VP-93 History
Circa 1989
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Awards - Change-Of-Command - Page 26, 29, and 31 - Naval Aviation News - July-August 1989..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1989/ja89.pdf [22OCT2004]
Circa 1988
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Change-Of-Command - Page 31 - Naval Aviation News - January-February 1988..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1988/jf88.pdf [21OCT2004]
Circa 1987
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Tracing Squadron Lineage - Page 22 to 26 - Naval Aviation News - January-February 1987..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1987/jf87.pdf [20OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: VP-93 "Zapper" "...This unofficial "ZAPPERS" were peel off decals to attach to unsuspecting aircraft or vehicles. They were prominently displayed on bar mirrors wherever VP-93 crews traveled. This became the new subdued tail emblem on VP-93 aircraft, when permission was given to redress the aircraft in their low visibility gray paint, during the late 80's. Quite a change from the brightly colored, well muscled Executioner, chopping the Soviet sub with a bloodied axe, that was the standard up to 1986..." Contributed by Carl Mottern AW1, USNR(RET) cfmottern@yahoo.com [19MAR2000]
Circa 1985
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Squadron Awards..." Contributed by Mahlon K. Miller mkwsmiller@cox.net [23APR2001]
Armed Forces Service Medal 05 Dec 92 – 09 Jan 93 22 May 93 – 26 Jun 93 09 Oct 93 – 21 Oct 93
Other (Unspecified award) 01 Oct 86 – 30 Jun 87
SECNAV Letter of Commendation 05 Nov 92 – 30 Sep 94
Coast Guard SOS Ribbon 01 Oct 87 – 31 Dec 87 01 Oct 88 – 31 Dec 88
VP-93 Participating Members Other (Unspecified award) 01 Nov 85 – 28 Feb 86
Circa 1984
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History - Change-Of-Command - Page 1, 11 and 30 - Naval Aviation News - November-December 1984..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1984/nd84.pdf [17OCT2004]
Circa 1981
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Awards - Records - Change-Of-Command - Page 28 to 30 - Naval Aviation News - December 1981..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1981/dec81.pdf [14OCT2004]
Circa 1980
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-64 Deployment - May/June 1980...(Squadrons Mentioned: VP-5, VP-11, VP-45, VP-49, VP-62 and VP-93)..." Contributed by ROBIDEAU, AWCS Larry Retired larobidoo@comcast.net [03DEC2005]
During May and June, VP-64 conducted Active Duty for Training (ACTDUTRA). It was a complex deployment that was unparalleled in the history of Patrol Squadrons. It involved the deployment site, NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and three detachments: NAS Bermuda; NS Roosevelt Roads, PR; and Howard AFB, Panama. In fact, a review of the deployment schedules of the squadrons that comprise Patrol Wing 5 and Patrol Wing 11 (Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2) reveals that none of those squadrons had more than a three-site split deployment. VP-5 (in 1997) and VP-10 (in 1998) deployed to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR, and Panama. In 1990, VP-49 deployed to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR, and NAS Bermuda.
In May 1980, the CO of the squadron was CDR Ken Wall, a legend in the VP Navy. The initial planning called for the squadron deployment at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and a detachment at NAS Bermuda. The primary purpose was to conduct ASW operations. The first echelon of VP-64 (even numbered crews) was deployed on May 2 to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and supported the VP-11 Bandits (which itself was on a split deployment between NS Rota, Spain (CTG-84.3) and NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal (CTG-84.2)). A detachment was sent to NAS Bermuda to support Patron Bermuda which was the VP-49 Woodpeckers. Later in the deployment, a detachment was sent to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR from NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and another detachment was sent to Panama via NS Roosevelt Roads, PR.
At the time of the deployment, CTG-84.2 and Patron Bermuda were primarily conducting ASW operations against Soviet Union Yankee-class SSBNs in their Atlantic patrol box east of Bermuda. The ASWOCs in both NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and NAS Bermuda coordinated the ASW operations to ensure that patrol aircraft of the various squadrons were "on top" of the Soviet Union SSBNs constantly.
I was in Crew 6 and was in the initial NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal echelon. One of the first things we did was to go to Praia and check on George the Crook to see if he sustained any damage from the earthquake that struck the island of Terceira several months earlier. The Cafe Azores was not damaged and George the Crook was fine.
During this deployment, Crew 6 consisted of the following:PPC CDR Joe Gareffa SS1 AWCS Larry Robideau PPC LCDR Ken Giacin SS2 AW1 Jim Wilkinson TC CDR Lou DiLullo SS3 AW2 Joe Dolan NAV LCDR Jim Neve Ord AO1 Pete McCaughley FE AD1 Dave Fuchs FCO AT1 Walt Eife IFT AT2 Al Bunting Operating out of NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, Crew 6 flew ASW sorties, some beginning and terminating at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, and one sortie beginning at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and terminating at NAS Bermuda; another sortie took us back to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal after a RON in Bermuda.
During the deployment at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, Crew 6 got some time off between flights that allowed us to check out island. We met an Air Force Sgt. Henry Carpenter who had a pickup truck and he took us on a tour of the island to survey the earthquake damage.
VP-64 History USAF Sgt. Henry Carpenter (driving) with AD1 Dave Fuchs and AO1 Pete McCaughley and the rest of us in the back.
VP-64 History Earthquake Damage Tour (1980). Left-to-Right: AW1 Jim Wilkinson, AO1 Pete McCaughley, AWCS Larry Robideau, AD1 Dave Fuchs, AW2 Joe Dolan, AW2 Delgado and AT1 Walt Eife.
VP-64 History Sr. Jose Teolonis de Azlvedo and His Extended Family - We rescued the grandfather (on crutches in the back) when his power cart broke down on the road far from his home. We took him and his cart home and his family showed their appreciation by serving us wine.
Later in May, the squadron received an additional assignment that required deployment of an aircraft and support personnel to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. The NS Roosevelt Roads, PR detachment (with Crew 6) was given the task of providing support (sweeping operations) for the USS Nimitz task group. The task group was returning to the US after an extended deployment to the Persian Gulf after the abortive attempt to rescue the hostages the Iranians were holding after their capture of the US Embassy. Crew 6 and the VP-64 detachment flew directly to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR from NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal.
We joined up with aircraft from VP-45, VP-62, and VP-93 to form "Patron Roosevelt Roads". Together, we provided continuous sweeping in advance of the task group as it made its way from the South Atlantic towards its home port of Norfolk, VA. With the four aircraft from the four different squadrons for the operation, we managed a lot of time off to enjoy Puerto Rico and beach and fishing/boating using equipment available at the base marina.
The day before the detachment was to return to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, another VP-64 aircraft arrived from NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal stopped over at NS Roosevelt Roads, PR and picked up part of our detachment (ground support personnel) and continued on to Howard AFB, Panama where they set up another detachment for operations out of Panama.
VP-64 History "Patron Roosevelt Roads" May-1980 with P-33s from VP-62, VP-45, and VP-93 Lined Up on the Tarmac - The shadow of the VP-64 aircraft is shown in the foreground.z
VP-64 History Roosevelt Roads Detachment Enjoying the Ambiance of the Enlisted Beach. Note AD1 Dave Fuchs Prominently in the Foreground.
VP-64 History Crew 6 Enjoyed a Day of Fishing and Swimming at Green Beach, Vieques.
After the USS Nimitz had finished transiting our area, we disbanded our detachment and returned to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal where we continued ASW operations until the end of our deployment. For Crew 6, it was one cruise, at three diverse places, and many interesting missions.
VP-64 History A Flyby by Crew 3 of the USS Nimitz Returning from the Persian Gulf - May 1980. Photo by AT1 Walt Eife.
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Change-Of-Command - Page 31 - Naval Aviation News - October 1980..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1980s/1980/oct80.pdf [12OCT2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: VP-93 Aircraft Decal "...We in VP-93 were justifiably proud of our in-house designed squadron emblem. Woe was the day the Navy wide edict came down to sterilize the appearence of our aircraft! Photo taken at a Niagara Falls New York airshow in the early 80's by Dan Hogan of Wilson, New York..." Contributed by Carl Mottern AW1, USNR(RET) cfmottern@yahoo.com [16MAR2000]
"VP-93 History Summary Page"
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