YD - WACLASSTE IED SECTION ONE Command Overview (U) 1. (U) HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE had its origin at the Naval Station, Sangley Point, Philippines during October 1951. At that time a special project division of the Air Operations Department was formed to meet the changing needs of the Fleet. This division was organized as an Electronic Countermeasures Group in the Pacific Fleet, and on 12 May 1953, the division was assigned to Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE as detachment “ABLE”. The detachment was reorganized in June 1955 and designated Electronics Countermeasures Squadron ONE. The squadron moved to MCAF Iwakuni, Japan in October 1955 and then to NAS Atsugi, Japan in July 1960 where it received its present name, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE. During its early years, the squadron made extensive use of the P4M-1Q and the A3D-1Q. However, due to an increase in size and tasking, the air- craft inventory would expand to include the EC-121 “Super Constellation", the follow-on EA-3B “Skywarrior" aircraft, and the EP-3B and EP-3E “ORION aircraft. 4 In June 1971, VQ-1 underwent its biggest change when it moved from Japan to Guam. [In addition to its broad mission of Electronic Reconnaissance, the missions of weather reconnaissance and high aititude photography were added with the absorption of Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE (VW-1) and Heavy Photo- graphic Squadron SIXTY-ONE (VAP-61). For a brief time the squadron shouldered the mission of Typhoon and Weather Reconnaissance from the International Date-line to the Malay Peninsula. The weather mission was discontinued at the end of the 1971 typhoon season, but the Squadron retained the Photographic Reconnaissance capabilities, boasting ad- vanced worldwide photographic and cartographic mapping capabilities until the RA-3B's retirement in July 1974. Also retiring from the squadron's inventory of aircraft in the summer of 1974, was the EC-121M “Super Constellation". Aircraft presently used within the squadron include the EA-3B Douclas built “Skywarrior" aircraft, and the EP-3B and EP-3E Lockheed built "Orion" aircraft. The primary mission of VQ-1, is to conduct electronic reconnaissance missions in support of fleet battle group operations. To perform its mission, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE operates throughout the Western Pacific and has become known Pacific-wide as the “World Watchers". 2. (U) COMMAND Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE, based at the Naval Air Station, Agana, Guam, was under the command of Captain J D MEYER, U.S. Navy, throughout all of calender year 1980. page 1-1 UNCLASSIFIED
og HISTORY OF ‘ FLIizT AIR RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON ONE The history of the squadron started in October 1951 as a Special Projects Division of the Air Operations Department at the Naval Station, Sengley Point, Philippine Islands with LCDR J. T. DOUGLAS as the Officer-in-Cmrge, The Division was organized as a Special Electronic Search Program with four P4M-1Q aircraft with a primary mission of airborne electronic counter-measures in the Pacific Fleet. Electronic counter-measure operations were assigned to the | Navel Communications Unit 38 CHARLIE and reported to the Special Projects Division Officer to perform their airborne duties, In December 1952, LCDR A. W. SWEETEN took charge of the Division as the Officerein-Cherge. On 13 May 1953, the Division was assigned to Airborne Early Werning Squadron ONE as Detachment "ABLE", In June 1954, the squadron was redesignated VW-3, Detechment ABLE", with a crew of 22 officere and 110 enlisted men, LCDR A. W. SWEETEN remained the Officer-in-Charge until he was relieved by LCDR E. R. HALL in June 1955 at which time the detachment was reorganised and redesignated Electronic Countermeasures Squadron ONE (VQel) with LCDR E. R. HALL as the Commanding Officer, In June 1955 two additional P4M's were assigned bringing the total to Six. After becoming an independent unit and a full fledged ocomissioned equdror the men received further good news in September 1955 when they were informed that their squadron would be leaving the hot, reiny, humid climate of the Philippines and would be moving to Iwakuni, Japan. By October 1955, the movement of the squadron from the Philippines to Iwakimi, Japan had been completed, The crew quickly adapted themselves to
je local environment and made many friends with the Japanese Nationals whon y they found to be very friendly. After being infomed that the squadron would be permanently based at Iwakuni, mny of the mrricd nen brought their wives from the states to Japan, and the morole of the mn was greatly improved, The land on which the buildings and eir strip of Marine Corps Air Facility Iwakuni are now located was at one time tidal marsh land covered with water most of the days of the year and a haven for mosquitoes and wild life. The Emperor made a gift of the waste land to one of his war lords; and the war lord erected the necessary preventetive measures to protect the land from the sea, The land was then used as farming area and ramained farming countzxy until the Japanese Government established an air base on these former waste lands, From this smi1l base located on the southern end of the island of Honahu, the Japanese established a training base far fighter planes, and was utilized to train pilots to fly the famous "ZERO", After the Japanese pilots received their basic treining at Iwakuni, they were sent to advanced schools located in the Tokyo Area, Iwakuni is situated approximately thirty miles south of the cith of Hiroshima, where the world's first atom bomb was dropped ty the United States during World War II, Jurisdiction of Iwakuni Air Base has changed hends many times since the land was reclaimed fram the sea by the Japanese War Lord, After the end of World War II, the base was first occupied by the British and Australians; then in 1951 the Korean Wor startedy and Iwakuni was a bee hive of operations and activity by several different nations of the free world, The British and Australians relinquished control of the base to the U.S. Air Force, and the tenure of the base was received by the U.S. Navy from the Air Foroe on 1 October 1954 and remained under the administration of the Navy until
are a odaary 1958 when the base was desig ated the U.S. Marine Corps Air Facility, wokunie The weather at Iwakuni ie mild and is very similar to the weather of the San Francisco. eareazy consequently, this base affords excellent flying conditions for aircraft and good working weather for the personnel, The weather is so mild that most of the squadron personnel use motorcycles or bicycles for their personal transportation during the majority of the year, | CDR William H. HUFF reported to the squadron in June 1956 and became the new Commanding Officer, relieving LCDR E. R. HALL. By this time the squadron was fully organized, and the officers and men took additional pride in their organ- ization. The personnel complement of the squadron had been increased to 28 . x Officers and 220 enlisted men, During Jume of 1956 e squadron record for flight hours was set, as 289. hours were logged, including 209 operational and 30 training. On 20 July 1956 LCDR F. E. STRUTHERS brought in the 1000th P4M landing Since the squadron was commissioned, The squadron was now definitely standing on it's own feet and was a self-supporting unit of operation, During the month of July 1956 LT J. EDIXION experienced one of the most unusual accidents in modern aviation history while he was flying a P4éM. One of the reciprocating engines fell completely off, sending the plane into a Nat spin, but by displaying unusual skill, LT EDIXION made a recovery at 3000 feet with the aid of the auxiliary jet engines, the plane was able to limp 100 mY into Naha Air Force Base at Okonawa, The only person injured during the freak accident was LT EDIXION, and he received a sprained ankle as he stepped from the airoraft after landing it safely on the air strip. On the darker side of life, the squadron suffered a serious catastrophe during the month of August 1956 with the loss of one P4M and 16 men, This was caused by hostile and aggressive gun fire in the vicinity of Taiwan Straits.
~ an CCwne Lan DUE - ye ab 7 s a result of this tragedy, all squadron personnel exhibited an inten: ified “can do" viewpoint toward their individual and collective squadron jobs, making for an effiolent, cooperative and snooth running organizetion where all units worked together as one for the common gocd and functioned as a closely knit family. CDR Harvey LARSON reparted to the squadron during the month of August 1956 as the new Commanding Officer. Shortly after CDR IARSON's orrival, a new era “ of aviation was born and introduced to Iwakuni, namely, the errival of two A3D-1Q Skywarriors, The A3D's arrived in Iwakuni on 3 November 1956, and this was a big day for the men of the squadron, All hands turned out to see the planes land on the air strip, and as the men observed and admired the aircraft taxi down the runway .to the operations tower, they felt that they head just received a gift from heaven, The pilots put on a special show for the large crowd that gethered to see the planes land by deploying a drogue chute to slow down the normal touchdown speed of the planes. Tbis was a very impressive sight to the men of Iwakuni, and VQ<1 Personrel were gratified that they were a part of the squadron which had the privilege to fly such splendid aircraft. With the arrival of the A3D's, the crew had a tendency to visualize the squadron's P4iM's as relics of the past days of infant aviation, While it is true that the P4M-1Q is relatively slow when compared with the modern~day jets, it still was considered the faithful work horse for the gsouadron, The P4M-1Q is a long range patrol and reconnaissance aircraft that weighs approximately 90, 000 pounds and is powered by two reciprocating engines and two turbojets rated at 4500 pounds thrust each, The jets are normally used during takeoff, landings and high-speed operations, with the reciprocating engines powering the aircraft during normal cruise operations, The P4M-1Q is a powerful
~ oa ae . -. vam ADR OE an OChooe* ~ =) Sener lane thet is capable of carrying e 16 men crew plus e 10,000 pound pay load. The manufacturer of the mercator aircraft built about twenty plenes and sold them to the Navy in 1950, at which time the aircraft were considered to be the most modern patrol and reconnaissance planes in aviation history. Since their delivery to the Navy, the P4M's had performed their assigned duties in e faithful manner, however, and for this reason, many of the pilots hada . sentimental fceling toward the P4M's, not with standing the fact that the Mercators were to be eventually replaced by more advanced and modern eircraft,. On 27 November 1957 CDR N. Ps BYRD, Jr., relieved CDR LARSON as the new squadron Commanding Officer. With the new Commanding Officer in charge, the squadron continued to perform it's assigned mission of electronic countermeasures in support of the Seventh Fleet. Additionally, daily training was held for officer and enlisted personnel; they were taught to fly and maintein the three different types of aircraft used by the squadron at that time, namely, A3D-1Q's, P4M-1Q's, and TV-2's, Training was also conducted for the squadron's personnel to qualify them to better support and essist the fleet in sum other duties as may have been assigned. The command still places strong emphasis on qualifying the flight crews as Combat Air Crewmen, CDR R. C. JANES become the new skipper on 30 November 1958. Tragedy began to strike with the crash of one of the squadron's A3D-1Q's piloted by LCDR DECKER in the inland sea near Iwakuni on 28 May 1959. On sixteen June 1959 a P4M-1Q was attacked in the sea of Japan near Wonsan, North Korea, and with the tail gunner seriously wounded and two engines end the rudders ehot away, was barely able to meke it to eae safe landing at Miho Air Base, More bad luck followed in November 1959, when the squadron's first 43D=2Q was lost near Wake Island during transpac. No trace was found of the four crewmembers, Iady Luok again frowned our way in December 1959, when a severe windstorm struck our detachment at Shemya, Alaska, caueing heavy damage to our hangar, and inflicting strike damage to a P2V parked a a ee [a
1H ape ea . ca an very” ue eeaony OO On 20 October 1959, CDR Wi. R. IMOPKE took the reine, The official name of the squed.o1 was changed t> FLINT AIM WSCONIU ISS. NCE SwabiON ONE on 1 January 1960, New personnel begar nearing in tc mn and maintain the new aizcraft, soon to arrive, and both od 3.1cs and newcomers were quickly hustled away to sohools to obtain the ckills tnat would be needed for their part in the squadron's faceliftin:. The first FPUF~8ST arrived in Iwakuni 12 February 1960; the first WV-2Q on 21 Februacy 1969; and then the first A3D-2Q on 5 March 1960, Precparations wore being made for tha squadron to move to Atsugi Weval air Station, «mdi both men and wives were ‘.oc‘cing forward to the charga of scenery and ‘abundaice of well stocked PX's, The anticipation bec2me a. yeality in June 1960, with the nuove completed and normal operations commencing Ps iteugt 02 1 July 1960. In July 1960 the last P4M-1Q was retired with the 4£3D-22:3 and the WV-2Q's becominy the faithful work horses for the squedron, Qn 25 January 1961 CDR T, E. MOONE took over as the Commmiing Officer. Cne weels before the change of command in Jenvary 1961, we lost an A3D-2Q on the runway at Atsngig LT H. P. SaMS was having his aircreft comaanders check 4m anc he spun in after a wave-off, Tne cause of the accident wasgdeternined » The spirit of the squadron has continuougly soared upward and the squadron is nw known eas "The Navy's Number Oae Squadron". The morale of the squadron ie very high and is supparted by outstanding persounei, squadron echievements, militar. bearing, and lust but not least, samdron pride which consiste of 4 “van do" attivuce toward all problems which may confront sche squedrony. In Merci 1961 the squadron set a new flight vecord, With 9 A3D-20"g 4 WV-2Q'53 an: one FOF-8T; we flew 720 hours ~- 355 ir A3ZD-2Q'8, 263 in WY~2Q's and 192 in FOF-8T, We now have four squadron partiee e year instead of 7 with the affioers we:ring red coats and the chiefs wearing yellow soats, The squadron 6
. eater . Oy, avi : : > cewm ath HEY _ natover 17? _emiey Points \ ’ hes almost doubled it's personnel to 75 officers and 361 enlisted men since 1959, In September 1961 the squacron with its outstanding athletic record won the "Captein's Cup" for the first time on their first try The "Kavy's Number One Squadron" continues to surge ahead... WILLIAM L. PARKS STIG .- USRHR: Historical Offiocar
VQ-L HISTORY FOR 1984 SECTION ONE - CGYMAND OVERVIEW (U) lL. (U) Historical Overview ae (U) Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE originated at the Naval Station, Sangley Point, RP during October 1951. At that time, a special project division of the Air Operations Department was formed to meet the changing needs of the Fleet. This division was organized as the Electronic Countermeasures Group for the Pacific Fleet, and on 12 May 1953, the division was assigned to Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE as Detachment “ABLE.” The detachment was reorganized in June 1955 and reassigned to NAS Iwakuni, JA with the new designation of Electronic Countermeasures Squadron ONE. During the early years, the squadron made extensive use of the P~4M and the P-2 aircraft. Because of tasking require- ments, the aircraft inventory was later expanded to include the EC-121M “Super Constellation” and the EA-3B “Skywarrior." The first of two EP-3B aircraft was delivered to VQ-1 in 1969. Between 1964 and 1973, VQ-1 flew ESM combat support for Task Force Seventh Fleet strikes and USAF B-52 “Arc Light” and “Rolling Thunder” missions during the Southeast Asia conflict. Combat support missions were flown over the Gulf of Tonkin and the Vietnam/Laotian border. VQ-1 EC-12IM's, EP-3B's and EA-3B's operated from Danang, RVN until the American drawdown from Danang in March 1973. The EA-3B crews began operating from Gulf of Tonkin CV's while the EP~3B and EC-121M's staged from Cubi Pt, RP until the end of the con- flict. b. (U) In June 1971, VQ-1 underwent its biggest change when it moved from Japan to Guam. In addition to the squadron's broad mission of Electronic Recon- naissance, the missions of weather reconnaissance and high altitude photography were added with the absorption of Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE (VW-1) and Heavy Photographic Squadron SIX ONE (VAP-61), when those two squadrons were decommissioned. c. (U) For a brief time, the squadron shouldered the mission of Typhoon and Weather Reconnaissance from the international date-line to the Malay Peninsu- la. The weather mission was discontinued at the end of the 1971 typhoon season, but the squadron retained the Photographic Reconnaissance mission and continued these advance worldwide photographic and cartographic mapping capabilities until the RA~3B's retirement in July 1974. Aliso retiring from the squadron's inventory , of aircraft in the fall of 1974, was the EC-121M “Super Constellation,” after delivery of four EP-3E's during the same period. Aircraft employed by the squad- ron during 1984 were the EA-3B and VA-3B “Skywarrior,” the EP-3B, EP-3E and UP-3A “Orion.” d. (U) The primary mission of VQ-1 is to conduct Electronic Reconnaissance Missions in support of Fleet Operations in order to obtain information and intelligence on areas of Naval interest. The Squadron's area of responsibility extends from the West Coast of the U.S. to the East Coast of Africa, an assignment which has earned the squadron the nickname “World-Watchers.”
2. (U) Command a. (U) Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE based at Naval Air Station, Agana, Guam was under the command of Commander Lvan E. Hughes, U.S. Navy, from | January 1984 through 26 March 1984 and Commander John T. Mitchell, U.S. Navy, from 27 March 1984 to 31 December 1984. Commander Hughes' tenure as Commanding Officer marks the first time since 1966 that the billet of Commanding Officer has not been held by a Captain.
gOn 1 September 1979, Flect Air Reconnaisaance Squadron TWO marked the begin- ning of it's 25th year in service to t's Navy and the nation. Presiding over the celebrations were the Present skipper of VQ-2, Captain "dack" FAYLOR and a past C.0., Captain H. G. HATCH (USN Ret.). The history of VQ-2 dates bac!. to the Summer of 1955 when “Det Able" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron THO (\"'-2) was established in Port Lyauteys, French Morocco. On 1 September 19°". “Let Able" was commissioned Electronics Countermeasures Squadron THO (CMO! TC). In November 1958, the squadron was relocated to Rota, Spain and oii 1 January 1960 was officially designated “Fleet Air Reconnaissance Sauedron T1'9". fhe squadron's first aircraft were the P2U and -P4M. In 1956 the squadron received it's first A-3D-1Q which tas later to receive major airframes changes to become what is now the FA-2%. of which the squadron flies six. In 1960 VO-2 received it's fiist "VV"! “'arning Star", EC-121M, to replace the aging P2 and P4. The reriacencut fcr the 121's was to be the EP-3E Orion, with the final replacem-nt of our last EC-121 being in the Summer of 1974. The squadron's present inventory consists of six EA-3B Skywarrfors,~ gix EP-3E Orions, and one P-3A {for icgistics and pilot training). From the original compliment of 24% ofiicers and 78 enlisted, the squadron has grown to over 100 officers and 55° enlisted onboard. VQ-2 has seen detach- ments as far flung as Danang, Vietias, end Shiraz, Iran. Our normal "det" sites include Athens, Greece, Sigoneila, Sicily and Stuttgart, Germany, not to mention the A-3's aboard SI>1I FLEET carriers in the Mediterranean. Since that day in 1955, Fleet Air feconnaissance Squadron TWO has continued to provide electronic support to the Fleet and the nation, and rest assured that VQ-2 shal] be at the fronticr in the world of electronic warfare in the future. Enclosure (1)
NAVY TIMES MAY 7, 1904 5 LIBERATION ORGANIZATION PROM Bela iS AANTANING ALAGCRNT : RW TE AMEN PICO FE ~_—_om Navy Times Squadron In The Spotlight 3 A(teer AIR RECONNAIS SSANCE 2WAS COM- 5 0-2, WHICH HAS ACCUMULATED MORE THAN te, 54,000 HOURS OF ACO DENT: FREE FLYING HAS aT | MESIONED SEPT $ 19054 OR NA DESIGNATED Peece Hou byARA AND ONE CNOA qT B TT WAS HOVEPORTEDATNAVALAIRSTATION © Gace SA ee see AD EAA | THE P2V_ SILVER ANCHOR AWARD FOR MERIOR: | FOR RETENTION, OS UNIT COMMENDATIONS AND THE AWYUNT w 2 g mM ee ee F SOLIADRON a BASED EA-3B ss SHeroE ae ZZA ARIES AND ONE P-3A ORIONs ITHAS\ tel Z7/A102 OFFICERS AND NEARLY’ 600 ‘> o = nt ENLISTEDS» Ne “2 HAS PLAYED AN ESSENTIAL RINCTON HE RECENT MDEASTCISES ab IeMAsern OF AMERICAN CIVILIANS AND LATER THE ° 6 BO So 3WOCOOOCOOG 0 000 PLIILIIOS LPI IP IIDIFF FF FIFFOOO F909 00000009000 G0DC COCO GOOOOOCOD 00000000 0000600 0000080 D000000L09C0000000 2O0DGOOO9COOO0S080060060006060000006000060060000600000000000
, ee Le one oe a . se e-., : ’ = ; -_ 7. +> . en . ‘ . : .  enetewting | oa [< . in jhe s sf . _ FiISTCRY OF VQ-2 During the Summer of 1955, “DET ABLE” The first up-date occurred in 1955 of YW-2 (Airborne Early Warning Scuad- when the new 4-30-20 (present £4-38) ‘ ron TWO) was established jin port was delivered. In 19370 the first of Lyautey, French Morocco, marking the the latest updated £A-38's (SEAWING first roots of what was to become ALR-40) was delivered to the squadron FAIRECONRON TWO (VQ-2). On 1 Septem- for operational use. In 1960 the ber 1955, “DET ABLE" was commissioned squadron received its first WV2 Electronics Countermeasures Squadron “Warning Star" (EC-127M) to replace THO (ECMRON TWO). In November 1958, the aging P2V and P4M aircraft then in the squadron was relocated in Rota, use. Spain and on 1 January 1960 was of- In July of 1971, as a replacement for ficially designated Fleet Air Recon- the retiring EC-121M, the squadron maissance Squadron TwO. In Octcber comnissioned the first of three EP-3£ 1962, the squadron established a de- Airies aircraft. In May of 1972 a TA- tachrent at Key West, Florida, tasked 38, and later, a P3A were acquired by with SIGINT collection in support of the squadron. Both aircraft were util- CINCLANTFLT contingency plans concern- ized as training aircraft and as VIP ing Cuba. In 1965, FAIRECONRON TWO and high priority parts carriers. established "DET BRAVO" in Danang, 1374 was marked by a huge turnover in Vietnam, ceintzining two £EA-3B end he squadron's aircraft inventory, crews there until 1969. January 1965 The two remaining EC-121's were decom- marked a milestone in the squadron's missioned during the Surmer. In their expanding SIXTH Fleet responsibilities place VQ-2 acquired two of three newly the first permanent EA-3B detachment configured EP-3£ Deepwell (ALR 60) air- was deployed aboard a Sixth Fleet car- craft. The third EP-3E Deepwell air- To0s uss abate (CVA-60). tein, craft arrived in mid-May of 1976. aiso saw the squadron officially + ae chopped from COMFAIRMED to COMSIXTHFLT From the original complerent of 26 . officers and 78 enlisted the squadron / @s operational commander, with the has t 100 offi i grown to over officers and 550 squadron utilizing the CTG SIX EIGHT "i Routinely flyi { PT TWO designator, and COHFAIRMED re- enlfsted. Routinely flying in many tatning administrative control of VQ-2. areas of the world (the Caribbean , Since that time, VQ-2 aircraft have North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea, Baltic tn - been an integral part of carrier air and Mediterranean), VQ-2 tand based as- } wings in the Mediterranean and have $15 average over 7000 FIIghE hours fn Beet a Caen Tiss tons in support The addition of the Ceepwell system, In 1956, the squadron received it's significant technical advances made in first A-3, designated A-30-19. Since the Special Projects department and an £ that time the A-3 airframe has re- increasingly successful training pro- H ceived two major systems‘ updates to he have au contributed nee keeping ensure the electronic capabilities of Beet eoa tn uarontiers n the world o the platform maintained pace with ever increasing sophistication of the Med- iterranean electronic environment. . ut mS . « Ce oe oe ie oe es re. ee © oo nt Deak Ol te, te BOE EOE be Ae Sr ae . Deis baie anata “pve ete. fue as .
When VQ-2 was formed, we flew the Lockheed Neptune-P2V and Martin Mercator-P4M aircraft. The Navy first ordered the Neptune on 4 Apri! 1944, and the military model was first flown on 17 May 1945. The Neptune was developed for antisubmarine and antisurface patrol, and VQ used its P2V for pilot training, conference runs and boondoggles since it was not configured for Electronic Warfare, The third P2v off the production line was modified by stripping off armament and adding wing tip-tanks. On 29 Sep- tember 1946, this plane, affectionately dubbed the “Truculent Turtle’, Mew 11,236 miles nonstop from Australia to Ohio to establish a world's record that still stands. In 1958 we received two P2V-5F's that were configured for our mission and at the time they really seemed modern. They had been fitted with two Westinghouse J-34 turbojets in underwing pods to supplement take-off power and increase dash speed, Martin first offered the Mercator to the U.S, Navy back in 1946 and by 1949 the Navy had acquired 19 of them for use as maritime patrol bombers. Those that we operated were specially configured. At first glance the Mercator looked like an enlarged version of the Neptune, but concealed behind each of two Pratt-Whitney reciprocating engines was an Allison J-33 jet engine of 400G pounds thrust. Range was about 3800 miles with atop speed of 415 knots. Our models of the P4M contained a “new" Sophisticated recon- najssance package, designed by M.I.T. graduate students. VQ-2's Mercator's made the last flignt on 29 February 1960, and they and the Neptune were re- placed by the Lockheed Super Constellation. VQ-2 PLANES HAVE The original design of the Constellation was begun in June 1939 to meet the requirements of TWA. Gur WV-2Z models were built later, but apparently not much, The WV-2's were designed to serve as high altitude reconnaissance and carly warning radar intelligence aircraft. Eight of them were pulled out of retirement from Litchfield Park and modified exten- sively by the Martin Company of Baltimore to perform an Electronic Warfare mission. From the phonetic pronunciation of WV, Willy Victor, comes the endearing term “Willy” by which the Squadron refers to the Super Constellation. Our first “Willy” was received on 26 February 1960, and is still being operated as one of VQ's work horses, under the revised designation of EC-121M.
< emery n o  e man “=. ~- ere BS Immediately after World War II, naval strategists began to think in terms of carrier based heavy attack bombers, and in 1947 the basic specifications were set forth for the XA3D-1, which was first flown in October 1952. This airframe, after some modifications, entered service with the Navy on 31 March 1956, and with VQ-2 in September of the same year as the A3D-1Q. The 1Q carrted a crew of four with essentially no back end. In 1959, we received our present 2Q models which carry a crew of seven in an Electronic Warfare role, These were redesignated in 1962 as EA-3B"'s. The EA-3B was the first naval air- craft that was an Electronic Warfare airframe from its inception on the as- sembly line. Twenty-two EA-3B's were contracted for, the first was lost prior to delivery, a second was modified to serve as a VIP jet for CNO, and the remainder were divided between VQ-1 and ourselves. ame ome ~~ reponpre sts 4 [-? Pee TT ty <a ee re -- ~ rata atees vow Papin a,
FLEET AIR RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON TWO (VQ-2) HISTORY In the aftermath of the Korean Conflict, the Department of Defense and the Navy in particular, piaced increased emphasis on deterring aggression and military conflict through our presence in areas of international ecisis, vQ-2 was commissioned on 1 September 1955 to provide our country with an improved defense posture. Designated Electronic Countec- measures Squadron TWO (ECMRON TWO} at the outset, it was homeported at the U.S. Naval Airc Station, Port Lyautey, Morocco, Witha complement of twenty-four officers and seventy-eight enlisted men under the command of Commander Morris [.. Kalin, vQ-2 commenced Operations supporting the United States Sixth Fleet, The squadron originally utilized the P4mM-!Q and A3D-1Q aircraft. In January of 1960, the squadron was transferred to its present homeport, Naval Station, Rota, Spain, Early in 1969, while commanded by Commander Paul D. Haplin, the squadron's name changed to Flect Aic Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (FAIRECONRON TWO). Shortly thereafter, the PaM aircraft was replaced by the FC-121M Super Constellation. FAIRECONRON TWO continued to operate and maintain aircraft of this secies into 1974. The A3D-1Q0's were replaced by the A3N-2Q, an improved version of the same basic aircraft. These were ceplaced hy the FA-3R Skywarcior, On 31 July 1971, VOQ-2 received it's first EP-3E Aries aircraft, The squadron now has six EP-3E's, six EA-38'S and one training UP-3A. Since commissioning, vQ-2 has provided reliable, timely intelligence on areas and targets of naval and national interest. The squadron participated in numerous exercises with fleet and air units of the Meditercanean/European area, while simultaneously conducting normal opecations supporting fleet and theater commanders. Exercises of notable interest in which vQ-2 has played a major role dre: National Week, SHARA2, Deep Furcow, Red Eye, Poopdeck, Acean Venture, Display Determination, and ODASIX. These ace joint cxercises with U.S. Naval Fleet Units and Allied Forces, FPp-32's and carrier based EA-3B's have been valuable assets in Mediterranean, Atlantic and Carribean operations, and nave provided vital support to the Indian Ocean Battle Group of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. vQ-2 was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal for participation in the 1993-84 evacuation of American civilians from Beirut and assistance to the Multi-national Peacekeeping Force in the Mideast crisis. Two EA-3B detachments were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and the Mecitorious Unit Commendation for service with USS Independence and USS John F, KENNEDY in March 1984. In 1969, VQ-2 won the Naval Aviation Safety Award for the most outstanding safety record among special mission squadrons 1n the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. As of June 1984, VQ-2 achieved nine consecutive years of accident free flying, amassing 60,000 hours in the two aircraft models assigned. Two Meritorious Unit Commendations have been awarded to vQ-2 for Operations conducted from March 1979 through April 1980, and June 82 through May 83, AS COMNAVAIRLANT's most effective and operationally efficient special mission squadron for 1983, VQ-2 was awarded the Battle “EF”. In keeping with the spirit of goodwill and support of local community civic action, vQ-2 maintains a program to help a young gicls' orphanage in the nearby town of Puerto Real, Through sales programs, carnival booths, and wives’ club donations, the squadron annually contributes approximately $1,500 in goods and gifts to the orphanage, Each year, VQ-2 personnel sponsor a Christmas party containing elements of the local custom of Three Kings (Magi) Day by distributing gifts to the girls. Outings to the circus and American Style rodeos are also sponsored in the Spring and summer. In addition, participation by vQ-2 personnel in both fund-raising and selection of deserving aoplicants for college scholarships is a volunteer effort in concert with Naval Station, Rota, Spain.
HISTORIA DEL ESQUADRON AEREO CR RECONOCIMIENTO DOS SE LA FLOTA i¥vg-23 ome consuecuencia del conflicto en Korea ei Gepartarents de Defensa y on particular la Marina, han puesto un enfasist aceiarads es desanimac las aqrestones y conflictos militares con nuestra preietcia on areas de crisis intecnacionales, VQ-2 fue comisionado el dia primero de Septiathre dei ano 1465 con el proposito de proveer a nuestro pats una posturu de deferra mejssrada, (EDMRON]TWO) este fue alojudo en la Base Aecrea Jel Puusto Lyastey, Morecco, Con un comnlemento total de 24 oficiales y 79 marinerss 5aja el mande del Capitan de Fragata Morris L. Kalin, ECMRON-2 comenz3 sus operaciones en apoyo a la Sexta Flota de los =stados Unidos de Aterica, El esquadron utilizd originalmente el avidn de 10S tipas PaM-19 y A3¥O-12. En Enero del ano 1959, el Esquadron fué destinado a su setuat aslojamiento en la Base Naval de Rota en Espana. A peircipios del an 1960, nientras era comandado por el Capitan de Fragat2 Pasl 2. Haplin, el esquadron fué redesignado como e) Esquadron Aereco de Retonctitients Dos de la Flota (¥Q-2). Poco degpues, los aviones P4-4% fueren reemplazados por el avidn tipo Wv-2Q, que ahora es conoc:4d9 el tips EC- 121M, vQ=2 continuo utilizando y manteniendo este tipo de avian hasta el ano 1974. Al mismo tiempo los aviones sel tipo A3D-l5 fuersn ceemplazados por el avion tipo EA-38 que todavia sigue cperands en vQ-2. El jt de Julio de! ano 1971, Vq-2 recihio la primera entreja tel avion tipo FP-3E Aires. El Esquadron cuenta ahora con seis EP-1E, 52:3 EA-dB, y un UP-3A que es utilizado para entremiento de piistos y savejadores. Desde el principio de su activacion, vQ-2 ha prticipadio en st Sinnumero de ejercicios especiales con ia Flota y unidates aereas det area del Mediterraneo y Europa, Ha efectuado situltireatente, operaciones normales en apoyo de la Sexta Flots y de los Cosandattes del Teatro de Operaciones notables ejercitos: [nternatisnal ween, SHABAL, Deep Fucrow, Red Eye, Strong Express and Dawn Patroi. Entre las Opecaciones y ejercicios recientes en los cuales v2-2 na tomado parte se encuentran: National Weel, Poopdeck, Ocean venture, Display Determination, y OASIX. Estos ejeccicios militares son operecisones conjuntas de los aliados de E.E.U.U. y las unidades de ia Ficta Nocteamericana. Aviones EP-3£ opecando desde 13 isia Diega Garcia y aviones EA-3B embarcados en porta-aviones Norteamercicanos nan Participado en operaciones del Grupo da Batalla del Oceano Indico de ta 5 Septima Flota de los Estados Unidos desde Junio del ano 1980. En al ano 1969, VQ-2 recito el Premio de Seguridad de vuelo confecido por el Jefe de Operaciones Navales por nahber sbtenido el “cecorcd" mas sobresaliente de seguridad de vuelo entre los escuadrones de misiones especiales de la Flota del Atlantico. A la fecha de Julio del 1984, YQ-2 ha accumulado nueve afios consecumvos de operaciones de VQ-2 sobre paso, La marca de 69,0G0 horas de vuelo en ambos modelos de avion sin tenec nigun accidente, VQ-2 ha recibido dos Condecoracion parca Unidades Meritorias por servicio extraordinario desde Mayo del 1979 hasta Abril del 1939 y desde Julio del 1982 hasta Mayo 1983. En acmonia con el espiritu de amistad, compresidn, » en apoyo de acciones civicas en la communidad local, vQ-2 mantene un programa para ayudar un hogar de ninas huerfanas en el pueblo de Puecto Real. Utilizado varios metodos para recaudar dinero como ventas locsies, puestos de ferias y donaciones de las organizaciones de !as exposas de los oficiales y marineros, el esquadron contribuye aproximadamente 1,509 dolares anualmente en regalos a las niffas huerfanas, Todos ios afes el personal de vQ-2 provee una fiesta de navidad en la cual se incluyen varios elementos tipicos de costumbres americanas y espanolas. También en pcimavera y verano el esquadron crganiza excurisiones al ciro y al rodeo norteamericano para las nifas. El personal de vQ-2 conjuntamente con la Base Naval de Rota ha trabajado en projectos para reunic dinero y elegic estudiantes meritos para concedecies becas universitarias.