Patrol Squadron 65 [VP-65]
United States Naval Reserve Patrol Squadron 65 was commissioned on 1 November 1970 during a major reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve Force. The squadron was formed along the lines of fleet Navy squadrons with nearly identical organization and manning levels. It is manned by a combination of active duty (TAR) and part-time (Selected Reserve) personnel. The active duty personnel provide the training cadre and continuity of administration and aircraft maintenance on the days between the Reservist's drill weekends.
The squadron's primary mission is anti-submarine warfare. Secondary missions include mine laying, shipping surveillance, reconnaissance and search and rescue. The Patrol Squadron 65 "Tridents" have performed a variety of functions, including the primary role of maintaining combat crew readiness in preparation for any contingency that would require it to mobilize to augment Fleet forces. It also provides operational assistance to regular Naval forces during drill weekends and annual training periods. VP-65 aircrews have operated in support of Naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Eastern and Western Pacific Ocean, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America.
The squadron initially consisted of twelve Lockheed SP-2H Neptune long range aircraft. While flying the SP-2H, VP-65 won the "Noel Davis Trophy" in 1972, presented by the Navy Department to the most efficient aviation patrol squadron of the United States Naval Reserve. The squadron transitioned to the Lockheed P-3A aircraft in 1975 and was ordered to the western Pacific for its annual training, supporting Commander Task Force 72 (CTF72) in Guam and the Philippines in 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1980. Operational tasking included open ocean surveillance, search and rescue, humanitarian flights searching for Vietnamese refugees, and anti-submarine operations.
In 1981, VP-65 performed its annual training at the NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan, again supporting CTF72. VP-65 won the AVCM Donald M. Neal Award, the "Golden Wrench," presented annually to the best of the thirteen Reserve P-3 squadrons for excellence in aircraft maintenance. In 1982, 1983, and 1984, VP-65 deployed combat squadrons to Naval Air Station, Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines, and to NAF Misawa, Japan. In addition to these sites, flight crews and ground support personnel conducted operations from Singapore, Okinawa, Guam and Thailand.
In 1985, VP-65 supported the Vice-President's National Narcotic Border Interdiction System efforts in Central America. The first Reserve Patrol squadron to maintain a detachment at Howard AFB, Panama, VP-65 played a major role in locating drug smugglers, earning the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for outstanding performance.
VP-65 transitioned from the Lockheed P-3A to the P-3B TACNAVMOD aircraft in 1986, substantially improving mission capability. In November, the command received a Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for its role in "Operation Close Look," a coordinated operation with the Coast Guard in support of their drug interdiction efforts. VP-65 deployed to NAF Misawa, Japan in 1987, 1988 and 1989, demonstrating the superior tactical capabilities of the P-3B MOD aircraft while conducting operations from Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories to the Federated States of Micronesia.
The squadron won the 1988 "Golden Wrench" Award. Crews participated in PACEX '89 in both WESTPAC and EASTPAC. The squadron was presented the 1989 CNO Safety Award. 1990 found the Tridents in NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan for annual training. VP-65's second decade of operations closed out with squadron crews participating in UNITAS XXXI in Chile. The squadron earned the 1990 "Golden Wrench" Award and won the first annual COMRESPATWINGPAC Mining Derby, capturing all phases of the competition.
June 1991 marked VP-65's last annual training period with the P-3B MOD in NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan. The squadron received its first P-3C in October 1991 and completed transition in 1993. The squadron has since completed successful detachments to Puerto Rico, Japan and Guam. The Tridents were presented the 1991 Golden Anchor Award for retention excellence and won the 1992 COMRESPATWINGPAC Mining Derby. During 1994 and 1995, VP-65 provided contributory support to Commander, Task Force TWELVE, Commander, Task Force SEVENTY-TWO and Joint Task Force Six as well as providing aircrews to participate in UNITAS 35-94 at Barcelona, Venezuela and UNITAS 36-95 at NS Roosevelt Roads, PR .
The squadron demonstrated expertise in airborne weapons delivery by winning the first annual COMPATWINGSLANT Tactical Training Team Bombing Derby and the aerial portion of the 1994 COMPATWING FOUR Mining Derby. In addition, the Tridents were awarded the COMRESPATWINGPAC Administrative Excellence Award, 1994 CNO Safety Award and the 1994 Noel Davis "Battle E" Trophy. In 1996, the squadron detached crews to NAS North Island, San Diego, California in support of battle group and counter narcotics operations. VP-65 also participated in two multinational exercises: RIMPAC '96 at Barbers Point, Hawaii and UNITAS 37-96 in Uruguay and Argentina. The command also hosted the COMRESPATWINGPAC Mining Derby, earning first place honors in the contingency brief phase.
The Tridents in 1997 deployed to the Western Pacific, including Japan, Korea, Guan, Thailand, Malaysia, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and Central and South America supporting a myriad of Fleet Operations and Exercises, demonstrating the flexibility and mobility of our Naval Reserve Force. Of note, VP-65 was the first patrol squadron to operationally deploy with the new AVX-1 "Cluster Ranger" electro-optical camera system. Their successful employment of this new combat system earned recognition as Commander Task Force 72 Crew of the Month for May 1997. In 1998, Team Trident was the first West Coast VP Squadron to deploy to the Caribbean. Crews flew from Puerto Rico and Panama supporting counter-narcotics operations. One of our crews was responsible for a $45M cocaine interdiction, the largest of the year.
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