A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-92 "MINUTEMAN"..." http://www.navy-reserve.org/magazine/9805/nra9805b.html [02MAY99]

Patrol Squadron NINE TWO (VP-92), commanded by CDR Kevin Sinnett, was commissioned on 14 November 1970 to provide a fully manned and equipped patrol squadron flying the Lockheed SP-2H "Neptune". Four years later, this aircraft was replaced by the Lockheed P-3A "ORION" resulting in a significant increase in platform capability. In 1984, VP-92 transitioned to the P-3B TACNAVMOD, an updated version of the P-3A, which greatly increased anti-submarine warfare capabilities and navigation accuracy. In 1993, the Squadron completed transition to the P-3C Update II. This year, the Squadron will begin a transition to the P-3C Update III, the most advanced maritime patrol aircraft. The Squadron is composed of over 239 Selected Reservists (SELRES) and approximately 118 active duty personnel (TARS). Together as a team, SELRES and TAR personnel serve under the single leadership and direction of the Commanding Officer.

Until the early 1990s VP-92 conducted independent detachment operations to a host of overseas deployment sites. In the last six years, the MINUTEMEN have detached in a contributory support role working side by side with their active duty counterparts. Present day tasking includes anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, surface surveillance/intelligence, Counter-Narcotics, mining, and search and rescue. During a recent detachment to NAS Keflavik, Iceland; a VP-92 crew flew an anti-submarine mission against a real-world, front-line submarine contact with outstanding success. NAS Sigonella, Sicily; NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; and Howard AFB, Panama are some of the other world-wide detachment sites supported by VP-92 aircrews and maintenance personnel.

From commissioning until 1997, the squadron was based at Naval Air Station, South Weymouth, Massachusetts. In July 1996, VP-92 completed a homeport change to Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine. This collocation with active duty Patrol Squadrons has led to unprecedented levels of cooperation in the execution of training and operational commitments.

During twenty-six years of outstanding service, VP-92 has been continuously recognized for excellence. The MINUTEMEN are particularly proud of the safety record maintained during these operations and training missions. The MINUTEMEN won the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award in 1976, 1977 and 1994 and have recently celebrated the passage of 19 years and 64,000 accident free hours. In 1977, VP-92 was awarded the prestigious Meritorious Unit Commendation by the Secretary of the Navy for excellence in anti-submarine warfare operations. Other Awards include: CRPWP Retention Excellence Award in 1982, 1988, 1996, and 1997, CRPWP Administrative Excellence Award, 1992; AVCM Donald N. Neal "Golden Wrench" Maintenance Excellence Awards in 1987, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997; and the 1995 "Bloodhound" award by CRPWP for torpedo delivery excellence.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...It may interest...what caused the establishment of VP-92 back in 1970. It all had to do with the so called Pueblo incident. Back when the USS Pueblo was sunk by the North Koreans (1968 or 1969?) the US activated a number of naval air reserve units as part of a show of force. When these units were activated, they were found to be essentially useless. In fact, they were stood down within months of being called up. The reserve pilots were flying aircraft that were in many cases many years obsolete and their training had not kept pace with the active duty Navy. Many reserve fighter pilots had never made night carrier landings and stuff like that. Because most reserve aircraft were assigned to bases and not to squadrons and were maintained by active duty caretakers, there was a shortage of reserve maintenance people. An investigation done shortly afterwards recommended that the air reserve be completely reorganized, to be more aligned with the active duty units. This brought about the end of the reserve station aircraft fleet and the reassignment of aircraft to individual reserve squadrons. As part of this reorganization, South Weymouth reserve patrol squadrons VP-911, VP-912, VP-913, and VP-914 were disestablished in 1970 and replaced by a 'new' unit, VP-92..." Contributed by AW1 Marc "Frat" J. Frattasio, USNR vpassociation2@gmail.com WEBSITE: http://www.gis.net/~fm

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Patrol Squadron Nine-Two (VP-92) is one of nine Naval Reserve patrol squadrons accounting for forty-three percent of the total United States maritime patrol assets. Present day tasking includes; anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, surface surveillance/intelligence, counternarcotics, mining, and search and rescue operations. With recent draw downs these reserve squadrons have assumed ever expanding armed missions in support of United Nations efforts for world peace. Patrol Squadron Nine-Two was commissioned on 14 November 1970 to provide a fully manned and equipped patrol squadron flying the Lockheed P-2V "NEPTUNE." Four years later, the P-2V was replaced by the Lockheed P-3A "ORION" resulting in a significant increase in platform capability. In 1984, VP-92 transitioned to the P-3B TACNAVMOD, an updated version of the P-3A which greatly increased anti-submarine warfare capabilities and navigation accuracy. In 1993, the squadron completed transition to the P-3C Update II, which employs state-of-the-art technology and places VP-92 on par with active duty fleet capabilities. Since commissioning, the squadron was based at Naval Air Station, South Weymouth, Massachusetts, however in July 1996 the squadron moved to Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine. The "MINUTEMEN" perform training and annual active duty operations from bases throughout the United States, Europe, South America and the Caribbean. To hone aviation skills, each reservist must drill a minimum of one weekend per month and perform two weeks of active duty per year. VP-92 deployment locations since commissioning have been: NS Rota, Spain ('71,'78,'87,'88,'89,'90,'93) NAS Jacksonville, Florida ('72,'73,'81) NAS Patuxent River, Maryland ('74) NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania ('76,'77,'84) NAS Bermuda ('76,'77,'91) NAS Lajes, Azores ('79,'80,'82,'83,'85,'86) UNITAS ('89,'90,'92,'94) NAS Sigonella, Sicily ('93,'94,'95) NS Roosevelt Roads, PR ('94,'95,'96) The Minutemen are particularly proud of the safety record maintained during these operational and training missions. The squadron recently celebrated the passage of 55,000 accident free hours...a true milestone in such an inherently dangerous environment. The squadron is composed of over 300 selected reservist (SELRES) and approximately 100 active duty personnel (TARS). Together as a team, SELRES and TAR personnel serve under the single leadership and direction of the Commanding Officer. During 25 years of outstanding service, VP-92 has been continuously recognized for excellence. In 1977, VP-92 was awarded the prestigious Meritorious Unit Commendation by the Secretary of the Navy for excellence in Anti-submarine warfare operations. Additionally, the "MINUTEMEN" won the Chief of Naval Operations safety award in 1976, 1977 and 1994; the Commander Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic "GOLDEN HELM" Retention Award in 1982 and 1988; and the AVMC Donald M. Neal "GOLDEN WRENCH" Maintenance award in 1987, 1993 and again 1995. VP-92 was recently awarded the Bloodhound award by Commander Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic for torpedo delivery excellence..." http://www.spawar.navy.mil/nr/cnarf/crpwl/vp92/bio.htm

"VP-92 History Summary Page"

---

---