Patrol Squadron 8

 

 

 

Callsign : TIGERS
 

Nato Tiger Association status : honorary member
 

Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) is a U.S. Navy land-based patrol squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (USA).  VP-8 is tasked to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.  The Squadron is currently equipped with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon. It is part of PATRECONWING 11 (Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing).

The squadron was originally established as Patrol Squadron 201 (VP-201) on 1 September 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 201 (VPB-201) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 201 (VP-201) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron, Medium Seaplane 1 (VP-MS-1) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron, Medium Landplane 8 (VP-ML-8) on 5 June 1947 and finally redesignated Patrol Squadron 8 (VP-8) on 1 September 1948.

It is the second squadron to be designated VP-8, the first one was Patrol Squadron Eight-S (VP-8S) on 1 July 2029, redesignated Patrol Squadron Eight-F (VP-8F) on 3 April 1933, redesignated Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) on 1 October 1937 and redesignated Patrol Squadron twenty four (VP-24) on 1 July 1939.
 

VP-201 was flying Martin PBM-3C Mariner seaplanes and on 27 May 1943 these were replaced by the newer PBM-3S with improved radar.  After refitting some crews and aircraft deployed to NAS Bermuda.  Patrols were flown ranging out to 1,300 km, lasting 12 to 18 hours.

On 8 June 1944 VP-201 was transferred back and the squadron was assigned routine operational flights involving ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) patrols and convoy escort.

From 1 April 1945 the started to pick up replacement aircraft, the PBM-5. With those the squadron engaged in ASW, searchlight tactics, gunnery, bombing, and instrument training flights.

Following the end of World War II, the squadron's aircraft inventory was reduced from 15 to 9 and due to the postwar demobilization it also experienced a reduction in personnel.
 

In December 1947 VP-ML-8 received its first contingent of replacement aircraft, the new Lockheed P2V-2 Neptune.  A period of transition training commenced for the switch from seaplanes to landplanes.  With the Neptune VP-8 actively participated in the evolution of antisubmarine warfare, to including the development and evaluation of new tactics and equipment.

After relinquishing the last of its P2V-5FS aircraft to the U. S. Naval Reserve in October 1962, VP-8 became the first operational Lockheed P-3A Orion squadron in the U.S. Navy.  The squadron received its first P-3B Orion aircraft in December 1965.

Upon completion of the squadron's final P-3 deployment in July 2014, aircrew and maintenance personnel began a seven-month transition to the P-8A Poseidon.
 

VP-8 carried out combat missions throughout Southeast Asia in support of the Vietnam War and during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Deliberate Guard, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Deliberate Forge & Operation Enduring Freedom.  They also operated in support of counter-narcotic operations as well as flying Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.
 

The Boeing P-8 Poseidon (formerly the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft or MMA) is a military aircraft developed for the United States Navy.  The aircraft has been developed by Boeing Defence, Space & Security, modified from the 737-800ERX.  The P-8 conducts anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and shipping interdiction, along with an early warning self-protection (EWSP) ability, otherwise known as electronic support measures (ESM).  This involves carrying torpedoes, depth charges, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons. It can drop and monitor sonobuoys.
 
 

(all aircraft are to scale, not all drawings show an aircraft in VP-8 markings)

Aircraft

Martin PBM-3 Mariner (September 1942 – November 1942)

Martin PBM-3C Mariner (December 1942 – April 1943)

Martin PBM-3S Mariner (May 1943 - March 1945)

Martin PBM-5E Mariner (April 1945 – November 1946)

Lockheed P2V-2 Neptune (December 1947 – December 1948)

Lockheed P2V-3 Neptune (January 1949 - June 1955)

Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune (July 1955 – July 1962)

Lockheed P-3A Orion (August 1962 – November 1965)

Lockheed P-3B Orion (December 1965 – July 1981)

Lockheed P-3C UII/UII.5/UIIIR Orion (September 1981 – June 2014)

Boeing P-8A Poseidon (July 2014 - present)
 
Insignia

VP-8S (1929)

VP-8F (1933)

VP-24 (1939)
 

VP-201 (1942)

VP-MS-1 (1947)

VP-8 (1950)
 

VP-8 (1962)

VP-8 (1978)

VP-8 (1979)
 

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11

Naval Air Station Jacksonville

  
 
 

Unit awards

Navy Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Navy Unit Commendation

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
 

Navy Expeditionary Medal

Coast Guard Unit Commendation

Southwest Asia Service Medal
 

Navy E Ribbon

    
 
 

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text & picture sources : own collection & library + the world wide web / No copyright infringement intended : drawings, photos, etc. belong to the rightful owners.