A BIT OF HISTORY: "27JUN91--Patrol Squadron 56 will be Disestablished tomorrow, bringing to a close a colorful history that dates to 1946. The decommissioning ceremony is to begin at 11 a.m. in the Dragons' module of Hangar 1000. Guest speaker will be Rear Adm. Jon Coleman, Commander Patrol Wings Atlantic. The disestablishment is part of a military-wide budget cutback. Another NAS Jacksonville, Florida squadron, MS-17, is to meet the same fate next week. VP-56 commanding officer, Cmdr. R.E. Baker III said, "It is an honor to be the last commanding officer...but it is sad to see it disestablished. The VP-56 family has been a tight knit group," he added, and it is sad to see it end. Some highlights of VP-56's history included: Established June 1946 as Patrol Squadron 900; Redesignated VPML-71, then VP-661; Called to active duty in 1950, transitioned to the PBM Mariner at NAS Norfolk, Virginia; March 1953, designated VP-56 and transistioned to P5-M Marlin; January 1961, transitioned to P2V-7 Neptune; Awarded Battle ‘E' and Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for ASW Excellence in 1961; 1963 awarded second 'E'; ·1968 changed homeport to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and transitioned to P3 Orion; 1969, VP-56 first to fly P3-C and is moved to NAS Jacksonville, Florida; Since 1970, VP-56 has deployed to Sigonella, Sicily; Bermuda; Rota, Spain; Lajes, Azores; and Keflavik, Iceland; Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1971, 1980, 1982 and 1986; Commander 6th Fleet Hook 'Em awards in 1981, 1983, 1986; and 'Last flight. June 7 1991..." By Paul Henkemeyer, NAS Jacksonville, Florida - Master ASW Base, Dragons Close Out 50-Year History, Volume 49, No" Contributed by Paul Waeghe, Jr. pjwaeghe@bellsouth.net

A BIT OF HISTORY: Decom Plaque [12AUG2000]

Circa 1990

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 8, 9 and 32 - Naval Aviation News - November-December 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/nd90.pdf [22OCT2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...To Keep Us Out Of World War II? - Page 18 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - January-February 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/jf90.pdf [22OCT2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 7, 21 and 30 - Naval Aviation News - January-February 1990..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/jf90.pdf [22OCT2004]

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"VP-56 History Summary Page"

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