A BIT OF HISTORY: "Patrol Squdron Forty-Nine Bermuda 80 Cruisebook" [04AUG99]

History of Patrol Squadron Forty-Nine

Patrol Squadron FORTY-NINE, known as the "World Famous Woodpeckers", and presently home based at the NAS Jacksonville, Florida, was initially designated Patrol Squadron NINETEEN when commissioned in February 1944. The original squadron consisted of twelve men and no planes. Today, the husky offspring consist of over 370 officers and men flying the sophisticated computerized P-3C "Orion" aircraft.

One month after commissioning the squadron was conducting missions within 10 miles of the Japanese mainland. Shortly thereafter, in support of the lwo Jima Campaign, the squadron's flying boats, P-5 Marlin, conducted a series of operations in the South Pacific including assistance in "Operation Crossroads" at Bikini Atoll, In 1946, the squadron was ordered to report to Norfolk, Virginia, where it operated for two years as Medium Sea Plane Squadron NINE. On I September, 1948, PATRON FOUR NINE received its present designation. In July 1959, the squadron moved to the island paradise of NAS Bermuda which was home until September 1963. VP-49 assisted with the evaluation trials of our first nuclear submarine, NAUTILUS, as well as successfully vectoring surface units to the splash point of "ENOS", America's space ape. In 1962, the squadron took part in the historic blockade of Cuba.

VP-49 moved from NAS Bermuda to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, for transition to P3A Orion in August 1963. Following the transition, the squadron participated in recovery operations during various flights of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space program. Operational deployments have taken the squadron to NAS Bermuda, NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada; NAS Adak, Alaska; NAS Keflavik, Iceland, Iceland; Sangley Point, Philippines; and Sigonella, Sicily. In addition, Vp-49 has participated in ASW exercises in such places as Puerto Rico, Okinawa, the NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, Sardinia, Nimes Garon, France and Londonderry, Ireland. From 7 June 1968 to 14 December 1968, VP-49 was deployed to NS Sangley Point, Philippines where they flew Market Time and Yankee Team patrols off the coast of Vietnam and routine VP operations in the Western Pacific. Additionally, three aircraft and six combat aircrews were attached to the Royal Thai Air Force Base U-Tapao, Thialand. This was a "First" as the Woodpeckers became the initial East Coast P-3 squadron to make two WESTPAC deployments.

The Woodpeckers transition to the computerized P-3C in March of 1970, and in July scored another "First" with the initial operational deployment of the P-3C. The deployment to NAS Keflavik, Iceland resulted in a personal "Well Done" from CNO, and a nomination for the Navy Unit Commendation from the Commander Iceland ASW Group. The squadron returned from Iceland in November 1970 and was assigned duty with the Patrol Antisubmarine Development Group under Commander Fleet Air Wings Atlantic. In May 1971, presentation of the Navy Unit Commendation to VP-49 was confirmed and the squadron was congratulated for it's ASW excellence.

In October 1971, VP-49 was announced the winner o Captain Arnold Jay ISBELL ASW Trophy, awarded for overall excellence, superior performance in Air ASW, and outstanding achievements in ASW readiness for the competitive period January 1970 to June 1971.

Patrol Squadron FORTY-NINE completed its second five month deployment to Iceland in December 1971, and in January 1972, moved to the NAS Jacksonville, Florida to become a permanent member of the ASW community under Commander Fleet Air Wing ELEVEN. The squadror completed deployments three and four to Keflavik ir February 1973 and August 1974. VP-49 completed its first Mediterranean deployment to the NAS Sigonella, Sicily in August 1975. While deployed to NAS Sigonella, Sicily, the Woodpeckers took part in one vital coordinated operation for which they received a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

The squadron's scheduled ten month stay in NAS Jacksonville, Florida was interrupted by a short deployment to Ascension Island in the Southern Atlantic in January of 1976. There, as part of Task Unit 84.2.5, VP-49 flew surveillance flights on high interest units off the west coast of Africa. For it's part in the operation, Patrol Squadron FORTY-NINE was awarded another Meritorious Unit Commendation.

VP-49 completed its fifth P-3C deployment to Keflavik, Iceland in December 1976 and was awarded yet another Meritorious Unit Commendation for exemplary performance in a critical ASW operation.

Upon their return to NAS Jacksonville, Florida, VP-49 proved themselves, for the second consecutive year, to be the Atlantic Fleet leader in torpedo attack accuracy, and as such was again awarded both the COMPATWING ELEVEN "Top Gunner Award" and the COMPATWINGSLANT "Top Bloodhound Award".

After eight months in NAS Jacksonville, Florida, the squadron departed on its second Mediterranean deployment to Sigonella, Sicily where it accumulated over 4,000 operational flight hours in the Mediterranean theatre. During this time the Woodpeckers distinguished themselves as ambassadors of American good will, and as acknowledged leaders in maritime air operations. They were awarded the Commander, Sixth Fleet Hook-ern Award for ASW excellence. They returned home to NAS Jacksonville, Florida in February, 1978.

While in NAS Jacksonville, Florida, Patrol Squadron FORTY-NINE engaged in training and operational missions in the Western Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. The squadron had detachments to NAS Bermuda and Lajes where they participated in the large scale NATO exercise, Northern Wedding, The Woodpeckers received the Silver Anchor for their excellent retention rate and received the COMPATWING ELEVEN' "Top Gunner" Award for the third consecutive year.

In February 1979, the World Famous Woodpeckers deployed to NAS Bermuda to undertake Western Atlantic ASW operations. In addition to flying over 4,000 hours, VP-49 participated in detachments to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, Panama City, and Curacao Islands.

Successful ASW operational flights became the norm for the entire deployment. The Woodpeckers increased their world fame by participating in

Marcot 1-79, a joint U.S. and Canadian surface and subsurface surveillance exercise. On the 22nd of March 1979, VP-49 reached the milestone of 17 years of accident free flying, and on 2 April 1979, surpassed 125,000 accident free flight hours. Both records establish VP-49 as one of the safest aviation squadrons in the world.

The end of June, the World Famous Woodpeckers returned to NAS Jacksonville, Florida for an at home training period in preparation for another extended deployment in early 1980.

In February 1980, VP-49 exceeded the 130,000 accident free flight hours mark. On April 22, 1980, the squadron was awarded both the AIRLANT Silver Anchor Award and also the CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for having the top record in the area of retention for the deploying squadron category.

The CNO, in May 1980, announced that the Woodpeckers had won the Arnold J. lsbell Trophy for excellence in antisubmarine warfare for the fiscal year 1979.

VP-49 departed for its second 5 month deployment to NAS Bermuda in mid-May 1980, to undertake Western Atlantic ASW operations. In addition to flying over 4,000 hours, VP-49 participated in detachments to NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR, and Barbados. VP-49 was selected to participate in UNITAS XXI, a joint U.S. and South American Naval exercise from May to November 1980. The Woodpeckers visited several Caribbean and South American countries such as Puerto Rico, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Uruguary, and Argentina. Displaying excellence in ASW and promoting goodwill from the United States was the norm for the entire UNITAS exercise. In mid-October the World Famous Woodpeckers returned home to NAS Jacksonville, Florida for an at home training period in preparation for its next extended deployment in mid-1981.

A BIT OF HISTORY: [30OCT99]

"VP-49 History Summary Page"

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