry Carpenter (driving) with AD1 Dave Fuchs and AO1 Pete McCaughley and the rest of us in the back.

VP-64 History Earthquake Damage Tour (1980). Left-to-Right: AW1 Jim Wilkinson, AO1 Pete McCaughley, AWCS Larry Robideau, AD1 Dave Fuchs, AW2 Joe Dolan, AW2 Delgado and AT1 Walt Eife.

VP-64 History Sr. Jose Teolonis de Azlvedo and His Extended Family - We rescued the grandfather (on crutches in the back) when his power cart broke down on the road far from his home. We took him and his cart home and his family showed their appreciation by serving us wine.

Later in May, the squadron received an additional assignment that required deployment of an aircraft and support personnel to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. The NS Roosevelt Roads, PR detachment (with Crew 6) was given the task of providing support (sweeping operations) for the USS Nimitz task group. The task group was returning to the US after an extended deployment to the Persian Gulf after the abortive attempt to rescue the hostages the Iranians were holding after their capture of the US Embassy. Crew 6 and the VP-64 detachment flew directly to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR from NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal.

We joined up with aircraft from VP-45, VP-62, and VP-93 to form "Patron Roosevelt Roads". Together, we provided continuous sweeping in advance of the task group as it made its way from the South Atlantic towards its home port of Norfolk, VA. With the four aircraft from the four different squadrons for the operation, we managed a lot of time off to enjoy Puerto Rico and beach and fishing/boating using equipment available at the base marina.

The day before the detachment was to return to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, another VP-64 aircraft arrived from NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal stopped over at NS Roosevelt Roads, PR and picked up part of our detachment (ground support personnel) and continued on to Howard AFB, Panama where they set up another detachment for operations out of Panama.

VP-64 History "Patron Roosevelt Roads" May-1980 with P-33s from VP-62, VP-45, and VP-93 Lined Up on the Tarmac - The shadow of the VP-64 aircraft is shown in the foreground.z

VP-64 History Roosevelt Roads Detachment Enjoying the Ambiance of the Enlisted Beach. Note AD1 Dave Fuchs Prominently in the Foreground.

VP-64 History Crew 6 Enjoyed a Day of Fishing and Swimming at Green Beach, Vieques.

After the USS Nimitz had finished transiting our area, we disbanded our detachment and returned to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal where we continued ASW operations until the end of our deployment. For Crew 6, it was one cruise, at three diverse places, and many interesting missions.

VP-64 History A Flyby by Crew 3 of the USS Nimitz Returning from the Persian Gulf - May 1980. Photo by AT1 Walt Eife.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Atlantic - Page History - Change-Of-Command - Rescue Page 28, 30 and 31 - Naval Aviation News - March 1980..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1980/mar80.pdf [11OCT2004]

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