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The
History of the VP International Association |
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40 YEARS OF FELLOWSHIP
The P-2000 Club
In a memorandum to his Squadron, the Commanding Officer,
Wing Commander Herb Smale, announced that "effective 1 May 1966 the
407 Squadron Neptune Club would be brought into being", at RCAF
Station Comox, British Columbia, Canada. The purposes of this club were:
a. to provide 407 Squadron personnel who had attained 2000
hours flying experience in P2V aircraft with some form of recognition for
this achievement;
b. to provide other squadron aircrew members with the
incentive to attain this goal; and
c. to stimulate publicity for the Squadron both locally
and nation-wide.
On that date LCdr J. R. (Bob) Wyly USN, F/L R.(Bob)
Stewart RAAF, and 19 RCAF airmen were designated founding members with
lifetime membership in this 407 Sqn Club. W/C Smale appointed F/Ls Dick
Headley and Ed Shack as first President and Vice-President respectively with
the mandate to draw up a charter and such regulations as they deemed
necessary to govern the Club. And so it began.
Within weeks a charter was developed for "The
P-2000 Club". It broadened the scope by extending an invitation
"to all airmen who had flown the Neptune P-2 aircraft". Two principal
objectives emerged:
a. To form an association of airmen who have logged
over 2000 flight hours in the Neptune P-2 aircraft for the purpose of
promoting harmony and good fellowship; and
b. To foster and encourage the formation of additional
Branches of "The P-2000 Club" throughout the world and elsewhere.
While the newly designated membership wrestled with some
tough constitutional problems, the CO was arranging an invitation for "the
Club" to see the new P3 Orion line at Lockheed, Burbank, California. In a
fever of activity letters of invitation were distributed to USN, French,
Netherlands, and Portuguese VP Squadrons. Here the aircrew exchange program
proved invaluable, opening avenues to 10 and 11 Squadrons in Australia and
numerous USN Patrol Squadrons. Patrol Squadron 17 in Whidby Island was the
first to extend "warmest greetings and a sincere hope for success" -
applications for membership followed. On 2 Nov 1966 Mr Jack Coley from
Lockheed in Burbank was guest speaker to the first P-2000 Club Initiation
Dinner at the Sunnydale Golf Course where 22 new members were enrolled.
P-2000 Branches Formed
In December 1966 the Base Commander of RCAF Station
Summerside, PEI indicated that there were some 12 prospective members on the
2 (M)OTU with a willingness to form a club. On 15 December 1966 the P-2000
Club held its first meeting in Comox. A pin and membership card were
approved and annual dues were set at $1.00. On 7 February 1967, RCAF Station
Summerside was given permission to form Number One Branch P-2000 Club with
responsibility for the East Coast Maritime area. At an April l meeting F/L
Dave Nunnikhoven was elected collector of rumbles with the official title of
"Holy Mackerel". September 27, 1967 was the date of the inaugural meeting of
#1 Branch in Summerside. President Ivan Hawley enrolled seven members of a
crew from VP30 who were guests in attendance bringing their total membership
to 26. By November 1967 there were 112 members enrolled from four countries.
While Summerside conspired to find a way to NAS
Jacksonville, Florida, the Comox Club received an invitation to visit the
Boeing plant in Renton, Washington. The news spread quickly. A Navy Times
article written by exchange officer LCdr Bill Delaney USN dated 10 April
1968, spurred applications from VP2 in NAS Alameda, VP9 in NAS Moffatt, 11
Sqn RAAF Edinburgh, Australia and a long distance winner from LCdr Paul
Cutchin, Asst. Naval Attache, US Embassy, New Delhi, India. Sqn Ldr Tom
Trinder RAAF and his 11 Sqn mates taking P3 conversion training in Moffatt,
made several attempts to break bread with 407 Sqn in Comox. The spirit was
willing, but HQ was not. However, not to be deterred, President Headley
sorted out the situation by approving #3 Branch for 10 Sqn, RAAF Base
Townsville. In March, the Summerside Branch was given permission to start #2
Branch in Jacksonville, Florida. A crew from the 2(M)OTU visited VP30 in
Jacksonville on 22 March 1968 and at an Inaugural Meeting Cdr RJ Campbell
was elected president with 34 sub-searching sea flyers to cheer him on.
l968-End of an Era
After 18 years of P2V7 operations, the last OTU course
trained on Neptunes graduated 5 April 1968 in Summerside, thus ending an era
in Canadian military aviation history. This event caused the first ripple of
concern among the P-2000 members for the future of this growing fraternity.
At 407 Sqn the arrival of the Argus with its 20 hour endurance, opened up
new horizons for the Club to expand to the west and south where P2Vs were
still flying. On one of their first Argus trips to Hawaii, 407 Sqn hosted a
P-2000 Club meeting with VP6 and Fleet Air Wing Two. The crews were soon
peddling pins and patches in places like Adak, Hawaii, Japan, Australia and
New Zealand. News arrived in September with the Jax minutes, indicating they
had 43 members - heading on deployment. During the P2V7-Argus transition
period, the "Canucks" continued to keep the P-2000 Club alive by reforming
#1 Branch at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
Looking to the Future
On 19 March 1969 #1 Branch held its first meeting in
Greenwood under the capable leadership of President Capt Ivan Hawley. The
two other executive, WO Ron Eldridge, Secretary; and Capt Gord Whitson, Holy
Mackerel, plus seven members attended. From 18-20 April 1969 Greenwood held
the first P-2000 International Fly-In, with 30 members attending from Comox,
Ottawa, Halifax and Summerside. The meeting was a milestone as the members
attending expressed concern about the fate of the Club and the 300 members
due to the imminent demise of all Neptunes from the ASW role. A vote by the
membership favoured expansion. Major Carrol Potter of 404 Sqn suggested
forming a committee and was subsequently elected chairman of a small study
group to write a military white paper on the future of the P-2000 Club, the
formation of a VP3000 Club and make recommendations to the Branches. A
Military Paper on the P-2000 Club was completed by the Study Group on 2 June
1969 and distributed to area representatives for comment. The paper’s main
conclusions were that the principles and standards of P-2000 should be
maintained, that P-2000 should carry on as long as possible with the HQ
remaining in Comox, that P-2000 should lend all assistance possible to
organize VP3000, and that #1 Branch P-2000 Club should be charged with
recruiting volunteers to organize a VP3000 Club.
Responses to the Study Group from the "International
Advisor Group" were all positive regarding the formation of a VP
International Club. In August LCol Smale recommended the committee consider
expansion by raising the hours to 3000 on any type of VP aircraft, expanding
objectives to promote principles of VP operations, redesigning the pin but
retaining the Neptune and Maple leaf to denote the origin of the Club,
changing the Club name and forming an International Executive to publish a
yearly magazine or newspaper. In a letter to all Branches in November 1969
Pres. Capt Ivan Hawley recommended that "the P-2000 Club aid in the
formation of a larger organization for all ASW long-range aircrew with a
respectable number of flying hours". Capt John Carson in Victoria, B.C.
wrote, "I believe we have a real obligation to the members in support of
P-2000. Let’s not refer to the ruins of the ‘old’ club - instead, let’s use
the club as a stepping stone to something even better". Major Pete Giles,
President of the Comox Branch, agreed with the sentiment and recommended by
letter the "formation of the VP International Association open to any
serving or retired airman who has flown more than 3000 hours on VP
operations".
Formation of the VP International Association
At a 10 June 70 meeting of #1 Branch P-2000 Club it was
recommended that the Charter Club from Comox be transferred to Greenwood to
allow #1 Branch to organize VP International. On 28 July 1970, LCol Herb
Smale sent a letter to Col G. A. MacKenzie, BComd, Greenwood, outlining a
plan to expand the P-2000 Club to a VP3000 or an International Association.
He was convinced a new club would still meet the objectives set by P-2000
while promoting the future of VP operations. However, to be successful he
felt it was necessary to have guidance, direction and support by a senior
officer and requested that Col MacKenzie be the Official Sponsor of a VP
International Association. On 30 July 1970 Col MacKenzie assured his support
by agreeing to become the Official Sponsor of a VP Association and
appointed Major Carrol Potter as the first President. On 9 October 1970, six
P-2000 members met for the first meeting of the VP International Club to
develop a charter and a fellowship association comprised of Wings, with a HQ
permanently established at CFB Greenwood. Capts Ruohoniemi and Mascotto
volunteered to draft a new constitution and charter for the Association.
After considerable deliberation the executive decided membership would
require 3000 hrs. During a signing ceremony on 1 November 1970, Col
MacKenzie approved the Charter and Constitution, becoming the first member
and Official Sponsor of the VP International Association. The Charter
declared that;
1. All members of the founding P-2000 Club shall have
charter membership;
2. The main objectives shall be to maintain an
organization of airmen to foster goodwill and fellowship among long-range
sub-searching patrol and reconnaissance flyers through the promotion of
understanding and recognition of VP operations and their impact on military
aviation;
3. Membership shall be extended to all airmen who have
logged over 3000 flight hours in VP operations, including Coastal or
Maritime land-based flights;
4. Wings shall be formed under conditions of this Charter
subject to the approval of the International Headquarters; and
5. Honourary membership may be extended to VP Commanders
who have demonstrated a keen appreciation of the VP role.
The rules and symbols of VPI started to take shape under
the guidance of President Potter and the first "volunteer" executive of
Capts Ivan Hawley, Gord Whitson, Lloyd Graham, Geoff Bennett, Sqn Ldr Harry
Devery RAAF and Sgt John Wood. As the first Holy Mackerel, John established
Couth Rules for meetings. A loan was negotiated to purchase the first pins,
patches and scrolls. Taking the advice of the Study Group Lloyd & Geoff
redesigned the P2000 badge by combining the red maple leaf and silhouette of
a P2V7 Neptune with the world globe within a gyro ring. The red maple leaf &
P2V7 are the symbolic links denoting Canadian origin and the P2000 Club. The
designator VP identifies with heavier than air, land-based operations and
the globe balanced within a gyro ring represents the world-wide
international scope, stability and precision essential in ASW teamwork.
Expansion Activities
On 10 December 1970 the first official meeting of VPI got
airborne with 55 members on board. Priorities were set on recruiting members
in countries most frequently visited by Argus crews. Recruiting kits were
made available with Wing eligibility set at six members. On 14-16 Dec 1970,
an Argus, manned by a VPI crew carried out a visit to Air Defence Command HQ
in Colorado Springs. On a visit to the "Hole" the USAF were obviously
impressed when briefer Col Baker stated " I’m not quite sure what your job
entails, but you seem to spend a helluva lot of time at it". The 18 crew
members had a cumulative flight time of 75,461 hours.
During the period March to June 1971 three new Canadian
Wings were approved for Comox, Greenwood and Summerside and the first
Honourary Membership approved by VPI was to Air Marshall Sir Robert T.
Craven AOC 18 Group RAF. The Halifax Wing was formed by Pres. Lt Rolly
Clements CF on 1 June 1971, followed closely by a Brunswick Wing, sponsored
by VP23 with LCdr EV Haag as President. At a meeting of the Greenwood Wing
the executive elected to look at several new projects including hosting all
visiting aircrew performing on Armed Forces Day; sponsoring a VPI Trophy for
the annual Fincastle Commonwealth ASW Competition; and, unanimously
approving a motion that the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of
Defence Staff be appointed as Honourary Members of the Association.
Activities through to December included Col Herb Smale assuming command of
CFB Greenwood and Wings being established at RAF St. Mawgan, RAF Kinloss and
VP-94 in New Orleans. The new VPI HQ President LCol JR MacDonald and an
Argus crew of 20 VPI members visited RAF Strike Command HQ, St. Mawgan and
Kinloss during 18-25 November. On their 30th birthday, 14 Jan 72, 333 Sqn
Andoya, Norway adopted a new VPI constitution and formed #1 Norwegian Wing
with 50 members, under President Capt Knut Moe.
The rapid expansion took its toll on the small VPI HQ
executive and in January 1973 a decision was made to amalgamate the
Greenwood and HQs executive duties to handle details and increasing
paperwork. This newly expanded executive with LCol I. Creelman as President
set some impressive goals: to visit bases and industry; to improve Wing
activities, giving permission to Capt Scott in Winnipeg to form a Wing; to
initiate a VPI newsletter; to host all visiting aircrew on AFD; and to
arrange a formal dinner with R Adm HG Rich, COMPATWINGS-LANT, as guest
speaker.
On 24 July 1974 Major Lloyd Graham was appointed President
of VPI. Fall planning included an International VPI Fly-in to re-establish
communications with the Wings, and to assess future needs, and to honour Col
Herb Smale who was retiring from the Canadian Forces. On a regular patrol
the President held a meeting with the Norwegian Wing in Andoya during a
visit 9-14 Sep 74. This visit ultimately resulted in VPI setting an
objective to support the Norwegian effort to improve the SAR capability of
VP air. From 4-6 Oct VPI members from Comox, Summerside and Greenwood met
and reaffirmed confidence that the objectives as stated in the Charter were
acceptable to all. A motion to develop a new VPI symbol was referred to all
Wings for comments. Due to a strong appeal from President Kare Alvheim of
the Norwegian Wing and Canadian support, the decision of the 8 Jan 75
meeting was that no changes would be made to the Charter or the VPI Symbols.
In order to provide better service to the active and expanding membership a
motion was approved to re-establish separate identities for VPI HQ and the
Greenwood Wing.
On 14 Feb 75 Major Vern McTaggart volunteered as President
of the Greenwood Wing. At their first meeting in March, WO George Easton was
inducted as the first Canadian Observer in VPI.
Fellowship and More Change
Between December 1975 and October
l977 VPI HQ President Major Don Jones approved a Wing application from 10
Sqn, Townsville; reviewed the Greenwood Wing Constitution and presented
Charters to the St. Mawgan and Kinloss Wings while on an Ocean Safari
Exercise. New President Major Lloyd Bolton started the process to obtain a
Neptune and an Argus for public display at Greenwood. By December 1977
membership had grown to 750. This included nine countries with New Zealand,
France and Germany now on the list. A Squadron Change of Command 31 Jan - 2
Feb 1978 was cause for a special VPI meeting in Brunswick, where Cdr Earle
Riffle assumed command of VP8. Adm Rich USN, Cmdr Wilkinson USN, BGen
Carswell CF, BComds from Lajes, Greenwood and Brunswick, COs from VP8, 10,
11, 26, 44, MP 404 and 405, plus 40 members of VPI attended. There was no
lack of fun or fellowship at the excellent VPI dinner meeting which was
highlighted by the VP8 hand-over ceremony the next day.
Symbols of Achievement
During this period Major Bolton
started a regular newsletter from VPI HQ. In early 1978 approval was given
for the Greenwood members to wear the VPI flight patch on the right breast
pocket of flying clothing. Membership had reached 820 world-wide. In an
attempt to get the old NAS Jacksonville Club going again, Capt Pat Murphy
CF, on direction from Capt RE Normi USN then COMPATWING ELEVEN, arranged a
VPI meeting with members responding from seven different VP Squadrons. At a
VPI HQs meeting in Greenwood several RAF and USN exchange officers expressed
concern about lower flying rates affecting the ability of the younger
aviators to reach the 3000 hour criteria in a reasonable tour length. The HQ
decided to canvas the Wings for their opinions. The Wings in Edinburgh, St.
Mawgan, Jacksonville, Greenwood and Andoya responded unanimously that a
minimum requirement of 2000 hours would be more favourable. In February 1980
New VPI HQ President Major Tony Davis requested, and received, approval from
the membership and sponsor BComd Al MacLellan to amend the VPI Charter to
read "2000 flight hours". In April Heinz Katzmarczyk from the Atlantic Sqn
in Nordholtz, Germany, was enrolled free-of-charge as the 1000th member. In
October VPI HQ and the St. Mawgan Wing arranged to hold a 10th Anniversary
Reunion of VPI during the Fincastle Competition. BGen Pickering, Comd MAG,
and 18 VPI stalwarts in a brand new CP-140 Aurora headed for the UK to show
off the aircraft and attend the function. The occasion was hosted by Wing
President Sqn Ldr Vish Deepan from 42 Sqn. An International Meeting was held
and well attended by members from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United
Kingdom and the USA. President of the Greenwood Wing, Capt Mike Gibbs CF put
forth a motion to have 5000 and 10000 hour pins for those who qualified. An
obscure amendment changed the motion to the award of a Silver pin for 5000
hours and a Gold pin for a "year in the air" or 8760 hours. The motion was
carried.
The Greenwood Wing VPI Fellowship
Trophy
At the 1980 Fincastle Competition,
VPI unveiled "The Greenwood VPI Fellowship Trophy" which had originally been
conceived by the late Captain Chris Patrick, CD, of the Canadian Forces, who
was President of' the Greenwood Wing in 1979. Chris had fostered fellowship
throughout his career and furthered the many interests of VP operations. The
Greenwood Wing completed his task by sponsoring the Greenwood VPI Fellowship
Trophy in his memory. Since 1980 it has been presented annually at the
Commonwealth Fincastle Competition to the national air and groundcrew team
who are voted by their peers as best fostering the spirit of VP fellowship.
( Note: 5 Sqn RNZAF, has won the trophy 11 times in 16 years).
The Eighty’s and the Demise of the
Argus
The arrival of a new decade found
international interest and activity at a new high with over 1000 members
enrolled. The hub of activity generally centered around the increasing
coordination required by VPI HQ. The HQ and Greenwood Wing membership were
becoming more involved with hosting visiting aircrew, seeking better office
and lounge facilities, and handling the general administration of a growing
Association. During this period VPI member, Capt (R) Gerry Keil, arranged
for a USN P2V7 to be flown in and retained as a permanent static display.
VPI helped to defray costs and donated a plaque for the Neptune display. On
14 Nov 1980 the Greenwood Wing met for the first time in the VPI Lounge.
With the "Dawn of Aurora" the death
nell sounded for the "one hundred-eyed-monster". On 24 July 1981 Argus 10736
lifted off from Greenwood for the last time enroute to her destiny at the
boneyard in Summerside, thus ending a long love affair with the ancient,
loyal, long-legged bird. In September Cdr Richard Hohlstein on the US
Embassy staff in Japan submitted the names of Capts Sumihiko Kawamura and
Yasumasa Suwabe as the first VPI members from Japan. Fresh back from a
destroyer and a tour with the HS world, Major Don Jones again volunteered
for duty as President VPI HQ. Generosity overflowed from the HQ when it was
pronounced that they would award gold pins free to those who qualified.
Throughout 1982/83 the Association continued to expand.
WO Dave Carter became the Greenwood
Wing President; the BComd, Col McLellan officially opened the VPI Lounge in
6 Hanger; hosting of visiting crews, meetings, AFDs and VP Sqn activities
started in earnest; Felipe Ozanta applied as the first Spanish member;
Norway provided a display flag for the lounge and proposed national names be
added to Wing patches; and 5 Sqn RNZAF was presented with their Charter
while at Fincastle 83. On 13 February 1984 Capt Earle Riffle USN, Commander
Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic, was presented with the Norfolk Wing Charter.
To kick off the 1984 season the Greenwood membership elected to expand the
VPI lounge under the supervision of Wing President Major Ed Raiche. Serious
planning was also started for the 20th Anniversary Reunion in 1986. This was
a growth year with 30 RAAF "desk-flyers" from Canberra, Australia applying
for Wing status. Not to be outdone the "mahogany bomber group" from RAF
Northwood requested Wing sanction for their bunker somewhere near London.
Throughout 1985/86 all Wing energy was focused on a self-help program,
organized by WO Al Belliveau, to renovate the VPI Lounge while HQ under
Major Don Jones planned the 20th Reunion. A Norwegian Wing proposal to add
National Wing names to their VPI logos was approved by HQ for all VPI Wings.
On 31 January 1986 BComd, Col
"Paddy" O'Donnell opened the refurbished VPI Lounge with its VP artifacts
and capacity to host 140 aircrew.
20th Anniversary Reunion ‘ 86
To get the Reunion off the ground
personal letters were sent to over 600 members; 1000 booklets were produced;
30 companies were polled for financial support; prices skyrocketed to $1.25
for a beer; raffle tickets were sold for a P2V painting by Geoff Bennett; CP
Air gave a 20% discount on VPI fares; and food, quarters, transport, prizes,
bands, decorations, golf, publicity, and a "dumb proof " camera were
arranged. Ten VP aircraft (four USN P3 Orions, a French and a German
Atlantic, a Netherlands P3, an RAF Nimrod, a Norwegian P3 and a Canadian
Aurora) representing seven countries, ramped for display at CFB Greenwood.
VPI hosted over 500 members and guests including such VPI/VIPs as BGen
Patrick, Comd MAG; RAdm Osborne, COMPATWINGSPAC; RAdm Gallo,
COMPATWINGSLANT; Capt Battcema, COMNLMPAGRU; Col (R) Herb Smale, Founder of
P-2000/VPI; Major (R) Dick Headley, first President of P-2000; and Major (R)
Carrol Potter, first President of VPI. At a seven country General Meeting 14
Jun 86 the following decisions were made: hours requirement to remain at
2000; HQ to produce a semi-annual newsletter; Warsaw Pact LRP flyers would
not be persued (without an aircraft); and HQ would retain standardization
and control of membership kits. The whole Base did an outstanding job of
supporting this extraordinary "fellowship forum", and VPI HQ President,
Major Don Jones and his committee received many BZs for the excellent
Anniversary effort.
Recognition Through Achievement
Major Lew Ferris replaced Major Don
Jones as President VPI HQ in September 1986. That year was a busy one for
the HQ and Greenwood Wing. In support of the local community the Wing loaned
a good portion of their VP artifacts to a museum for display; Capt (R) Gerry
Keil retired from Holy Mackerel duties after five years in pursuit of
filling the coffers with fines; and BGen Curleigh, Comd MAG, was inducted as
an Honorary member of VPI. Work again started in earnest to update the VPI
Lounge and the Wing agreed to support the national O’Brien ASW Competition,
host all aircrew on Armed Forces Day, and host a 404 Sqn Change-of-Command
reception. In January 1987 the watering hole in the Greenwood VPI Lounge was
named "Belliveau’s Bar" in recognition of the great work Al had done as
Renovator, Wing Treasurer and Bar Coordinator for over six years. In
February the Wing was able to host meet-and-greet duties for the 404 Sqn
Multi-National Symposium which included crews from VP30 in Jax, VP31 in
Moffatt, 236 OCU in St. Mawgan, and 2 Sqn in Valkenburg .
Through the course of 1987 the
Association continued to grow. In September 1987 Greenwood VPI played host
to eight crew members of the Indiana Museum of Military History who were
flying a P2V7 at air shows in the area. All were awarded Honourary
memberships in VPI. VPI flight patches and pins were highly visible in any
group of ASW flyers, but particularly so on combined exercises. The
fellowship objectives were well entrenched in Wing philosophy and the
hosting and camaraderie was second to none. In Greenwood, hosting, in
cooperation with the Base for such events as Fincastle, O'Brien, transiting
crews, AFDs, aircrew graduations, squadron mug-outs, and symposiums was a
common volunteer experience.
The Maritime Patrol Aviation
Magazine
In December 1987 Col ( R) Herb
Smale again took the lead by suggesting that VPI HQ broaden the scope of
activities to take on two major initiatives: the long-range planning for a
25th Anniversary in 1991 and producing a VP Aviation Magazine. Through the
magazine, VPI would be able to reach out to its 3000 members and in so doing
would fulfill the Charter objective of "promoting an understanding and
recognition of VP operations and their impact on military aviation".
In a letter to the senior VP
commanders on the Base, President, Capt Lew Ferris asked for their personal
support to help promote new membership, recognize the volunteer efforts of
those actively involved in VPI, and encourage their exchange officers to
participate through their membership on the VPI HQ executive. At a Greenwood
Wing meeting in January 1988, Col (R) Herb Smale proposed an extensive plan
for starting a world-wide VPI Newsletter which would quickly transition into
a yearly or bi-yearly Maritime Patrol (MP) magazine. A committee comprised
of Flt Lt's Don Brown and Joe Gillan RAF, Col (R) Smale, Major (R) Shirl
Peck and Major (R) Hal MacLeod was formed to investigate. In February,
BComd, Col "Wally" Kirkwood and Wing President Major Bill Reynhart, braved
winter gales to unveil the VPI sign on 6 Hanger designating it the "Home of
VPI". At a VPI HQ meeting in March 1988 the following guidelines were
established for the magazine:
1. A magazine was to be published.
It would be named "Maritime Patrol Aviation: The Voice of VP International";
2. The aim of the magazine would be
to:
a. provide a medium of
communication between VPI members,
b. keep the membership informed of
world-wide VP activities and inform them of Silver Anniversary preparations,
c. serve as a vehicle for the
exchange of ideas of importance to the free world on the broader aspects of
MP Aviation air doctrine, and
d. produce revenue for the
forth-coming 25th Anniversary;
In June 1988 the first VPI
newsletter rolled of the press and was sent world-wide to the membership.
On the 26 Aug 88 a Greenwood Aurora
manned completely by a VPI Crew coordinated a stop-over in Winnipeg with a
Charter presentation to Winnipeg Wing President Burt Page. A river-boat
dinner cruise on the Red River highlighted the event.
VPI HQ also initiated a Gold Pin
Awards plaque for the VPI Lounge to honour the 44 gold pin recipients and
formally bid farewell to retiring West German VPI Wing President, S.B. Horst
Landvogt who was in Greenwood on his last away trip. "Hatte" is a Gold Pin
member with over 10000 hours to his credit.
A VPI milestone occurred in October
when the Editorial Board of F/L’s Don Brown RAF and Joe Gillan RAF; Major’s
(R) Hal MacLeod, & Shirl Peck CF; and Col (R) Herb Smale published the first
44 page edition of Maritime Patrol Aviation Magazine, Vol 1/Oct 1988. In the
Commanders’ Column, BGen Colin M. Curleigh, Commander of Canadian Maritime
Air Group urged fellow MP Operational Commanders and the membership to
actively participate in this journal's continuing development.
VPI Reunion 91
In Nov 88 Major George Kriisk was
asked to make initial plans for a 1991 Reunion. This plan ultimately turned
into a joint venture to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of VPI and the 50th
Anniversary of 404, 405, and 415 MP Sqn’s at CFB Greenwood. In June 1989, a
Base Reunion ‘91 Planning Committee was authorized by the Base Comd and
Major Bert Campbell was assigned duties as Reunion Coordinator.
Sub-committees worked feverishly to finalize the hundreds of details while
registration forms continued to pour in. Attendance estimates at the time
indicated some 2500 ex-squadron, VPI members and guests would attend this
"once-in-a-lifetime" military aviation event. In preparation for the event
MWO George Giles took the wheel as President of Greenwood Wing.
On 13 October l989 a gala "Ottawa
Wing Charter Night" was held in Canada’s Capital city. Again the Auroras
from the east and west coasts took to the skies to descend on Ottawa and
help formalize the event. A capacity crowd of 171 members and guests
welcomed President, MWO(R) John Belleville and his executive into the VPI
realm. Superb hosting and a splendid dinner and dance at the Gloucester
Street, RCAF Officers’ Mess completed the occasion in typical VPI style.
While on a sabbatical to the
Fincastle Competition in St. Mawgan in October, Major Lew Ferris held an
Extraordinary General Meeting of VPI. Here he received marching orders from
the membership to keep "all four nations participation in the VPI Fellowship
Trophy hunt" and that a VPI HQ representative should adjudicate the event.
VPI Moves Into the 90's
As VPI moved into 1990 it was
evident that because of its positive goals and achievements the Association
was earning recognition and acceptance as a partner in many CFB Greenwood
Base activities.
That year the Greenwood Wing was
called on to support four major Base events, the last being Fincastle 90
where the volunteer effort was extraordinary. The Greenwood Wing elected to
arrange a "meet and greet" for all visiting crews and provided
round-the-clock, post-flight, wet debriefing facilities for the 10 missions
flown. G/C Gerrard, RAF, Chairman of the Fincastle Committee, had high
praise for this effort with one suggestion for improvement, "Declare the VPI
lounge an active danger area".
During NATO Exercise Teamwork 90
(MOD) an ASW Mission carried out by a Canadian CP140 Aurora out of NAS
Kevlavik on 15 Sep 90 had a VPI crew on board representing four allied
countries. They were Flt Lt Alex Aiken, RAF, Editor MPA Magazine; Major Lew
Ferris, CF, Det Cdr and President VPI; Capt Mike Foshay, USN, Chief of Staff
COMFAIRKEF; Flt Lt Reg Carruthers, RAAF, Crew Commander and Capt Peter
MacDonald, CF, Vice President Greenwood Wing VPI.
Two interesting International
developments occurred in the spring of 1991. First a request for information
was received from a large number of retired VP flyers from Hong Kong who
were eager to start a VPI Wing. The second event occurred on 26 April when
the VPI Kinloss Wing held a 25th Anniversary Dinner at the Ramnee Hotel with
over 53 VPI members in attendance. Guest of honour was Air Marshal Sir
Michael Stear, KCB, CBE, MA, RAF, Air Officer Commanding 18 Group.
A Gold & Silver Celebration
Reunion ‘91 covered the period 30
May to 2 June 1991 and hosted over 2000 members and veterans of MP Sqns 404,
405, 415, and the VP International Association. By Friday, 31 May, 22
aircraft from ten countries, on three continents, representing 24 different
allied Squadrons had found CFB Greenwood. Crews from Australia, Germany, the
Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and
the United States provided an inspiring international flavour for this
unique Anniversary event. Major Lew Ferris, President of VPI had the honour
of presiding over the "biggest" International meeting on record with some 20
Wings represented. Although suffering from "jet lag and northern Coriolis
syndrome", the President of the Canberra Wing started the meeting off with a
spirited monologue on fellowship. Fortunately in the time allotted he was
able to cover most details.
The official business started with
a minute of silence in remembrance of the USN, RAAF and RAF airmen who died
in tragic air accidents in the past year. Capt Tom Spink ,USNR, Moffatt Wing
graciously accepted a cheque for the VP50 Memorial Fund from CWO George
Giles, President of the Greenwood Wing. The meeting agenda included
overviews of the MPA Magazine, National Associate Membership, International
ASW Competitions, Wing Reports and presentations. On hand to cut the 25th
Anniversary Cake was Major (R) Dick Headley, 1st President P2000 Club,
Major(R) Carrol Potter, 1st President VPI and President VPI Major Lew
Ferris. Highlighting the event was a prime rib and lobster dinner for over
2000 guests.
The closing ceremony on 2 June was
a Wing Parade and drumhead ceremony for the three Canadian MP Squadrons.
Twelve MP aircraft from the visiting nations provided a fitting backdrop for
the occasion.
On the 1 July 1991 the RAF retired
the last of its Shackleton aircraft after forty years of service. Many VPI
members would miss the "Old Growler".
Development & Growth in the 90's
On 29 July 1991, Major Lew Ferris
handed over the job of President VPI to Major Jim Loring in a brief ceremony
in the presence of Colonel Ken Allen, BComd CFB Greenwood and official
sponsor of VPI. Lew had spent five years as President and had served with
distinction supporting the aims and objectives of VPI while engineering its
steady professional growth.
Prior to taking office as VPI
President, Major Loring had been an active member of the HQ executive as
Vice President. During a JMC Exercise in RAF Kinloss May/June 1991 he was
instrumental in signing up the first group of Italian VPI members. As
President, Jim wasted no time in setting an energetic agenda for himself as
our "VPI Ambassador". His backup membership support fell to Capt Peter
MacDonald who became President of the Greenwood Wing on 3 Oct 1991. On
behalf of all members of VPI, Major Loring presented a plaque to Major Bert
Campbell for his great effort as Reunion ‘91 Coordinator. He also presented
a trophy to Greenwood Wing President CWO George Giles thanking him for the
outstanding support provided by the Wing membership during Reunion ‘91.
The VPI Lounge was fully utilized
in November hosting MARCOT 1/91 participants; inducting four members of a
French Naval Air Altantique crew; and enrolling four Japanese Defence Force
officers headed by RAdm Motoo Unimo.
During 1992 the President was able
to coordinate VPI activities with local squadron visits. During Fincastle
‘92, 2-16 Oct in Kinloss, Major Loring led a group of VPI members down to
RAF Finningley to present their Wing Charter and while in Kinloss presided
over the voting and presentation of the Greenwood VPI Fellowship Trophy.
During the October period he also arranged for the CO 415 Sqn, LCol Pierre
Allard, to present a VPI plaque, listing their Gold Pin members’ names, to
333 Sqn RNOAF in Andoya Norway. Meanwhile, the CO 404 Sqn, LCol Bob
Desrochers, was presenting a new VPI Wing Charter to NAS Jacksonville.
At a presentation ceremony at CFB
Greenwood BGEN B.D. Bowen, Commander of Maritime Air Group, presented a
Commander’s Commendation to Past-President of VPI, Major Lew Ferris, for
"his outstanding leadership, and professionalism and tireless efforts in
promoting the interests of Maritime Patrol Aviation through the VP
International Association".
To round off 1992, Major Loring and
a busload of Greenwood Wing members travelled to Halifax on 13 November to
make a surprise plaque presentation to Halifax Wing President Maj Bob
Ruohomimi on his retirement from the Canadian Forces. On 12 Dec 92 VPI HQ
approved a new, updated Greenwood Wing Constitution.
On 28 Jan 93, the Greenwood Wing
became the second Wing to introduce "Associate" members into their
activities. Associate membership are encouraged by VPI HQ. Associate
memberships are sponsored by individual Wings and is tailored to meet local
needs. Associates are encouraged to partake in meetings and social events,
however, until they reach 2000 flight hours are not allowed to wear the pins
or patches of the Association. While on a visit to 405 Pathfinder Sqn and
CFB Greenwood, 16-21 April 93, Group Captain (R) Hamish Mahaddie RAF, was
hosted by VPI as a special guest at a Red Tie luncheon. Group Captain
Mahaddie was a major player in the selection and training of Allied
"Pathfinder" Squadrons during WWII.
The Search For "Lost Souls" Knows
No Bounds.
On an Aurora flight from Comox to
Australia a Canadian crew overflew a sailboat manned by VPI member Capt (R)
John Stevens (newly retired from the CF) - accomplished totally to his
surprise. A care package was dropped to John and his wife complete with
newspapers, magazines and a "cheerful" greeting. Subsequently, the crew of
"sea-dog" made regular contact with VPI HQ during their South East Asia
Tour. True to the MP code of "think submarine", the president of the Halifax
Wing, MWO Ed Olscamp was particularly pleased to welcome ex-submarine
skipper, Vice Admiral Peter Cairns, Commander Canada’s Maritime Forces into
VPI as an Honorary Member on 12 May 1993. Six months later Ed presented
Brigadier General Brock Horseman, Commander Maritime Air Group with his VPI
membership credentials.
During 24 May to 8 June 1993, Major
Jim Loring attended the Battle of the Atlantic 1993 celebrations at RAF
Kinloss in honour of the 50th Anniversary of the allied victory over the
U-Boats in the Atlantic. At the major Mess Dinner to highlight the event
there were five special guests called "The Old Boys" who had served in
Costal Command during the Battle of the Atlantic and were involved in the
sinking of U-Boats. Jim made them all Honourary members of VPI. They
included F/L (R) RAF John Cruickshank, pilot, and F/O (R) RAAF John
Appleton, members of a crew of a Sunderland flying boat that attacked and
sunk a U-Boat in the GIUK gap. F/L Cruickshank received the Victoria Cross
as a result of that action. F/O Appleton was his Sgt tail gunner during the
action.
During the June 75th Anniversary
celebrations of the Netherlands Naval Air Service in Valkenburg, VPI HQ
Historian Major Lloyd Graham inducted Lt Mary Riemens RNLN as the first
female member of VP International.
On 24 June, the President presented
a VPI plaque to outgoing 14 Wing Commander, Colonel Ken Allen, in
appreciation for his support as sponsor of VPI at CFB Greenwood.
VPI HQ played host to F/L (R) John
Cruickshank and the Patrick family during Fincastle ‘93 held at Greenwood
from 3-17 Sep 1993. Capt Chris Patrick, CF, was the founder of the concept
of the VPI Fellowship Trophy. He died before he could finish the project, so
it was continued by the Greenwood Wing and completed in his memory. His
widow Sandra, and children (twins) Kylie Kathleen and Benjamin were all an
hand for the trophy presentation to the winning RAF crew from 42 Sqn. To
complete the year, 27 Greenwood and Halifax Wing members carried out a visit
to the new Canadian Frigate HMCS Toronto docked in Halifax 2 Dec, then
"broke bread", with lunch at the Royal Canadian Legion.
Centres of Excellence Established
On 5 May 94 the Greenwood and
Halifax Wings again arranged "A Night on the Town", when over 20 VPI couples
attended a dinner theatre in Halifax. A few days later 77 of the membership
were back at it again, attending a Red Tie luncheon with 14 Wing Commander,
Col Tom Johnson as guest of honour. At a VPI HQ meeting 5 May 94, the
Kinloss Wing Constitution was approved and the MPA Magazine staff reported
that 17 countries had been in contact and all were "alive and well".
During the O’Brien ASW Crew
Competition in Comox ,BC 2-10 May, the Comox VPI Wing volunteered to host
all visiting crews using their new lounge facilities.
In June, Honourary Memberships were
awarded to RAdm LH Chung In Kwi and Capt Jung Soon of South Korea. The
Kinloss Wing and Northwood Wing of VPI held a dinner at the Ramnse Hotel in
Forres, on 16 Jun 1994. Seventy-two members of the two Wings were on hand
for this auspicious occasion and were honoured to have Air Marshal Sir John
Harris, AOC 18 Group as their guest speaker.
That fall Major Loring received
initial approval from Col Johnson to start planning for the 30th Anniversary
of VPI in 1996 at CFB Greenwood. During Fincastle ‘94 in RAAF Edinburgh,
Australia the President VPI presided over the grand opening of the Edinburgh
Wing VPI "Centre of Excellence". Honourary member F/O (R) John Appleton was
a special guest. The President also found time to visit the local Wing of
the RAF Association and swap tales with some WWII Vets, including some who
had served on RCAF Sqns. On 20 Oct 94 Capt Mary Cameron-Kelly was welcomed
to the Greenwood Wing as the first female Canadian Associate member of VPI.
After 14 years as the Greenwood
Wing Retired Members Representative, Capt (R) Gerry Keil, "pulled the plug"
on 31 Jan 1995, and stepped down to allow a more youthful retiree to fill
the role. CWO (R) Al Belliveau answered the call for a replacement. To top
off the season the Greenwood membership held a highly successful overnight
car rally to the Oak Island Inn on the south shore of N.S.
In March BGen Brock Horseman, Comd
Maritime Air Group, and his wife Lorraine, were guests of Honour at a mixed
VPI dinner held in Greenwood. Car rally fever again hit the Greenwood Wing
in June, along with a new President, Capt Doug Baird. This time the
membership organized a rally, dinner, dance and RON at the Mountain Gap Inn
near Digby N.S. (Some navigation errors, no accidents and a great time was
had by all). In March the first letter announcing VPI Rendezvous ‘96 was
sent out to the world-wide membership via MPA magazine. On 6 Jun ‘95 the
Greenwood Wing held its annual Red Tie luncheon with former WWII veteran Mr
Joseph Casey, Member of the Nova Scotia legislature, as guest speaker. In a
brief ceremony three USN exchange officers, Lt Bill McCrillis, 405 Sqn; Lt
Ed Skelly, MPEU; and Lt Carl Crabtree, 404 Sqn, presented the Wing with the
official crest of disestablished USN patrol Squadron Twenty-three.
Major Loring attended his fourth
Fincastle in a row at RAF Kinloss, 2-17 Oct 1995, and presided over the
opening of the Station’s own VPI Centre of Excellence. It is named "Eddies’
Bar" in honour of MAEOP Eddie Pratt who did the lion’s share of the work on
the renovations & decorating.
VPI Attack Trophy Surfaces
In July 1995 Major Loring handed
over the reins of President to Major Bert Campbell. However, in his capacity
as Past-President Jim still had some unfinished business to wrap-up. During
the year he had resurrected the "Middleton O’Brien Trophy" and had it
renamed the "VPI Attack Trophy". It goes to the Canadian O’Brien Competition
Crew with the most timely and accurate attack during the CASEX portion of
the exercise. The original Middleton Trophy was designed by VPI member, LCol
John Middleton, while Base Operation Officer at Greenwood in the late 70's.
Crew 7 of 405 Sqn led by Flt Lt Ben Gower RAAF won the O’Brien Competition
and the Attack Trophy in Nov 1995. Both Majors Campbell and Loring were able
to represent VPI while attending the Nimrod Memorial ceremony at RAF Kinloss
on 27 November 1995.
During his four-year tour as
President of VPI Major Louring was always conscious of the work and support
provided to VPI HQ. He left a trail of goodwill across several continents
and always made a point of recognizing the valuable contributions made by
the USN, RAF, RAAF, and RNLN exchange officers. On 13 September 1995 Major
Loring was presented with a Commander’s Commendation by Deputy Commander of
Canada’s Air Command, Major General Brock Horseman, for his exceptional
service on the executive of VPI HQ from 1990 to 1995.
VPI Rendezvous ‘96
No stranger to VPI or reunion
organization, Major Bert Campbell quickly settled into the role of VPI
President and Reunion Coordinator for Rendezvous ‘96, to be held at
Greenwood from 30 May to 2 Jun 1996. In August Major Campbell carried the
colours of VPI to Germany where he presented a plaque on behalf of VPI to
Commodore W. Muther, Commander Naval Air Wing 3 in recognition of the wing’s
30th Anniversary at Nordholz.
The planning for this 30th
Anniversary Reunion of VPI has been on-going for some time and Major
Campbell has established a volunteer Reunion Committee of some 26 current
and retired VPI members to handle the coordination and the multitude of
details. All of the membership support for Rendezvous ‘96 will be drawn from
the Greenwood Wing currently under the leadership of Wing President, CWO
"Red" Pigeon. Activities to keep the hundreds of expected guests interested
will include:
- Opportunities for MP crews to fly
Littoral ASW missions;
- International discussions on
Littoral ASW;
- International discussions on MPA
Search and Rescue;
- An International VPI Meeting;
- An opportunity to visit various
industrial exhibits; and
- Celebrate 30 years of
international MPA fellowship.
Conclusion:
On 1 May 1966 it would have been
hard to visualize how a select group of 21 Neptune aircrew could have
possibly developed from the P-2000 Club into a world-wide Maritime Patrol
fraternity of same 4200 aviators called The VP International Association. It
would be true to say that our Association is very unique in terms of
aviation history and on closer scrutiny it is not difficult to see that it
represents much more than just a pin and patch club. There is a lot of
professional glue holding this organization together.
Time and space do not allow proper
recognition of the hundreds of aircrew who have contributed to the steady
professional growth of the Association. The support of volunteers as
executive members, and their ideas, time and personal efforts have kept the
Wings alive and in motion. Many of the major milestones achieved over the
years can be easily identified with imagination, initiative, professionalism
and the personal leadership of those willing to get involved. The mold has
been cast for VPI and it represents an Association we all enjoy. It is quite
remarkable that after 30 years this unique organization has managed to
constantly focus on the right stuff - professionalism and fellowship in VP
operations.
The founding members of the P-2000
Club and VP International, can be justly proud of the unprecedented success
achieved internationally by our VPI membership over the past 30 years.
Article by:
Lloyd E. Graham, Maj (Rtd)
VPI HISTORIAN
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