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HistoryVU-2 HistoryHistory

Circa 1963

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News May 1963 "...Recognition Given VU-2 - Page 6 - Naval Aviation News - May 1963..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1963/may63.pdf [26AUG2004]

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Circa 1961

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VU-2 History "...VU-2 headquarters in 1961..." Contributed by SCHMAUSS, Steve klaatu@dslextreme.com [15OCT2001]


Circa 1960

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News March 1960 "...VU-2 - Naval Aviation News - March 1960..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1960/mar60.pdf [17AUG2004]

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Circa 1959

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News June 1959 "...VU-2's Added Capability - Page 3 - Naval Aviation News - June 1959..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1959/jun59.pdf [15AUG2004]

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Circa 1958

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VC AC ThumbnailCameraVU-2 1959 Springboard "...VU-2 participated in operation springboard from the middle of January to the middle of April. We flew out of San Juan, Porto Rico. It was great summer in R.I. and Winter in Porto Rico. I participated in 1958 and 1959. Crews is the 1959 crew of operation springboard..." Contributed by SAYERS, AT2 Bernie SAYBERN@HOTMAIL.COM [07FEB2002]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VC AC ThumbnailCameraVU-2 1959 Springboard "...VU-2 participated in operation springboard from the middle of January to the middle of April. We flew out of San Juan, Porto Rico. It was great summer in R.I. and Winter in Porto Rico. I participated in 1958 and 1959. NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is our take off after a two day layover..." Contributed by SAYERS, AT2 Bernie SAYBERN@HOTMAIL.COM [07FEB2002]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VC AC ThumbnailCameraVU-2 1959 Springboard "...VU-2 participated in operation springboard from the middle of January to the middle of April. We flew out of San Juan, Porto Rico. It was great summer in R.I. and Winter in Porto Rico. I participated in 1958 and 1959. Inflight is somewhere over the caribbean sea on our way to San Juan..." Contributed by SAYERS, AT2 Bernie SAYBERN@HOTMAIL.COM [07FEB2002]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VC AC ThumbnailCameraVU-2 1959 Springboard "...VU-2 participated in operation springboard from the middle of January to the middle of April. We flew out of San Juan, Porto Rico. It was great summer in R.I. and Winter in Porto Rico. I participated in 1958 and 1959. Flightline is the ramp at San Juan - We had no runway, we taxied off the base to a civilian airport call isla grande..." Contributed by SAYERS, AT2 Bernie SAYBERN@HOTMAIL.COM [07FEB2002]


Circa 1953

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailCameraBeing Shot At Can Be Fun! "...I was attached to VU-2 from 1951-1954. NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island Scout - March 10, 1953 - Page 5. Best Regards..." Contributed by DAUMANN, Hank BEEBAA2001@aol.com [12JUN2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailCameraVU-2 Officer Weds "...I was attached to VU-2 from 1951-1954. NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island Scout - March 10, 1953. Best Regards..." Contributed by DAUMANN, Hank BEEBAA2001@aol.com [12JUN2005]


Circa 1952

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...I was attached to VU-2 from 1951-1954. I came across a copy of the NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island news showing the commissioning of VU-2, originally VU-4 Detachment 2. I wrote my recollection of VU-2 during those years and have some photos. Best Regards..." Contributed by DAUMANN, Hank beebaa2001@aol.com [12JUN2005]

VU-2 was commissioned in January 1952. The squadron was formed from VU-4 Detachment 2. I was assigned to VU-4 Det 2 in December 1951 and being at the commissioning of VU-2, it made me a planb owner.

The first sbipper was LCDR Carlton Soderholm and the Exec was LCDR Fuller.

The great majority of the pilots were called up from the reserves, having served in WWII and were none too happy about the recall. Two of the recalled pilots were at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. The squadron also had 4 enlisted pilots, 2 chiefst wi AD ratings and 2, 1st class, one with AD rating and the other still had enlisted pilot rating with props on his eagle.

We started with 4 JO-1s, 4 TBM-6s, 4 F6Fs, and the venerable SNB. And 4 JOs and 4 TBMs and 4 F8Fs were added later on. For a short time a PBM-5 was assigned, but was transferred to Panama after it decided that it wasn't suitable for the mission of VU-2.

The squadron flew tow targets, radar calibration hops for shore based, radar controlled anti-aircraft positions and torpedo recovery hops, where a submerged submarine would fire a bright yellow practice torpedo, which would float to the surface. The flight would wander around until it was spotted and a smobe bomb was thrown out so the sub could recover it. All this may seem ancient to today's sailors, but it was "high tech" then. Another point of interest was the "Rag Draggers Club". If a pilot allowed a target to go into the water and he managed to pull it out (without stalling) he became a member of the "club".

The enlisted crew was originally assigned to the old wooden barracbs from WWII, drafty and cold in winter and hot in the summer, until the bricb barracbs were available. "Tex" Cameron, A03, designed the squadron patch and won a savings bond. (His was the only entry) Every winter, a detachment was sent to San Juan, Puerto Rico for winter exercises with the fleet. We were stationed at the old civilian municipal airport along with TWA, American Airlines and other civilian airlines in the adjoining hangars. If a refreshment was needed all you had to do is walb over to the civilian hangars and enjoy something cool in the afternoon. At the end of the runway across a small inlet, sat the Caribe Hilton hotel. A turn to port was required so the guests would be frightened seeing a plane coming too close. Along with all night liberty, unlibe Cinderella liberty that the shipboards had, we had the "good life".

One year, during a return flight to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island a JO, I believe it was N04 (bupers unbnown) was lost off Cherry Point, SC due to a fire on board. The crew ditched and were safely rescued. The chief on board in the jump seat suffered a broben leg. The pilot received minor injuries.

A small group from VU-2, including me, went TAD to VP-7 for aircrew training. We received our wings and returned to VU-2. Some thought we might be transferred to VP-11, just starting up with PB4Y-2s and later P2Vs. The squadron didn't stay too long in Hangar two and was replaced by VA-75 and VF-111

In August 1954 hurricane Carol in the Atlantic, decided to turn sharply toward land and visit NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. All aircraft that couldn't fit in hangars had to evacuate. Our flyaway was Albany, New York. It was raining quite hard and there was concern that when taxing across the sunben taxiway to the runway that the props would hit the water collecting on the taxiway. Our arrival was televised on the local TV channel. During our stay in Albany, no one in uniform could pay for anything. Nice folks in Albany if you don't count the politicians.

NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island suffered some major damage from Carol. But, the one nice outcome of the hurricane was because of the damage, it moved up the discharge of personnel up at least four months. Myself included. I was discharged in September 1954.

VU-2 consisted of many fine dedicated individuals.

We worbed hard and played hard. I pray that after all these years that their dreams and ambitions were fulfilled. Friends libe Dicb Walsh, AD3, plane captain on JD N06, from New Vorb City. And Murray Knopf AM2 from the Boston Area and many more.

God bless my old Shipmates all.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailCameraVU-2 January 15, 1952 "...I was attached to VU-2 from 1951-1954. I came across a copy of the NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island news showing the commissioning of VU-2, originally VU-4 Detachment 2. - Tuesday, January 15, 1952 - Page 5 and 8. Best Regards..." Contributed by DAUMANN, Hank beebaa2001@aol.com [12JUN2005]


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