VP-6 history with Neptunes.

30 Jan 1948: VP-ML-6 began transition training to the P2V-2 at NAAS Miramar, Calif.

Apr 1950: New P2V-3 and P2V-3N aircraft were received as replacements for the older P2V-2 aircraft flown by the squadron.

28 Jun 1950–12 Feb 1951: VP-6 deployed to Korea as the first patrol squadron in the theater of operations, and the first to fly the P2V Neptune in combat. During this tour the squadron operated from Johnson AFB, Japan, 7 July–6 August 1950; Tachikawa AFB, Japan, 6 August 1950–12 February 1951; and a detachment at Atsugi, Japan, 5 January–12 February 1951. Patrols were flown over the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan, and in support of the Inchon landings.

29 Jul 1950: Two squadron P2V-3s, piloted by Lieutenant Commander R. L. Ettinger and Lieutenant William J. Pressler, sighted a train along the Korean coast near Chongjin. The two crews destroyed the train with 5-inch rockets and 20-mm bow guns. 13 Aug 1950: Two squadron Neptunes, led by Lieutenant Command E. B. Rogers, attacked several boats and barges engaged in minelaying near Chinnampo. Three boats and two barges were sunk. Roger’s P2V was holed six times by enemy fire. On the same day, other VP-6 aircraft damaged two surface craft near Wonson.

16 Aug 1950: A squadron P2V piloted by Ensign William F. Goodman, attacked an enemy patrol vessel near Chinnampo. The starboard engine of his aircraft was damaged by enemy fire and was ditched near the enemy shoreline. The entire crew was rescued by the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Kenya. As a result of this loss, patrol aircraft were no longer assigned attack missions in Korea.

1 Aug 1951: During the squadron’s second combat deployment to Korea it moved to NAF Naha, Okinawa, to conduct aerial reconnaissance off the China Coast under the operational control of FAW-1. 6 Nov 1951: A squadron P2V-3W was shot down with the loss of all hands (10 aircrewmen) by Russian fighter aircraft while on patrol in the Sea of Japan off Vladisvostok, Siberia. BuNo 124284 was conducting a weather reconnaissance mission under United Nations command. The attack occurred over international waters, but the Russians claimed the aircraft had violated Soviet airspace over Cape Ostrovnaya.

7 Jul 1952: VP-6 departed Hawaii for NAS Kodiak, Alaska. Detachments were maintained at Ladd AFB from 14 August–17 September and at NAS Adak from 10–20 December 1952, in support of the Cold Weather Advance Base exercise.

Nov 1957: In November VP-6 participated in the search for Pan-American Flight 944, lost in the western Pacific. The futile search for survivors was the largest air-sea rescue operation ever conducted in the Pacific.

Jul 1962: VP-6 flew 1,000 hours during operations at Johnston Island in conjunction with testing of nuclear devices. Air samples were collected in the zone near the test site and downwind to check on radioactivity and particle dispersion.

Apr 1962: A squadron Neptune, flown by Lieutenant Commander G. L. Page, ditched in the Sea of Japan after both reciprocating engines experienced mechanical problems and were feathered. The ditching was smoothly executed and the crew was picked up within minutes with no injuries.

9 Aug 1964: VP-6 participated in the response to the Tonkin Gulf Crisis with the Seventh Fleet, in waters off Southeast Asia. The squadron flew surveillance and ASW patrols over the Gulf of Tonkin and the South China Sea during this period. VP-6 was based at NAF Naha, Okinawa, on 18 August 1964, relieving VP- 17. A detachment was maintained at NAS Cubi Point, R.P. A few months later VP-6 was transferred to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, where it was relieved in January by VP-2.

Neptune variants assigned.

P2V-2 Feb 1948

P2V-3/P2V-3W Apr 1950

P2V-5 Feb 1954

P2V-5F Mar 1955

SP-2E Mod II May 1962 - 1965

Major overseas deployments