VP-26
Encyclopedia
The VP-26 "Tridents" are a U.S. Navy P-3C
squadron based at Jacksonville Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida
, United States
.
with a detachment at Gibraltar. The squadrons first combat patrol commenced on 18 March 1944. From 17 June 1944 to 14 February 1945 the squadron took part in the Allied landings in France. A detachment of six searchlight equipped “Liberators”, under the control of (Fleet Air Wing) FAW-7, deployed to Dunkeswell, England to protect the Allied fleet from U-boat attacks during the Normandy invasion. In this role it contributed to FAW-7s record of 18 U-boats attacked, of these, at least half resulted in probable destruction. By July 1944, VB-114 had a detachment of four “Liberators” at Lagens Field, Azores
, leaving no aircraft at Port Lyautey. VB-114 flew the first combat mission ever flown from the Azores (a neutral Portuguese territory) on 1 Aug 1944. This was accomplished by an agreement with Portugal
to operate under the (Royal Air Force
) RAF Coastal Command and fly with both British and U.S. markings on the aircraft. That Oct, VB-114s designation changed to “Patrol Bombing Squadron” VPB-114. As the war in Europe ended in May 1945, the squadron set yet another first for the U.S. Navy by becoming one of the first units to fly Hurricane reconnaissance missions. A six-plane detachment was sent to Boca Chica Field, Key West, FL proving the versatility of the command. With the exception of a three-plane detachment ordered to stay at Port Lyautey, Morocco, the rest of the command moved to their new home at NAS Edenton, NC and transitioned to their second aircraft from the twin-tail PB4Y-1 Liberator, to the single-tail PB4Y-2 Privateer. In May and November 1946 the squadron changed its designation to “Patrol Squadron” VP-114 and then “Heavy Patrol Squadron” VP-HL-6, as well as receiving its first tail code, “HB”. January 1947 saw the squadron moving again, this time to NAS Atlantic City, NJ. 26 June 1948, VP-HL-6 took on a more compassionate mission, becoming an active participant in “Operation Vittles” otherwise known as the “Berlin Airlift”. The squadron flew numerous missions bringing medical supplies to airfields in the Allied Zone of Occupation where they were then transferred to unarmed transport aircraft flying missions into Berlin. As the 40s drew to a close, the squadron saw its designation change to the present one of “Patrol Squadron 26”. It became the third squadron to bear this designation in September 1948, the first two being seaplane squadrons in the pacific during WWII. That following March the squadron’s headquarters and homeport returned to Port Lyautey. The newly named VP-26 reunited with its three-plane detachment becoming a full squadron once again.
on an intelligence gathering mission. At 1739 the “Privateer” was intercepted by four Soviet “La-11” fighters while flying at an altitude of 12139 ft (3,700 m) over the Baltic Sea
, 8 km southwest of Liepaja, Latvia
. After refusing the ”follow me” signals of the fighters the “Privateer” was shot down, becoming the first publicized shootdown of the Cold War. Subsequent search efforts over a period of 8 days were futile, no survivors or remains were recovered. Unconfirmed reports stated that as many as 8 of the 10 missing crewmembers were recovered from the sea and forwarded to the Soviet Union for interrogation. The crew’s ultimate fates have never been determined but will never be forgotten. On 8 April 2000, Latvia’s coastal city of Liepaja unveiled a memorial to honor the 10 man crew of “HB 7”, the first but not the only Trident crew to be on eternal patrol. That summer VP-26 relocated to NAS Patuxent River, MD and changed its tail code to “EB”. The following year the squadron began transitioning from its “Privateers” to the P2V “Neptunes”. Along with the new aircraft came a new home. On 11 Jan 1952, VP-26 moved to its present homeport of NAS Brunswick, ME, becoming the first squadron to be ordered aboard the newly re-commissioned base. With a lull in hostilities abroad, the squadron had time to prepare, train, and hone their skills until the next call came. In October 1954, while participating in Operation LANTFLEX, VP-26s own LTjg Paddock had the distinction of disabling the USS Toro (SS 422) with a small practice bomb that made a direct hit on its periscope. The Toro’s skipper presented LTjg Paddock with a mounted portion of the twisted periscope as a souvenir of his skill. As the 50s drew to a close, the squadron would set two more milestones. In 1956, while being deployed to Thule, Greenland, VP-26 became the first patrol squadron to fly all 12 aircraft over the North Pole
. The following year, VP-26s tail code was changed to its present day “LK” and became the first U.S. Navy combat aircraft to land at the newly established NAS Rota, Spain. While on deployment, VP-26 finished out the decade by locating the Russian trawler that had deliberately severed the transatlantic cable in February 1959.
” several squadron aircraft were deployed on short notice to NAS Key West, Florida. They arrived one day after President John F. Kennedy
’s October 22, 1962 televised speech proclaiming that any nuclear missile attack from Cuba would be regarded as an attack by the Soviet Union
and would be responded to accordingly. Over 1000 hours were flown in direct support of the Cuban Quarantine. In October 1964, VP-26 supplied one aircraft and crew for a month to work with the U.S. Army Special Forces at Pope AFB, NC. The P2V
was specially configured to be used as a high altitude jump platform for the Green Berets. Oct 1965 to Jan 1966 marked the beginning of a new era for VP-26. After fifteen years of faithful service, the P2V “Neptune” was replaced by the P-3B “Orion”. On 4 January 1966, VP-26 became the Navy’s first operational P-3B squadron, when Commanding Officer CDR James H. Cullen ferried the first P-3B from Burbank, California
to Naval Air Station Brunswick
. On 24 November 1967, VP-26 deployed to Southeast Asia, operating from Sangley Point, Philippines and U-Tapao, Thailand
. The Tridents averaged 1500 hours per month flying TEAM YANKEE and MARKET TIME combat patrols. MARKET TIME patrols consisted of seeking out sea borne infiltrators from North Vietnam trying to deliver supplies to the Viet Cong along the southern coastline. This required aircrews to fly below 1000 feet (304.8 m), while using radar and their 1,000,000-candlepower searchlight to find and illuminate suspect targets. Shortly after midnight on 6 Feb 1968, a VP-26, P-3B (BuNo 153440) flown by (Combat Air Crew) CAC 8, was lost off the coast of South Vietnam
while on a MARKET TIME patrol mission. The Orion had crashed into the sea with no survivors. Less than two months later, on 1 April 1968, in the same vicinity that CAC 8 was lost, a second P-3B (BuNo 153445) flown by CAC 1 came under fire by a .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun. The P-3B was hit in the starboard wing, knocking out the #4 engine and starting a fire. All attempts to extinguish the flames were unsuccessful. Flying too low to bail out, the crew had to choose between ditching in hostile waters or attempting to make an emergency landing at Phu Quoc airfield less than 20 miles (32.2 km) away. Within sight of the runway, and their wing still aflame, CAC 1 prepared to land their stricken aircraft. As the plane banked left onto its final approach, the starboard wing tore off between #3 and #4 engine, and the P-3B tumbled into the sea with no survivors. Upon the squadron’s return on 2 June 1968, flight crewmembers were awarded several Air Medals, Vietnam Service, and Campaign Medals. In August 1968, the squadron was awarded the “E” for Battle Efficiency from FAW-3.
, Chief of Naval Operation’s Safety Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation
and an U.S. Atlantic Fleet
Citation for Aviation Safety. The squadron deployed to Naval Air Station Bermuda in 1971 and to NAF Sigonella, Sicily in 1972. VP-26 was named the Fleet Air Wing Atlantic recipient of the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1972. After spending all of 1973 at homeport NAS Brunswick, Maine, VP-26 split-deployed to NAS Rota Spain and NAF Lajes Azores January to June, 2004. As a result of the squadron’s tactical efforts throughout 1973 and 1974, Patrol Squadron 26 was awarded the CAPT Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for excellence in anti-submarine warfare. In 1975, the Tridents became actively involved in the celebration of America’s 200th birthday. As well as flying a 13-starred tail cap on their aircraft, over 100 men and women from VP-26 undertook the exterior renovation of the [Pejepscot Museum] on Lincoln Street in Brunswick, Maine
. This effort earned VP-26 the honor of being designated a Navy Bicentennial Command. As the Fleets only active duty Bicentennial Squadron, the 1976 split-site deployment to Rota, Spain and Lajes, Azores gave VP-26 the opportunity to proudly display its Bicentennial colors throughout the Mediterranean, Europe and the North Atlantic. As a result of this highly successful deployment, the squadron received both the Golden Wrench Award for superior achievement in aircraft maintenance and readiness, and the CAPT Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for 1976. September 1977 found the Tridents once more deployed to several strategic locations throughout the North Atlantic. Although primarily based in Bermuda and Lajes, VP-26 maintained detachments for varying lengths of time in the Panama Canal Zone
, Ascension Island
, Guantanamo Bay, Iceland
, and Puerto Rico
. Coordinated operations highlighted this deployment as Trident aircrews participated in numerous ASW exercises with NATO and Allied Naval Forces. Returning to NAS Brunswick in early 1978, the Tridents were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, both the Silver and Golden Anchor Awards for retention excellence and the CNO Aviation Safety Award for operations conducted throughout 1976 and 1977. In March 1979, VP-26 began transitioning from the P-3B to the state-of-the-art ASW aircraft, the P-3C Update II. On July 26, 1979 VP-26 accepted the first of the squadron’s Update II aircraft, and in December 1979 had the honor of receiving the 500th production P-3 (BuNo 161010).
while maintaining a detachment in Diego Garcia
. This marked the first time since 1967 that an East Coast patrol squadron deployed to Southeast Asia. The detachment at Diego Garcia was in response to the Soviet build up of military forces in the Persian Gulf. Earlier that year President Jimmy Carter
proclaimed the "Carter Doctrine
", declaring that the U.S. was willing to use military force if necessary to prevent "an outside power" from conquering the Gulf. Throughout the deployment the Tridents operated out of the Philippines, Middle East, and the West Coast of Africa. The squadron returned to Brunswick in September and received the Navy Expeditionary Medal for its activities in the Indian Ocean. In May 1981, VP-26 became the first squadron to deploy the new Harpoon missile capable P-3C to the Mediterranean Theater. The Harpoon missile system was incorporated specifically to eliminate Soviet surveillance trawlers in the event of war. The Tridents returned home in Oct to receive the 1981 CNO Safety Award. On 1 July 1982, VP-26s Special Projects detachment (Old Buzzards) broke away and became a squadron of its own. The newly formed squadron was established “Special Projects Patrol Squadron” VPU-1 after being a VP-26 detachment since 1969. Also in July 1982 the Tridents deployed to Keflavik, Iceland. Three crews were subsequently detached for three months to the Western pacific to augment WESTPAC Harpoon capabilities. Before leaving Keflavik
VP-26 crews had operated from Bodo, Andoya and Stavanger, Norway
, Thule, Greenland
; Machrihanish and Kinloss, Scotland
; Mildenhall and St. Mawgen, England
; Valkenburg, Netherlands
; Nordhols, Germany
; Rota, Spain
; Lajes Field in the Azores
; Misawa and Kadena, Japan
; Cubi Point, Philippines
; and U-Tapao, Thailand
. Returning to Brunswick in December 1982 VP-26 became the first occupant of the newly built Hangar #5. In November 1983 VP-26 deployed to Bermuda, with detachments to Lajes, Azores and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, where they averaged over 1,000 flight hours per month for three consecutive months. VP-26 again deployed to Kadena, Japan in January 1985. During this time VP-26 operated with units of the Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, and on several occasions operated simultaneously from every Seventh Fleet deployment sight. In June 1986 VP-26 deployed to Rota, Spain and Lajes Field, Azores. While conducting operations throughout the Mediterranean and North Atlantic, aircrews visited France
, the United Kingdom
, Greece
, Senegal
, Iceland
, Bermuda
, Italy
, and Gibraltar
. While at home in 1987 the squadron maintained a very busy operational tempo with detachments to Jacksonville, Bermuda, Iceland
, Lajes
, Ascension Island
, Puerto Rico
, and Greenland
. VP-26 attained a one hundred percent sortie completion rate during its detachments. In November 1987, the Tridents deployed to Keflavik, Iceland. While on deployment, the crews achieved an impressive ASW mission record against a number of the most modern Soviet submarines. The deployment was rounded out by the reception of another Golden Wrench Award and a second Battle “E” for the year of 1988. In June 1989, VP-26 deployed to Rota, Spain
and Lajes, Azores
for another record setting deployment, accumulating over 5,400 flight hours in six months. The squadron also supported sixteen operational detachments to England
, Ascension Island
, Sicily
, Turkey, and Africa
, at one point maintaining a detachment for eleven consecutive weeks. The highlight was an unprecedented six weeks in NSA Souda Bay, Crete
supporting Sixth Fleet operations. The squadron was then awarded its third Battle “E” Award.
, VP-26 saw three consecutive deployments to Sigonella, Sicily. Detachments were sent to Saudi Arabia to monitor the United Nations
embargo against Iraq
. Over the Adriatic Sea
VP-26 enforced the embargo against the former Yugoslavia in the first continuous armed patrols in the Mediterranean since World War II
, carrying live torpedoes and Maverick missiles. The squadron also was among the first to conduct Electro-Optic surveillance patrols overland and to visit emerging Eastern European democracies. On 7 November 1990, VP-26 departed NAS Brunswick to conduct a unique tri-site deployment, distributing Trident aircraft in Key West, Florida
; Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; and Lajes Field in the Azores. While performing narcotics detection and monitoring operations out of Key West and Roosevelt Roads Trident aircrews located two suspicious vessels which were seized and confirmed to have held a total of over 1300 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $30 million. VP-26 returned to Roosevelt Roads for a two-month detachment in August 1991 for continued narcotics detection and monitoring operations in support of the nation’s “War on Drugs
”. The squadron's 10 May 1992 split-site deployment to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
and Sigonella, Sicily earned the Tridents a Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations in the Adriatic Sea
, the Red Sea
, and the Mediterranean. VP-26 forged history once again during this time as the first P-3 squadron to fly missions in the Adriatic Sea during Operation MARITIME MONITOR. Additionally, the Tridents accomplished the first ever Portuguese-United States joint minex in the MAP/CIS joint exercise.
VP-26 was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for meritorious service in support of Operation DESERT CALM, United Nations sanctions against the former Republic of Yugoslavia, and operations with deployed Marine Amphibious Readiness Groups and Carrier Battle Groups from September 1993 to February 1994. The Tridents flew over 620 armed sorties during this time, including daily Maverick Surface Unit Combat Air Patrol, in support of Operation SHARP GUARD, amassing 4,800 flight hours. Making its mark once again, VP-26 completed the first ever live Maverick warshot by an operational P-3 squadron. In October 1994 VP-26 magnificently demonstrated the concept of "fly and train as you would fight" by flawlessly executing a formation (Mining Readiness Certification Inspection) MRCI. This was the first MRCI flown in close formation by any VP squadron in the previous five years. In December 1994, Team Trident was called upon to conduct a SAR effort 950 miles (1,528.9 km) off the coast of New England. The 450 feet (137.2 m) Ukrainian freighter, “Salvador Allende” had been taking on water in stormy seas. VP-26 flew over 85 hours in six days in support of this effort, during which two people were rescued after their vessel had sunk. In January 1995, the Tridents returned to Sigonella for their third consecutive Mediterranean deployment. VP-26 flew over 5,000 hours and 468 armed sorties in support of operations SHARP GUARD and DENY FLIGHT.
From July 1995 to February 1996 the Tridents began an intense seven month transition to the P-3C Update III aircraft. In August 1996 VP-26 continued to set records during their tri-site deployment to Iceland, Puerto Rico, and Panama. The Tridents achieved the highest drug interdiction rate ever with more than $1.9 billion in cocaine and marijuana busts. Cocaine busts alone were in excess of 38 metric tons, equivalent to over 20% of estimated U.S. consumption. The crews in Keflavik, Iceland had the highest total contact time on “real world” submarines of any U.S. Maritime Patrol Aircraft squadron in the last 4 years. VP-26 was also the first ever U.S. military unit invited to participate in the Norwegian national exercise FLOTEX 96. The squadron was then awarded its forth Battle “E” Award for 1996.
The Tridents returned home to Brunswick, Maine in January 1997 for another successful home cycle. The Tridents quickly began preparations for their future deployment to Sigonella in February 1998. Tridents flew over 180 flights in Operations JOINT FORGE in support of the United Nations and Implementation peacekeeping forces on the ground in Bosnia-Herzogovinia. Tridents logged the historic 500th flight in support of operation DELIBERATE GUARD. The Tridents returned home safely in August 1998 and began a rigorous Inter-Deployment-Training-Cycle (IDTC). During the IDTC the Tridents kept busy preparing for the next deployment, training both maintenance personnel and aircrew. As the IDTC drew to a close in July 1999, the Tridents were ready for the upcoming deployment. For this “Millennium” deployment, the Tridents were split between Keflavik, Iceland and NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Those Tridents deployed to Iceland were fortunate enough to support NATO operations throughout the Atlantic. The Tridents traveled to such places as Andoya, Norway; Kinloss, Scotland; Lan Bihoue, France; Rota, Spain; and Sigonella, Sicily. The Tridents of the Caribbean were busy as well, tracking suspected narcotics traffickers both in the air and on the sea. VP-26 conducted many detachments to Manta, Ecuador
to carry the counter-narcotics mission to the Eastern Pacific.
In February 2001, the Tridents returned to Sicily. Deployed Tridents supported the United Nations operations Deliberate Forge and Joint Guardian and participated in several multinational exercises throughout Africa and Europe. Over the course of the six months in Sigonella, the Tridents flew greater than 5000 mishap-free operational hours, achieving a 93 percent sortie completion rate. They made operational detachments to 15 different countries including: Rota, Spain; Souda Bay, Crete; Nordholtz, Germany; Visby, Sweden; Nîmes, France; Kinloss, Scotland; Malta, and Turkey. Tridents flew a variety of operational missions over the Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, North Sea, and the Mediterranean. These missions included: direct support for two U.S. carrier battlegroups and various NATO surface combatants, overland reconnaissance in support of NATO Stabilization Forces (SFOR) and NATO Kosovo Forces (KFOR), and over 20 multinational exercises with 24 different nations. On August 10, 2001, the Tridents of Patrol Squadron 26 arrived back at their home base of Brunswick, ME, in preparation for a highly charged interdeployment cycle. Following the events of September 11, VP-26 moved to a heightened state of readiness. The squadron supported the war on terrorism by taking part in various Homeland Defense operations. VP-26 did everything from locating and identifying high interest merchant shipping traffic approaching the United States to watching over potential terrorist targets on American soil. Tridents continued their efforts on the war on terrorism into 2002. On June 8, members of VP-26 took the opportunity to reflect on past tragedies with a visit to “Ground Zero”. Eleven Tridents were promoted there, exemplifying their commitment to the protection of US citizens and their Allies.
In August 2002, VP-26 began its six month, split-site deployment in NAS Keflavik, Iceland http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5545 and NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Tridents embraced the challenge of a long-distance working environment that would spread them across 6200 nautical miles (11,482.4 km) and seven time zones, from Souda Bay, Crete to Manta, Ecuador
. Aircrews took part in missions ranging from armed SUCAP in the STRoG to SRO to the "Wars on Drugs and Terrorism". Efforts in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific led to Tridents’ interdiction of 12,641 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of over $3.4 billion. VP-26 also played a major role in the introduction of AIP to the SOUTHCOM AOR. The squadron executed over 5000 flight hours, including 83 ASW events, and was nominated for the 2002 Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence and the 2002 Battle Efficiency Award. At top of its military achievements, VP-26 provided phenomenal "Community Support" through "Manta Santa" (200 families clothed, 1678 children received toys, and $800 dollars donated for a local pediatric hospital), "Sisters of Mother Teresa" aid in Reykjavik, and multiple "Adopt-a-School" affiliations.
On 4 April 2003, Team Trident bore witness to its fifty-seventh change of command as CDR Matthew J. Carter relieved CDR Sean S. Buck as Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 26. In attendance were friends and family of Team Trident and members of New York City Fire Department
, Ladder 10, with whom VP-26 has an affiliation. The firefighters presented to the command a cross, cut out of steel from the World Trade Center
, as well as a photograph of the tragedy. As tensions with Iraq increased, Tridents prepared themselves and their families for the possibility of re-deploying. On April 7, the Tridents were called back into action. Two crews and maintenance support personnel departed for the Mediterranean to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. “The CNO recently told the entire Navy to ensure we are combat ready at all times and ready to enter the fray when called. VP-26 followed that order by augmenting forward deployed units. The Trident worked side-by-side with crews from five VP squadrons supporting two carrier battle groups. VP26 commenced their detachment in Rota, Spain, and then later in Sigonella, Sicily, they flew armed support for supply boats transiting the Strait of Gibraltar. While in Sicily, the Tridents flew multiple missions supporting of both the USS Harry S. Truman and USS Theodore Roosevelt
Carrier Battle Groups. Shortly after arriving at Naval Station Rota, Spain, VP-26 personnel discovered that a mobile field hospital had been built to receive wounded coming from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The facility began receiving its first wounded war fighters on March 29. Although well equipped to provide medical support, the hospital needed toiletries, uniform items, underclothes and other basics. Many wounded patriots arrived with nothing but the clothes on their back, as a result, Operation Rota Comfort began. Initially, knowledge of the need for supplies passed by word of mouth and as word spread, a generous outpouring of support evolved into Operation Rota Comfort. The response on NAVSTA Rota was outstanding. Members of VP-26 immediately joined the effort and sent an appeal to friends, family and to Team Trident remaining in Brunswick. Within 48 hours, over one thousand dollars had been pledged to the cause. The money provided shoes, shirts, underwear, and over six thousand minutes of phone cards to men and women in the hospital in Rota. Team Trident raised an additional $1,700 dollars in supplies and funds. On Friday, April 18, a crew from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VQ-2) transferred the supplies overseas.
On April 16, the Tridents officially assume the duties of the Ready Squadron. In addition to homeland defense duties (when required), the Tridents provided mechanical support to planes arriving from other bases, as well as ground logistics for the associated aircrews. From May to June 2003, members of VP-26 worked with Habitat for Humanity - Bath Brunswick Area (HFHBBA) to provide suitable living quarters for a family in Bowdoinham. At the house in Bowdoinham, Tridents worked alongside volunteers from the greater Bath and Brunswick area as well as other members of the NAS Brunswick community. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses.
In August 2003, Patrol Squadron 26 surpassed 41 years of mishap-free flying, an outstanding record recognized by both the Navy and by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA). This makes the Brunswick-based squadron the safest organization throughout all military and civilian aviation. Team Trident has flown over 296,000 hours without a mishap, a commendable achievement and testament to the hard work of over 5400 current and former Tridents. The clock began following an incident in 1962, when a P-2E Neptune caught fire and exploded during a ground maintenance turn. According to the Safety Center report, the cause of the explosion was the “main primer line of the impeller section was improperly connected.” Fortunately no deaths or injuries resulted and members of VP-26 have worked vigilantly since to prevent another incident. On September 17, Combat Air Crew One (CAC-1) flew to Jacksonville, FL to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) event with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Battle Group. The following day, they were joined by a second Trident aircrew,CAC-5, and a maintenance detachment. Their involvement in the exercise, which had been moved off the coast of Florida due to Hurricane Isabel, lasted two weeks and included over seventy-five flight hours between the two crews. On September 19, 2003 Patrol Squadron 26 gathered to commemorate the missing crew of “HB 7” in a solemn POW/MIA ceremony. Following an old maritime tradition, a ship’s bell was struck once as the name of each missing crewmember was read. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a memorial frame containing charcoal rubbings from the monument of names of “HB 7” crewmembers, and artwork of the monument and plane. The Commanding Officer, CDR Matthew J. Carter, accepted the commemorative work on behalf of the command.
By the start of 2004, VP-26 was more than ready for deployment, and at the end of January VP-26 relieved VP-45 in Sigonella, Italy to perform various operations in the Mediterranean. In March, CDR Frank W. Doris relieved CDR Matthew J. Carter as the 58th Commanding Officer of VP-26. For the entire deployment VP-26 flew in Operations DELIBERATE FORGE and JOINT GUARDIAN in Kosovo
and Bosnia
; in addition, we flew escort missions through the Straights of Gibraltar, escorting USNR ships, ensuring the sea-lanes of communication and commerce remained open. During February and March, Tridents participated in Exercise DOGFISH, a multi-national ASW exercise. In April, CAC 4 conducted a successful Search and Rescue event, saving the lives of over 80 people whose ship had sank http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12748. Following that, we sent two crews to the Persian Gulf
to participate in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Also, in May and June, they flew in Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR in support of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
Patrol Squadron 26 was relieved by VP-16 in Sigonella and returned to NAS Brunswick in the beginning of July, with most of the squadron personnel returning home on the Nations Birthday, July 4. During the remainder of 2004 VP-26 continued to train. Once again VP-26 surpassed 42 years of mishap-free flying, totaling over 303,420 hours in August. In September, one crew detached, for six days to NAS Jacksonville, participating in the JTFEX. With Hangar 6 still under construction, Tridents moved in with VP-92. The composition of two squadrons in one hangar proved to be beneficial because VP-26 became the test squadron for Active/Reserve Integration. In December, two crews from VP-92 joined VP-26 as the first reserve crews to be part of an active squadron. Throughout the year, VP-26 earned several awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
, Kosovo Campaign Medal, and two crews earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
. The squadron again won the Golden Anchor Award for Retention Excellence.
As 2005 came to a close the Trident again deployed to NAS Sigonella in Sicily and Comalopa Air Base in El Salvador, providing support for Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR as well as multi-national exercises in Bulgaria, Romania, Lithiuania, France, Crete, Ghana, and Germany, as well as hosting Naval Forces from around Europe for Operation NOBLE MANTA and Caribbean Anti-Drug Operations. March 2006 saw the change of command with CDR Gregory Cozad relieving CDR Thomas Kollie. The Tridents returned to Brunswick in June 2006. The Squadron was awarded the Armed Forced Service Medal for their actions.
Two-Thousand Seven saw the Trident surpass 410,000 hours of mishap-free flying. An intense interdeployment training cycle with surge detachments to the Fifth Fleet AOR consumed most of the year. CDR King relieved CDR Cozad as Commanding Officer in May 2007 http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=29227 In December the Tridents deployed to the Fifth Fleet AOR in support of the "Global War on Terror", operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, as well as anti-piracy operation in the Horn of Africa. March 2008 saw CDR King relieved by squadron executive officer CDR Westerkom.
. That homeport change was executed in January 2010.
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
squadron based at Jacksonville Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Mission
As a member of Patrol Wing Eleven, VP-26 is a Maritime Patrol Squadron with a worldwide theater of operations. Mission areas include: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASU), Command and Control Warfare (C2W)Command, Control, and Communications (CCC), Intelligence (INT), Mine Warfare (MIW), anti-Morale Warfare (AMW), and Mobility (MOB).The 1940s
VP-26 can trace its lineage back to 26 Aug 1943 when “Bombing Squadron” VB-114 was established at NA, VA. The PB4Y-1 “Liberator”, a four engine land-based patrol aircraft, was the first aircraft assigned to the squadron. By 1944 the war in Europe was in high gear and patrol planes were needed in the Mediterranean to flush out German U-boats. That spring, the squadron changed headquarters and homeport to Port Lyautey Airfield, MoroccoMorocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
with a detachment at Gibraltar. The squadrons first combat patrol commenced on 18 March 1944. From 17 June 1944 to 14 February 1945 the squadron took part in the Allied landings in France. A detachment of six searchlight equipped “Liberators”, under the control of (Fleet Air Wing) FAW-7, deployed to Dunkeswell, England to protect the Allied fleet from U-boat attacks during the Normandy invasion. In this role it contributed to FAW-7s record of 18 U-boats attacked, of these, at least half resulted in probable destruction. By July 1944, VB-114 had a detachment of four “Liberators” at Lagens Field, Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
, leaving no aircraft at Port Lyautey. VB-114 flew the first combat mission ever flown from the Azores (a neutral Portuguese territory) on 1 Aug 1944. This was accomplished by an agreement with Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
to operate under the (Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
) RAF Coastal Command and fly with both British and U.S. markings on the aircraft. That Oct, VB-114s designation changed to “Patrol Bombing Squadron” VPB-114. As the war in Europe ended in May 1945, the squadron set yet another first for the U.S. Navy by becoming one of the first units to fly Hurricane reconnaissance missions. A six-plane detachment was sent to Boca Chica Field, Key West, FL proving the versatility of the command. With the exception of a three-plane detachment ordered to stay at Port Lyautey, Morocco, the rest of the command moved to their new home at NAS Edenton, NC and transitioned to their second aircraft from the twin-tail PB4Y-1 Liberator, to the single-tail PB4Y-2 Privateer. In May and November 1946 the squadron changed its designation to “Patrol Squadron” VP-114 and then “Heavy Patrol Squadron” VP-HL-6, as well as receiving its first tail code, “HB”. January 1947 saw the squadron moving again, this time to NAS Atlantic City, NJ. 26 June 1948, VP-HL-6 took on a more compassionate mission, becoming an active participant in “Operation Vittles” otherwise known as the “Berlin Airlift”. The squadron flew numerous missions bringing medical supplies to airfields in the Allied Zone of Occupation where they were then transferred to unarmed transport aircraft flying missions into Berlin. As the 40s drew to a close, the squadron saw its designation change to the present one of “Patrol Squadron 26”. It became the third squadron to bear this designation in September 1948, the first two being seaplane squadrons in the pacific during WWII. That following March the squadron’s headquarters and homeport returned to Port Lyautey. The newly named VP-26 reunited with its three-plane detachment becoming a full squadron once again.
The 1950s
As one war ended so a much colder one began. Yet again VP-26 answered the call. On 8 April 1950, a VP-26 PB4Y-2, designated “HB 7” (BuNo 59645), assigned to Detachment A, took off from Wiesbaden Air Base, West GermanyWest Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
on an intelligence gathering mission. At 1739 the “Privateer” was intercepted by four Soviet “La-11” fighters while flying at an altitude of 12139 ft (3,700 m) over the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
, 8 km southwest of Liepaja, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. After refusing the ”follow me” signals of the fighters the “Privateer” was shot down, becoming the first publicized shootdown of the Cold War. Subsequent search efforts over a period of 8 days were futile, no survivors or remains were recovered. Unconfirmed reports stated that as many as 8 of the 10 missing crewmembers were recovered from the sea and forwarded to the Soviet Union for interrogation. The crew’s ultimate fates have never been determined but will never be forgotten. On 8 April 2000, Latvia’s coastal city of Liepaja unveiled a memorial to honor the 10 man crew of “HB 7”, the first but not the only Trident crew to be on eternal patrol. That summer VP-26 relocated to NAS Patuxent River, MD and changed its tail code to “EB”. The following year the squadron began transitioning from its “Privateers” to the P2V “Neptunes”. Along with the new aircraft came a new home. On 11 Jan 1952, VP-26 moved to its present homeport of NAS Brunswick, ME, becoming the first squadron to be ordered aboard the newly re-commissioned base. With a lull in hostilities abroad, the squadron had time to prepare, train, and hone their skills until the next call came. In October 1954, while participating in Operation LANTFLEX, VP-26s own LTjg Paddock had the distinction of disabling the USS Toro (SS 422) with a small practice bomb that made a direct hit on its periscope. The Toro’s skipper presented LTjg Paddock with a mounted portion of the twisted periscope as a souvenir of his skill. As the 50s drew to a close, the squadron would set two more milestones. In 1956, while being deployed to Thule, Greenland, VP-26 became the first patrol squadron to fly all 12 aircraft over the North Pole
North Pole
The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
. The following year, VP-26s tail code was changed to its present day “LK” and became the first U.S. Navy combat aircraft to land at the newly established NAS Rota, Spain. While on deployment, VP-26 finished out the decade by locating the Russian trawler that had deliberately severed the transatlantic cable in February 1959.
The 1960s
In March 1960, while taking part in the NATO ASW exercise DAWN BREEZE, VP-26 became the first squadron in nearly a decade to operate from the base at Lann Bihoue, France. But as tensions accelerated in Cuba, VP-26 was once again called to arms. During the 1962 “Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
” several squadron aircraft were deployed on short notice to NAS Key West, Florida. They arrived one day after President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
’s October 22, 1962 televised speech proclaiming that any nuclear missile attack from Cuba would be regarded as an attack by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and would be responded to accordingly. Over 1000 hours were flown in direct support of the Cuban Quarantine. In October 1964, VP-26 supplied one aircraft and crew for a month to work with the U.S. Army Special Forces at Pope AFB, NC. The P2V
P2V
P2V can refer to:* P-2 Neptune* Physical-to-Virtual...
was specially configured to be used as a high altitude jump platform for the Green Berets. Oct 1965 to Jan 1966 marked the beginning of a new era for VP-26. After fifteen years of faithful service, the P2V “Neptune” was replaced by the P-3B “Orion”. On 4 January 1966, VP-26 became the Navy’s first operational P-3B squadron, when Commanding Officer CDR James H. Cullen ferried the first P-3B from Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
to Naval Air Station Brunswick
Naval Air Station Brunswick
Naval Air Station Brunswick , also known as NAS Brunswick, was a military airport located northeast of Brunswick, Maine. The base was home to a number of Navy-operated Maritime patrol aircraft...
. On 24 November 1967, VP-26 deployed to Southeast Asia, operating from Sangley Point, Philippines and U-Tapao, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The Tridents averaged 1500 hours per month flying TEAM YANKEE and MARKET TIME combat patrols. MARKET TIME patrols consisted of seeking out sea borne infiltrators from North Vietnam trying to deliver supplies to the Viet Cong along the southern coastline. This required aircrews to fly below 1000 feet (304.8 m), while using radar and their 1,000,000-candlepower searchlight to find and illuminate suspect targets. Shortly after midnight on 6 Feb 1968, a VP-26, P-3B (BuNo 153440) flown by (Combat Air Crew) CAC 8, was lost off the coast of South Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
while on a MARKET TIME patrol mission. The Orion had crashed into the sea with no survivors. Less than two months later, on 1 April 1968, in the same vicinity that CAC 8 was lost, a second P-3B (BuNo 153445) flown by CAC 1 came under fire by a .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun. The P-3B was hit in the starboard wing, knocking out the #4 engine and starting a fire. All attempts to extinguish the flames were unsuccessful. Flying too low to bail out, the crew had to choose between ditching in hostile waters or attempting to make an emergency landing at Phu Quoc airfield less than 20 miles (32.2 km) away. Within sight of the runway, and their wing still aflame, CAC 1 prepared to land their stricken aircraft. As the plane banked left onto its final approach, the starboard wing tore off between #3 and #4 engine, and the P-3B tumbled into the sea with no survivors. Upon the squadron’s return on 2 June 1968, flight crewmembers were awarded several Air Medals, Vietnam Service, and Campaign Medals. In August 1968, the squadron was awarded the “E” for Battle Efficiency from FAW-3.
The 1970s
During the early 1970s VP-26 earned the Navy Unit CommendationNavy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
, Chief of Naval Operation’s Safety Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
and an U.S. Atlantic Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
Citation for Aviation Safety. The squadron deployed to Naval Air Station Bermuda in 1971 and to NAF Sigonella, Sicily in 1972. VP-26 was named the Fleet Air Wing Atlantic recipient of the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1972. After spending all of 1973 at homeport NAS Brunswick, Maine, VP-26 split-deployed to NAS Rota Spain and NAF Lajes Azores January to June, 2004. As a result of the squadron’s tactical efforts throughout 1973 and 1974, Patrol Squadron 26 was awarded the CAPT Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for excellence in anti-submarine warfare. In 1975, the Tridents became actively involved in the celebration of America’s 200th birthday. As well as flying a 13-starred tail cap on their aircraft, over 100 men and women from VP-26 undertook the exterior renovation of the [Pejepscot Museum] on Lincoln Street in Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,278 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area. Brunswick is home to Bowdoin College, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, , and the...
. This effort earned VP-26 the honor of being designated a Navy Bicentennial Command. As the Fleets only active duty Bicentennial Squadron, the 1976 split-site deployment to Rota, Spain and Lajes, Azores gave VP-26 the opportunity to proudly display its Bicentennial colors throughout the Mediterranean, Europe and the North Atlantic. As a result of this highly successful deployment, the squadron received both the Golden Wrench Award for superior achievement in aircraft maintenance and readiness, and the CAPT Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for 1976. September 1977 found the Tridents once more deployed to several strategic locations throughout the North Atlantic. Although primarily based in Bermuda and Lajes, VP-26 maintained detachments for varying lengths of time in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
, Ascension Island
Ascension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
, Guantanamo Bay, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. Coordinated operations highlighted this deployment as Trident aircrews participated in numerous ASW exercises with NATO and Allied Naval Forces. Returning to NAS Brunswick in early 1978, the Tridents were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, both the Silver and Golden Anchor Awards for retention excellence and the CNO Aviation Safety Award for operations conducted throughout 1976 and 1977. In March 1979, VP-26 began transitioning from the P-3B to the state-of-the-art ASW aircraft, the P-3C Update II. On July 26, 1979 VP-26 accepted the first of the squadron’s Update II aircraft, and in December 1979 had the honor of receiving the 500th production P-3 (BuNo 161010).
The 1980s
In early March 1980, the squadron deployed to Kadena, Okinawa JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
while maintaining a detachment in Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia is a tropical, footprint-shaped coral atoll located south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean at 7 degrees, 26 minutes south latitude. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT] and is positioned at 72°23' east longitude....
. This marked the first time since 1967 that an East Coast patrol squadron deployed to Southeast Asia. The detachment at Diego Garcia was in response to the Soviet build up of military forces in the Persian Gulf. Earlier that year President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
proclaimed the "Carter Doctrine
Carter Doctrine
The Carter Doctrine was a policy proclaimed by President of the United States Jimmy Carter in his State of the Union Address on January 23, 1980, which stated that the United States would use military force if necessary to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf region...
", declaring that the U.S. was willing to use military force if necessary to prevent "an outside power" from conquering the Gulf. Throughout the deployment the Tridents operated out of the Philippines, Middle East, and the West Coast of Africa. The squadron returned to Brunswick in September and received the Navy Expeditionary Medal for its activities in the Indian Ocean. In May 1981, VP-26 became the first squadron to deploy the new Harpoon missile capable P-3C to the Mediterranean Theater. The Harpoon missile system was incorporated specifically to eliminate Soviet surveillance trawlers in the event of war. The Tridents returned home in Oct to receive the 1981 CNO Safety Award. On 1 July 1982, VP-26s Special Projects detachment (Old Buzzards) broke away and became a squadron of its own. The newly formed squadron was established “Special Projects Patrol Squadron” VPU-1 after being a VP-26 detachment since 1969. Also in July 1982 the Tridents deployed to Keflavik, Iceland. Three crews were subsequently detached for three months to the Western pacific to augment WESTPAC Harpoon capabilities. Before leaving Keflavik
Keflavík
Keflavík is a town in the Reykjanes region in southwest Iceland. In 2009 its population was of 8,169.In 1995 it merged with Njarðvík and Hafnir to form a municipality called Reykjanesbær with a population of 13,971 .- History :...
VP-26 crews had operated from Bodo, Andoya and Stavanger, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Thule, Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
; Machrihanish and Kinloss, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
; Mildenhall and St. Mawgen, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
; Valkenburg, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
; Nordhols, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
; Rota, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
; Lajes Field in the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
; Misawa and Kadena, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
; Cubi Point, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
; and U-Tapao, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Returning to Brunswick in December 1982 VP-26 became the first occupant of the newly built Hangar #5. In November 1983 VP-26 deployed to Bermuda, with detachments to Lajes, Azores and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, where they averaged over 1,000 flight hours per month for three consecutive months. VP-26 again deployed to Kadena, Japan in January 1985. During this time VP-26 operated with units of the Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, and on several occasions operated simultaneously from every Seventh Fleet deployment sight. In June 1986 VP-26 deployed to Rota, Spain and Lajes Field, Azores. While conducting operations throughout the Mediterranean and North Atlantic, aircrews visited France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
. While at home in 1987 the squadron maintained a very busy operational tempo with detachments to Jacksonville, Bermuda, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, Lajes
Lajes
Lajes is Portuguese for "covering of flat rock", or "flagstone", and may refer to:=*Lajes, Rio Grande do Norte*Lages, Santa Catarina , Brazil*Lajes Pintadas, Rio Grande do Norte- Archipelago of the Azores :...
, Ascension Island
Ascension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, and Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
. VP-26 attained a one hundred percent sortie completion rate during its detachments. In November 1987, the Tridents deployed to Keflavik, Iceland. While on deployment, the crews achieved an impressive ASW mission record against a number of the most modern Soviet submarines. The deployment was rounded out by the reception of another Golden Wrench Award and a second Battle “E” for the year of 1988. In June 1989, VP-26 deployed to Rota, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Lajes, Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
for another record setting deployment, accumulating over 5,400 flight hours in six months. The squadron also supported sixteen operational detachments to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Ascension Island
Ascension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Turkey, and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, at one point maintaining a detachment for eleven consecutive weeks. The highlight was an unprecedented six weeks in NSA Souda Bay, Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
supporting Sixth Fleet operations. The squadron was then awarded its third Battle “E” Award.
The 1990s
As the world scene changed in the 1990s, VP-26 faced new challenges. With the disintegration of YugoslaviaYugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, VP-26 saw three consecutive deployments to Sigonella, Sicily. Detachments were sent to Saudi Arabia to monitor the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
embargo against Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Over the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
VP-26 enforced the embargo against the former Yugoslavia in the first continuous armed patrols in the Mediterranean since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, carrying live torpedoes and Maverick missiles. The squadron also was among the first to conduct Electro-Optic surveillance patrols overland and to visit emerging Eastern European democracies. On 7 November 1990, VP-26 departed NAS Brunswick to conduct a unique tri-site deployment, distributing Trident aircraft in Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
; Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; and Lajes Field in the Azores. While performing narcotics detection and monitoring operations out of Key West and Roosevelt Roads Trident aircrews located two suspicious vessels which were seized and confirmed to have held a total of over 1300 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $30 million. VP-26 returned to Roosevelt Roads for a two-month detachment in August 1991 for continued narcotics detection and monitoring operations in support of the nation’s “War on Drugs
War on Drugs
The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...
”. The squadron's 10 May 1992 split-site deployment to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
and Sigonella, Sicily earned the Tridents a Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations in the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
, the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
, and the Mediterranean. VP-26 forged history once again during this time as the first P-3 squadron to fly missions in the Adriatic Sea during Operation MARITIME MONITOR. Additionally, the Tridents accomplished the first ever Portuguese-United States joint minex in the MAP/CIS joint exercise.
VP-26 was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for meritorious service in support of Operation DESERT CALM, United Nations sanctions against the former Republic of Yugoslavia, and operations with deployed Marine Amphibious Readiness Groups and Carrier Battle Groups from September 1993 to February 1994. The Tridents flew over 620 armed sorties during this time, including daily Maverick Surface Unit Combat Air Patrol, in support of Operation SHARP GUARD, amassing 4,800 flight hours. Making its mark once again, VP-26 completed the first ever live Maverick warshot by an operational P-3 squadron. In October 1994 VP-26 magnificently demonstrated the concept of "fly and train as you would fight" by flawlessly executing a formation (Mining Readiness Certification Inspection) MRCI. This was the first MRCI flown in close formation by any VP squadron in the previous five years. In December 1994, Team Trident was called upon to conduct a SAR effort 950 miles (1,528.9 km) off the coast of New England. The 450 feet (137.2 m) Ukrainian freighter, “Salvador Allende” had been taking on water in stormy seas. VP-26 flew over 85 hours in six days in support of this effort, during which two people were rescued after their vessel had sunk. In January 1995, the Tridents returned to Sigonella for their third consecutive Mediterranean deployment. VP-26 flew over 5,000 hours and 468 armed sorties in support of operations SHARP GUARD and DENY FLIGHT.
From July 1995 to February 1996 the Tridents began an intense seven month transition to the P-3C Update III aircraft. In August 1996 VP-26 continued to set records during their tri-site deployment to Iceland, Puerto Rico, and Panama. The Tridents achieved the highest drug interdiction rate ever with more than $1.9 billion in cocaine and marijuana busts. Cocaine busts alone were in excess of 38 metric tons, equivalent to over 20% of estimated U.S. consumption. The crews in Keflavik, Iceland had the highest total contact time on “real world” submarines of any U.S. Maritime Patrol Aircraft squadron in the last 4 years. VP-26 was also the first ever U.S. military unit invited to participate in the Norwegian national exercise FLOTEX 96. The squadron was then awarded its forth Battle “E” Award for 1996.
The Tridents returned home to Brunswick, Maine in January 1997 for another successful home cycle. The Tridents quickly began preparations for their future deployment to Sigonella in February 1998. Tridents flew over 180 flights in Operations JOINT FORGE in support of the United Nations and Implementation peacekeeping forces on the ground in Bosnia-Herzogovinia. Tridents logged the historic 500th flight in support of operation DELIBERATE GUARD. The Tridents returned home safely in August 1998 and began a rigorous Inter-Deployment-Training-Cycle (IDTC). During the IDTC the Tridents kept busy preparing for the next deployment, training both maintenance personnel and aircrew. As the IDTC drew to a close in July 1999, the Tridents were ready for the upcoming deployment. For this “Millennium” deployment, the Tridents were split between Keflavik, Iceland and NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Those Tridents deployed to Iceland were fortunate enough to support NATO operations throughout the Atlantic. The Tridents traveled to such places as Andoya, Norway; Kinloss, Scotland; Lan Bihoue, France; Rota, Spain; and Sigonella, Sicily. The Tridents of the Caribbean were busy as well, tracking suspected narcotics traffickers both in the air and on the sea. VP-26 conducted many detachments to Manta, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
to carry the counter-narcotics mission to the Eastern Pacific.
The 2000s
The crowning achievement of the Trident’s “Millennium” deployment was the attainment of 275,000 mishap-free flight hours in over 38 years (2000)—a worldwide record which encompasses all types of aviation, civilian and military. In preparation for its next Mediterranean deployment, VP-26 trained all twelve aircrews in the new P-3C Update III AIP (Anti-surface-warfare Improvement Program) aircraft. By providing the P-3C with state-of-the-art improvements in Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence; surveillance and survivability, AIP is propelling maritime patrol into the 21st century. The squadron received its first AIP aircraft in September 2000. VP-26 also conducted extensive in-house training for all its crews to properly use the SLAM Missile, Maverick Missile, and Online Harpoon.In February 2001, the Tridents returned to Sicily. Deployed Tridents supported the United Nations operations Deliberate Forge and Joint Guardian and participated in several multinational exercises throughout Africa and Europe. Over the course of the six months in Sigonella, the Tridents flew greater than 5000 mishap-free operational hours, achieving a 93 percent sortie completion rate. They made operational detachments to 15 different countries including: Rota, Spain; Souda Bay, Crete; Nordholtz, Germany; Visby, Sweden; Nîmes, France; Kinloss, Scotland; Malta, and Turkey. Tridents flew a variety of operational missions over the Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, North Sea, and the Mediterranean. These missions included: direct support for two U.S. carrier battlegroups and various NATO surface combatants, overland reconnaissance in support of NATO Stabilization Forces (SFOR) and NATO Kosovo Forces (KFOR), and over 20 multinational exercises with 24 different nations. On August 10, 2001, the Tridents of Patrol Squadron 26 arrived back at their home base of Brunswick, ME, in preparation for a highly charged interdeployment cycle. Following the events of September 11, VP-26 moved to a heightened state of readiness. The squadron supported the war on terrorism by taking part in various Homeland Defense operations. VP-26 did everything from locating and identifying high interest merchant shipping traffic approaching the United States to watching over potential terrorist targets on American soil. Tridents continued their efforts on the war on terrorism into 2002. On June 8, members of VP-26 took the opportunity to reflect on past tragedies with a visit to “Ground Zero”. Eleven Tridents were promoted there, exemplifying their commitment to the protection of US citizens and their Allies.
In August 2002, VP-26 began its six month, split-site deployment in NAS Keflavik, Iceland http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5545 and NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Tridents embraced the challenge of a long-distance working environment that would spread them across 6200 nautical miles (11,482.4 km) and seven time zones, from Souda Bay, Crete to Manta, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
. Aircrews took part in missions ranging from armed SUCAP in the STRoG to SRO to the "Wars on Drugs and Terrorism". Efforts in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific led to Tridents’ interdiction of 12,641 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of over $3.4 billion. VP-26 also played a major role in the introduction of AIP to the SOUTHCOM AOR. The squadron executed over 5000 flight hours, including 83 ASW events, and was nominated for the 2002 Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence and the 2002 Battle Efficiency Award. At top of its military achievements, VP-26 provided phenomenal "Community Support" through "Manta Santa" (200 families clothed, 1678 children received toys, and $800 dollars donated for a local pediatric hospital), "Sisters of Mother Teresa" aid in Reykjavik, and multiple "Adopt-a-School" affiliations.
On 4 April 2003, Team Trident bore witness to its fifty-seventh change of command as CDR Matthew J. Carter relieved CDR Sean S. Buck as Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 26. In attendance were friends and family of Team Trident and members of New York City Fire Department
New York City Fire Department
The New York City Fire Department or the Fire Department of the City of New York has the responsibility for protecting the citizens and property of New York City's five boroughs from fires and fire hazards, providing emergency medical services, technical rescue as well as providing first response...
, Ladder 10, with whom VP-26 has an affiliation. The firefighters presented to the command a cross, cut out of steel from the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
, as well as a photograph of the tragedy. As tensions with Iraq increased, Tridents prepared themselves and their families for the possibility of re-deploying. On April 7, the Tridents were called back into action. Two crews and maintenance support personnel departed for the Mediterranean to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. “The CNO recently told the entire Navy to ensure we are combat ready at all times and ready to enter the fray when called. VP-26 followed that order by augmenting forward deployed units. The Trident worked side-by-side with crews from five VP squadrons supporting two carrier battle groups. VP26 commenced their detachment in Rota, Spain, and then later in Sigonella, Sicily, they flew armed support for supply boats transiting the Strait of Gibraltar. While in Sicily, the Tridents flew multiple missions supporting of both the USS Harry S. Truman and USS Theodore Roosevelt
USS Theodore Roosevelt
USS Theodore Roosevelt has been the name of more than one United States Navy ship, and may refer to:, troop transport in commission from 1918 to 1919, ballistic missile submarine in commission from 1961 to 1982, aircraft carrier in commission since 1986...
Carrier Battle Groups. Shortly after arriving at Naval Station Rota, Spain, VP-26 personnel discovered that a mobile field hospital had been built to receive wounded coming from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The facility began receiving its first wounded war fighters on March 29. Although well equipped to provide medical support, the hospital needed toiletries, uniform items, underclothes and other basics. Many wounded patriots arrived with nothing but the clothes on their back, as a result, Operation Rota Comfort began. Initially, knowledge of the need for supplies passed by word of mouth and as word spread, a generous outpouring of support evolved into Operation Rota Comfort. The response on NAVSTA Rota was outstanding. Members of VP-26 immediately joined the effort and sent an appeal to friends, family and to Team Trident remaining in Brunswick. Within 48 hours, over one thousand dollars had been pledged to the cause. The money provided shoes, shirts, underwear, and over six thousand minutes of phone cards to men and women in the hospital in Rota. Team Trident raised an additional $1,700 dollars in supplies and funds. On Friday, April 18, a crew from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VQ-2) transferred the supplies overseas.
On April 16, the Tridents officially assume the duties of the Ready Squadron. In addition to homeland defense duties (when required), the Tridents provided mechanical support to planes arriving from other bases, as well as ground logistics for the associated aircrews. From May to June 2003, members of VP-26 worked with Habitat for Humanity - Bath Brunswick Area (HFHBBA) to provide suitable living quarters for a family in Bowdoinham. At the house in Bowdoinham, Tridents worked alongside volunteers from the greater Bath and Brunswick area as well as other members of the NAS Brunswick community. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses.
In August 2003, Patrol Squadron 26 surpassed 41 years of mishap-free flying, an outstanding record recognized by both the Navy and by the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA). This makes the Brunswick-based squadron the safest organization throughout all military and civilian aviation. Team Trident has flown over 296,000 hours without a mishap, a commendable achievement and testament to the hard work of over 5400 current and former Tridents. The clock began following an incident in 1962, when a P-2E Neptune caught fire and exploded during a ground maintenance turn. According to the Safety Center report, the cause of the explosion was the “main primer line of the impeller section was improperly connected.” Fortunately no deaths or injuries resulted and members of VP-26 have worked vigilantly since to prevent another incident. On September 17, Combat Air Crew One (CAC-1) flew to Jacksonville, FL to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) event with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Battle Group. The following day, they were joined by a second Trident aircrew,CAC-5, and a maintenance detachment. Their involvement in the exercise, which had been moved off the coast of Florida due to Hurricane Isabel, lasted two weeks and included over seventy-five flight hours between the two crews. On September 19, 2003 Patrol Squadron 26 gathered to commemorate the missing crew of “HB 7” in a solemn POW/MIA ceremony. Following an old maritime tradition, a ship’s bell was struck once as the name of each missing crewmember was read. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a memorial frame containing charcoal rubbings from the monument of names of “HB 7” crewmembers, and artwork of the monument and plane. The Commanding Officer, CDR Matthew J. Carter, accepted the commemorative work on behalf of the command.
By the start of 2004, VP-26 was more than ready for deployment, and at the end of January VP-26 relieved VP-45 in Sigonella, Italy to perform various operations in the Mediterranean. In March, CDR Frank W. Doris relieved CDR Matthew J. Carter as the 58th Commanding Officer of VP-26. For the entire deployment VP-26 flew in Operations DELIBERATE FORGE and JOINT GUARDIAN in Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
and Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
; in addition, we flew escort missions through the Straights of Gibraltar, escorting USNR ships, ensuring the sea-lanes of communication and commerce remained open. During February and March, Tridents participated in Exercise DOGFISH, a multi-national ASW exercise. In April, CAC 4 conducted a successful Search and Rescue event, saving the lives of over 80 people whose ship had sank http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12748. Following that, we sent two crews to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
to participate in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Also, in May and June, they flew in Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR in support of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
Patrol Squadron 26 was relieved by VP-16 in Sigonella and returned to NAS Brunswick in the beginning of July, with most of the squadron personnel returning home on the Nations Birthday, July 4. During the remainder of 2004 VP-26 continued to train. Once again VP-26 surpassed 42 years of mishap-free flying, totaling over 303,420 hours in August. In September, one crew detached, for six days to NAS Jacksonville, participating in the JTFEX. With Hangar 6 still under construction, Tridents moved in with VP-92. The composition of two squadrons in one hangar proved to be beneficial because VP-26 became the test squadron for Active/Reserve Integration. In December, two crews from VP-92 joined VP-26 as the first reserve crews to be part of an active squadron. Throughout the year, VP-26 earned several awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
, Kosovo Campaign Medal, and two crews earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,...
. The squadron again won the Golden Anchor Award for Retention Excellence.
As 2005 came to a close the Trident again deployed to NAS Sigonella in Sicily and Comalopa Air Base in El Salvador, providing support for Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR as well as multi-national exercises in Bulgaria, Romania, Lithiuania, France, Crete, Ghana, and Germany, as well as hosting Naval Forces from around Europe for Operation NOBLE MANTA and Caribbean Anti-Drug Operations. March 2006 saw the change of command with CDR Gregory Cozad relieving CDR Thomas Kollie. The Tridents returned to Brunswick in June 2006. The Squadron was awarded the Armed Forced Service Medal for their actions.
Two-Thousand Seven saw the Trident surpass 410,000 hours of mishap-free flying. An intense interdeployment training cycle with surge detachments to the Fifth Fleet AOR consumed most of the year. CDR King relieved CDR Cozad as Commanding Officer in May 2007 http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=29227 In December the Tridents deployed to the Fifth Fleet AOR in support of the "Global War on Terror", operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, as well as anti-piracy operation in the Horn of Africa. March 2008 saw CDR King relieved by squadron executive officer CDR Westerkom.
Awards
During its history, VP-26 has enjoyed success in a wide variety of areas. The Tridents have been recognized with five Battle Efficiency “E” Awards, three CAPT Arnold Jay Isbell Trophies, two Golden Wrench for maintenance excellence, two Navy Unit Commendation, ten Meritorious Unit Commendations, one Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Navy Expeditionary Medals, one Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, three Joint Meritorious Unit Citatations, NATO Medal (Kosovo), the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Anchors for retention excellence and six Chief of Naval Operations Safety Awards.BRAC 2005
The Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended that Brunswick Naval Air Station be closed and the squadron be moved to Naval Air Station JacksonvilleNaval Air Station Jacksonville
Naval Air Station Jacksonville or NAS Jacksonville is a military airport located four miles south of the central business district of Jacksonville...
. That homeport change was executed in January 2010.
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons