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HistoryVP-28 HistoryHistory

Circa 1959

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Shipmate Pix "...Circa 1957 - 1959..." Contributed by AEM2 Ronald P. Doran ron479usa@ameritech.net [11FEB98]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Shipmate Pix "...Circa 1957 - 1959..." Contributed by AEM2 Ronald P. Doran ron479usa@ameritech.net [11FEB98]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Shipmate Pix "...Circa 1957 - 1959..." Contributed by AEM2 Ronald P. Doran ron479usa@ameritech.net [11FEB98]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Shipmate Pix "...Circa 1957 - 1959..." Contributed by AEM2 Ronald P. Doran ron479usa@ameritech.net [11FEB98]


Circa 1958

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP History ThumbnailCameraVP-28 History "...Found this photo of the new NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii Enlisted Mens Barricks which VP-28 moved into on our return from Operation Hardtack 1958. Nice new car bumpers on the cars..." Contributed by AEM2 Ronald P. Doran ron479usa@ameritech.net [09JUN2004]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...1958 CruiseBook: OPERATION HARDTACK is only one short chapter in the honored history of Patrol Squadron TWENTY EIGHT. As rich in tradition as the Navy itself, VP-28 was commissioned in 1928 and stationed at NAS Kaneohe Bay, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii. The "Hawaiian Warriors" flew PB4Y-l's on anti-submarine and ship surveillance training missions prior to World War II. Redesignated VPB-108 the "Warriors" took their "Liberators" into the Pacific theater of operations in 1943. During the war years the Squadron made an impressive record supporting invasions and naval operations in the Central Pacific. Flying 731 combat missions, pilots of VPB-108 developed the low-level bombing techniques that are standard tactical practice today. The Squadron sank or damaged at least 200 Japanese ships. As reward for their contributions to final victory, ten Squadron aircraft flew in low formation over Truk on V-J Day as participants in the surrender ceremonies. In the years that followed the Japanese surrender, VPB-108 returned to Hawaii and was again designated VP-28. Flying the P4Y-2 "Privateer" the "Hawaiian Warriors" deployed periodically to advanced bases at Guam, Hwajalein, and Okinawa. Responding to the war call once again in 1950, VP-28 swung into action by flying patrols in and around the Taiwan straits during the Korean War. Based at Itami, Japan for an extended tour, the "Warriors" patrolled the waters off North Korea and along the Communist-held coast of China. Working closely with the United States Marine Corps, Patrol Squadron TWENTY EIGHT helped perfect night flare dropping techniques that proved amazingly effective against the "human sea" tactics employed by huge masses of attacking North Korean and Chinese Communists troops. The Squadron was rewarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance of duty. P2V Neptunes replaced the old "Privateers" in 1952 and the Squadron returned to Barbers Point. Since that time, VP-28 has conducted extensive training in Anti-Submarine warfare, mining and long-range reconnaissance in the Hawaiian area. Frequent deployments to our nations far-flung Defense outposts have been valuable in guaranteeing the operational readiness so avidly sought after by all fleet units. In the past six years the "Warriors" have operated twice from Iwakuni, Japan and twice from an advanced base at NAS Kodiak, Alaska. On their last deployment to NAS Kodiak, Alaska in 1956, VP-28 flew in support of our DEW line supply fleet, conducted search and rescue-mercy missions and acted as a sentinel patrolling one of the most vital approaches to the North American continent. Patrol Squadron TWENTY EIGHT justly deserves its place in the long and proud history of Naval Aviation. In order to maintain a firm posture for defense and to retain our position as leader of the free world in its struggle with Communism, our nation has again conducted a series of nuclear tests overseas. Because vast nuclear stockpiles are not enough to check the advance of communist in the worlds peripheral areas and because our potential enemy has openly demonstrated his technological prowess and scientific acumen, as well as his declared intention to use these powers to destroy us, we in the free world have been forced to develop more refined nuclear and thermonuclear weapons------ devices which can be employed rapidly and decisively in any given tactical or strategic situation. Patrol Squadron TWENTY EIGHT has played a large part in assuring the successful completion of these 1958 tests. Working together with other units of the Navy and Air Force, VP-28 Neptunes have constantly and efficiently patrolled a large ocean area in a concentrated effort to prevent any stray ships and aircraft from wandering into the danger area and to provide early warning on shot days for all persons located within the operating area. We can be justly be proud of our latest achievements; they will stand as contributions to our country's determined bid to preserve its national substance and the integrity of the entire free world..." Contributed by Charley McCoskey pumpertwo@aol.com

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP History ThumbnailCameraVP-28 History "...Spring of 1958 - VP-28 sign in front of Hanger 111 (Dallas)..." Contributed by DORAN, AEM2 Ronald P. ron479usa@ameritech.net [21DEC2002]


Circa 1956

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News October 1956 "...Ice Floes Ahead! - Page 1 to 5 - Naval Aviation News - October 1956..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1956/oct56.pdf [09AUG2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News April 1956 "...Patrols Are Their Business - Page 35 - Naval Aviation News - April 1956..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1956/apr56.pdf [09AUG2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP History ThumbnailCameraVP-28 History "...VP-28 sign outside the hanger winter of 1956, right after this they put up the new sign with the Warrier on it. Had a snow ball in my hands which at that time were only 19 years old..." Contributed by DORAN, AEM2 Ronald P. ron479usa@ameritech.net [15MAR2004]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP History ThumbnailCameraVP-28 History "...MATS to Hawaii this is door 3 to immigration, old photo, NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii..." Contributed by DORAN, AEM2 Ronald P. ron479usa@ameritech.net [15MAR2004]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...1956 NAS Kodiak, Alaska Cruisebook..." Contributed by Edwin Trefry edtref@earthlink.net [01JUN2001]

Patrol Squadron Twenty Eight (VP-28) has well deserved its place in the long and honorable history of Naval Aviation. Formed in the trying and difficult times of 1943, at the height of battle, Patrol Squadron Twenty Eight (VP-28) went to service with P4Y 'Liberators' in the Pacific Theatre. While in combat, the pilots of VB-l08 developed the low-level bombing techniques that are standard tactical practice today. After careful planning, one of the pilots, skimming the 'Pistol Packin' Mamma' just above the waves to avoid Japanese radar, practically reduced the island stronghold of Mille to a shambles in a single pass over the runway. Caught completely by surprise, the enemy had no time even to pull off the ir gun covers before the plane had thoroughly strafed, bombed, and leveled the base and gone on to sink a Japanese supply ship in the harbor with his remaining two bombs. The day of the low-level surprise attack was at hand, devised bv the pilots and men of VB-l08.

'Liberator's' to the utmost for in the latter five months of 1945 VPB-l08 flew 731 combat missions, sank or damaged more than 200 enemy ships and shot down three Japanese aircraft. Soon after, on V-J day, ten aircraft of VPB-l08 flew low over Truk in formation as part of the surrender ceremonies. They had more than won the honor to participate in the surrender of the "Pacific Gibraltar". After World War II, the squadron returned to Hawaii and conducted advance base operations on Guam, Kwajalein, and Okinawa. The squadron was redesignated VP-28 on the First of September, 1948.

Called again to action in 1949, at the beginning of the Korean conflict, VP-28 flew patrols covering the waters in and around the Formosa Straits. The squadron returned briefly to Hawaii to train new personnel, then re-deployed to Itami, Japan, maintaining day and night vigilance over North Korea and along the Com- munist-held China Coast. Later, working closely with units of Marine Land Forces, Patrol Squadron Twenty Eight (VP-28)helped develop night flare dropping techniques that proved particularly effective against the night time 'human sea', tactics used by the massed attacking Communist troops. As a result of outstanding performance of duty, Patrol Squadron Twenty Eight (VP-28) received the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

In 1952, after near ly ten years res idence in the Hawaiian Islands, Patrol Squadron Twenty Eight (VP-28) adopted a "new look" by exchanging their old and honorable P4Y's which had done such long anddependable service for the newer P2V "NEPTUNES", along range reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrol plane. The following year, in recognition of their beautiful home base and their long term of residence there, VP-28 changed its name to the "Hawaiian Warrior" squadron.

During the present tour in Kodiak, the men and planes of the "Hawaiian Warrior" squadron have flown in the Alaskan-Aleutian area in all kinds of weather, safeguarding our far Northern Defense Perimeter. In addition, they have also conducted search and rescue mercy missions, training, and ice I reconnaissance patrols far into the Arctic North of Alaska.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "00JUN56--...all aircraft were P-2V5's , when I arrived at NAS Kodiak, Alaska June 1956 I think 9 aircraft had guns on them and 3 had bubble noses and the stinger at the tail section for MAD and ECM antennas. They sent me to aerial gunnery school and I was for a short time a deck turret gunner, twin 50's, what a joy to shoot. Had twin 50's in the nose and twin 20mm in the tail, twin 50's as deck guns, the Navy discovered that the guns were no good against jets, we played war games, I would see a jet over my sholder and by the time I swung the turret around to face him, he had a kill on his camera and I never got a shot at him. Also went to escape and evasion school, what an experience..." Contributed by AEM2 Ronald P. Doran ron479usa@ameritech.net [02FEB98]


Circa 1952

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...FASRON-110, FASRON-112, FASRON-114, FASRON-117, FASRON-118, FASRON-119, FASRON-120, FASRON-885, FASRON-895, VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-6, VP-9, VP-22, VP-28, VP-29, VP-40, VP-42, VP-46, VP-47, VP-731, VP-772, VP-871, VP-892 and VP-931) - Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAV NOTICE 05400 for Fiscal Year 1953 dated 1 October 1952 is: DECLASSIFIED per Office of Chief of Naval Operations on 1 February 1965 by Op-501..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao53-68/fy1953-oct52.pdf [14MAR2007]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...FAW-1, FAW-2, FAW-4, FAW-6, FAW-14, VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-6, VP-9, VP-22, VP-28, VP-40, VP-42, VP-46, VP-47 and VP-871) - Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAV NOTICE 05400 for Fiscal Year 1953 dated 1 October 1952 is: DECLASSIFIED per Office of Chief of Naval Operations on 1 February 1965 by Op-501..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao53-68/fy1953-oct52.pdf [14MAR2007]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News December 1952 "...VP Commanding Officers - Page 16 - Naval Aviation News - December 1952..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1952/dec52.pdf [28JUL2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...20SEP52 - A US Navy PB4Y-2S, of VP-28, was attacked by two Chinese MiG-15s off the coast of China. One of the PLAAF pilots was Zhongdao He. The USN aircraft was able to safely return to NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan..." Website: Aircraft Downed During the Cold War and Thereafter http://www.silent-warriors.com/shootdown_list.html [20FEB2003]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...23NOV52 - A US Navy PB4Y-2S, of VP-28, was attacked, but not damaged, by a Chinese MiG-15 off of Shanghai China..." Website: Aircraft Downed During the Cold War and Thereafter http://www.silent-warriors.com/shootdown_list.html [20FEB2003]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "KOREA--ARRIVED: 14JUL50 DEPARTED: 30NOV52 TAIL CODE: CF AIRCRAFT: P4Y-2/2S" http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/koreaob.htm


Circa 1951

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCameraVP-28 "...VP-28 - April 14, 1951 - UFO Tracking...Publication Number: T1206 - Publication Title: Project Blue Book, 1947-1969 - Publisher: NARA - Year: [ILLEGIBLE] - Month: [ILLEGIBLE] - Month Season Number: [ILLEGIBLE] - Location: [ILLEGIBLE] - Incident Number: [BLANK] - WebSite: http://www.footnote.com/..." Forwarded by Stephen Miller f134kilmil@comcast.net [14AUG2008]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCameraVP-28 "...VP-28 - April 14, 1951 - UFO Tracking...Publication Number: T1206 - Publication Title: Project Blue Book, 1947-1969 - Publisher: NARA - Year: [ILLEGIBLE] - Month: [ILLEGIBLE] - Month Season Number: [ILLEGIBLE] - Location: [ILLEGIBLE] - Incident Number: [BLANK] - WebSite: http://www.footnote.com/..." Forwarded by Stephen Miller f134kilmil@comcast.net [14AUG2008]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-28 Pictures "...VP-28 arriving at NAS Agana, Guam sometine 1951. Officers are: CO VP-28; CO FASRON-111, CMD Marshall; XO FASRON LCMD Mann..." Contributed by Jim Garnsey jgarnse1@twny.rr.com [15JAN2001]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-28 Pictures "...VP-28 arriving at NAS Agana, Guam sometine 1951. Officers are: CO VP-28; CO FASRON-111, CMD Marshall; XO FASRON LCMD Mann..." Contributed by Jim Garnsey jgarnse1@twny.rr.com [15JAN2001]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-28 Pictures "...VP-28 CF#4 heading for parking spot at NAS Agana, Guam sometine 1951..." Contributed by Jim Garnsey jgarnse1@twny.rr.com [15JAN2001]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-28 Pictures "...VP-28 CF#4 heading for parking spot at NAS Agana, Guam sometine 1951..." Contributed by Jim Garnsey jgarnse1@twny.rr.com [15JAN2001]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Itami Air Base, Itami, Japan in 1951, during the Korean War, flying the PB4Y-2 PRIVATEER. Kanji Aranishi, the International Representative for the city of Itami, Japan set up a web site at my request to show what it looks like today. I sent him several photographs of what it looked like in 1951. He has set the website up to show then & now. OSAKA (ITAMI)AIRPORT TODAY http://www2.osk.3web.ne.jp/~aranishi/itmbase.htm..." Contributed by Jim Miller Patron28@aol.com [16DEC98]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-28, based at Itami 5APRIL51-9OCT51, aircraft-nine P4Y-2, CO - CDR C. S. Minter. VADM Charles S. Minter, Jr., USN (Ret.). If you need VADM Minter's address, please e-mail me. I am a researcher seeking information from PATRONS on the Soviet submarines based at Port Arthur, China (now called Lushun, China) during the years 1950 through 1951. Any information would be a great help in my research! I am still trying to locate information on Knave 206 and Knave 210 ( one land based aircraft that came out on the morning of July 29, 1951, then the second aircraft in the afternoon to relieve the first, to aid the ships attacking the submarine contact ), I would be most greatful!..." Contributed by Al March a499march@aol.com [12DEC98]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "5APRIL51-9OCT51--Based at Itami. Aircraft: Nine P4Y-2's. CO: CDR C. S. Minter....Allison E. March" a499march@aol.com


Circa 1950

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "..NAVAL WAR COLLEGE NEWPORT PAPERS 38 - High Seas Buffer - The Taiwan Patrol Force, 1950–1979 By Bruce A. Elleman - ISSN 1544-6824 - ISBN 978-1-884733-95-6. Squadrons mentioned: VP-1 1950, VP-22 1953, VP-28 1950, VP-46 1950..." Contributed by Mike Yarded mikeyared@yahoo.com [11APR2012]
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Open VP History Adobe FileHigh Seas Buffer - The Taiwan Patrol Force, 1950–1979 2.34 MB

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-28 "White Hat" Enlisted Personnel NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 19 December 1950..." Contributed by MILLER, James C. Sr. Patron28@aol.com (VP-28 Squadron Historian) [14FEB2009]

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FRONT ROW: AOAN C. W. Eastman, AT1 G. D. Adams, AT3 K. T. Wilson, AO3 W. J. Belletsky, AD2 C. A. Horn, YNSN R. R. Hamilton, AN A. A. Mintz, AN N. Nicastro, AO1 L. H. Barnes, AM1 Wilbur, ABAN R. O. Dalton and AL3 D. L. Klotz.

BACK ROW: AD1 W. H. Stobing, ADAN R. Knopik, AL3 B. W. Edney, AOAN R. P. Sperier, AO3 J. A. Fitzgerald, AD3 T. W. Hutson, AD1 B. G. Zinn, AN D. W. Freeman, AD1 R. L. Mannon and AE3 T. H. Olson.

VP-28 "White Hat" Enlisted Personnel taken just outside their hanger at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, on 19 December 1950, shortly after returning from NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan, where they had been patrolling the waters off of the coast of Korea.

VP-28 was stationed at NAS Agana, Guam in January of 1950, for their normal six (6) month WestPac.

They were scheduled to be relieved and return to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii in June of 1950, when the Korean War began on 25 June 1950. Shortly after 25 June, VP-28 was moved up to NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan to begin patrolling the waters off Korea until reserve Patrol Squadrons could be activated and relieve them, which did not take place until September 1950.

VP-28 flew the PB4Y-2 PRIVATEER, and later during the Korean War most of the same squadron personnel would return to the Korean Theater and were stationed at Itami, Japan in April of 1951. Operating out of Itami and bases in South Korea VP-28 participated in Flare Dropping missions over North Korea in conjunction with Marine Night Fighter Squadron VMF(n) 513, which flew the F4U Corsair and the F7F. VP-28 returned to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii in September of 1951, with the exception of four (4) planes & crews left behind to train the relieving squadron. The last four (4) returned to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii in December 1951.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...INVASION PATROL: THE SEVENTH FLEET IN CHINESE WATERS - by Dr. Edward J. Marolda - Naval Historical Center..." Navy Historical Center WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/colloquia/cch3c.htm [07SEP2005]

Operating from Buckner Bay, the Seventh Fleet would take a day to arrive off the west coast of Taiwan. Naval forces in Korean waters would not be available for at least two days. That, of course, assumed they were not involved in heavy combat operations or engaged in evacuating U.N. forces from Korea, very real possibilities in 1950 and 1951.

In this circumstance, early warning and interception of an invasion force was absolutely vital. Accordingly, steps were taken to establish U.S. air, submarine, and sea patrols of the strait. Operationally, this could only be accomplished through the use of the anchorages, ports, and shore facilities of Taiwan and the nearby Pescadore Islands. Cooperation with Nationalist authorities was implicit.

To improve coordination and communications for the prospective air patrol, during the second week of July Admiral Struble and the commanding officers of two units, VP-28 and VP-46, conferred in Taipei with top military leaders of the Nationalist armed forces.

On July 16, patrol aircraft of FAW-1 began reconnaissance missions in the strait. On that day, VP-28, which flew nine PB4Y Privateers from NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan, inaugurated a daily surveillance of the northern part of the strait and along the nearby China coast. The following day, VP-46, with nine PBM-5 Mariner flying boats, kicked of f patrols of the strait's southern sector from the Pescadore Islands, where seaplane tender Suisun deployed on the 17th. Routinely, patrols were only flown from land bases or secure anchorages during the winter months. Throughout 1950 and 1951, one seaplane and one land-based squadron carried out the round-the-clock patrol of the strait.

The emergency nature of the 1950 patrol was clearly reflected in the way it was set up and carried out. Lieutenant Commander Maurice F. Weisner, the Commanding Officer of VP-46, and a future Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, related in a post-mission report that the patrol units had a difficult time operating in the strait. Day and night, in foul weather and good, his PBMs flew 14-hour circuits just off the "deck." During the winter monsoon, winds of gale-force strength were common.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News June 1950 "...PB4Y's FInd Disabled Ship - Page 18 - Naval Aviation News - June 1950..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1950/jun50.pdf [20JUL2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News February 1950 "...'Night Eye' Planes Active - Page 10 - Naval Aviation News - February 1950..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1950/feb50.pdf [19JUL2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Patrol Squadrons In The Korean War By LCDR Rick Burgess, USN (Retired) - Naval Aviation News July-August 2002..." Contributed by Mike Yared mikeyared@yahoo.com [25JAN2003]
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