VQ-2 Scheduled for Homeport Change

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:
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"The reward of a job well done is to have done it."

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

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.

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.

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