VP - 47 Patrol Squadron 47 ( VP - 47 ) , also known as " The Golden Swordsmen " , is a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay , Hawaii , attached to Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two . The squadron currently flies the P - 3C Orion , and is scheduled to transition to the P - 8A Poseidon within the next few years . Squadron History . VP - 47 was officially established as VPB - 27 at Naval Air Station Harvey Point , North Carolina on June 1 , 1944 during World War II and deployed to Hawaii equipped with PBM Mariner aircraft . The squadron participated in the Okinawa Campaign in 1945 . When the war finished the squadron undertook courier services in the Western Pacific until VPB - 27 returned to Hawaii and was redesignated VP - 47 . After relocating to Naval Air Station San Diego , the squadron flew patrols along the west coast of the United States from Alaska to Mexico . The squadron deployed detachments to Saipan , Naval Air Station Sangley Point , Philippines and Oppama , Japan in January 1950 . With the outbreak of the Korean War , VP - 47 increased its deployment to Japan flying patrol missions and courier routes in the Western Pacific . At the end of the Korean War , VP - 47 had made three deployments in support of United Nations forces in Korea and relocated to Naval Air Station Alameda , California and was re - equipped with P5M Marlin seaplanes . Here the squadron acquired the new P5M - 2 seaplane . Adopting as their motto , " The Best in the West , " VP - 47 flew the Navy ' s most modern seaplanes on four deployments to MCAS Iwakuni , Japan . The next five years were highlighted by winning the Dual Pilot Aircraft Safety Award in 1955 , the Commander Naval Air Pacific Forces " Fleet Battle Efficiency " Award in 1956 and the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for seaplanes in 1957 with over 7 , 000 accident - free hours flown . The squadron was again awarded the CNO Safety Award in 1960 for flying over 8 , 000 accident - free hours . As the new decade began , VP - 47 retrained in SP - 5B seaplanes at their new homeport , NAS Whidbey Island , Washington . In 1962 , the squadron deployed with the seaplane tender USS Currituck to Naval Station Kodiak and Cold Bay , Alaska . Subsequently , the " Golden Swordsmen " joined the seaplane tender USS Salisbury Sound in 1964 for another challenging deployment to Cold Bay . VP - 47 saw a great change in climate and operations in 1964 when they departed for NAS Sangley Point in support of Seventh Fleet operations . During this tour , Patrol Squadron FORTY - SEVEN distinguished itself as the first full patrol squadron to be deployed to Vietnam . In March 1965 , VP - 47 moved to NAS Moffett Field , California . Here the squadron transitioned from the SP - 5B to the new Lockheed P - 3A Orion , thus entering the modern era of Antisubmarine Warfare ( ASW ) Operations . By January 1966 , the newly trained " Golden Swordsmen " were flying in WESTPAC out of Naha Air Base , Okinawa and NAS Sangley Point , Republic of the Philippines . Adding the AGM - 12 Bullpup air - to - surface missile to its weapon inventory , VP - 47 returned to Naha AB , Okinawa in June 1967 , becoming one of the first missile - equipped squadrons in WESTPAC . VP - 47 continued to prove the worth of the P - 3A during its next two deployments to NAS Sangley Point and Naha AB in 1968 and 1970 . In April 1971 , the squadron received a Meritorious Unit Commendation from the Philippine Air Group for its actions against enemy supply lines in the South China Sea . Upon returning to Moffett Field , the squadron transitioned to the P - 3C , the Navy ' s more advanced , computerized ASW aircraft . In early 1971 , VP - 47 was once again fully operational as the first P - 3C squadron in the Pacific Fleet . By June of the same year , VP - 47 was operating out of NAS Adak , Alaska . A second Meritorious Unit Commendation followed in 1972 for the squadron ' s invaluable support of the Cannakin Project in Amchitka during its 1971 Adak deployment . In 1972 , VP - 47 began operating a tri - site deployment that stretched across the Pacific and included NAS Adak ; NAS Agana , Guam ; and NAS Moffett Field . In August , with the entire squadron back at Moffett , VP - 47 received the Royal Canadian Air Force Coastal Command Trophy for achieving the highest ASW proficiency during the previous Battle Efficiency competition cycle . After returning to Moffett Field in January 1975 , the squadron won the Isbell Trophy in April and a second Royal Canadian Air Force Coastal Command Trophy in May , for completing a remarkable 24 months of continuous " Alpha " crew status and maintaining the highest possible standards in ASW performance . VP - 47 deployed to Naval Air Facility Misawa , Japan in February 1976 where another Battle " E " was awarded to the squadron three months into the deployment . Following the deployment , the squadron returned from its successful WESTPAC tour to resume training and EASTPAC operations out of NAS Moffett Field . In December 1976 , the " Golden Swordsmen " received the Tactics Bowl Trophy for their noteworthy contributions to the annual Tactics Bowl Competition . The squadron deployed to Misawa again in July 1977 and operated detachments at Kadena Air Base , Naval Air Station Atsugi , NAS Agana , Guam and NAS Cubi Point , Republic of the Philippines . The squadron conducted another successful deployment to Kadena in 1979 . The " Golden Swordsmen " detached to NAS Adak from 10 May 1979 to 10 May 1980 , assuming the duties of Task Unit 32 . 3 . 1 . The squadron was nominated as Naval Weapons Proficiency unit of the year and was runner up for Mining Readiness in the Pacific Fleet during 1980 . VP - 47 returned to Misawa on 10 January 1981 to serve under Commander , Task Force 72 , returning to NAS Moffett Field in June 1981 . Over the next twelve months , the " Golden Swordsmen " passed every major inspection with outstanding marks . On 10 June 1982 , the " Golden Swordsmen " deployed again to Japan . During this period the squadron received accolades from Commander , Seventh Fleet , Commander , Task Group 72 and Commander , Patrol and Reconnaissance Force , Seventh Fleet . In August 1984 , the squadron deployed to Kadena AB , Okinawa to assume the duties of Task Group 72 . 2 . During this time , VP - 47 supported Commander , Seventh Fleet with detached operations to Misawa AB , NAS Cubi Point , NAS Agana , NAS Adak and U - Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield , Thailand . On 10 January 1986 , VP - 47 made its first deployment to Diego Garcia , British Indian Ocean Territory ( BIOT ) . VP - 47 was presented with the Donald M . Neal Aircraft Maintenance Award for P - 3 maintenance excellence . On 10 August 1987 , VP - 47 returned to Misawa for another successful deployment , returning to NAS Moffett Field in February 1988 . In May 1988 , the squadron surpassed 15 years and 100 , 000 hours of accident - free flying . The squadron maintained a split deployment to Kadena AB and NAS Moffett Field from January 1989 to July 1989 . Upon return , the squadron was awarded the 1988 Donald M . Neal Award for excellence in aircraft maintenance , marking the second time in 3 years the " Golden Swordsmen " earned the prestigious award . VP - 47 deployed to Adak , Alaska from June 1990 to December 1990 , where the squadron distinguished itself by conducting high interest ASW operations and flying 3 , 443 flight hours without mishap . In June 1992 , the squadron returned from an outstanding WESTPAC deployment while attached to CTF 72 . Based out of NAF Misawa , VP - 47 conducted highly successful detachments to NAS Cubi Point , Kadena AB , NAF Diego Garcia , Townsville , and Masirah , Oman . The squadron flew over 3 , 500 mishap - free flight hours while performing numerous operational missions as well as assorted littoral visits . " Golden Swordsmen " aircrews were awarded the " Golden Lens " award and Crew of the Month each month while on deployment . VP - 47 began its at - home training cycle in July 1992 . During this period , the " Golden Swordsmen " achieved the highest wing score for the Mine Readiness Certification Inspection ( MRCI ) and the highest on - station effectiveness averages in Patrol Wing TEN during an Encounterex Operational Readiness Evaluation . The hard work resulted in the winning of the Tactics Bowl Championship , the CNO Safety Award and the Battle " E " Award . On 21 June 1993 the squadron changed homeports again , this time to NAS Barbers Point , Hawaii . During the move , VP - 47 began their deployment cycle and manned detachments in Adak , Diego Garcia , Misawa and NAS North Island , California . During the 1994 at - home cycle , the " Golden Swordsmen " participated in numerous exercises including RIMPAC and an Encounterex with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force . The highlights of the year included a history - making score on the command Mining Readiness Certification Inspection as well as their highly acclaimed Tactics Bowl submission . In May 1995 , VP - 47 returned from WESTPAC deployment to Diego Garcia where they had been conducting demanding detachments to Masirah , Oman ; Kadena AB , Japan ; and Jeddah , Saudi Arabia . During this deployment , the " Golden Swordsmen " were awarded the 1994 Donald M . Neal " Golden Wrench " Award for maintenance excellence , their third such award in six years . They were also awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for distinguished service while supporting efforts to extract personnel and equipment from Somalia under hostile conditions during Operation United Shield . A rigorous at - home cycle from May 1995 to May 1996 prepared VP - 47 for their next deployment to Misawa and Kadena . During that time , Patrol Squadron 47 became the first Extended Echo Ranging ( EER ) qualified patrol squadron and was the first squadron to employ EER tactics in real - world operations . On the homefront , VP - 47 entered the " Internet Age " by establishing a home page on the World Wide Web . In November 1996 , VP - 47 returned from a successful split site deployment to NAF Misawa and Kadena AB , Japan . During this deployment , VP - 47 conducted the first non - bilateral , USN operations with the Philippines since the departure of U . S . military forces . In addition , VP - 47 sent the first crews on detachment to Chennai , India during Exercise Sahara 97 . The Golden Swordsmen also sponsored the Special Olympics at Naval Air Facility Misawa . VP - 47 was awarded the COMSEVENTHFLT Tactics " Battle E " for undersea warfare ( USW ) during its Misawa / Kadena deployment . From December 1996 to October 1997 , VP - 47 conducted an extremely successful home cycle . Crews detached to NAS North Island in San Diego and NAS Point Mugu in Ventura , California , as well as NAS Adak , Wake Island , and Chile . In addition , the Golden Swordsmen hosted a Japanese P - 3 squadron from the Japanese Military Self Defense Force ( JMSDF ) . VP - 47 reached a milestone in November 1997 having accomplished 150 , 000 mishap free flight hours . Complimenting the command ' s operational focus are its well known personnel programs as recognized by CINCPACFLT in awarding the 1997 Golden Anchor award for excellence in command retention and personnel programs management . During the same period , VP - 47 distinguished themselves by setting the highest Mine Readiness Certification Score in COMPATWINGSPAC history . In June 1998 , the personnel in VP - 47 returned from a six month quad site WESTPAC / Persian Gulf deployment to Diego Garcia . Crews and aircraft were detached to Kadena , Japan ; Masirah , Oman ; Manama , Bahrain and Diego Garcia . The Golden Swordsmen also flew missions in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH . In addition , VP - 47 conducted Maritime Interdiction Operations enforcing United Nations ' sanctions against Iraq . VP - 47 received its first P - 3C Antisurface Warfare Improvement Program ( P - 3C AIP ) aircraft in March 1999 . The next month , VP - 47 ' s fine record of safety was recognized with the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award . In June 1999 , VP - 47 departed for its Misawa , Japan deployment and was the last naval squadron stationed at NAS Barbers Point , Hawaii , which later closed under the Base Realignment and Closure ( BRAC ) program . Following a highly successful WESTPAC deployment , VP - 47 took residence at its new homeport , Marine Corps Base Hawaii , Kaneohe Bay ( formerly Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay ) . In February 2000 , VP - 47 was again awarded the prestigious " Golden Wrench " award for its outstanding maintenance record in 1999 . In June , VP - 47 successfully hosted Maritime Patrol Aircrews from Japan , South Korea , Canada , Australia , and the United Kingdom in support of RIMPAC 2000 . In December 2000 , VP - 47 returned to the Persian Gulf on a six - month deployment to support Multinational Maritime Interdiction Operations . In June 2002 , VP - 47 once again deployed to Southwest Asia and Southeast Asia , flying missions over Afghanistan and the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom . Additionally , the squadron received the Captain Arnold Jay Isbell award for excellence in Air ASW for multiple exercises and operations in Southeast Asia . In April 2003 , the squadron was the recipient of COMPACFLT ’ s Gold Anchor Award for retention excellence . From December 2003 to May 2004 , VP - 47 was engaged in all phases of Operation Enduring Freedom ( OEF ) and Operation Iraqi Freedom ( OIF ) , flying highly successful combat missions from Bahrain , Diego Garcia , Afghanistan and Djibouti , in support of coalition forces on the ground , in the air and over the high seas . From November 2005 to June 2006 , VP - 47 conducted anti - piracy operations off the Horn of Africa while simultaneously patrolling the skies over the Persian Gulf and Iraq in support of OEF and OIF . During this time , VP - 47 was also engaged in exercises in the Pacific in support of OEF Philippines . In January 2006 , the squadron located the pirated vessel Safina Al Bisarat , leading to the U . S . Navy ' s first capture of pirates on the high seas in over 200 years . Between 25 – 27 March 2006 , the squadron also participated in a series of anti - submarine warfare exercises in Hawaiian waters that included Carrier Strike Group Nine , the nuclear - powered attack submarines , , , , and , as well as other P - 3 Orion aircraft from patrol squadrons VP - 4 and VP - 9 . In February 2007 , VP - 47 flew the only U . S . asset involved in the international rescue effort on the capsized Egyptian cruise liner AL SALAM BOCCACCIO 98 in the Red Sea . In March 2007 , VP - 47 was awarded the 2006 Golden Wrench Award for maintenance excellence . In June 2007 , all Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two maintenance departments transitioned to Consolidated Maintenance Organization TWO ( CMO - 2 ) . Despite training for the SIXTH Fleet / Mediterranean and FOURTH Fleet / Southern Command Areas of Responsibility ( AOR ) , VP - 47 responded to a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ( CJCS ) request for forces and instead deployed to the FIFTH Fleet / Persian Gulf AOR one month ahead of schedule in November 2007 . From October 2007 to May 2008 , VP - 47 / CMO - 2 deployed to Tallil , Iraq , in support of OIF , with detachments to Djibouti and Al Udeid Air Base , Qatar . While deployed , the squadron established Task Group 57 . 18 at Ali Air Base , becoming the first fully deployed maritime patrol squadron to Iraq . In December 2007 , the squadron surpassed 34 years and 200 , 000 hours of mishap - free flying . The Patrol Squadron Four Seven / CMO - 2 Team exceeded all requirements associated with a demanding and dynamic inter - squadron deployment to Iraq , supporting United States Central Command ( USCENTCOM ) and Multinational Forces - Iraq ( MNF - I ) in their efforts to defeat the Iraqi counterinsurgency . This deployment saw the " Golden Swordsmen " complete 100 % of taskings by flying 850 operational sorties , amassing over 6 , 100 mishap - free flight hours . VP - 47 continued to demonstrate their maritime expertise by leading the U . S . contingent of a multi - national exercise task force during RIMPAC 2008 where they coordinated and flew 40 missions including the successful firing of an AGM - 65F Maverick air - to - surface missile . Additionally , the squadron successfully supported countless carrier and expeditionary strike group workups and exercises from NAS North Island in San Diego to Japan . In March 2009 , CMO - 2 disbanded and organizational level aircraft maintenance responsibilities returned to VP - 47 .