VP-46
Encyclopedia
Patrol Squadron 46 also known as the "Grey Knights", is a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy
based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
. Part of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten, VP-46 is the oldest maritime patrol squadron and the second oldest aircraft squadron in the entire U.S. Navy only behind VFA-14
.
in Panama
. Within that year, the squadron redesignated as VP-5F and changed its homeport to Naval Air Station North Island
, San Diego, California. In June 1933 the squadron transitioned to its second aircraft, the P2Y-1. Then in 1938, the squadron transitioned to the PBY Catalina
and later redesignated as VP-32. During World War II
, the squadron sank 3 German U-boats south of Haiti
. At the close of World War II
, the squadron was redesignated as Medium Patrol Plane Squadron Six (VP-MS-6) and changed its home port to Naval Air Station Alameda
, California. Upon changing its homeport to California, the squadron changed to its current designation, VP-46. In 1961, the Grey Knights changed its homeport to Naval Air Station Moffett Field and transitioned to the P2V Neptune, making it the squadrons first land based aircraft in its history. In the 1970s, the squadron transitioned to the P-3C Orion. In the 1990s, the squadron changed to its current homeport, NAS Whidbey Island and Since then, the Grey Knights have completed 46 years and more than 300,000 hours of accident free operations, a Pacific Fleet record.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is a naval air station located in two sections around Oak Harbor, Washington, USA. It was commissioned as an active U.S. Navy installation on 21 September 1942....
. Part of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten, VP-46 is the oldest maritime patrol squadron and the second oldest aircraft squadron in the entire U.S. Navy only behind VFA-14
VFA-14
The Strike Fighter Squadron 14 "Tophatters" are a United States Navy fighter attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. They fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet, and are the Navy's oldest active squadron, having formed in 1919...
.
Squadron history
VP-46 Grey Knights was officially established as VP-5S on July 1, 1931 at Naval Air Station Coco SoloCoco Solo
Coco Solo was a United States Navy submarine base established in 1918 on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Panama Canal Zone, near Colón, Panama....
in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. Within that year, the squadron redesignated as VP-5F and changed its homeport to Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
, San Diego, California. In June 1933 the squadron transitioned to its second aircraft, the P2Y-1. Then in 1938, the squadron transitioned to the PBY Catalina
PBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
and later redesignated as VP-32. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the squadron sank 3 German U-boats south of Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
. At the close of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the squadron was redesignated as Medium Patrol Plane Squadron Six (VP-MS-6) and changed its home port to Naval Air Station Alameda
Naval Air Station Alameda
Naval Air Station Alameda was a United States Navy Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, on San Francisco Bay.NAS Alameda had two runways: 07-25 and 13-31...
, California. Upon changing its homeport to California, the squadron changed to its current designation, VP-46. In 1961, the Grey Knights changed its homeport to Naval Air Station Moffett Field and transitioned to the P2V Neptune, making it the squadrons first land based aircraft in its history. In the 1970s, the squadron transitioned to the P-3C Orion. In the 1990s, the squadron changed to its current homeport, NAS Whidbey Island and Since then, the Grey Knights have completed 46 years and more than 300,000 hours of accident free operations, a Pacific Fleet record.
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons