VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
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ShipmateFASRON-112 ShipmatesShipmate

CARAWAY, AEC Tom Retired trbltom@earthlink.net "...I was an AEAN in ATU-10 in 1948, then to FASRON-114 in 49-AE3. transferred to FASRON-112 in 50. Made AE2 and was one of 26 regulars transferred with Cheif Fred Murcray to VP-812 to help them get checked out in P2Vs in 52. The squadron was redesignated VP-29. We deployed to NAS Atsugi, Japan where I made AE1. Upon return to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington I am told I was the first AE to be made Plane Captain on P2Vs. January 1954 we deployed to Kwajalien as Crew 8, Lt. Bob Hubenette was PPC, Ed Meyers Copilot, R. D. Butler AT1, W. R. Miller ALC, R. D. Day AT3, McMahon AD3 and Joe Teague. We participated in Operation Castle out of Entawetok. Went back to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington trained and deployed to Okinawa as Crew 5, LCDR Gene Lane PPC, Stan Onderdonk Copilot, Ens Graves Navigator, Zalenski AT3, Donahue AD3, J. S. McDonald AL1, Henrey Arrends AT3, and Phil Rossi AO1. We flew the Straits of Formosa. Upon arrival back at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington on 16 Oct 54, VP-29 was disbanded and redesignated VAH-2 home ported at NAS North Island, San Diego, California. I went thru the training for Plane Captain on A3Ds but went to B school. Made AEC in 1955. Shore duty and to AIRBOSSRON 2 at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii in 1959. Flew as ECC and Chief Cook on SH 12 over a year. The squadron combined with the VWs to become AEWBarRonPac. Started teaching in BLDG 109 and set up a leadership program. I made E8. Capt John Mishan named me Leading Chief until shorevey got me in 1963 - to shore duty. In 1966 back to sea duty with VP-19 in NAS Iwakuni, Japan completed the deployment and back to NAS Moffett Field, California to retire October 1967. I have lots of memories, photos, and still remain in contact with several of my "old" Shipmates. Give me a call!..." [27JAN2001]


EDMINISTER, AT1 Walter H. whe76@scottsboro.org "...I just retired from a long career in the space industry. Before that I was an AT1 with VP-6, Crew 12, 1955-1956. Those were the best two years of my 11 year stay in Naval Aviation. Retired and with time on my hands, I decided to look around the net and see if there was anyone out there who remembered what a P2V was. I was surprised at what I found. I've already found some of my old flight crew and looking for more. I was looking through the history of NAS Iwakuni, Japan. I was there in 1956 but was also there much earlier. During the Korean war NAS Iwakuni, Japan was an Australian base with mostly Meteors and Sunderlands. I was with a small five man AUW detachment of FASRON-120 out of NAF Oppama, Japan. We had a small Quonset hut and a barracks with no heating and cold water showers. We ate in a Australian mess hall that served large amounts of mutton and cabbage. Before the war ended the Air Force set up a detachment as a turn around point for people going to and from Korea and set up their own mess hall. We'd walk by there on our way to the Australian mess and smell all those steaks cooking. We came up with a plan. We went to the Air Force version of small stores and bought some Air Force fatigues. Every day at lunch we'd put them on and go stand in line. We finally got caught and they kicked us out. For snacks we went to the Australian 33 club and bought huge bean sandwiches for four cents each and a quart of Lolly Water for a nickel. The most expensive meal in the place was the steak dinner which sold for 36 cents. After I was discharged from the Navy in 1956 I was talked into becoming a station keeper at NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey for two years. We started at NAS Chambley with a 3000 ft runway but later moved to Marietta. They had just switched from PBYs to P2Vs and needed someone who knew how to maintain and operate the ASW equipment. I went there just for a little weekend flying and ended up staying for two years. I couldn't resist it, they had three of my old P2Vs from VP-6. Would like to hear from anybody from the old P2V days and from FASRON-112, FASRON-114 and NAS Memphis, Tennessee in the 1950s. Those were the best years of my life..." [E-Mail Updated 24AUG2008 | 18MAR2000]


GUERENA, Chuck cggin@aol.com "...February 1951 to January 1955. Served in VP-4 from 1952 to January 1955. Made the deployment from NAS Whidbey Island, Washington to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii in 1952 then later that year from NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii to NAS Agana, Guam on 72 hours notice. Back to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington then out again in November 1953 to Okinawa to the Air Force Base at NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan and Naha (was Naha Navy?). Survived major typhoons in both areas. Anyone remember the typhoon that hit on New Years Eve 1953 and early morning 1954 in NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan? Would love to hear from old (old for sure) Shipmates and perhaps trade stories and photos. Was an AK2 (stores) but got to fly as observer in the front and top bubble of the P2V many times. Was with FASRON-112 from August 1951 until I requested and received a transferred to a squadron (VP-4) in 1952. One of my better moves. Wife and I took a trip to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington a few years back and it brought back great memories. Recently retired as a purchasing agent for an aerospace firm..." [02SEP99]


Memorial Picture Shipmate PixCirca 1945 "...HAMMONTREE, ADR1 Jack Retired, My father passed away on May 18th, 1992. Dad enlisted in the Navy (07JAN1942), Class B School (12FEB1942-02AUG1942), Nav School (12FEB1942-15AUG1942), Gunnary Schools (17AUG1942-04JAN1943), Fleet Service School (05JAN1943-23JAN1943), TRANSition TRAINing SquadRON ATLANTic (23JAN1943-03NOV1943), VP-215 (08NOV1943-04OCT1944), VP-98 (05OCT1944-28DEC1944), FAW-14 (01JAN1945-21JAN1945), CASU(F)3 (22JAN1945-21NOV1945), Naval Air Base (SEAPLANE) NAVY NO. 1170 (21NOV1945-24JUN1946), CASU(F)11/FASRON-122 (24JUN1946-01NOV1946), VS-37 (16NOV1956-00NOV1959) and retired (15AUG1961). Some of Dad's awards included the WWII Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, WWII Occupation Medal, WWII American Campaign Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal...." Contributed by Jerry Hammontree jerryh@fastmail.com [19DEC2021]


JENKINS, AE2 Rees E. REESJ2@aol.com "...Joined VPML-1 Nov.47 at NAS Miramar as the sq. was still in the process of receiving new P2V2 aircraft. We left NAS Miramar for NAS Whidbey Island, Washington in Feb. of 48. At that time I was an AEM striker working for Chief "Red" Neil. He went on to become a WO. We made One deployment to NAS Adak, Alaska in 48, and at least two to NAS Kodiak, Alaska before the Korean thing started. At the time there were 3 VP Sqds. at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. VP-1, VP-4, and VP-6. We all left NAS Whidbey Island, Washington at the same time. VP-1 to NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan, VP-4 to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. and VP-6 to Tachikawa JP. I have several pictures of the aircraft as well as some of the people assigned to VP-1 back then. I left VP-1 in early 51 and joined FASRON-112 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. I was an AE2 at that time. I would enjoy making contact with anyone that was a member of VP-1 during that time period..." [30SEP2001]


MAULER, AD2 Richard Dale jamauler@gtmc.net "...I served with VP-28 (1953-1955) at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii with deployments to NAS Kodiak, Alaska and NAS Iwakuni, Japan. I flew (Crew-3 BUNO: 131429) with Bud Nelson (Crew Chief). I transfered to VP-17 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and then FASRON-112 where I was discharged from the Navy (05/1956)..." [05APR2013]


PANTANO, Eugene R. Retired truks@cs.quik.com "...I went to NATTC NAS Norman, Oklahoma (June 1956) for AT training. While there, one of my first tasks was to start and park a F4U Corsair! That was the biggest thrill for a 17 year old. Nothing in my life has ever impressed me more than that day. I served aboard the USS Midway, USS Kearsarge, USS Phillippine Sea, and the USS Boxer. I also served with FASRON-112 and VA(HM)-10 NAS Whidbey Island, Washington (we had the P2V Neptunes). I changed rates to Lithographer in 1960. While on Midway - the Commanding Officer was CAPT Blackburn. He had a Fighter Squadron in WW2 - like Pappy Boyington. If memory serves me right - it was called "Blackburn's Bastards." While on Treasure Island in 1957 for Firefighting School I saw Admiral Nimitz there. Very impressive Sailor! I crossed to Army and retired in 1990 as Sergeant Major (Go figure!). Smooth seas and red skies Shipmates..." [10MAR2004]


RIDER, MCPO Danny L. Retired dlrnavy@sandyvalley.net "...I reported to FASRON-112 for duty at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington in the Spring of 1957. I was assigned to the torpedo shop on the hill. We shared one end of a building also housing the mine shop. I was a TM2 at the time. I lived in the old housing above Title VIII and CPO quarters. I had a terrific tour there and left just as the torpedo shop was moving into the new AUW shop on the East side of the Landing strip. I left there for Submarine school in New London CT. I reported to FASRON-11 at NAS Atsugi, Japan in 1959. I was assigned to the AUW shop located in East Camp. I was a TM2 at the time and advanced to TM1 the next year. I reported in with two children and my wife and left 3 years later with four children and wife. We lived half the tour in Tsuruma and the rest in CCC Housing on the base. It was a wonderful tour which I enjoyed very much. I hope some of my Shipmates from that time period will contact me..." [08OCT2003]

Memorial Picture "...ROBINSON, AKAN Rollin W. "Rollie"...A longtime resident of Healdsburg passed away February 16, 2007; after a long battle with emphysema. He is the son of the late Alan & Marian Robinson; husband of the late Joan Robinson; survived by his daughter Teresa; sister Ruth Hawkins, brother Frank Robinson; sister in law Dee Robinson; niece & nephew Wendy & Todd and numerous cousins. He grew up in Healdsburg graduating from Healdsburg High School in 1949. He then enlisted in the US Navy (FASRON-112 and VP-4). After serving his enlistment he and his first wife Twila & their daughter Teresa moved to Modesto. Rollin worked for Campbell Soup Co in Modesto, He then moved to Alaska and Montana while working as a heavy equipment operator for Motner Mc Kutchen. He and his second wife Joan purchased an almond orchard in Escalon in 1991. They moved to Renton, WA where he worked for the Renton Water District. They moved back to Healdsburg after his retirement in 1993. Rollin is a native of Pomona, CA age 76 years. You are invited to attend a gathering to celebrate Rollin's life on Sunday, March 11, 2007, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Tayman Park Golf Course, 927 S. Fitch Mountain Rd., Healdsburg, For further information please call FRED YOUNG FUNERAL HOME 707-894-2540..." Contributed by ANDRUSZKEWICZ, Steve "Andy" sgpa2zfmly@aol.com [13MAR2010]

ROBINSON, AKAN Rollin (Rollie) W. rol@saber.net "...Was at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington from 1950 to 1954 FASRON-112 later to VP-4 Swim team Softball basketball and flag football teams have pictures of all. Was married on base to Twila Splain. Would like to get reunited with any one that should remember the good times at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of R. W. Dick Jones from Texas please help us get in touch. Thanks..." [14SEP2000]


SPINDLER, AMH2 Dallas dscnohills@aol.com "...I served with VP-1 (12/1956-07/1959) at Ault Field NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. During my tour there we went from P2V-5's, to P2V-5F's with J34 boosters to P2V-7's. I was an E-4, AMH3, Hydrualics/Structural Mechanic and Second Mechanic in flight crew. One six month deployment to NAS Kodiak, Alaska and one TAD (3 aircraft) to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii (08/1958) for Johnson Island "A" bomb detonation. My last year in the Navy was with FASRON-112 Detachment A (07/1959-06/1960) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona as an E-5 (AMH2)..." [BIO Updated 18AUG2011 | 21JAN2002]


WAGGONER, James H. jhwagg@ipns.com "...1950-54 NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. FASRON-112-VP-2 1954-60 NAS Alameda, California.-Engine Overhaul-O&R Flight Line- VP-9-Tad AFPS/Oakland. 1960 NAS Moffett Field, California.- J65 Engine Instructor 1960-64 NAS Lemoore, California. - J65 Engine Instructor 1964-66 NAS Cubi Point, Philippines - Staff COMFAIRWESTPAC 1967-69 NAS Miramar . - VF-124 - Data Analyst 1969-71 USS Oriskany - Aimd- Data Analyst 1971-present - As little as possible and if you know me you know its true..." [28AUG99]


WINTERS, AM2 William "Bill" rocketengnmayer@aol.com "...I was assigned to FASRON-112 from 1956-1958 as a hydraulic and sheet metal repairman (AM2). Then went to NAS Miramar. Then joined the Air Force and wasted 8 years at Vandenberg AFB, CA. Moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1966 and joined an aerospace firm. Retired as project engineer 1989. Now I just play with my toys and remember the great times I had at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. Would like to hear from OLD Shipmates, Chief Bartchecker, Chief Schuller, and others..." [E-Mail Updated 27MAR2010 | 18APR2002]


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