A BIT OF HISTORY: "...On 29 September, 1950, VP-731 was called to active duty from the Organized Reserve at Grosse Ile, Michigan, and reported for duty to COMNAVAIRPAC at NAS North Island, San Diego, California flying the PBM Mariner aircraft. During the Korean Conflict the squadron was awarded the Korean Presidential Citation and on 23 Feb., 1953, VP-731 was designated VP-48. In June 1954, VP-48 completed transition to the P5M Marlin aircraft. In 1959 and 1960 the squadron was awarded the Captain Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for ASW excellence and COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Effeciency "E". While on deployment in the Gulf of Tonkin crisis in August 1964, VP-48 established an all-time seaplane squadron record by amassing 1585 flight hours during one month of ASW operations with the SEVENTH Fleet. One year late, VP-48 established a six-lane detachment at NS Sangley Point, R.P. and was actively engaged in flying Ocean Surveillance Air Patrol flights over the South China Sea. In Setp. 1966 transition to the P3 Orion began as the homeport was shifted from NAS North Island, San Diego, California to NAS Moffett Field, California. In March, VP-38 was once again chosen to receive the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Effeciency "E" for the year 1966; in April the squadron was again awarded the Captain Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for 1965-1966. During 1967 and 1968, VP-48 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, and NAS Adak, Alaska, respectively. The Meritorious Unit Commendation was awarded for the squadron's patrol efforts during the NAS Adak, Alaska deployment. In March 1970, the squadron was awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Effeciency "E" and deployed the following month to Sangley Point. During the next six months, with a detachment maintained at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Vietnam, the squadron flew Market Time flights over the South China Sea. Returning to Moffett Field in October, VP-48 began a seven month turnaround including training, ASW excercises, and administrative and operational inspections. By 1 May 1971, the squadron was on the line again at NS Sangley Point, Philippines and NAS Cubi Point, Philippines with a detachment at the Royal Thai Navy Base a Utapao, Thailand, flying Ocean Surveillance Air Patrols as part of the SEVENTH Fleet operations. VP-48 returned from WESTPAC in November 1971 to transition to the new P3C aircraft. On 3 December the squadron was presented the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency "E" and the Captain Arnold J. Isbell Tropphy for 1970-1971. The Meritorious Unit Commendation was awarded on that date for the 1970 WESTPAC deployment. In addition to receiving the CNO Maintenance Award and the Royal Air Force Coastal Command Trophy, the squadron has held the COMNAVAIRPAC Quarterly Safety Award five times in the last thirteen years. From June 1972 to January 1973 the squadron participated in the "tri-detachmant" deployment which consisted of detachments at NAS Adak, Alaska; NAS Agana, Guam; and Moffett Field. During this deployment, VP-48 saw every type of tasking known to the P3 community, from subtime to MEDEVACS and Sea-Air Rescue operations. Tll this was accomplished from bases several thousand miles distant, in weather ranging from the arctic ice and cold to the heat and humidity of the tropics. VP-48 returned to Moffett Field in January of 1973 for a year of intensive training and reorganization for the purpose of sharpening their skills and talents for missions at home and on the next "tri-detachmant" deployment which began in January of 1974. The missions for the next six months were as varied as the previous deployment with successful Sea Air Rescue missions, MEDEVACS, and numerous flights on submarines, both on operational and training missions. Following a stand-down period, the squadron began agnew its training to better its skills so as to continue to play its part in the defense of the United States and her allies..." Contributed by Bill Bryan AWC (Ret) goodroosterjunior@yahoo.com [E-Mail Updated 11JAN99]

"VP-48 History Summary Page"

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