In 1952 the Hawaiian Warriors returned home to Barbers Point. During that year, the squadron traded it's war-weary planes for the newer Lockheed P2V Neptunes.

Equipped with these new aircraft, the squadron flew many hours from its home base becoming proficient in the multiple missions of anti-submarine . warfare, maritime patrol or reconnaissance, aerial mining, and search and rescue. Periodically, the Hawaiian Warriors deployed to advance bases scattered around the rim of the vast Pacific-NAS Kodiak, Alaska; lwakuni, Japan; Naha, Okinawa.

The spring of 1958 saw the squadron selected to participate in Operation Hardtack as a part of the joint Army-Navy-Air Force-Atomic Energy Commission team which conducted nuclear tests from bases in the Marshall Islands.

Declared winner of the Pacific Fleet's battle efficiency competition in the fall of 1960, the Warriors were awarded the coveted "E" as the best of the Pacific Fleet's land-based patrol squadrons for that competitive period. Additionally, the Capt Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for Excellence in Anti-submarine Warfare was presented to them.

Early in 1961, the Warriors again deployed. From bases in Japan, they flew patrols in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in Far Eastern waters. For their superior performance of duty and the outstanding results achieved on the deployment, the squadron was commended by the Commander, Seventh Fleet; the Commander, Taiwan Force; and Commander Fleet Air Wing Six.

As a member of the Joint Task Force Eight team in 1962, the squadron flew missions in support of the nuclear tests conducted from Christmas and Johnston Islands in the Pacific.

Later, they amassed a total of some 5,000 flying hours and passed the 58,000 accident-free flying hours mark during a six-month deployment to MCAS lwakuni which began in November of 1962.

The Hawaiian Warriors returned to Barbers Point and completed the transition to the newer SP2H Neptune aircraft by January 1964. During this period, they hosted numerous reserve and foreign patrol squadron detachments, seeking always to improve the tactics and techniques that constitute the art of anti-submarine warfare. Crews from both Canadian Forces and Royal Australian Air Forces were hosted, with the resulting exchange of ideas, and of friendships.

Operationally ready once again, the squadron deployed to Japan in May 1964. Flying in support of 7th Fleet units, they participated in the Gulf of Tonkin crises. Following the initial North Vietnamese torpedo boat attacks, the squadron flew a record 1,608 hours in the month of August alone--an average of 134 flight hours per crew.

As a result of this outstanding performance despite limited support, VP-28 was commended by Com 7th Fleet. Subsequently, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized for flight crew members who flew missions into the Tonkin Gulf.

The transformation of the Hawaiian Warriors into today's Lockheed P3 Orion - equipped squadron began upon returning to Barbers Point in October 1964. By April of 1965, the transition was complete. The nine new Orions were ready and the crew aircraft and their highly trained crews made a significant contribution to the ASW readiness of the Pacific Fleet.

In July of that year, two Hawaiian Warrior crews flew their Orions "down under" to participate in a joint exercise -- LONGEX 65 -- and to acquaint the officials of both Australia and New Zealand with the capabilities of the mighty P3AOrion

October 1965 found the squadron deployed to Sangley Point, Philippines. Operating as a unit of the 7th Fleet once again, the Hawaiian Warriors flew Operation Market Time missions, designed to deny the use of the water supply routes to South Vietnam to the Viet Cong. ASW patrols in support of 7th feet attack carriers were also flown. The seven-month deployment saw the squadron amass over 8,500 flight hours - with the perfect safety record still unblemished.

Returning home to Hawaii in June, 1966, the squadron participated in the numerous operations, and ever present training and readiness exercises which constitute "routine MidPac operations." Detachments were soon dispatched to such islands as Midway, Canton, Guam, Wake, and Kwajalein -- wherever needed to support fleet operations. Tile far-ranging Orions literally covered the Pacific as the training cycle progressed toward the next deployment.

For classified operations in the spring of 1967 -- operations under the Command of Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Forces, Pacific and of the highest national security interest -- the squadron was recommended for the Navy Unit Commendation for sustained outstanding performance of duty.

Late in May 1967, the Hawaiian Warriors deployed to NAS Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands. Flying ocean surveillance patrols, shipping reconnaissance, and other missions in the extreme and unpredictable Aleutian weather soon became routine for the squadron. Frequent ice patrols took the Hawaiian Warriors above the Arctic Circle into Polar ice regions. Operating from bases at NAS Adak, Alaska, NAS Kodiak, Alaska, and Shemya, the squadron was able to fly more than 1,000 hours monthly in support of the operational missions assigned Commander, Alaskan Sea Frontier while maintaining one of the higher readiness standings among Pacific Fleet P3 Orion squadrons.

Returning in December 1967, the Hawaiian Warriors once again began "routine MidPac" operations under the operational control of Commander, Hawaiian Sea Frontier, and Commander Fleet Air Wing Two.

The squadron operated throughout the Pacific during the entire year of 1968, flying from the West Coast to Guam, from Alaska to far south of Hawaii.

From January to July of this year, the Hawaiian Warriors flew in the Western Pacific, temporarily based at Naha, Okinawa. During this deployment, VP-28 crews flew more than 6,500 hours in support of "Operation Market Time" in South Vietnam.

In addition, the squadron conducted operations from lwakuni, Japan; Tainan, Taiwan; Guam; Sangley Point, Philippines; and Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam.

RAdm W. T. Rapp, Commander Patrol Forces, Seventh Fleet, singled out VP-28 commanding officer, Cdr Harvey Gray, Jr., and his crewmen for praise on their departure, noting that, "from beginning to end the deployment of VP-28 .... has been impressive and an unqualified success."

During the deployment, the Hawaiian Warriors conducted exploration-in the search for new and effective tactics of anti-submarine warfare.

Patrol Squadron 28, this week, became history after 26 years of service to the United States. Aloha.

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Circa 1942-1945

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-5 - History of Headquarters Squadron Fleet Air Wing Five - 01SEP42 through 01JAN45. Squadron's Assigned: VP-15, VP-16, VP-17, VP-18, VP-21, VP-22, VP-25, VP-26, VP-27, VP-28, VP-31, VP-52, VP-63, VP-81, VP-92, VP-94, VPB-105, VPB-107, VPB-110, VPB-111, VPB-112, VPB-113, VPB-114, VPB-126, VPB-134, VPB-147, VPB-149, VP-201, VP-205, VP-208, VP-209, VP-210, VP-211, VP-212, VP-213, VP-214, VP-215 and VP-216 - Submitted Feburary 1, 1945..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [27NOV2012]

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Circa 1941-1944

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-8 - History from 08JUL41-31DEC44 Submitted April 12th, 1945. Squadron's Assigned: VP-16, VP-18, VP-19, VP-20, VP-21, VP-22, VP-25, VP-26, VP-27, VP-28, VP-43, VP-61, VP-62, VP-63, VP-72, VP-81, VP-82, VP-83, VP-84, VP-92, VP-118, VP-123, VP-133, VP-137, VP-140, VP-142, VP-144, VP-148, VP-150, VP-153, VP-198, VP-205, VP-208 and VP-216..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [01DEC2012]

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Circa 1940

A BIT OF HISTORY: VP-28 Postcard "...Circa 1940..." Contributed by John Lucas JohnLucas@netzero.com [28AUG2005]

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"VP-28 History Summary Page"

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