VP-AM-1 was a Amphibian Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 53 (VP-53) on 1 May 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 53 (VPB-53) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 53 (VP-53) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Amphibious Patrol Squadron 1 (VP-AM-1) on 15 November 1946 and disestablished on 5 May 1948.[1]
1 May 1942: VP-53 was established at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, under the operational control of PatWing-5 and assigned a complement of 12 PBY-5 Catalinas. The squadron commenced training and equipping over the next two months, operating from a field at NAF Breezy Point, near NAS Norfolk.
1–24 July 1942: VP-53 flew to NAS Banana River, Florida, to conduct night flight training and then to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, for torpedo training.
25 July 1942: VP-53 returned to NAS Norfolk, departing the next day for NAS Key West, Florida. The squadron conducted operational combat patrols from this site off the coast of Florida, providing coverage for convoy routes.
24 September 1942: VP-53 departed NAS Key West for its new base of operations via NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and NAS San Juan, Puerto Rico. Upon arrival in Cuba the squadron came under the operational control of PatWing-11. The squadron left Guantanamo Bay the next day for NAS San Juan, P.R., then on to NAS Trinidad, British West Indies, arriving on 1 October 1942.
1 October 1942: NAS Trinidad was the base of operations for the squadron over the next seven months. During this time VP-53 conducted routine Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) searches and convoy protection patrols.
8 March 1943: Lieutenant J. E. Dryden attacked and sank U-156 east of Barbados with the loss of the entire crew of 52 officers and enlisted ratings aboard. The submarine had been responsible for the sinking of the Allied liner RMS Laconia west of Africa on 12 September 1942, in what became known as the Laconia incident.
13 July 1943: VP-53 was relieved from duty in the Caribbean. Immediately after returning to NAS Norfolk, the squadron was given a brief period of leave, then transferred to NAS San Diego, California, under the operational control of FAW-14.
30 September – December 1943: VP-53 began the trans-Pacific flight to NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The last aircraft arrived on 5 October and the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-2. A six-week period of training followed, including operational patrols off the coasts of the islands. By 1 December VP-53 was en route to Funafuti.
January – May 1944: During the squadron’s deployment to Funafuti, Gilbert Islands and Marshall Islands it conducted a minimum of two patrols a day. Although these search patrols produced negative results they provided the fleet with the knowledge that its flank and rear sections were free of enemy forces. Besides the routine patrols the squadron also flew Dumbo (air-sea rescue) missions. While deployed the squadron maintained detachments at Nouméa, Apanama, Tarawa, Majuro and Makin.
May – June 1944: The squadron operated a six-plane detachment from Kwajalein and engaged in night harassment bombing of Wotje, Mille, Maloelap and Jaluit. The bombing was designed to annoy the Japanese garrisons and keep them from repairing the airstrips.
June – July 1944: VP-53 was relieved and returned to NAS Kaneohe Bay, for a short rest period prior to embarking on aboard USS Barnes on 2 July for the trip back to the U.S. and a period of home leave.
15 August 1944: VP-53 was reformed at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, under the operational control of FAW-6. Training of new personnel and refitting with new equipment and aircraft continued through the end of the year.
27 January 1945: VPB-53 began preparations for the trans-Pacific flight to NAS Kaneohe Bay, arriving there and reporting to FAW-2 in early February. The squadron was given the customary period of combat training through the end of March.
31 March 1945: VPB-53 deployed in three-aircraft elements to Palmyra Island for duty with the 7th Fleet at Manus Island. The last element arrived on 14 April and the squadron was given orders to proceed to Green Island.
April – June 1945: VPB-53 arrived at Green Island, coming under the operational control of FAW-10. Squadron operations were primarily air-sea rescue missions in connection with the daily strikes on Bougainville Island and Rabaul, New Britain. The squadron also conducted some night harassment attacks on Rabaul, Buka and Bougainville.
15 June – September 1945: VPB-53 maintained a six-plane detachment at Samar for Dumbo missions and routine patrols. On 22 June the rest of the squadron joined the detachment at Samar, operating there through September 1945. On 1 August the squadron’s primary mission became ASW patrols both day and night.
October 1945: VPB-53 was relocated to Tinian under the operational control of FAW-18 and received new PBY-6A Catalinas.
February 1946: VPB-53 maintained detachments at: Guam, Marcus, Iwo Jima, Peleliu (one plane each); Yokosuka, Japan (four planes) and Saipan (two planes). The squadron still operated under the control of FAW-18.
15 May 1946: VPB-53 was redesignated VP-53, and remained under the operational control of FAW-18. At this time the squadron was maintaining detachments at: Shanghai, Truk, Iwo Jima, Majuro (one aircraft each); Yokosuka, Japan (three aircraft); and Saipan (two aircraft).
6 September 1946: VP-53 was relieved of its duties in the Pacific and ordered to report to NAS Whidbey Island. Upon arrival it came under the operational control of FAW-4 with an aircraft allowance of 9 PBY-6A aircraft.
15 November 1946: VP-53 was redesignated VP-AM-1. The squadron’s aircraft allowance was reduced to 7 PBY-6A aircraft. The complement continued to be reduced and by June 1947 there were only two PBY-5As on hand.
November 1947 – Apr 1948: VP-AM-1 relieved VP-AM-2 at NAS Adak, Alaska. The squadron conducted operations with only three aircraft on hand. VP-AM-1 returned to NAS Whidbey Island by 22 April 1948.
^ abcdRoberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 6 Amphibian Patrol Squadrons (VP-AM) Histories. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 631–3. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
April 13, 2024
amphibian, patrol, squadron, navy, squadron, established, patrol, squadron, 1942, redesignated, patrol, bombing, squadron, october, 1944, redesignated, patrol, squadron, 1946, redesignated, amphibious, patrol, squadron, november, 1946, disestablished, 1948, am. VP AM 1 was a Amphibian Patrol Squadron of the U S Navy The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 53 VP 53 on 1 May 1942 redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 53 VPB 53 on 1 October 1944 redesignated Patrol Squadron 53 VP 53 on 15 May 1946 redesignated Amphibious Patrol Squadron 1 VP AM 1 on 15 November 1946 and disestablished on 5 May 1948 1 Amphibian Patrol Squadron 1Active1 May 1942 5 May 1948CountryUnited States of AmericaBranchUnited States NavyTypesquadronRoleMaritime patrolEngagementsWorld War IIAircraft flownPatrolPBY 5 5A 6A Contents 1 Operational history 2 Aircraft assignments 3 Home port assignments 4 See also 5 ReferencesOperational history edit1 May 1942 VP 53 was established at NAS Norfolk Virginia under the operational control of PatWing 5 and assigned a complement of 12 PBY 5 Catalinas The squadron commenced training and equipping over the next two months operating from a field at NAF Breezy Point near NAS Norfolk 1 24 July 1942 VP 53 flew to NAS Banana River Florida to conduct night flight training and then to NAS Quonset Point Rhode Island for torpedo training 25 July 1942 VP 53 returned to NAS Norfolk departing the next day for NAS Key West Florida The squadron conducted operational combat patrols from this site off the coast of Florida providing coverage for convoy routes 24 September 1942 VP 53 departed NAS Key West for its new base of operations via NAS Guantanamo Bay Cuba and NAS San Juan Puerto Rico Upon arrival in Cuba the squadron came under the operational control of PatWing 11 The squadron left Guantanamo Bay the next day for NAS San Juan P R then on to NAS Trinidad British West Indies arriving on 1 October 1942 1 October 1942 NAS Trinidad was the base of operations for the squadron over the next seven months During this time VP 53 conducted routine Anti submarine warfare ASW searches and convoy protection patrols 8 March 1943 Lieutenant J E Dryden attacked and sank U 156 east of Barbados with the loss of the entire crew of 52 officers and enlisted ratings aboard The submarine had been responsible for the sinking of the Allied liner RMS Laconia west of Africa on 12 September 1942 in what became known as the Laconia incident 13 July 1943 VP 53 was relieved from duty in the Caribbean Immediately after returning to NAS Norfolk the squadron was given a brief period of leave then transferred to NAS San Diego California under the operational control of FAW 14 30 September December 1943 VP 53 began the trans Pacific flight to NAS Kaneohe Bay Hawaii The last aircraft arrived on 5 October and the squadron came under the operational control of FAW 2 A six week period of training followed including operational patrols off the coasts of the islands By 1 December VP 53 was en route to Funafuti January May 1944 During the squadron s deployment to Funafuti Gilbert Islands and Marshall Islands it conducted a minimum of two patrols a day Although these search patrols produced negative results they provided the fleet with the knowledge that its flank and rear sections were free of enemy forces Besides the routine patrols the squadron also flew Dumbo air sea rescue missions While deployed the squadron maintained detachments at Noumea Apanama Tarawa Majuro and Makin May June 1944 The squadron operated a six plane detachment from Kwajalein and engaged in night harassment bombing of Wotje Mille Maloelap and Jaluit The bombing was designed to annoy the Japanese garrisons and keep them from repairing the airstrips June July 1944 VP 53 was relieved and returned to NAS Kaneohe Bay for a short rest period prior to embarking on aboard USS Barnes on 2 July for the trip back to the U S and a period of home leave 15 August 1944 VP 53 was reformed at NAS Whidbey Island Washington under the operational control of FAW 6 Training of new personnel and refitting with new equipment and aircraft continued through the end of the year 27 January 1945 VPB 53 began preparations for the trans Pacific flight to NAS Kaneohe Bay arriving there and reporting to FAW 2 in early February The squadron was given the customary period of combat training through the end of March 31 March 1945 VPB 53 deployed in three aircraft elements to Palmyra Island for duty with the 7th Fleet at Manus Island The last element arrived on 14 April and the squadron was given orders to proceed to Green Island April June 1945 VPB 53 arrived at Green Island coming under the operational control of FAW 10 Squadron operations were primarily air sea rescue missions in connection with the daily strikes on Bougainville Island and Rabaul New Britain The squadron also conducted some night harassment attacks on Rabaul Buka and Bougainville 15 June September 1945 VPB 53 maintained a six plane detachment at Samar for Dumbo missions and routine patrols On 22 June the rest of the squadron joined the detachment at Samar operating there through September 1945 On 1 August the squadron s primary mission became ASW patrols both day and night October 1945 VPB 53 was relocated to Tinian under the operational control of FAW 18 and received new PBY 6A Catalinas February 1946 VPB 53 maintained detachments at Guam Marcus Iwo Jima Peleliu one plane each Yokosuka Japan four planes and Saipan two planes The squadron still operated under the control of FAW 18 15 May 1946 VPB 53 was redesignated VP 53 and remained under the operational control of FAW 18 At this time the squadron was maintaining detachments at Shanghai Truk Iwo Jima Majuro one aircraft each Yokosuka Japan three aircraft and Saipan two aircraft 6 September 1946 VP 53 was relieved of its duties in the Pacific and ordered to report to NAS Whidbey Island Upon arrival it came under the operational control of FAW 4 with an aircraft allowance of 9 PBY 6A aircraft 15 November 1946 VP 53 was redesignated VP AM 1 The squadron s aircraft allowance was reduced to 7 PBY 6A aircraft The complement continued to be reduced and by June 1947 there were only two PBY 5As on hand November 1947 Apr 1948 VP AM 1 relieved VP AM 2 at NAS Adak Alaska The squadron conducted operations with only three aircraft on hand VP AM 1 returned to NAS Whidbey Island by 22 April 1948 5 May 1948 VP AM 1 was disestablished 1 Aircraft assignments editThe squadron was assigned the following aircraft effective on the dates shown 1 PBY 5 May 1942 PBY 6A October 1945 PBY 5A June 1947Home port assignments editThe squadron was assigned to these home ports effective on the dates shown 1 NAS Norfolk Virginia 1 May 1942 NAS Key West Florida 26 July 1942 NAS Trinidad British West Indies 1 October 1942 NAS San Diego California July 1943 NAS Kaneohe Bay Hawaii October 1943 NAS Whidbey Island Washington August 1944 NAS Kaneohe Bay February 1945 NAS Whidbey Island September 1946See also editMaritime patrol aircraft List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons List of squadrons in the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons History of the United States NavyReferences editThis article incorporates text from the public domainDictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons a b c d Roberts Michael D 2000 Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 2 Chapter 6 Amphibian Patrol Squadrons VP AM Histories Washington D C Naval Historical Center Department of the Navy pp 631 3 Retrieved 21 June 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title VP AM 1 amp oldid 1209485228, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
