VPNAVY VP-5 Open House
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

Note VP-31 NoticeNote

Note NOTICE: "...I am doing some research for a possible book. I am looking for any information on when VP-19 and VP-50 first started receiving women in the squadron maintenance and aircrew. While I was in VP-31 I was the CNAP P-3C IFT Evaluator and I gave a checkride to a young lady. I believe it was either 1979 or 1980 she was in VP-19. Also when did VP-31 start using dedicated observers for pilot training flights. I believe there were three females who qualified for the observer position around 1979. Jennifer, Marti, and Christy. They attended Deep Water Environmental Survival Training (DWEST) with the XO CDR Howard I believe..." Contributed by KUSMIERZ, CWO4 Richard T. Retired kusi555@hotmail.com [28MAR2023]


Note NOTICE: "...Maritime Patrol Association..." [22JUL2014]

Note   Notice!   Note
Maritime Patrol Association
Maritime Patrol Association
Posted:  July 22nd, 2014
Updated:  July 22nd, 2014

The Maritime Patrol Association is attempting to locate enlisted members of VP-30 and VP-31 who participated in the introduction of the P-3C aircraft into the Atlantic and Pacific fleets in order to include their names on a plaque to be placed in the MPA Hall of Honor. If you know of anyone who fits that category, please forward that information to either of the two individuals below:

CAPT Dick Porter, USN (Ret
dick@porter.net

or

CAPT Ron Martin, USN (Retired)
ron.w.martin@earthlink.net

Thank you,

Dick Porter
CAPT USN (Retired)
dick@porter.net
[22JUL2014]


Note NOTICE: "...I would like to obtain VP-31 Emblem (similar to the one used for a name tag, ect.). I am trying to collect all the emblems of commands that I've been through to put on my retirement shadow box. I would be willing to purchase one if anyone has one or knows where to get one. Please E-Mail me or call on (805)989-3900. Thanks!..." Contributed by ADCS Filomeno Escalona filomeno.escalona@navy.mil [02JUN2007]


Note NOTICE: "...My computer crashed several months ago and along with it crashing I lost the address to my "good-buddy" AE2 Arnie Hendrix (VP-31). Can anyone help me find him? Thanx. AE2 Herzog bob@3rivers.net..." [28NOV2005]


Note NOTICE: "...Looking for AX W. Hodges. He Passed through VP-31 and on to VP-22 in 1966. He was originally from Virginia. Anyone out there have any clues?...J. Manville sp5b_p2v@yahoo.com..." [10JUL2005]


Note NOTICE: "...I am looking for a good source of military coins for my shadow box. Does any one know of a good source? I need VP-48 and VP-31 coins if they even exist...Jim Bolin jim.bolin@navy.mil..." [21APR2005]


Note NOTICE: "...Just wanted to inform my former squadron mates from VP-48, VP-31, VP-16, VX-20 (NFATS) that I will be retiring on May 6, 2005 at 1000 in the VX-20 Hangar NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. It has been a great career and a lot of fun. LCDR (ex AT1)...Jim Bolin jim.bolin@navy.mil..." [25FEB2005]


Note NOTICE: "...I requested information from the Navy/FOIA Office about the possibility of VP-31 going down in Monterey Bay. I received a reply stating that they have no record of any Navy aircraft ever going down in Monterey Bay. I guess that is all I can do until more information turns up...Carolyn Nelson Hoy choy@gfmd.com..." [21JAN2004]


Note NOTICE: "...Navy Establishing Augment Units For All FRS's Including VP-30..." Contributed by LCDR Robert J. Cable cablerj@vp30.navy.mil [03DEC2003]

VP-30 SAU The Navy is scheduling the establishment of a Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) attached to VP-30 for 1 October, 2004. Final numbers have yet to be released, but the SAU is likely to total near 150 personnel composed of Officer and Enlisted instructors and maintenance personnel. The SAU has begun recruiting the advance party of 20 maintainers in the AD, AE, AT, AM, and AME rates. If you are interested in serving as a Selected Reservist in VP-30 SAU, have P-3 NEC's and P-3 experience within the last 6 years, and are within drilling distance of NAS Jacksonville, Florida, please call Naval Reserve Recruiting Area SE at 904-542-3320 ext 490 or the SAU OIC at 904-542-0990.

AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate    AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate    AT - Aviation Electronics Technician    AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic

Note NOTICE: "...I am looking for information ISO for my Father AOC Robert Thompson, Retired. He served with VP-31 in 1967. There were detachments sent from VP-31 into Vietnam. He had a PG 13 entry for being awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and also receiving combat pay in 1967. The detachments went into NAF Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam and FASU/NSA DaNang, Republic of Vietnam. Their is nothing mentioned of these detachments flights anywhere that I can find. Do you know of anyway that I can verify this? He needs this to support his VA claim. He is currently in bad shape with lung and liver cancer. Thanks for any help or direction that you can provide me. Respectfully, LCDR Rob Thompson robertthompson5@comcast.net..." [24JAN2003]


Note NOTICE: "...I am an ex-VP-22/VP-31 in flight tech (71-77) trying to locate a set of decals for an old "factory" P-3 resin model that I am restoring. I did some horse-trading with my CO (Cdr Don Canada) in 1973 and dolled up his new P-3 model in BLUE GOOSE markings (QA-1 Buno 154600) in trade for the one that I have now. The decals set for the "factory" model would include canopy windows, over-the-wing-hatches, main cabin door, cockpit escape hatches, Navy and national insignia. I have contacted several vendors in an effort to locate and purchase a couple of 1/85th scale sets. No joy. I have also contacted Lockheed, who generously sent me a set of props, but had no decals and did not know where I could obtain any. Does anyone know of any sources of the 1/85th scale decals? Thanks. Jerry Leih jerry.o.leih@boeing.com..." [27JUN2002]


Note NOTICE: "...Greetings again. I recently completed my tour at VP-4 and am now serving as the Force CMC for Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Pacific Fleet in MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. I thank everyone for their great response to the VP-4 historical information/photo request. I posted some pictures of our completed projects at the VP-4ever website and I have to tell you the young airmen were just slap smitten with their lineage! The lineage you provided! Now that I'm at the headquarters in the brand new AOC John W. Finn building, I have another request(s): Please e-mail me at cmc@cprfp.navy.mil with any information.

1. After VP-31 closed down in NAS Moffett Field, California and many of the previous CO pictures disappeared. After a few attempt to track them down we have reached a dead end. Anyone with with knowledge as to the whereabouts of those pics or previous CFPWP/CPWP Admirals please give me a shout.

2. I finally got all the CPWP/CPRFP Command Senior Enlisted Photos up starting from 1970 and all the Master Chiefs of the Navy. It's a good start but I want to represent the complete Patrol, Reconnaissance, Bomber, and Rescue missions with a visual interpretation of the aircraft that were flown. My thought is to find the "birthplane" and go from there. Obviously, all roads will lead back to Lockheed's P-3 Orion. Anyone with an "accurate lineage" or even what they think it is will be a great starting point for me and my historical team. I expect in about 6 months we will have a great visual representation and as things start to shape up, I'll put some pictures at this site.

Sorry for the lengthy email but this is pretty important to me and the young airmen just starting out. Best ones.
Mo Radke cmc@cprfp.navy.mil..." [03NOV2001]


Note NOTICE: "...Thanks to AD2 John Bell for the pics of the P2s, P5's and the P-3's. Anybody out there have any pics of the 2 SHU16-B's that we had in VP-31?...Bob Herzog AE2 zog25@montana.com..." [16AUG2001]


Note NOTICE: "...I am currently stationed with VR-1 at Andrews AFB. I am due to retire in August. I am looking for VP-31 Navy Unit Identification Command (UIC) Rockers for my shadow box. I am willing to pay for these Items and shipping. Thanks. Charley Robinson cbstatic@yahoo.com..." [11APR2001]


Note NOTICE: "...I'm looking for anyone who knows where Rilla Marie is? We served in VP-31 in 1989...Bill Longston blongston@yahoo.com..." [18OCT2002]


Note NOTICE: "...Does anyone have a bead on Dan Speed?. He was VP-31 XO and CO of VP-48 in early eighties...SULLIVAN, CAPTAIN Ken Retired ksulli124@aol.com..." [31JUL2002]


Note NOTICE: "...Looking for AME1 Homer Meeks or anyone else serving in VP-31 from 78-82. Bee Pee turty-wun bery-bery good to me...SEEVERS, Robert J. seerjfly@hotmail.com..." [07MAR2002]


Note NOTICE: "...Hi, I'm looking for any AW's that were in VP-31 from 81-84. Also, if anyone was in VP-19 from 83-86 and has any stories about Scott Butville I can use at his retirement. Thanks for any help...AW1(AW) Ret. Rob Bixby Scubabix@mediaone.net..." [11JUN2001]


Note NOTICE: "...I'm also looking for an AW by the name of Mike Dockendorf. I think he went to VP-9 after school in VP-31 in '73. Someone out there knows him, and I'd appreciate contacting him...ROST, AT1(AW) Les lrost@aboutmontana.net..."


Note NOTICE: "...Would like to communicate with any Shipmates who were at NAS Moffett Field, California (VP-48, VP-31, VP-40) from 80 to 89...Doc Holliday wolfdad@navyspecialoperations.com..." [11AUG2000]


Note NOTICE: "...I am trying to get in touch with ET1 or ETC Tony Weida and his wife Elsa. If anyone knows his wereabouts, please e-mail me. I have not seen him since he visited me at Yokota AB, Japan back in 1988, when he was in a VP training squadron. Thank You...Frank Bliss CWO4, Retired lbliss@premier-isp.com..." [04JUL2000]


Note NOTICE: "...I was stationed in VP-4 from '66 to '69. I had a very good friend in that squadron by the name of Lavelle Tinker. We went to F/E school together in VP-31 in '69. I've been trying desperately to find him. He'd gone to VP-1, last I heard, about '86 or so...Dan Oyler mardan@missouri.org..." [20JAN99]


Note NOTICE: "...I'm trying to locate an" old salt" by the name of Marion (Casey) Bardsley. I last saw him in NAS Moffett Field, California in 1977. He was in VP-31. I think he retired in or around the bay area or down around Burbank. If anyone knows Casey or has an idea how I might be able to get up with him - please contact me. I've left this message in a couple of places - I`m just trying to make sure it gets seen by everyone. I'm not sure how much time we've got left. Casey was a hard charger and I fear it may be catching up with him by now. Thank you...Don Mccraney mccran@gtcom.net..." [16FEB2000]

UPDATE "...I just received a message from VP-48 Shipmate, and he has located Casey's phone # & address for me. I just got off the phone with him. Everything's great - thanks..." [18FEB2000]


Note NOTICE: "...I am trying to get back in touch with AMS 2 James Williams. He was an airframer in 31 when I got out in 1991. I dont know what his rank is now - if he is still in or where he might have gone. We lost touch when I moved from CA to WI. If anyone has info please post or E-mail....Steve Kamrowski skamrowski@new.rr.com..." [04AUG98]


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