A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-69 "TOTEMS"..." http://www.navy-reserve.org/magazine/9805/nra9805b.html [02MAY99]

The TOTEMS of Patrol Squadron SIX NINE (VP-69), commanded by CDR Malcolm J. McPhee, Jr., operate worldwide from Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington. The squadron, commissioned in November 1970 flying the Lockheed P-2 Neptune, transitioned to the Lockheed P-3 Orion in 1976. The squadron currently employs a complement of eight P-3C Update III aircraft. Deployments and detachments have been supported from Spain, Guam, Japan, Alaska, Republic of the Philippines, Hawaii, Ecuador, Panama, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Canada.

Throughout the years, VP-69 has received countless awards and is recognized as a leader in the Reserve Maritime Patrol Aviation community. Most significantly, the squadron has received the following commendations: 1980 CNO Safety Award; Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Device, 1985; CTF-72 Golden Lens Award for obtaining the first photographs of a new class of Soviet submarine, 1988; Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, 1990; 1991 CNO Safety Award; 1992 CRPWP Administrative Excellence Award and the Noel Davis Battle "E" Award; 1993 CRPWP Administrative Excellence Award, and Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation, 1994. VP-69 also received the 1995 CNO Safety Award and the 1995 Noel Davis Battle "E" Award. Most recently, the TOTEMS earned the 1997 CNO Safety Award and completed transition to the newest variant of the venerable P-3; the P-3C Update III. Continuing a long history of Undersea Warfare prowess, the TOTEMS took first place in the annual Liberty Bell competition; a test of cutting edge undersea warfare fighting skills.

The TOTEMS, one of three RESFORONS that are collocated with active MPA P-3 squadron, are on the cutting edge of Fleet interoperability. The TOTEMS epitomize the One Navy concept. On any given day, VP-69 will have an Orion detached to the Pacific providing contributory support to the fleet, while another "PJ" aircraft is on loan to a Whidbey Island USN squadron conducting training somewhere off the picturesque Pacific Northwest coastline. The TOTEMS define operational primacy!

A BIT OF HISTORY: "21MAR96-NEW ORLEANS (NWSA) -- Patrol Squadron (VP) 69 Combat Air Crew (CAC) 3 reservists, of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., assisted in the rescue of 12 adults and five children aboard the 40-foot fishing vessel Toku on March 21 when that vessel lost engine power about 450 nautical miles south of Guam..." http://www.chinfo.navy.mil:80/navpalib/news/navywire/nwsa96/nwsa0328.txt

"VP-69 History Summary Page"

---

---