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Patrol Squadron 64 (VP-64)

. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) commissioned VP-64 on November 1, 1970 at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Originally flying the SP-2H Neptune aircraft, the Condors transitioned to the Lockheed P-3A Orion in 1973 and then to the P-3B model in 1990. Currently, the squadron operates the P-3C Update II aircraft. The Condors can be rapidly deployed worldwide to counter virtually any maritime threat. The P-3C Orion is equally at home tracking submarines as it is conducting long-range ocean surveillance and can also provide Search and Rescue at a moment's notice.

VP-64 is manned by 138 active duty and 172 selected reserve men and women. Most reservists left active duty with three to five years of naval service and have voluntarily continued to serve their country. A combination of experience, continuous proficiency training and operational active duty periods provide the Department of Defense with a fully trained and equipped patrol squadron.

The Condors boast a superb tradition of safe operational effectiveness in a variety of missions all over the world. This includes anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surface surveillance, counter-narcotics and United Nations (U.N.) embargo missions. Current overseas operational sites include Spain, Panama, Puerto Rico, Iceland and Great Britain. In 1977, the Condors became the first Reserve patrol squadron to receive a Meritorious Unit Commendation for outstanding performance in ASW operations.

Taking on the role of fleet contributory support in 1992, VP-64 has demonstrated superb operational diversity. In 1993, responding to the call for enforcement of U.N. Security Council resolutions in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, VP-64 joined Operation Maritime Guardand became the first Reserve MPA squadron to fly fully armed missions since World War II. In 1994, the Condors flew in support of Operation Support Democracy and the Haitian blockade. In 1995 and 1996, despite the rigorous demands of aircraft transition, VP-64 provided Fleet contributory support to NATO's Northern Viking in Iceland and Coiled Cobra in Sicily while simultaneously flying counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean. In 1997, the Condors became the first Reserve squadron to conduct a split-site deployment to both Iceland and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico crews operated with the Navy's newest P-3C Counter-Drug Update. The Condors dropped 60,000 pounds of ordnance in 1998 including the first live Maverick shot by a Reserve patrol squadron. VP-64 has compiled a remarkable safety record completing over 29 years and 100,000 hours of accident-free flying.

Throughout its storied history, Patrol Squadron 64 has received almost every award recognizing outstanding maintenance, operational and administrative excellence. In 1984, the squadron was awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation, the ASW Top Blood Hound Award and the Retention Excellence Award. In 1985, the squadron was chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Noel Davis Battle "E" Award and the AVCM Donald M. Neal Aircraft Maintenance "Golden Wrench" Award. In 1986, the Condors were nominated by COMRESPATWINGLANT for the CNO Safety Award and were awarded the Commander, Sixth Fleet "HOOK'EM" Award in recognition of ASW excellence. In 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993 and 1994, VP-64 was the proud recipient of the Administrative Excellence Award 1991 saw the arrival of the "Liberty Bell" Torpex for ASW excellence in a competitive environment and the Retention Excellence Award.

In 1995, the Condors were commended by the Secretary of the Navy for operations in support of U.N. sanctions against the former Yugoslavia. 1996 brought the CNO Safety Award to VP-64 in recognition of its outstanding safety record.nbsp;The Condors earned another Noel Davis Battle "E" Award in 1997, as well as the "Golden Helm" Award for retention excellence. In 1998, VP-64 earned the CNO Aviation Safety Award.

In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, DoD recommended to close Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, PA. As a result, VP-64 along with all Navy and Marine Corps squadrons at Willow Grove, their aircraft and necessary personnel, equipment and support, were recommended to relocate to McGuire Air Force Base.