VP-21 History with Neptunes.

Feb 1953: VP-21 replaced its P4M-1 Mercators with P2V-6 Neptunes, carrying the latest equipment for minelaying and ASW, a steerable nose wheel and reversible pitch propellers.

1 Aug 1958: The squadron’s primary mission was changed from aerial minelaying to antisubmarine warfare.

8 Jul 1958: VP-21 deployed to RNAS Halfar, Malta. During the deployment, the squadron participated in the Lebanon Incident from 15 July to 1 October 1958. VPs 21 and 10 provided ASW coverage to the Sixth Fleet during the crisis.

1 Jan 1967: Six VP-21 aircraft deployed to Rota, Spain, relieving VP-24. On 6 June to 23 June 1967, the Rota detachment deployed four aircraft to Souda Bay, Crete, for advanced base operations during the Arab-Israeli conflict.

21 Nov 1969: VP-21 was disestablished at NAS Brunswick, Maine.

 

Types assigned:
P2V-6 Feb 1953
P2V-5F Aug 1953
P2V-7S/SP-2H* Dec 1957

Major overseas deployments
Date of departure Date of Return Wing Base of Operations Aircraft Area of operations
 Aug 1955  Dec 1955 FAW-3 Malta P2V-5F Med
8 Jul 1958 7 Dec 1958 FAW-3 Malta P2V-7S Med
2 Mar 1959 10 Aug 1959 FAW-3 Sigonella P2V-7S Med
2 Mar 1959 10 Aug 1959 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7S NorLant
2 Mar 1960  Aug 1960 FAW-3 Sigonella P2V-7S Med
2 Mar 1960  Aug 1960 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7S NorLant
4 Jun 1961 6 Nov 1961 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-7S NorLant
27 Oct 1962 26 Nov 1962 FAW-3 Lajes SP-2H NorLant
27 Oct 1962 3 Dec 1962 FAW-3 Argentia SP-2H NorLant
5 Jan 1963 1 Jun 1963 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med
29 Apr 1963 1 Jun 1963 FAW-3 Souda Bay SP-2H Med
 Apr 1964  Jun 1964 FAW-3 Argentia SP-2H NorLant
 May 1964  Jun 1964 FAW-3 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib
20 Aug 1965 1 Feb 1966 FAW-3 Rota SP-2H Med
20 Aug 1965 1 Feb 1966 FAW-3 Keflavik SP-2H NorLant
1 Apr 1966 18 Apr 1966 FAW-3 Bermuda SP-2H Lant
1 Jan 1967 29 Jun 1967 FAW-3 Rota SP-2H Med
6 Jun 1967 29 Jun 1967 FAW-3 Souda Bay SP-2H Med
15 Oct 1967 15 Apr 1968 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med
20 Feb 1969 26 Jun 1969 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med