VP - 26 The VP - 26 " Tridents " are a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Jacksonville , Florida , United States . The squadron operates the Lockheed P - 3C Orion patrol aircraft . 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 ) , and Mobility ( MOB ) . History . The 1940s . VP - 26 can trace its lineage back to 26 Aug 1943 when “ Bombing Squadron ” VB - 114 was established at NAS Norfolk , VA . The Consolidated PB4Y - 1 Liberator , a 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 , Morocco with a detachment at Gibraltar . The squadron ' s 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 Lajes 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 US markings on the aircraft . That October , 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 US Navy by becoming one of the first units to fly Hurricane reconnaissance missions . A six - plane detachment was sent to NAS Key West / Boca Chica Field , Key West , FL proving the versatility of the command . With the exception of a three - plane detachment ordered to remain at Port Lyautey , Morocco , the remainder of the command moved to their new home at NAS Edenton , NC and transitioned from the PB4Y - 1 Liberator , to the 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 “ 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 NAS 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 . 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 Germany on an intelligence gathering mission . At 1739 the Privateer was intercepted by four Soviet Lavochkin La - 11 fighters while flying at an altitude of 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 eight 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 . 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 to the P2V Neptune . 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 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 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 - 26 ' s tail code was changed to its present day “ LK ” and became the first US Navy combat aircraft to land at the newly established NAS Rota , Spain . While on deployment , VP - 26 finished 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 increased in Cuba , VP - 26 was once again called to arms . During the 1962 “ Cuban Missile Crisis ” several squadron aircraft were deployed 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 US Army Special Forces at Pope AFB , NC . The Lockeed P2V Neptune 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 service , the Neptune was replaced by the Lockheed 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 Operation Market Time combat patrols . Market Time patrols sought sea - borne infiltrators from North Vietnam trying to deliver supplies to the Viet Cong along the southern coastline . This required aircrews to fly below , while using radar and their 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 away . Within sight of the runway , and their wing 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 Commendation , 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 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 ] in Brunswick , Maine . This effort earned VP - 26 the honor of being designated a Navy Bicentennial Command . As the Fleet ' s only active duty Bicentennial Squadron , the 1976 split - site deployment to Rota , Spain and Lajes , Azores gave VP - 26 the opportunity to display its Bicentennial colors throughout the Mediterranean , Europe and the North Atlantic . As a result of this successful deployment , the squadron received 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 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 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 . The 1980s . In early March 1980 , the squadron deployed to Kadena , Okinawa Japan 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 ; Nordholz , 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 site . 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 busy operational tempo with detachments to Jacksonville , Bermuda , Iceland , Lajes , Ascension Island , Puerto Rico , and Greenland . VP - 26 attained a 100 % 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 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 11 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 . The 1990s . With the disintegration of Yugoslavia , 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 was 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 off the coast of New England . The 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 sank . 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 a 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 US consumption . The crews in Keflavik , Iceland had the highest total contact time on “ real world ” submarines of any US Maritime Patrol Aircraft squadron in the last 4 years . VP - 26 was also the first US military unit invited to participate in the Norwegian national exercise FLOTEX 96 . The squadron was then awarded its fourth Battle “ E ” Award for 1996 . The Tridents returned home to Brunswick , Maine in January 1997 for another successful home cycle . The Tridents 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 in August 1998 and began an Inter - Deployment - Training - Cycle ( IDTC ) . During the IDTC the Tridents prepared 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 supported 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 , 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 . 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 advances 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 more 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 : support for two US 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 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 US to observing 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 , and NS Roosevelt Roads , Puerto Rico . Tridents embraced the challenge of a long - distance working environment that would spread them across 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 " Community Support " through " Manta Santa " ( 200 families clothed , 1678 children received toys , and $ 800 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 57th 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 the command a cross , fabricated of steel from the World Trade Center , as well as a photograph of the tragedy . 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 . VP - 26 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 and 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 only the clothes on their back . As a result , Operation Rota Comfort began . 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 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 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 engine check . According to the Safety Center report , the cause of the explosion was the “ main primer line of the impeller section was improperly connected . ” No deaths or injuries resulted , and members of VP - 26 have worked vigilantly 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 75 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 ready for deployment , and at the end of January VP - 26 relieved VP - 45 in Sigonella , Italy to perform various operations . 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 , the squadron 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 . Later , two crews went 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 July 4 . During the remainder of 2004 VP - 26 continued training . 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 VP - 26 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 , Lithuania , 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 . In 2007 VP - 26 surpassed 410 , 000 hours of mishap - free flying . An 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 . 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 many areas . The Tridents have been recognized with five Battle Efficiency “ E ” Awards , three CAPT Arnold Jay Isbell Trophies , two Golden Wrenches 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 Citations , NATO Medal ( Kosovo ) , the Gold , Silver , and Bronze Anchors for retention excellence and six Chief of Naval Operations Safety Awards . BRAC 2005 . The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended that Naval Air Station Brunswick , Maine be closed , that Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing FIVE be inactivated , and that VP - 26 be moved to Naval Air Station Jacksonville , Florida , joining Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN . That homeport change was executed in January 2010 .