VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

ShipmateVFP-63 ShipmatesShipmate

ABBEY, ADJ3 Walter W. wwabbey@austin.rr.com "...I served with VP-2 (06/1968-09/1969) with a deployment to NS Sangley Point, Philippines. I worked the Powerplant Shop, flew with Crew-8 and VFP-63 after disestablishment, RF8G Powerplant Mech, reupped, got out in 1976 and joined AF. Reserve 1983, C-5 Flight Engineer, served until retirement October 2005, recall to AD for both gulf wars, married to my wife Linda in May 1977, one daughter Kelly, four grandsons, lived in the San Fran. Bay area 1977-2010, moved to Round Rock, Tx. Aug 2010. I am currently fully retired and a full time Grandpa..." [09OCT2012]


BARNES, ADR1 Richard J. Retired patb2855@cox.net "...VW School Instructor, Operations (1959-1961), VS-26 (1960-1961) Crew Chief aboard SH-29, CASU-70, Coxwain Jinamoc Seaplane Base, San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines, NAS Sand Point, Seattle, Washington, AD school NAS Memphis, Tennessee (1948), NAIFS NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, VP-28 (1959-1961) as Crew Chief aboard CF-27, VR-5, Navy Fleet Air Gunnery Unit (FAGU) NAF El Centro, California, VF-122 NAS Miramar, California, NAS North Island, San Diego, California, AEWBarRonPac, NAS Miramar, California VFP-63 and retired February 1966..." [E-Mail Updated 05NOV2013 | E-Mail Updated 18MAR2013 | 22DEC2007]


FORSAITH, AT1(NAC) E. R. (DIRTY ED) Retired eforsaith@mediaone.net "...Joined VP-50 as ATSAN 1961. Departed 1963 as ATR2(ac) FFT VP-19. Departed VP-19 6/95 at NAS Adak, Alaska as first tech 151350 FFT. Shore duty NAS Oceana FFT project TRIM NAS Patuxent River, Maryland FFT RVN 02 1968 VAH-21 8/68 FFT RVAH 13 Albany Ga FFT. VF-124 (topgun? ((f8)), VFP-63 FRAMP FFT VAW-14 FFTVAW117 FFT...Retired 10/79..." [E-Mail Updated 02JUN2001 | 27MAR98]


GROVE, AFCM Don Retired fogydong@gmail.com "...I was with VP-23 at NAS Brunswick, Maine, as a young AMAN and AM3 in 1952, 53, and 54. Worked in the Airframes Division. The squadron was equipped with PB4Y-2 Privateers (the Navy version of the B-24) when I arrived. Just a few months before I checked-in the squadron had been transferred to NAS Brunswick, Maine from Opalaka (Miami), Florida, where they had been the Navy's hurricane hunters. VP-23 returned from their second consecutive deployment to NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada, in November of 1953 and began transitioning to P2V-5's. We were one of the very few squadron's to receive brand-new P2V-5's from the Lockheed factory at Burbank, California, without the jet engines installed under the wings. In the fall of 1954 VP-23 deployed to NAF Port Lyautey, Morocco, with these "twin-engined" P2V-5's. After that deployment the jet-less Neptunes were returned to the Lockheed factory to have the jet engine modification installed. By then, I had already departed for duty at NATTU, Pensacola. In July of 1968, after a four-year tour of recruiting duty, I reported to VP-2 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington as an AMCS. I served mostly as Aircraft Division Chief, and for a short time as Operations Department Chief. The squadron was flying the P2V-7, or as it had been re-titled by decree of Congress, the SP2H. In February 1969 VP-2deployed to NS Sangley Point, Philippines, with a permanent detachment at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. The size of our Vietnam detachment varied from 3 to 6 planes depending on enemy activity and the dark-of-the-moon. The squadron was also sporadically tasked with maintaining a small detachment, usually 2 aircraft, in Tainan, Taiwan. During this deployment plans were laid and necessary technical school quotas obtained to support a transition to P-3 Orions. This transition was scheduled to begin after VP-2's return to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. Alas, it was not to be. Another NAS Whidbey Island, Washington P2V squadron, VP-42, had been scheduled as our relief squadron at the completion of deployment. But, VP-42 was not sent to WestPac. VP-2 left the Philippines for home without a turn-over squadron, arriving at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington during the latter part of August 1969. It was soon determined, by those that decide such matters, that the last two active-duty Navy P2V squadrons on the west coast, VP-2 and VP-42 would be disestablished. There was to be no transition to P-3's for VP-2. The squadron was officially deactivated on 30 September 1969. I was transferred across the hanger to VP-1, a squadron then in the middle of a transition to P-3B Orions. Other squadrons that I was a part of were VAH-3 (sea duty), VAH-3 (shore duty), VAH-13, all A3D squadrons, and VQ-3 (EC-130Q's), VC-5(A-4's & US2F's), VFP-63 (RF-8K's), and NATTU (SNB-5P's & F9F-6P's)...." [E-Mail Updated 24APR2010 | E-Mail Updated 19JUN2002 | BIO/E-Mail Updated 29DEC2001]


LOWERY, AE3 Raymond dlowery58@verizon.net "...I served with VFP-63 at NAS Miramar, California with a detachment (DET-4) aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34) AirWing 19 (06/1971-12/1971). I have a question about the C2 (C.O.D) flight I took off the USS Oriskany (CV-34) to FASU/NSA DaNang, Republic of Vietnam. I need some help from anyone that remembers what month in 1971 all C2 aircraft were "grounded" for propeller inspections (they were splitting props). This information is vital to my "boots on the ground" Da Nang trip. Thank you..." [26OCT2015]


MEEK, CPO Michael Kevin meek_53@hotmail.com "...I served with the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) at MCAS El Toro, California from 1990 to 1992, VP-19 at NAS Moffett Field, California from 1985 to 1990, VP-24 at NAS Chase Field, Beeville, Texas from 1982 to 1985, VP-4 at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii from 1976 to 1982 and VFP-63 at NAS Miramar, California from 1972 to 1976. Retired Moved to Lake Havasu Az. Became a Health inspector for t Mophave County Looking to reitre the second time around 2 years to go. I would like to hear from any former Shipmates..." [BIO Updated 14APR2010 | E-Mail Updated 06JUN2009 | 29AUG2001]


NEVEN, ATC(AW) Christopher Retired nonevens@smsd.org "...Attended AT "A" School NATTC NAS Memphis, Tennessee (1972), VFP-63 FRAMP at NAS Miramar, California, VFP-206 at NAF Washington, D.C. (1972-1975), AIMD NAS Atlanta, Georgia (1975-1979), VFP-306 NAF Washington, D.C. (1979-1982), ATD NAF Washington, D.C. (1982-1985), AIMD NAS South Weymouth, Massachusetts (1986-1990), VAW-78 (1990-1992) at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. I have been teaching NJROTC in Kansas City since 1993..." [29JAN2013]


SCHAMP, ATC Herb Retired (Deceased 2001) WILLYV2@AOL.COM "...I arrived in NAS Kodiak, Alaska in March 1963 after ASA-16 and crew training at NORIS. Since I had spent 3 years in VW-12/AEWBarRonPac at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii flying radio in the Willy Victor (hence the e-mail address), I was assigned to Crew Six the next day for a flight out to NAS Adak, Alaska. Returning from the NAS Kodiak, Alaska deployment in July, I was assigned to Crew-8 with Lcdr. Conklin as PPC, Ray Jensen as Julie and Tony Mano as Jezz and the rest of a crew which trained together at NORIS. As a crew, we worked all of the Electronics and had it all covered. My APS-20 school in Biloxi in 1958 helped out a lot. We flew 13614 for 1 year as we kept the same plane with the crew. On our way over we ron at Kwajelien and on take-off the pilots nesa cracked. We had to wait for a new one and had a good week of deep sea fishing. Fianlly made it to NAHA and VP-6 departed for NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. Lots of young ladies left crying at the gate! We made many trips through the Tainan Straits which was exciting and/or boring depending what happened. Together with Crew 1, we went to Saigon for the first of the Market Time deployments in July 1964. We were the first two aircraft to fly the recon's and had a good time in Saigon. Both of the crews painted "Nose Art" on the planes and that became the fad for the deployment. Crew ONE had Snoopy sitting on top of a Tori Gate looking for Subs. Crew 8 had Johnny Oinen (our AO) paint a large swordfish with one of the "go to hell" hats from Saigon on its sword in rememberance of the good fishing on Kwaj. I remember the day ZE-6 (135555 or "triple nickle five") landed at NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan with a stuck gear. They jacked it up, dropped the gear and pinned it, replaced the props, ran up the 3350's and with a min crew returned to NAHA. And it made the flight back to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. Returning to Ault Field the 135614 was sent to PAR (commonly called "paint and return"). I stayed in Crew 8 and picked up Buno 140971 as our "new" plane. If any of you remember me, you will remember I painted the radio compartment gold. We made the 1965 NAS Iwakuni, Japan deployment. Again making 2 trips down to Saigon for Market time. After some time back at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, I left for VR-21 in Oct '66, went to VFP-63 at NAS Miramar in Oct'69, AVIB SCHOOL in June of 73, NAMTD-1013 MIRAMAR in March '74, CVW-11 STAFF as AVIONICS/FLIGHT DECK CHIEF in June'77 and retired in November 1978. Worked for Lockheed Marine Systems in San Diego for 16 years on the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles and retired from there in 1996. So, now all I do is play golf and keep house as my wife Sharon is still working for the San Diego City Schools. If any of you recognize the name or time, please drop an e-mail. I keep up on all of the Reunion and have been to quit a few. VR/AEW/VP etc. So, drop a line and let me know how it goes..." [03JAN2000]


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