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#11
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Was VQ-2 once named VU-2? I was assigned to VU-2 in the early 50s until I
swapped to VS-27 to get sea duty. "Marco P.J. Borst" wrote in message ... VQ-2 Scheduled for Homeport Change From Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs ITALY (NNS) -- Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2 will relocate from Rota, Spain, to Whidbey Island, Wash., effective Sept. 1. The relocation of VQ-2's six aircraft and 450 Sailors to the United States is in keeping with the Navy's ongoing transformation of forces in Europe, and will help reduce costs and eliminate redundancies throughout its force structure worldwide. The move will co-locate the squadron with VQ-1, already based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and will realize efficiencies through the consolidation of personnel deployment practices, aircraft maintenance practices and air crew training for these unique Navy squadrons. "This move is an essential element of our transformation in Europe, greatly enhancing our overall efficiency and, in the process, improving the operational capabilities of both VQ-1 and VQ-2," said Adm. Harry Ulrich, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe. "Both squadrons will now be strategically located together, maximizing their training and readiness posture and their ability to surge worldwide as required," said Ulrich. "The officers and Sailors of VQ-2 are true professionals and have carried on a proud legacy here in Europe. Theirs is a tremendous record of success and excellence. I have no doubt they will continue that record in the future." VQ-2, established in 1955, has been operating out of Rota since 1960, and was at the forefront of the Navy's reconnaissance operations for the majority of the Cold War. The squadron was instrumental in providing reconnaissance collection for NATO operations in the Balkans in the 1990s, and operated alongside VQ-1 to enforce no-fly zones with operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch during the same period. More recently, VQ-2 deployed to support both operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in the Middle East. The closure of VQ-2 facilities in Rota is being done in phases, with most of the Sailors and their family members being permitted to complete their tours in Spain, while new personnel report to facilities in Whidbey Island. Additionally, two smaller associated units, Naval Security Group Activity Rota and Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Unit Rota, will be disestablished through the ongoing transformation efforts. For related news, visit the COMUSNAVEUR/COMSIXTHFLT Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/naveur/. Regards, Marco P.J. Borst P-3 Orion Research Group - The Netherlands e-mail: P-3 website: http://home.planet.nl/~p3orion MSN Messenger: subscribe to the P-3 Orion e-mail group: "The reward of a job well done is to have done it." |
#12
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niceguy wrote: Was VQ-2 once named VU-2? I was assigned to VU-2 in the early 50s until I swapped to VS-27 to get sea duty. VU-2 became VC-2 on 01 July 1965 and then went out of business on 30 SEP 1980. AFAIK the squadron continued doing the same job. MW |
#13
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I'm a VQ-2 Plankowner (P4M-1Q driver, if any of you remember the bird) and
have been involved, as many of you know, in rounding up the living VQ Port Lyautey and Sangley Point Plankowners so that we could present each unit with a certificate of appreciation in our names on the date of the anniversaries. The VQ-1 certificate was presented on 1June and the VQ-2 one is in the works. In discussing the move from Rota with the first VQ-2 skipper, CDR (now CAPT, Ret) Morrie Kalin, here's his take in an e-mail to me this week: "Whidbey is a great place. The carrier detachments will be happy, the shore detachment will be happy and the dependents will be happy. Two or three tours in the same squadron will be common. The aircrews and the pilots will be real specialists. Promotions and advancements in rank will all be in-house....even the detail people - less work for them. It will be like a separate Navy of highly qualified experts that almost everybody will want to be assigned to. Who could have anticipated this future for VQ-2? I hope they will all rush out and buy your book!" Morrie's in his nineties, not in good health, but I thought you'd be interested. It's an interesting viewpoint - I'm not sure I agree with everything he says, but there it is. |
#14
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There's a Mel Davidow who posted here a few months ago that he was
one of the original 12 to get orders to the P4M-1Q: http://www.aviationbanter.com/q-t_7783-Reqest-info-P4M-Mercator.html -------------------------------- John McIntyre wrote: I'm a VQ-2 Plankowner (P4M-1Q driver, if any of you remember the bird) and have been involved, as many of you know, in rounding up the living VQ Port Lyautey and Sangley Point Plankowners so that we could present each unit with a certificate of appreciation in our names on the date of the anniversaries. The VQ-1 certificate was presented on 1June and the VQ-2 one is in the works. In discussing the move from Rota with the first VQ-2 skipper, CDR (now CAPT, Ret) Morrie Kalin, here's his take in an e-mail to me this week: "Whidbey is a great place. The carrier detachments will be happy, the shore detachment will be happy and the dependents will be happy. Two or three tours in the same squadron will be common. The aircrews and the pilots will be real specialists. Promotions and advancements in rank will all be in-house....even the detail people - less work for them. It will be like a separate Navy of highly qualified experts that almost everybody will want to be assigned to. Who could have anticipated this future for VQ-2? I hope they will all rush out and buy your book!" Morrie's in his nineties, not in good health, but I thought you'd be interested. It's an interesting viewpoint - I'm not sure I agree with everything he says, but there it is. |
#15
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I remeber the Mercator. We were all a little bemused hwne this big
twin-engined prop plane emitted starting-up jet noises while waiting number one for the runway there at Naha back in the fifties. We were also a little bemused at having to make IDs on blacked-out P4s returing from their nocturnal prowls along the PRC coastline. Any of y'all remember the blacked-out F86Ds formating on you while the pilot read the BuNos with his flashlight? Walt BJ, ex-25FIS, Naha AB. 54-57 |
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