4/10/2023 0 Comments Wing commander privateer sensorsVP-9 began an impressive winter deployment to the Western Pacific area of operations in December 1999. In recognition of its USW expertise, VP-9 was awarded the coveted Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for USW Excellence for 1999. Additionally that same year, the “Golden Eagles” proved their Under-Sea Warfare (USW) prowess when they were called upon to locate and track a real-world target during Operation PHANTOM MENACE which resulted in the most successful theater USW prosecution in recent history. VP-9 was the first Patrol Squadron to operate from Kaneohe Bay, hosting the multi-national ASWEX and JTFEX 99-1. In addition to the normal IDTC requirements, the “Golden Eagles” made a fifth homeport change to Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay in May 1999. Neal Aircraft Maintenance “Golden Wrench” Award for sustained maintenance excellence.Īfter the successful initial deployment of AIP to both FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleets, VP-9 again made history with the launch of a Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) during Fleet Battle Experiment ECHO at Point Mugu, CA on April 14, 1999, the first such launch after in-flight target reprogramming. VP-9’s Maintenance Department also earned the prestigious AVCM Donald M. In recognition of the highly successful deployment and introduction of the new AIP aircraft, VP-9 was awarded the 1998 Coastal Command Trophy. Among other improvements, the state-of-the-art AIP aircraft includes a comprehensive upgrade of aircraft sensors and command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) capabilities. In 1992, VP-9 moved to a new home, NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii.ĭuring the 1997–1998 Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC), the “Golden Eagles” were chosen to spearhead the Fleet introduction of the Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP) P-3C aircraft. The P-3C Update III was introduced in 1990, expanding the mission capabilities of the squadron. In November 1986, VP-9 became the first squadron to deploy to the Western Pacific area of operations with the APS-137 Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR). In 1976, the “Golden Eagles” began a new era of maritime patrol aviation with the squadron’s transition to the computerized and upgraded P-3C Update I. In 1970, while deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, VP-9 earned its third Meritorious Unit Commendation for patrolling more than nine million square miles of ocean, ranging from the Arctic Ocean to the Philippine Sea, and, in the following decades, saw deployments covering over three-quarters of the globe. P2V-7s aircraft were used to clear the area around Johnston Island of any unauthorized vessels prior to the nuclear tests.įrom 1963 through 1972, the squadron deployed to Okinawa the Philippines Kam Ranh Bay, Republic of South Vietnam U-Tapao, Thailand, and Guam in support of Operation MARKET TIME and other operations during the Vietnam War. Also in the early 1960’s VP-9 operated under CFAW-2 in support of Operation DOMINIC. While deployed to several locations in Alaska in 1958, the squadron flew polar scouting missions for the USS NAUTILUS’ historic first voyage under the polar ice cap. Other significant milestones included: changing homeports to NAS Alameda, CA in 1952, a move to NAS Moffett Field, CA in 1963, transitioning to the new P-2V Neptune in 1953, the P-3A Orion in 1963, and the P-3B Orion in 1966. VP-9 provided support for night combat operations in the Korean War, having dropped illumination flares for Marine Corps F7F attack planes to use during strikes on North Korean targets. Since that time, VP-9 has participated in a wide variety of missions around the world.įor the remainder of the 1950s and 1960s, the squadron participated in numerous deployed operations throughout Asia and the Northern Pacific. Within a few months the “Golden Eagles” embarked on their first deployment to Naval Station Kodiak, Alaska. The new squadron flew its maiden flight in a P4Y-2 Privateer. Patrol Squadron NINE (VP-9) was commissioned at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, on March 15, 1951, under the command of Commander M.B.
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