#1740 VP-40, P-8A Poseidon print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1740 - 169348 'QE', P-8A Poseidon, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO 'VP-40', NAS Whidbey Island, WA.
Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO was commissioned on January 20, 1951, at NAS North Island, San Diego, California approximately six months after hostilities began in Korea. Following initial training in the PBM-5 Martin “Mariner” seaplane, the squadron departed for Japan in June 1951 to commence its first six month operational deployment. In September 1952, the squadron arrived at Sangley Point, Republic of the Philippines, where they conducted operations until March 1953. In April 1953, VP 40 transitioned to the new P5M-1 Martin “Marlin” seaplane, becoming the first squadron on the West Coast to receive the new aircraft and thus assuming the “Marlin” as its symbol and nickname, The Fighting Marlins. In August 1959, the squadron changed its homeport from San Diego, CA, to Sangley Point, Republic of the Philippines. Early in 1959, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO adopted the motto “Laging Handa”, meaning “Always Ready” in Tagalog, the native language of the Philippines. While stationed at Sangley Point, the squadron transitioned to the new, improved, PSM-2 aircraft, the last seaplane to be flown by the Navy. Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO moved back to San Diego in March of 1964 and resumed their six month deployment schedule in February of 1965 to Sangley Point in support of “Operation Market Time” in South Vietnam. In February 1967, they departed once again to NAS Sangley Point on what was to be the last deployment of an operational seaplane squadron with the U.S. Navy. In April and May of that year, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO flew the last operational flight of a Navy seaplane. In November 1967, the squadron changed homeports to NAS Moffett Field and began its transition to the land-based P-3B “Orion” aircraft. In January 1968, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO made its first deployment with the P-3 aircraft. Based at MCAS lwakuni, Japan, the squadron flew advanced base patrols out of Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. From 1968 until 1985, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO deployed to areas throughout the Western Pacific and Middle East. In 1986 they transitioned to the P-3C Update III and surpassed 20 years and 145,000 mishap free flying hours. In 1991, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO bolstered the U.S.-led effort to liberate Kuwait during Operation DESERT STORM. During this time, the squadron continued to add to its outstanding record of achievement, claiming three Arnold J. Isbell awards, the Coastal Command Trophy, and two Golden Wrench Awards. In 1993 and 1994, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO won consecutive Battle Efficiency awards. Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO completed a multi-site deployment and returned home to NAS Moffett Field for the last time in 1993. Concluding 26 years of community involvement, the squadron bid farewell to the San Francisco Bay Area and was welcomed to their new home at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington in November. With the terrorist attack on the USS COLE in 2000 and continuing to the early 2020’s, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO has provided continued support for the Global War on Terrorism. Less than 12 hours after terrorists detonated explosives alongside USS COLE in the port of Aden, Yemen, a Fighting Marlin aircrew provided the first American response to the tragedy, carrying supplies and support personnel. During the 2000’s through 2019 Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO, completed highly successful deployments to FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleet areas of operations, contributing to Operations ENDURING FREEDOM-PHILIPPINES (OEF-P), ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF), IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF), INHERANT RESOLVE, ENDURING FREEDOM HOA, RESTORE HOPE, FREEDOM SENTINEL, and PACIFIC EAGLE. In the culmination of a thriving and productive year for the “Fighting Marlins,” VP-40 ended 2013 with 285,146 hours and 52 years of mishap free operations. During this time Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO received multiple awards to include; 3 Commander, Naval Air Forces, U. S. Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency Awards, 1 Captain Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for ASW and ASUW excellence,. 2 CNO Safety Awards, 4 Golden Wrench Awards, 1 Commander, Naval Air Forces, and U.S. Pacific Fleet Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy. Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO departed NAS Whidbey Island March 2019 to embark upon the US Navy’s final active duty P-3C deployment, to FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleets’ Area of Responsibility. As Commander, Task Group (CTG) 57.2 in Isa Air Base, Bahrain, with a detachment site in Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti, the squadron flew hundreds of sorties, including numerous armed escort missions in support of the International Maritime Security Construct. As CTG 72.8 in Kadena Air Base, Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO conducted various operations in support of United States interests throughout the Western Pacific operating theater. Following the squadron’s return home in October 2019, the P-3C was retired from the active fleet inventory. Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO, fighting to the finish, played an integral role in preparing its airplanes for the next stage of their service lives. Within weeks, the squadron flew the Navy’s last active P-3Cs to their new homes aboard the 309th AMARG in Tucson, AZ; reserve squadron VP-62 in Jacksonville, FL; and the Naval Aviation museum in Pensacola, FL. Once complete, the squadron began a rigorous transition to the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, the Navy’s newest Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance platform. Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO was designated Safe-for-Flight 15 May 2020.