Patrol Squadron 201
VP-8 was officially named what from Sep 1942 to Oct 1944?
VP-8 Patrol Squadron Eight ( VP-8 ) is a U.S . Navy land-based patrol squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville , Florida ( USA ) . VP-8 is tasked to undertake maritime patrol , anti-submarine warfare ( ASW ) , and intelligence , surveillance and reconnaissance ( ISR ) missions . The Squadron is equipped with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon . The squadron was originally established as Patrol Squadron 201 ( VP-201 ) on 1 September 1942 , redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 201 ( VPB-201 ) on 1 October 1944 , redesignated Patrol Squadron 201 ( VP-201 ) on 15 May 1946 , redesignated Patrol Squadron , Medium Seaplane 1 ( VP-MS-1 ) on 15 November 1946 , redesignated Patrol Squadron , Medium Landplane 8 ( VP-ML-8 ) on 5 June 1947 and redesignated Patrol Squadron 8 ( VP-8 ) on 1 September 1948 . It is the second squadron to be designated VP-8 , the first VP-8 was redesignated VP-24 on 1 July 1939 . Operational history . World War II . VP-201 was established at NAS Norfolk , Virginia on 1 September 1942 , under the operational command of FAW5 , flying PBM-3 Mariner seaplanes . The squadron was sent on 6 October 1942 to NAS Banana River , Florida , where most of the operational unit training was undertaken . The squadron received its own new PBM-3C aircraft on 1 December 1942 . On 6 February 1943 VP-201 returned to its home port at NAS Norfolk . Flight crew training continued concurrently with patrol operations along the Atlantic seaboard as a part of Task Force 28 in the Eastern Sea Frontier . On 27 May 1943 the squadrons PBM-3C aircraft were replaced by the newer PBM-3S with improved radar . After refitting , a six-aircraft detachment deployed to NAS Bermuda . Patrols were flown ranging out to , lasting 12 to 18 hours . Convoys to and from Europe were covered in a radius of from Bermuda . On 9 July 1943 Lieutenant Soverel and crew attacked U-134 off Bermuda , the submarine , caught on the surface , manned its potent anti-aircraft ( AA ) defenses and heavily damaged the PBM-3S , forcing it to return to base . As a result of this encounter , subsequent patrols were made in pairs of aircraft . On 30 July 1943 VP-201 held a change of command at NAS Norfolk , the former commanding officer , Lieutenant Commander M . H . Tuttle , and half of the squadron personnel and assets were transferred to form the cadre of a new PB4Y-1 Liberator squadron , VB-111 , the remainder of the squadron and its newly assigned personnel were transferred the next week to a new home port at NAS Bermuda under the administrative control of the Commander Bermuda Air Group . An intensive period of training ensued . On 8 June 1944 VP-201 was transferred back to its original home port at NAS Norfolk under the administrative control of FAW-5 , and assigned duties involving regular flights between Bermuda and Norfolk carrying supplies and personnel . On 12 June the squadron deployed to NAS Key West , Florida , under the operational control of FAW-12 for a two-week period of Anti-submarine warfare ( ASW ) refresher training . On 12 July VP-201 deployed to NAS Coco Solo , Panama Canal Zone , under the operational control of FAW-3 under the Commander Panama Sea Frontier . Upon completion of the deployment , the squadron was reassigned to a new home port at NAS Key West under control of FAW-12 , on 27 July 1944 . From 1 November half of the squadrons PBM-3S aircraft were outfitted with L-8C Leigh searchlights at NAS Key West . After training in use of the new British-designed equipment , the squadron was assigned routine operational flights involving ASW patrols and convoy escort . From 1 April 1945 squadron flight crews were divided into three sections and sent in rotation to Harvey Point , North Carolina , to pick up replacement aircraft , the PBM-5 . Familiarization training on the new seaplanes was conducted at Harvey Point before sending the section back to NAS Key West . On 29 May VPB-201 was transferred to a new home port at NAS Coco Solo , under the operational control of FAW-3 . The squadron engaged in ASW , searchlight tactics , gunnery , bombing , and instrument training flights . Following the end of World War II , the squadrons aircraft inventory was reduced from 15 to 9 and it also experienced a reduction in personnel due to the postwar demobilization . Cold War . 1946–1949 . On 15 March 1946 VPB-201 was assigned a new home port at NS San Juan , Puerto Rico , under the operational control of FAW-11 . The squadron was supported by during the relocation from Panama to Puerto Rico . Upon arrival , a detachment of three aircraft was sent to NAS Trinidad to serve as part of the Air Sea Rescue Task Unit . In December 1947 VP-ML-8 received its first contingent of replacement aircraft , the new P2V-2 Neptune . The squadron , home ported at NAS Norfolk , was under the control of FAW-5 . A period of transition training commenced for the switch from seaplanes to landplanes . On 1 March 1949 VP-8 deployed to NAS Argentia , Newfoundland . The primary emphasis during this tour of duty was the testing of the P2V aircraft in cold weather conditions , flying in temperatures as low as -55 °F . Aircrews received training in instrument and night flying and GCA landings . 1950–1959 . VP-8 made its first deployment to NAS Argentia with it new P2V-5F aircraft July 15 , 1955 Detachments from the squadron operated out of Goose Bay , Frobisher Bay , and Thule , Greenland , providing air cover to supply convoys for Distant Early Warning ( DEW ) radar installations . In April 1958 , VP-8 transferred to its new home base at Chincoteague , Virginia , and began operating with Task Force Alfa , a Hunter-Killer ( HUK ) group created to develop improved ASW tactics and technology by integrating carrier-based ASW aircraft , land-based patrol aircraft , refitted destroyers , and hunter-killer submarines into a single task force structure . During the next two years , VP-8 actively participated in the evolution of antisubmarine warfare , to including the development and evaluation of new tactics and equipment . 1960–1969 . The VP-8 moved to Naval Air Station Patuxent River , Maryland in July 1961 . After relinquishing the last of its P2V-5FS aircraft to the U . S . Naval Reserve in October 1962 , VP-8 became the first operational P-3A Orion squadron in the U.S . Navy . During the Cuban Missile Crisis , VP-8 sent a four-aircraft detachment to Bermuda to support the naval quarantine , including monitoring of Soviet submarines operating in the Caribbean and Eastern Atlantic . VP-8 subsequently deployed detachments to Iceland , Ireland , Newfoundland , Bermuda , and Caribbean bases . VP-8 made the first trans-Atlantic flight by a P-3 Orion when it flew to West Malling , England , on March 9 , 1963 . During 1964 , VP-8 participated in Fleet Exercise Steel Pike I from bases in Spain . The squadron also began its first P-3B Orion aircraft in December 1965 . VP-8 made its first deployment to the Western Pacific when it relieved VP-28 at Naval Station Sangley Point , Republic of the Philippines , on May 25 , 1966 . During this deployment , VP-8 carried out combat missions throughout Southeast Asia for the U.S . Seventh Fleet in support of the Vietnam War . 1970–1979 . From 1969 to 1974 , VP-8 made several deployments to Bermuda , and it was transferred to its current homeport at Naval Air Station Brunswick , Maine , in July 1971 . From March 1 to March 2 , 1972 , P-3A Orion aircraft from VP-8 maintained a constant surveillance of the stricken Soviet nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine K-19 which had been forced to surface because of an onboard fire that broke out on February 24 . Starting in February 1976 , VP-8 closed out the decade with a number of split deployments . The squadron suffered the loss of an aircraft and aircrew in the fall of 1978 . The aircraft , on route to a Canadian airshow , suffered catastrophic engine damage about 20 minutes into the flight and crashed near Poland Springs Maine . 1980–1991 . From 1980 through 1988 , VP08 carried out deployments to Rota , Lajes , Bermuda , and Sigonell . Its deployment to Sigonella included VP-8 participating in numerous ASW exercises with detachments operating out of Rota , Souda Bay , Crete , and Nîmes-Garon , France . Between October 27 to December 8 , 1985 , a two-aircraft detachment on rotation at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station , Puerto Rico , assisted the U.S . Coast Guard in anti-drug interdiction operation the Caribbean Sea . Operation Desert Storm . Starting December 31 , 1990 , VP-8 deployed to Jeddah , Saudi Arabia , to support carrier battle groups for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm , as well as monitor Soviet , Libyan , and Iraqi naval units in the Mediterranean from Naval Air Station Sigonella in coordination with U.S . Sixth Fleet carrier battle groups . Post-Cold War . 1992–Present . Military operations . In January 1996 , VP-8 returned from NAS Sigonella where they flew more than 900 sorties and 6,000 hours in support of Operation Sharp Guard and Operation Decisive Endeavor . During its 1997 deployment to NAS Sigonella , VP-8 flew over 100 missions supporting the United Nations’ peacekeeping effort in Bosnia-Herzegovina ( Operation Deliberate Guard ) and 42 missions in support of Operation Silver Wake resulting in the safe evacuation of 889 civilians from Albania . During its 1998 deployment to NAF Keflavik , NS Roosevelt Roads , and Howard AFB , VP-8 conducted surface and sub-surface surveillance operations in the North Atlantic resulted in tracking 18 individual submarines from eight different countries . Following its return to NAS Brunswick , VP-8 began the transition to Aircraft Improvement Program ( AIP ) P-3 upgrade aircraft . During its 2000 deployment , the squadrons new P-3C AIP aircraft flew over 545 missions , consisting of 5300 hours , out of NAF Sigonella in support of Operation Joint Guardian , Operation Determined Forge , and Operation Deliberate Forge . Counter-narcotic operations . Operating out of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads between July 1992 and January 1993 , VP-8 flew over 6,000 hours in support of counter-narcotic operations and Sixth Fleet operations in the Mediterranean , with several detachment stationed at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay , Naval Air Station Key West , NAS Sigonella , and Naval Air Facility Lajes . VP-8 flew nearly 6,000 hours operating out of 18 countries during a tri-site deployment to NAF Keflavik , NS Roosevelt Roads , and Howard Air Force Base , Panama , in 1998 . The squadron flew 450 surveillance missions in support of counter-narcotic operations in the Caribbean area of responsibility ( AOR ) , resulting in 13 arrests and the seizure of 11 metric tons of illegal drugs worth US$171.4 million . Search and rescue efforts in the region accounted for 14 saved lives . Operating in a split deployment to NAS Roosevelt Roads from August 2001 to February 2002 , VP-8 was active in counter-drug operations in the Caribbean , working with the Coast Guard and U.S . Customs , which interdicted or disrupted $7.6 billion in illegal drugs , including over 28,000 kg of cocaine . From NAF Keflavik , the squadron participated in NATO exercises , as well as undertaking new operational tasks involving homeland defense and Operation Enduring Freedom . Operation Iraqi Freedom . From February to August 2003 , VP-8 deployed to NAF Sigonella and Souda Bay , Crete , to provide 24-hour P-3 support for the two carrier battle groups in the Mediterranean during Operation Iraqi Freedom ( OIF ) , flying nearly 100 overland combat missions and over 4,000 flight hours from Italy , Greece , Germany , Spain , and Senegal . This split-site deployment also included support to Operation Joint Guardian , Operation Deliberate Forge , Operation Enduring Freedom , and NATO Joint Command Lisbon . Its second OIF deployment , starting December 2006 , involved VP-8 operation out of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as part of Task Group 57.2 , a maritime patrol and reconnaissance organization consisting of 22 aircrews and 21 aircraft . Operation Unified Assistance . During its Western Pacific deployment to Misawa Air Base and Kadena Air Base , VP-8 participated in the U.S . military response to the aftermath of 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake ( Operation Unified Assistance ) , sending the first U.S . military aircraft on station to the disaster area from to Utaphao , Thailand , and Diego Garcia , as well as flying Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief ( HADR ) missions to the affected region . P-8A Poseidon Transition . In July 2014 VP-8 started the transition from the P-3C to the P-8A Poseidon . In March 2016 , VP-8 began the squadron inaugural deployment of its P-8A Poseidon with a six-month deployment to Kadena AFB , Japan . Japanese F-35 Crash . On 9 April 2019 , VP-8 P-8A Poseidons operating out of Misawa AB assist in the search of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A and its pilot , that crashed off the coast of Japan . Awards & Commendations . - Joint Meritorious Unit Award – 1990 , 1991 - Navy Unit Commendation - 1978 , 1983 , 1991 , 2003 - Meritorious Unit Commendation - 1970 , 1971 , 1977 , 1979 , 1983 , 1986 , 1997 - Navy Expeditionary Medal - 1983 - Coast Guard Unit Commendation - 1985 - Southwest Asia Service Medal - 1991 - Navy E Ribbon - 1950 , 1960 , 1962 , 1983 , 1991 , 1997 , 2000 , 2007 , 2014 - CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award - 1995 , 2005 - Isbell Trophy - 1962 , 1984 , 1986 , 1988 , 1996 - U.S . Sixth Fleet Hook em Award - 1980 , 1983 , 1984 , 1988 , 1991 - Golden Wrench Award for Maintenance - 2007 , 2008 , 2010 , 2011 , 2012 - Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy - 2014 Aircraft assignments . The squadron was assigned the following aircraft , effective on the dates shown : - PBM-3 - September 1942 - PBM-3C - December 1942 - PBM-3S - May 1943 - PBM-5E - April 1945 - P2V-2 - December 1947 - P2V-3 - January 1949 - P2V-5F - July 1955 - P-3A - August 1962 - P-3B - December 1965 - P-3C UII - August 1981 - P-3C UII.5 - September 1985 - P-3C UIIIR - June 1994 - P-8A Poseidon - July 2014 Home port assignments . The squadron was assigned to these home ports , effective on the dates shown : - Naval Air Station Norfolk , Virginia - 1 September 1942 - NAS Banana River - 6 October 1942 - Naval Air Station Norfolk - 6 February 1943 - Naval Air Station Bermuda - August 1943 - Naval Air Station Norfolk - 8 June 1944 - Naval Air Station Key West , Florida - 27 July 1944 - Naval Air Station Coco Solo , Panama Canal Zone - 29 May 1945 - Naval Station San Juan , Puerto Rico - 15 March 1946 - Naval Air Station Norfolk - December 1947 - Naval Air Station Quonset Point , Rhode Island - September 1948 - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Chincoteague , Virginia - April 1958 - Naval Air Station Norfolk - July 1959 - Naval Air Station Patuxent River , Maryland - July 1961 - Naval Air Station Brunswick , Maine - July 1971 - Naval Air Station Jacksonville , Florida