| VP-66 - PATROL SQUADRON 66 |
| Comission Date: 1970 Comission Place: NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania |
PATROL SQUADRON 66 HISTORY Patrol Squadron 66 (VP-66) was commissioned on 1 November 1970 at Naval Air Station, Willow Grove Pennsylvania, as part of the Naval Air Reserve. Initially composed of units relocated from NAS New York, VP-66 began with three active duty officers, 50 active duty enlisted personnel and approximately 300 selected reservists. In less than a year, the squadron’s combat readiness increased from last to first place among all Atlantic Fleet Reserve VP Squadrons, resulting in a special commendation from the Commander, Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic. Although the squadron was originally known as the BOXCARS, in celebration of our Nation’s 200th anniversary and in recognition of the unit’s proximity to Philadelphia, VP-66 was renamed the LIBERTY BELLS in 1976. Patrol Squadron 66 flew the Lockheed SP-2H Neptune aircraft until 1973, when the squadron transitioned to the Lockheed P-3A Orion. Since then, the Liberty Bells have flown the P-3B, the P-3C Update II, and completed transition to the P-3C Block Modification Upgrade Program (BMUP) aircraft in September of 2003. This weapons platform, with its dramatically increased Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) and ocean-surveillance capabilities, enabled squadron aircrews to maintain a level of expertise and operational readiness equal to their active component counterparts. VP-66 proudly achieved a major milestone on 17 November 1999. On that day, the squadron surpassed 100,000 mishap free flight hours during the course of its 29 years. A six-time recipient of the CNO Safety “S” Award, the squadron earned this honor in 1980, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2001. In 1993, VP-66 was the recipient of the Noel Davis Battle “E” Award. The unit also received the 1984 and 1992 AVCM Donald M. Neal (Golden Wrench) Maintenance Award, the 1986 Retention Excellence Award and the 1988 Administrative Excellence Award. Additionally, VP-66 was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1996 and won the 1997 International Maritime Patrol Aircraft Symposium Trophy for ASW excellence while competing against crews from five NATO nations and representatives from every active duty and reserve U.S. Navy P-3C squadron. VP-66 was also awarded the Armed Forces Service Medal (24 October-14 December 1996), and the Joint Meritorious Service Commendation for 1 January-31 December 1998. Among the more cherished accolades earned (because of its name), VP-66 brought home the Commander, Reserve Patrol Wing “Liberty Bell” Trophy for Tactical Excellence in October 2003, besting the six other reserve VP squadrons in a head-to-head tactical competition. More recently, Annual Training found the Liberty Bells detached to El-Salvador, Ecuador, and Curacao in support of JIATF-South Counter Narcotic Operations during 2005. During that timeframe, several VP-66 crews were credited with locating drug-running vessels that were ultimately seized by authorities resulting in the seizure of 7.91 metric tons of cocaine with a street value of roughly $150 million. Also in that year, VP-66 was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for contributing support to the Fleet. Selective Reservists provided 7500 hours of Operational Support Drills to the Fleet during 2004-2005. Over the years, the citizen-Sailors of VP-66 were far more than weekend warriors. Squadron personnel operated and maintained as many as seven P-3C aircraft on a full-time basis, flying over 3000 hours annually in recent years. The squadron’s aircraft and 10 flight crews deployed worldwide with minimal advance notice. To enable the squadron to carry out missions around the clock, seven officers and 110 enlisted personnel were assigned full-time to the command. This permanent active duty cadre provided the training and administration for 50 officers and 136 enlisted personnel who made up the Selected Reserve segment of the squadron. The immensely successful efforts of the officers and sailors culminated in 111,854 Mishap-free flight hours over the life of the squadron. On February 11, 2006, the squadron held a ceremony marking its disestablishment, which became effective 31 March 2006. This closure is in compliance with the Active Reserve Integration (ARI) plan. In CY 05, P-3 aircraft fatigue issues required the grounding of 30 aircraft necessitating an accelerated disestablishment plan to recapitalize scarce aircraft resources across the Maritime Patrol community. VP-66 transferred its complement of P-3C aircraft to fleet concentration areas in Florida, Maine and Washington. These transfers permitted significant enhancements to ARI and provided aircraft needed to continue flight training and overseas detachments. Along with the aircraft, VP-66 transferred many top quality people to the front lines of Naval service. The men and women of VP-66 will proudly carry the Liberty Bell legacy of excellence and service with them into the future through continued support to the fleet, their communities and families.
Name Rank Position Call sign Dates of Service Deloache Tim CDR CO 1996-2005 Jones Tom CAPT CO McMahon Donald C. CAPT CO 1993-2003 Mitchell David M. CAPT CO 1994-1999 O'Brien Bill CAPT CO 1978-1990 Sloan Steve CAPT CO 1993-2004 Timmerman Claude CAPT CO 1983-1993 Wadkins James CAPT CO 1980-1994 Anderson William ATCS (AW) Andy 1994-2003 Andrews Mary Anne LCDR Moonbeam 2005-2006 Aragon Gino AECS P3FE 1997-2006 Armstrong Thomas W. AOCS (AW/NAC) (RET) 1970-1994 Aronsson R.W. LCDR Bill Barney Kirk LCDR 2002-2006 Bass George T. AWC (RET) 1980-2000 Beauman James AMC (AW/SS) 1997-2006 Beck Tom CDR 1996-2000 Belaus Anthony V. MS1 Plank owner Benton John N. AT1(AW/NAC) CAC-14 1985-1988 Boer Robert AD2 P3FE Sunshine 1975-1979 Boutcher Walter AW3 1970-1976 Boyt Jim LT 2004-2006 Branner Keith CDR PPC Opie 2002-2006 Briggman Jr. Thomas Jr. MSgt (RET) USAFR Brown W. Shannon CDR OIC 2002-2004 Brunner Robert Bruno Pete AEC P3FE 2000-2005 Buckwalter Jerry AECS Deceased Buyok Jeremy AM1(AW) 1999-2004 Casanova, Jr. Louis AT2 (NAC) 1984-2001 Case Raymond E. AO1 Really Old Man 1996-2001 Cawi Steven AT1(AW/NAC) Cesare Pat ADC Plane Captain, 1970-1973 Cohn Garry L. MS1 1971-1988 Cook Benjamin D. AO2(AW/NAC) Crandell Frank CWO4 Last SelRes MMCO 2003-2005 Croyle Don AK2 Deceased Curran Gordon Custer Jim CDR 2005-2006 Deangeles Anthony CS1 1994-2006 Deeney III John J. ADCS DeMaio William AWCM(AW/NAC) 2004-2006 Desai Mark R. CDR 2002-2006 Di Stefano Jr. Vince CDR 2004-2006 Donahey Landon H. AWC 1996-2006 Eastabrooks Mark AOC 1993-97/ 2004-2006 Eaton Keith AW2(AW) 1997-2001 Erdman James AWCS (NAC) Jim 1971-1981 Evans Joseph ADR1 1970-1975 Faragasso Keith AM1(AW) 1990-2006 Fields Glenn L. AW1(AW/NAC) 1993-2002 Firmbach Gregory A. LCDR PPC/PPIP/MC Swamp Fox 1978-1986 Foster Glen R. CDR TACCO 1979-1985 Furia Joe LCDR Speedo 1994-1998 Furtner Thomas F. CDR 1993-2000 Galloway Earl CMDCM 2005-2006 Gillen Alfred J. AMS2 BIG AL 1970-1975 Giordano Isabel R. CWO4 Intel Officer 1985-1989 Goodwin Charles AWC(NAC) Charlie 1996-2006 Goul Steve AW1(AW/NAC) 1991-2006 Hable Dan CDR FIXO 1994-2005 Haloburdo Donald CDR &nb |
© Copyright 2013 by Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Inc. Developed by Richards Consulting Group