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A Patrol Wing (PatWing) was a United States Navy aviation unit with the commander of a Patrol Wing known as the Commodore, the ComPatWing or COMPATWING. From 1 November 1942 to 30 June 1973 Patrol Wings were designated "Fleet Air Wings". On 26 March 1999 all then existing Pacific Fleet Patrol Wings were redesignated Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings and on 1 June 1999 all then existing Atlantic Fleet Patrol Wings were redesigned Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings with the Commodore designated as COMPATRECONWING or ComPatReconWing.

Currently, there are three Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings in the U.S. Navy

Currently Active Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings

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Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ONE

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 1(1st), Fleet Air Wing 1, Patrol Wing 1(2nd), Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1.[1]

The wing was established as Patrol Wing 1 In San Diego on 1 Oct 1937. It relocated to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii on 16 October 1941. On 19 September 1942 it relocated to Noumea where on 1 November 1942 it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing One (FAW-1). In December 1942 it was relocated to Espiritu Santo; and in March 1943 to Guadalcanal, and in February 1944 to Munda. In July 1944 it was relocated back to Espiritu Santo, and on 11 September 1944 to the Schouten Islands aboard USS Hamlin (AV-15). On 15 October 1944 the wing was relocated to Ulithi, and on 30 December 1944 relocated to Saipan. On 19 February 1945 it was relocated to Iwo Jima during invasion operations aboard Hamlin (AV 15); on 10 March 1945 it relocated to NAF Agana, Guam; and on 26 March 1945 to Kerama Rhetto aboard Hamlin. On 14 July 1945 it was relocated to NAF Chimu Wan, Okinawa.[citation needed]

On 16 July 1950 Fleet Air Wing One was relocated to Naval Air Station Agana, Guam, then to NAF Naha, Okinawa. During this period it conducted operations in the Korean War. In the 3rd Quarter 1952 was relocated to NAS San Diego, Calif. In the 4th Quarter 1954 returned to NAF Naha, Okinawa. In mid-1958 it relocated to Buckner Bay, Okinawa, aboard assigned flagship. In mid-1965 it again returned to NAF Naha, Okinawa where on 30 June 1973 Fleet Air Wings were redesigned Patrol Wings and the wing once again became Patrol Wing ONE. A month later it relocated to Naval Support Facility Kamiseya, Japan where it assumed the role of a headquarters staff, with no squadrons permanently assigned which exercised operational control of VP squadrons deployed to 7th Fleet as Commander, Task Force 72. In 1995 when U.S. Fifth Fleet was established to conduct operations in the Middle East, PATWING ONE assumed the same role for 5th Fleet as CTF-57. On 1 June 1999 all Pacific Fleet Patrol Wings were redesignated Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings and the wing became Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ONE.[1]

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1 continued operations from Kamiseya as Commander Task Force 72 for 7th Fleet, and Commander Task Force 57 for 5th Fleet until September 2003 when the Navy elevated the rank of the Commander from Captain to that of Rear Admiral. At that time the wing ceased being called Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1 (COMPATRECONWING ONE) and it became Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force 5th Fleet and Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force 7th Fleet (COMPATRECONFOR 5TH/7TH Fleet), it also retained the titles Commander, Task Force 72 and Commander Task Force 57. It was also dual hatted as Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific (COMFAIRWESTPAC). At that time it relocated to Naval Air Facility Misawa which is located aboard Misawa Air Base in Northern Japan. In 2010 part of the COMPATRECONFOR 5th/7th Fleet staff (to include the Commander) was relocated to NAF Atsugi, while the remainder of the staff remained in Misawa. In 2011 the 5th Fleet stood up COMPATRECONWING 57, a Headquarters staff, to function as Commander, Task Force 57 which reported to COMPATRECONFOR 5th/7th Fleet. In 2012 COMFAIRWESTPAC became Commander, Fleet Air Forward. In July 2013 the Rear Admiral commanding COMPATRECONFOR 5th/7th Fleet was replaced with a Captain and at some point after that the COMPATRECONFOR 5th/7th Fleet designation ceased being used and the COMPATRECONWING ONE designation reappeared attached to the Commander, Task Force 72 and Commander, Fleet Air Forward Designations.

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 10(2nd), Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10.[1]

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten is located at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. It was established at NAS Moffett Field, California as Patrol Wing Ten (the third Wing to use either the Patrol Wing or Fleet Air Wing Ten designation) on 1 June 1981. The wing relocated to NAS Whidbey Island on 1 July 1994.[1] Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 consisted of VP-1, VP-4, VP-9, VP-40, VP-46, VP-47, VQ-1 and VPU-2 in mid-2016.[2] VP-9 and VP-47 were transferred to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Forces, US Pacific Fleet (formerly Commander, Patrol Wings, Pacific) in Hawaii in 1994. They returned to the wing in 2016 and 2017 when PATRECONWING, PACFLT/PATRECONWING TWO was disestablished. The wing's former squadrons included VP-19 and VP-48, which were inactivated during the Navy's post-Cold War drawdown in the mid-1990s; and VQ-2, which was merged into VQ-1 in 2012.[citation needed]

Although not part of the wing, the Navy Reserve's VP-69 which is part of the Navy Reserve's "Maritime Support Wing" is also located at NAS Whidbey Island. Also not part of the wing, VP-31, the Pacific Fleet Replacement Squadron (training unit) for the P-3B, P-3C and EP-3E, was also located at NAS Moffett Field. VP-31 was disestablished before NAS Moffett Field closed on 31 July 1994.[citation needed]

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 11(1st), Fleet Air Wing 11, Patrol Wing 11(2nd), Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.[1]

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN is located at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. It was established as Patrol Wing 11 on 15 August 1942 at Naval Air Station Norfolk but five days later it relocated to NAS Isla Grande, Puerto Rico, where on 1 November 1942 it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing-11. In April 1959 the wing relocated to NAS Jacksonville. The wing received control of VP-56 in 1971 and VP-24 and VP-49 following their relocation from NAS Patuxent River, Maryland to NAS Jacksonville. On 30 June 1973 still existing Fleet Air Wings were redesignated Patrol Wings and the wing once again became Patrol Wing ELEVEN. On 26 March 1999 all Atlantic Fleet Patrol Wings were redesignated Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings and the wing became Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN. The wing includes VP-5, VP-8, VP-10, VP-16, VP-26, and VP-45 operating the P-8A Poseidon and VUP-19 operating the MQ-4C Triton. The wing previously included VP-24, VP-49 and VP-56, which were disestablished during the Navy's post-Cold War drawdown in the mid-1990s, and VPU-1, which was later merged into VPU-2 in 2012. Although not part of the wing, VP-30, the combined P-8A, P-3C and EP-3E Aries Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet and the United States Navy Reserve's VP-62 operating the P-3C Orion which is assigned to the Navy Reserve's "Maritime Support Wing", are also located at NAS Jacksonville.

Former Patrol and Reconnaissance, Patrol, and Fleet Air Wings

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Patrol Wing Two

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 2(1st), Fleet Air Wing 2, Patrol Wing 2(2nd).[1]

Patrol Wing Two was established at FAB Pearl Harbor on 1 October 1937.[3] On 15 September 1942 it relocated to NAS Kaneohe Bay, where on 1 November 1942 it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 2 (FAW-2). The wing remained at NAS Kaneohe Bay until 1949 when it relocated to NAS Barbers Point on 30 June of that year. Since the 1950s Barbers Point was most famous for its "Rainbow Fleet"—the patrol squadrons that routinely deployed with P-2 and later P-3 aircraft to the northern and western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. These squadrons tracked Soviet submarines patrolling off the western coast of the United States and supported operations in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and most recently the NATO air campaign over Kosovo. On 30 Jun 1973, Fleet Air Wings were redesignated Patrol Wings and the wing once again became Patrol Wing 2.[1] Of the squadrons present during the 1960s and 1970s, VP-28 was disestablished in the 1970s and VP-6, VP-17, and VP-22 were disestablished by the mid-1990s, leaving only VP-1 and VP-4. During the mid-1990s, however, two squadrons, VP-9 and VP-47, transferred to the Rainbow Fleet from NAS Moffett Field, Calif., when Moffett Field was disestablished as a USN installation and transferred to NASA and the California Air National Guard as a "Moffett Federal Airfield" via BRAC action. VP-1 later transferred to Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 and relocated to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. The Rainbow Fleet also was the home of Special Projects Patrol Squadron Two (VPU-2) since 1982.

The end of the Cold War, in which NAS Barbers Point figured so heavily, also eventually brought about its closure. Congress accepted the recommendation of the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) that NAS Barbers Point be closed and as part of that a closure, on 8 June 1993 Patrol Wing TWO was disestablished. After the disestablishment of Patrol Wing 2, its role was assumed by the staff of Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Forces, US Pacific Fleet (formerly Commander, Patrol Wings, Pacific) and the wings former squadrons (VP-4, VP-9, VP-47 and VPU-2) along with HSL-37 all moved from NAS Barber's Point upon its closure to what was then Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, now Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay, part of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, located on the windward side of Oahu.

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two

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Lineage: Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 2.

In October 2003, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TWO was established at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay to assume control over the former Patrol Wing TWO squadrons which had been moved there from Naval Air Station Barbers Point when that Air Station was closed and Patrol Wing TWO was disestablished in 1993. Those squadrons were VP-4, VP-9, VP-47, and VPU-2. Though the new wing assumed the disestablished Patrol Wing TWO's insignia and traditions in honor of the distinguished history of that wing it was a new wing, not a redesignation of Patrol Wing TWO. Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TWO was disestablished effective 1 May 2017 and its squadrons were all realigned under Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN.[2]

Fleet Air Wing Three

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 3, Fleet Air Wing 3.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 3 was established as Patrol Wing 3 at FAB Coco Solo, Panama on 1 October 1937. On 1 November 1942 it was redesigned Fleet Air Wing 3 (FAW-3). It participated Operation Strikeback in the Atlantic. On 1 July 1950 it was relocated to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island and in mid-1957 it was relocated to NAS Brunswick, Maine. Fleet Air Wing-3 was disestablished on 30 June 1971.

Fleet Air Wing Four

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 4, Fleet Air Wing 4.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 4 was established as Patrol Wing 4 at FAB Seattle, Washington (NAS Sand Point, Washington) on 1 October 1937. On 27 May it relocated to NAS Kodiak, Alaska where on 1 November 1942 it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4 (FAW-4). On 15 March 1943 it relocated to NAS Adak, Alaska then on 26 April 1944 to NAF Attu, Aleutian Islands. The wing fought in the Aleutian Islands campaign alongside Eleventh Air Force. During the winter of 1943–44, the burden of operations against the Kuriles was carried by Navy Consolidated PBY Catalinas and Lockheed Ventura of Fleet Air Wing Four. They carried small bomb loads and their primary objective was the securing of nighttime reconnaissance photographs. On 17 April 1949 the wing relocated to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and became dual hatted with Commander Fleet Air (COMFAIR) Seattle with additional duty as FAW-4 in May 1949. On 15 February 1954 COMFAIR Seattle was redesignated COMFAIR Whidbey and FAW-4 (dual hatted). Fleet Air Wing 4 was disestablished on 15 March 1970.

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Five

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 5(1st), Fleet Air Wing 5, Patrol Wing 5(2nd), Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 5.[1]

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 5 was established as Patrol Wing 5 at FAB Norfolk on 1 October 1937. It was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 5 (FAW-5) on 1 November 1942 relocating to NAS Brunswick, Maine on 30 June 1971. On 1 July 1973 Fleet Air Wing 5 was redesignated Commander, Patrol Wings Atlantic (COMPATWINGSLA/PATWING FIVENTd). On 1 July 197e COMPATWINGSLAN became a separate Headquarters.5. On 26 March 1999 all Atlantic Fleet Patrol Wings were redesignated Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings and Patrol Wing 5 became Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 5. During the wing's existence it included VP-8, VP-10, VP-11, VP-23, VP-26, VP-44, VPU-1 and the Navy Reserve's VP-92. With the decision to close NAS Brunswick, VP-8, VP-10, VP-26 and VPU-1 were transferred to Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven at NAS Jacksonville, Florida.a, VP-11, VP-23 and VP-44 having been previously disestablished during the Navy's post-Cold War drawdown of the mid-1990s which eliminated 50% of the Navy's active duty patrol squadrons. VP-92 was disestablished in 20 when the Naval Reserve reduced the total number of patrol squadrons from ts thirteve to ons. VP-92 had previously been assigned to Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic (RESPATWINGLANT), but was transferred to COMPATRECONWING FIVE following RESPATWINGLANT's inactivation aclosure of om NAS South Weymouth, Massachusetts due to an earlier BRAC decision in the mid-1990s.

Fleet Air Wing Six(1st)

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Lineage: Fleet Air Wing 6(1st).[1]

The first wing to use the Fleet Air Wing 6 (FAW-6) designation was established at NAS Seattle, Washington on 2 November 1942. It relocated to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington on 29 December 1942 and was disestablished there on 1 December 1945.

Fleet Air Wing Six(2nd)

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Lineage: Fleet Air Wing 6(2nd).[1]

On 4 August 1950 the Fleet Air Wing 6 designation was used again to establish a new Fleet Air Wing at NAS Yokosuka, Japan to conduct operations in support of the Korean War. On 1 December 1950 the wing relocated to NAS Atsugi, Japan. It relocated to NAS Alameda, California during the 3rd quarter of 1952. In January 1955 the wing transferred back to Japan, this time to NAF Iwakuni where it was ultimately disestablished on 1 July 1972.

Fleet Air Wing Seven

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Lineage: Patrol Wing Support Force, Patrol Wing 7, Fleet Air Wing 7.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 7 (FAW-7) was established as Patrol Wing Support Force at NAF Argentia, Newfoundland on 1 March 1941. It was redesignated Patrol Wing 7 there on 1 July 1941. On 15 December 1941 it relocated to NAF Keflavik, Iceland and then to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island on 20 February 1942. On 15 May it relocated back to NAF Argentina where on 1 November 1942 it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 7 (FAW-7). On 21 August 1943 it relocated to Plymouth, England then to NAS Dunkeswell, England on 10 July 1945. On 14 July 1945 it embarked USS Albemarle (AV 5) for return to the United States and was disestablished at NAS Norfolk on 4 August 1945.

Fleet Air Wing Eight(1st)

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Lineage:Patrol Wing 8, Fleet Air Wing 8(1st).[1]

The first wing to use the Fleet Air Wing 8 (FAW-8) designation was established as Patrol Wing 8 at Naval Air Facility Breezy Point, Norfolk, VA on 8 July 1941. On 15 December 1941 it relocated to NAS Alameda, California where it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 8 (FAW-8) (the first wing to use that designation). It was disestablished there on 3 July 1946

Fleet Air Wing Eight(2nd)

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Lineage: Fleet Air Wing 8(2nd).[1]

On 1 July 1965 the Fleet Air Wing 8 designation was used again to establish a new Fleet Air Wing at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California. This second wing to use the Fleet Air Wing 8 designation was disestablished on 1 August 1972.

Fleet Air Wing Nine

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 9, Fleet Air Wing 9.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 9 (FAW-9) was established as Patrol Wing 9 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia in April 1942. On 1 May 1942 it relocated to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island where on 1 November of that year it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 9 (FAW-9). On 24 August 1943 it relocated to NAS New York where it was disestablished on 19 July 1945.

Fleet Air Wing Ten(1st)

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Lineage:Patrol Wing 10(1st), Fleet Air Wing 10(1st).[1]

The first wing to use the Patrol Wing 10 designation was established as Patrol Wing 10 at Naval Station Cavite, Philippines in December 1940. It relocated to Ambon on 28 December 1941 and to Soerabaja on 15 January 1942. On 7 March it relocated to Crawley, Western Australia where on 1 November 1942 it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 10 (FAW-10) (first use of the Fleet Air Wing 10 designation). On 17 October 1944 it relocated to Los Negros, Admiralty Islands. On 17 October 1944 it relocated back to the Philippines where it was ultimately disestablished on 1 June 1947 at NAB Sangley Point.

Fleet Air Wing Ten(2nd)

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Lineage: Fleet Air Wing 10(2nd).[1]

On 29 June 1963 the Fleet Air Wing 10 designation was used again to establish a new Fleet Air Wing at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California. This second wing to use the Fleet Air Wing 10 designation was disestablished on 30 June 1973.

Fleet Air Wing Twelve

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 12, Fleet Air Wing 12.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 12 (FAW-12) was established as Patrol Wing 12 at NAS Key West, Florida on 16 September 1942. On 1 November 1942 it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 12 (FAW-12). On 15 September 1943 it relocated to Naval Air Station Miami, Florida until 1 June 1945 when it transferred back to Key West and disestablished on 14 July 1945.

Fleet Air Wing Fourteen

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Lineage: Patrol Wing 14, Fleet Air Wing 14.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 14 (FAW-14) was established as Patrol Wing 14 at NAS San Diego, California on 15 October 1942. On 1 November 1942 it was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 14 (FAW-14). In June 1963 it also became Commander Fleet Air (COMFAIR) San Diego and was known as COMFAIR San Diego/FAW-14. It was disestablished in 1969.

Fleet Air Wing Fifteen

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Lineage: Fleet Air Wing 15.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 15 (FAW-15) was established at NAS Norfolk, Virginia on 1 December 1942 then relocated to NAF Port Lyautey, French Morocco on 10 January 1943 to direct patrol plane operations in the Mediterranean and Gibraltar Strait Area. On 10 June 1945 it returned to NAS Norfolk where it was disestablished on 28 July 1945.

Fleet Air Wing Sixteen

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Lineage: Fleet Air Wing 16.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 16 (FAW-16) was established at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia on 16 February 1943 then relocated to Natal, Brazil on 14 April 1943. On 20 July 1943 it relocated to Recife, Brazil where it was ultimately disestablished on 27 June 1945.

Fleet Air Wing Seventeen

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Lineage: Fleet Air Wing 17.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 17 (FAW-17) was established at Brisbane, Australia on 15 September 1943. On 31 December 1943 it relocated to the island of Samari, Papua, New Guinea then to Manus, Admiralty Islands on 27 July 1944. On 9 September 1944 it relocated to Woendi, Schouten Islands, then to Morotai, N.E.I on 19 October 1944. On 30 December 1944 it relocated to Leyte Gulf, Philippines, then on 28 January 1945 to Lingayen Gulf, Philippines and based aboard USS Tangier (AV 8). On 26 February 1945 it relocated to Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines. It was disestablished on 2 January 1946 in Japan.

Fleet Air Wing Eighteen

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Lineage: Fleet Air Wing 18.[1]

Fleet Air Wing 18 (FAW-18) was established at Naval Station Agana, Guam on 5 May 1945, to NAF Tinian on 25 May 1945 and disestablished there on 30 June 1947.

Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic

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Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic (RESPATWINGLANT) was established in 1970 and located at NAS Norfolk, Virginia until relocating to Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania in 2000. A subordinate element of Naval Air Reserve Force (NAVAIRESFOR), RESPATWINGLANT provided maritime patrol aircraft, flight crews and maintenance/support personnel in seven Reserve patrol squadrons (VP) to support Commander, U.S. Patrol Wings Atlantic. RESPATWINGLANT, an Echelon IV command, comprised VP-62 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; VP-64 and VP-66 at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; VP-67 at Naval Air Station Memphis, Tennessee; VP-68 at NAF Washington/Andrews AFB, Maryland; VP-92 at NAS South Weymouth, Massachusetts (later relocating to NAS Brunswick, Maine following the BRAC closure of NAS South Weymouth); and VP-94 at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana. Upon the inactivation of RESPATWINGLANT in 2004, the transition of VP-64 to a fleet air logistics squadron redesignated as VR-64, and the inactivation of all but two remaining Atlantic Fleet Reserve VP squadrons, operational control/administrative control (OPCON/ADCON) of VP-62 was passed to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven and OPCON/ADCON of VP-92 to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Five. VP-92 was later inactivated as part of the inactivation of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Five and the BRAC-directed closure of NAS Brunswick, leaving VP-62 as the sole remaining Naval Air Reserve VP squadron in the Atlantic Fleet.

Reserve Patrol Wing Pacific/Patrol Wing Four

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Reserve Patrol Wing Pacific (RESPATWINGPAC), later dual-designated as Patrol Wing Four (PATWING FOUR), was established in 1970 and located at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California. A subordinate element of Naval Air Reserve Force (NAVAIRESFOR), RESPATWINGPAC provided maritime patrol aircraft, flight crews and maintenance/support personnel in six Reserve patrol squadrons (VP) to support Commander, U.S. Patrol Wings Pacific. RESPATWINGPaAC an Echelon IV command, comprised VP-60 and VP-90 at NAS Glenview, Illinois; VP-65 at NAS Point Mugu, California; VP-69 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington; VP-91 at NAS Moffett Field, California and VP-93 at NAF Detroit/Selfridge ANGB, Michigan. Following the closure of NAS Moffett Field in the mid-1990s due to BRAC action, RESPATWINGPAC/PATWING FOUR and VP-91 remained at the renamed Moffett Federal Airfield as a tenant activity named Naval Air Facility Santa Clara. Upon the inactivation of VP-91, RESPATWINGPAC/PATWING FOUR and the inactivation of all but one remaining Pacific Fleet Reserve VP squadron, operational control/administrative control (OPCON/ADCON) of VP-69 was passed to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten.

See also

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References

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Patrol Wing

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from Grokipedia
A Patrol Wing (PatWing) in the is an command structure responsible for the administrative oversight, , , and operational support of and squadrons, primarily focused on , surveillance, and long-range missions using sea-based such as flying boats and, later, land-based patrol planes. Established formally on October 1, 1937, as part of the Navy's reorganization of patrol into five numbered wings, each led by a commodore (ComPatWing), these units initially managed squadrons equipped with seaplanes for search and patrol duties from tenders and fleet air bases. During , Patrol Wings played a critical role in Pacific and Atlantic operations, with squadrons renumbered by wing affiliation (e.g., VP-23 under Patrol Wing 2) and contributing to key efforts like the of downed airmen and evacuation of wounded personnel in 1943. In , the wings were redesignated as Fleet Air Wings to better integrate with task forces, reflecting their expanded combat roles in anti-submarine patrols and reconnaissance against Axis forces. Postwar, the structure reverted to Patrol Wings in 1973, adapting to demands with the introduction of advanced aircraft like the P-3 Orion for global surveillance. By the late , Patrol Wings had supported major operations, including patrols, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and under-ice transfers in the during 1998 exercises. In 1999, they were reorganized into Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings (CPRW) to encompass manned reconnaissance assets, including electronic intelligence platforms, aligning with modern threats like regional aggression and . Active CPRWs—such as CPRW-1 under , Task Force 72 in the Seventh Fleet—maintain for deployments worldwide (as of 2025), training squadrons for missions that deter aggression, enhance allied , and provide real-time intelligence from bases like NAS and NAS Jacksonville. Historically, 14 Patrol Wings were established between 1937 and the era, with some disestablished (e.g., PatWing-2 in 1993) due to base closures and strategic shifts following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. As of 2025, the wings oversee a mix of active and reserve Patrol Squadrons (VP) and Electronic Warfare Squadrons (VQ), equipped with P-8A aircraft and integrating unmanned systems like the MQ-4C Triton for advanced anti-surface and , while supporting detachments in strategic locations like , , and . This evolution underscores the Patrol Wing's enduring role as a cornerstone of , adapting from early operations to integrated, technology-driven forces essential for global .

Overview

Definition and Role

A Patrol Wing (PatWing) in the United States is an command unit designated as a Patrol and Wing (CPRW), responsible for coordinating and overseeing patrol squadrons equipped for long-range maritime surveillance, (ASW), and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. These wings manage the training, maintenance, administrative support, and operational readiness of assigned and squadrons, ensuring they are combat-ready for deployment in support of fleet objectives. The core function emphasizes persistent aerial presence over vast ocean areas to detect, track, and respond to threats, integrating advanced sensors for collection and dissemination. Primary roles of a Patrol Wing include , , and (ISR), over-the-horizon targeting to enable precision strikes beyond line-of-sight, and direct support to naval strike groups through and maritime . These missions extend to aerial mine countermeasures, drug , and operations, providing theater-wide coverage that enhances for commanders. Patrol Wings prioritize with allied forces and U.S. commands, facilitating multinational exercises and contingency responses in forward operating areas. The commander of a Patrol Wing holds the title of Commodore, abbreviated as ComPatWing or COMPATWING, and operates within the hierarchy under higher echelons such as , Patrol and Group (COMPATRECONGRU) for Pacific and Atlantic fleets. This structure ensures alignment with numbered fleet commands, like the Seventh Fleet, where wings maintain forward-deployed assets for rapid response and sustained operations. Over time, the designation has evolved from earlier Wing formats to the current Patrol and Wing model, reflecting expanded reconnaissance capabilities.

Evolution of Designation

The Patrol Wings were initially established on 1 October 1937, when the U.S. created five numbered Wings (PatWings 1 through 5) to provide administrative control over its patrol squadrons, grouping them geographically under the Base Force for enhanced readiness and operational efficiency. These wings focused primarily on duties, with squadrons assigned based on strategic locations such as the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. During , the designations evolved to reflect expanded roles in alongside traditional patrol missions, with Patrol Wings redesignated as Fleet Air Wings (FAWs) on 1 to better integrate patrol aviation with carrier-based forces and operations. This change allowed for more flexible assignment of aircraft across fleet commands, supporting and in combat theaters; the FAW structure persisted post-war into the 1950s and 1970s, accommodating broader aviation integration amid demands. In June–July 1973, the designations reverted to Patrol Wings to align with ongoing fleet reorganizations that emphasized specialized functions. The saw further refinement in 1999, when existing Atlantic Fleet Patrol Wings were redesignated as Patrol and Wings on 26 March, followed by Pacific Fleet wings on 1 June, to explicitly incorporate advanced capabilities amid post-Cold War threats. In the , these wings aligned under the and (MPRF), a unified structure under U.S. Fleet Forces Command, to streamline and intelligence, surveillance, and operations with new platforms like the P-8A .

Historical Background

Pre-World War II Origins

The origins of U.S. Navy patrol aviation trace back to the early 1910s, when the service began experimenting with seaplanes for coastal defense and scouting roles. In 1911, Captain Washington I. Chambers established the Aeronautics Desk, leading to the Navy's first aircraft orders, including Curtiss pusher floatplanes used in initial tests at Greenbury Point, Maryland. By 1913, fleet exercises off Cuba demonstrated the effectiveness of seaplanes in spotting submarines and mines, prompting the relocation of aviation units to Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1914. The 1916 German U-boat U-53's appearance off Nantucket further emphasized coastal patrol needs, leading to increased funding under the Naval Appropriations Bill for dedicated patrol units. During World War I, these efforts expanded with stations across the U.S. and Europe, employing aircraft like the HS-1/HS-2 and H-16 flying boats for anti-submarine patrols, marking a shift from ad hoc detachments to more structured operations. In the , the expanded capabilities, focusing on long-range operations in the Pacific and Atlantic to support fleet scouting and defense. The Curtiss H-16 flying boat, with its 450-mile range and capacity for 920 pounds of , continued in service post-World War I for extended missions, building on its wartime anti-submarine . This period saw the formal organization of units, culminating in the establishment of Patrol Squadron 1 (VP-1) in 1922 at Naval Air Station , equipped with F5L flying boats as successors to the H-16 for routine coastal and ocean patrols. These developments emphasized endurance and range, with aircraft like the Navy-Curtiss (NC) seaplanes achieving up to 1,470 miles in 1919 tests, laying groundwork for organized squadrons capable of covering vast maritime areas. The 1930s brought doctrinal shifts in patrol aviation toward greater integration with fleet operations and enhanced capabilities, driven by rising global tensions, particularly Japan's expansion in the Pacific. Under Admiral William V. Pratt's 1930 policy, the prioritized offensive fleet mobility over static coastal defense, incorporating patrol into scouting forces for and support roles. This evolution included the introduction of advanced such as the Consolidated P2Y Ranger in 1933, with a 1,180-mile range for Pacific patrols, and the Martin PBY Catalina by 1936, offering 2,520 miles of range and versatility for anti-submarine missions. Culminating these changes, on 1 October 1937, the divided its patrol aviation into five geographic Patrol Wings (PatWing 1 through 5) under the Aircraft Scouting Force, with PatWing 1 based at Fleet and PatWing 2 at Fleet , both initially equipped with P2Y and PBY squadrons for regional oversight; over time, 14 such wings would be established through the era.

World War II Expansion

In late 1941, as tensions escalated with Japan, the U.S. Navy activated and forward-deployed several Patrol Wings to key theaters ahead of formal entry into World War II. Patrol Wing 10 (PatWing 10) was established at Cavite Naval Base in the Philippines in October 1941, with Patrol Squadrons 101 and 102 based at Sangley Point and Olongapo, respectively, to conduct long-range maritime patrols. Similarly, PatWing 1 moved from San Diego to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, with three PBY-equipped squadrons, while PatWing 2 operated from Ford Island in Hawaii with four squadrons, one detached to Midway Atoll. In the Atlantic, PatWing 5 was formed at Norfolk, Virginia, in October 1941 to focus on antisubmarine warfare against German U-boats, later shifting to Alameda, California, after Pearl Harbor for convoy protection and training. The outbreak of war triggered rapid expansion of Patrol Wings, which grew from approximately 20 squadrons across the force in late 1942 to 77 by , with individual wings often comprising over 20 squadrons by 1943. This growth emphasized the flying boat, whose long-range capabilities enabled 24-hour patrols for convoy escort, submarine hunting, and island reconnaissance in both Pacific and Atlantic theaters. The amphibious PBY-5A variant, introduced in December 1941, enhanced operational flexibility by allowing landings on rough waters or unprepared sites. Patrol Wings played pivotal roles in major Pacific operations despite severe early setbacks. On December 7, 1941, Japanese attacks destroyed most PBYs of PatWings 1 and 2 on the ground at Kaneohe Bay and , , while PatWing 10 lost heavily in the , with its strength reduced to less than one squadron by mid-December amid relentless raids that made untenable. Nevertheless, surviving PBYs from PatWing 10 attacked the Japanese off Davao on , targeting a and destroyers but scoring no hits before retreating southward. In the (June 1942), PBYs under PatWing 2 provided critical intelligence, surveillance, and (ISR), with patrols maintaining contact with the Japanese fleet sighted at long range on and conducting a night torpedo attack that scored one hit on an oiler. PatWings also supported the , where a PBY-5A from PatWing 2 made the first landing on the island on August 12, 1942, to ferry personnel and supplies for the . Facing Japanese expansion, Patrol Wings adapted by relocating assets to and the East Indies, enduring challenges like aircraft shortages, intense maintenance demands, and crew exhaustion from extended patrols. After redesignation as Fleet Air Wings in , their roles evolved post-1943 to include mine-laying, , and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions, with PBM Mariners rescuing over 70% of downed pilots during the Okinawa campaign (March–May 1945). PatWing 2, operating from bases in and advancing to , supported Allied offensives by covering Port Moresby convoys, conducting clandestine scouting (evacuating 219 personnel across 36 flights in late 1943), and bombing Japanese positions in the Southwest Pacific.

Post-War Reorganization

Following the end of World War II, the United States Navy rapidly demobilized its aviation forces, leading to the disestablishment of numerous Fleet Air Wings (FAW) as part of broader force reductions from a wartime peak of 18 such wings to a core of essential units by 1949. For instance, FAW-3 was disestablished on 30 September 1945, FAW-4 on 15 September 1945, FAW-6 temporarily on 1 December 1945 before reactivation, and FAW-7 on 4 August 1945, reflecting the shift from wartime expansion to peacetime constraints. The remaining FAWs, originally redesignated from Patrol Wings in November 1942 to better integrate long-range patrol squadrons with fleet operations including carrier-based aviation, continued under this structure to maintain maritime patrol capabilities amid emerging Cold War tensions. The onset of the Korean War in 1950 prompted reactivation and realignment of patrol aviation, with FAWs emphasizing (ASW) in the through deployment of the Lockheed P2V Neptune aircraft from bases in and . FAW-6, for example, relocated its headquarters to (NAS) Atsugi, , on 1 December 1950, supporting squadrons like VP-6 that conducted combat patrols over the and using P2V-3 and P2V-5 variants equipped for ASW and mining operations. Similarly, FAW-1 shifted to NAF , Okinawa, in the fourth quarter of 1954, enhancing forward-deployed ASW coverage from Hawaiian bases like NAS Barbers Point. During the 1960s and early 1970s, amid the , Fleet Air Wings expanded operations for coastal patrols and electronic intelligence (ELINT) collection, with FAW-6 and FAW-8 playing key roles from and . FAW-6 squadrons at supported Vietnam-era missions, including ELINT flights by Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron using modified P-3 and EP-3 aircraft to monitor North Vietnamese radar and communications along coastal routes. FAW-8, operating from bases including NAS Agana on , contributed to similar patrols under "Market Time" operations, deploying P-3 Orions for surveillance of Vietnamese waters and interdiction of supply lines. The establishment of FAW-10 on 29 June 1963 further bolstered these efforts, assigning additional squadrons to Pacific theater reconnaissance. In June–July 1973, Fleet Air Wings were redesignated as Patrol Wings to refocus on maritime roles. In the 1980s and 1990s, ongoing consolidations addressed escalating Soviet submarine threats, transitioning wings to Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings (CPRW) designations and emphasizing P-3 Orion deployments for advanced ASW. Patrol Wing 10 was reestablished on 1 June 1981 at NAS Whidbey Island, integrating P-3C variants for tracking Soviet submarines in the Pacific, while FAW-6 and others amassed thousands of hours monitoring Soviet naval activities from forward bases. This era culminated in the full redesignation of Pacific Fleet Patrol Wings to CPRWs on 26 March 1999 and Atlantic counterparts on 1 June 1999, streamlining command for multi-mission reconnaissance. Patrol Wings played a critical role in the 1991 , conducting maritime interdiction with P-3 Orions to enforce UN sanctions and detect Iraqi naval assets in the . Squadrons under wings like CPRW-10 provided surveillance and targeting data, such as vectoring strikes against Iraqi patrol boats, contributing to the and mine countermeasures that limited Iraqi sea mobility. These operations highlighted the shift toward capabilities, paving the way for post-Cold War adaptations in near-shore environments.

Organizational Structure

Command and Composition

A Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing is led by a commodore, typically a (O-6), designated as the , Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (ComPatWing or CPRW), who holds overall responsibility for the wing's operations and readiness. This leadership position oversees between 6 and 12 patrol squadrons (VP) and electronic warfare squadrons (VQ), along with support units such as detachments and elements; for instance, CPRW-10 currently manages six VP squadrons. Each VP squadron under the wing comprises 8 to 12 P-8A Poseidon aircraft, supported by 8 to 12 dedicated aircrews for multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance tasks, with total squadron personnel ranging from 200 to 300 individuals, including pilots, mission operators, maintenance technicians, and administrative support. A standard P-8A aircrew consists of nine members: two pilots, a relief pilot, an in-flight technician, and five mission systems operators. The wing's staff organization includes specialized departments for operations, , , and , ensuring coordinated execution of missions; a representative example is CPRW-5, with a core staff of 26 officers and 100 enlisted personnel focused on tactics development and procedural oversight. These wings integrate directly into numbered fleet commands, such as CPRW-5's alignment with the U.S. 7th Fleet for operations. Personnel training occurs through dedicated Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS), notably VP-30, which employs over 650 staff to instruct more than 800 officers and enlisted members annually using 12 , preparing them for assignments. Operational squadrons maintain readiness via structured rotation cycles, typically involving 6-month forward deployments followed by homeport training periods, to support sustained global presence. Active wings collectively employ approximately 2,000 to 3,000 personnel, with organizational designs emphasizing joint interoperability to enable seamless collaboration with U.S. Air Force, Army, and allied forces in multi-domain maritime operations.

Aircraft and Equipment

During World War II, Patrol Wings primarily employed the Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat for long-range visual reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW), capable of patrolling up to 2,289 miles with a 4,000-pound payload for bombs and depth charges. The PB4Y Liberator, a land-based variant of the B-24 bomber, supplemented these efforts with an extended range of 2,800 miles and a 12,800-pound payload, enabling effective submarine hunting that contributed to sinking 59 Axis submarines. In the Cold War era, the Lockheed , introduced in 1946, became a cornerstone for ASW and (ASU), offering a 4,350-mile range and 10,000-pound payload while incorporating early magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) and systems; it remained in service until 1970. Upgraded variants like the SP-2H enhanced sensor suites and weapon delivery, including torpedoes, for improved detection in contested waters. The , fielded from 1962, dominated with a 3,420-mile range, 19,225-pound payload, advanced sonobuoys, torpedoes, and MAD, serving as the sole platform for ASW and , , and (ISR) missions through the late . Post-2010s modernization shifted Patrol Wings to the P-8A Poseidon as the primary multi-mission platform, a modified 737-800ERX with integrated sonobuoys for ASW, AGM-84 missiles for ASU, and (SIGINT) pods for enhanced ISR over 4,500 nautical miles. Following the completion of the P-3 to P-8A transition in 2025, all active and reserve VP squadrons now operate exclusively P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Additionally, was decommissioned in March 2025. Complementing this is the unmanned aerial system, a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) vehicle operating above 50,000 feet for over 24 hours to provide persistent maritime ISR via multi-sensor payloads. Support systems for Patrol Wings include integration with the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye (AEW&C) for real-time tactical coordination and battle management. Secure satellite communications enable beyond-line-of-sight data links for mission sharing with surface and air assets. Ground-based tools, such as advanced mission planning software, facilitate route optimization and at patrol bases. The transition from the P-3 Orion to the P-8A Poseidon began in 2012 as a seven-year program, with all active-duty squadrons completing the shift by 2020 and full fleet fielding achieved in 2025; P-3 retirement, extended to reserve units, was completed in 2025 to ensure operational continuity.

Active and Wings

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ONE

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ONE (CPRW-1), the oldest active and reconnaissance wing in the , traces its origins to the establishment of Patrol Wing 1 (PatWing-1) on 1 October 1937 at Fleet Air Base , . The wing relocated to Kaneohe Bay, , on 16 October 1941, positioning it at the forefront of Pacific operations just weeks before the . During , PatWing-1, redesignated Fleet Air Wing 1 on 1 November 1942, conducted extensive search, antisubmarine patrols, and combat missions across the Pacific theater from bases including Noumea, , and . Its squadrons played a critical role in post-Pearl Harbor recovery efforts, rapidly reconstituting forces devastated by the 7 attack and contributing to early war patrols that secured Allied shipping lanes. In the post-war period, the wing underwent several redesignations and relocations, reverting to Patrol Wing 1 on 30 June 1973 before becoming Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1 on 26 March 1999. During the , it was based at , , where its squadrons transitioned to aircraft for long-range and reconnaissance. These assets supported operations during the through antisubmarine warfare patrols and later contributed to efforts with surveillance missions over Southeast Asian waters, accumulating thousands of flight hours in contested environments. As of November 2025, CPRW-1 is headquartered at Naval Air Facility Misawa, , under Commander, 72 of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and provides operational command for forward-deployed patrol and reconnaissance squadrons, typically two to three VP squadrons drawn from the Pacific Fleet's inventory, equipped with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon . The wing oversees training, maintenance, and deployment of these squadrons, with forward operating locations including and to support U.S. Seventh Fleet operations in the . Its P-8A fleets provide advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), , and capabilities, utilizing the aircraft's multi-mission sensor suite for over-the-horizon targeting. Following the disestablishment of in February 2025, CPRW-1 has shifted focus toward integrating unmanned reconnaissance systems like the MQ-4C Triton for persistent ISR in the . Notable contributions include squadron support for Operation Enduring Freedom, where CPRW-1 assets flew nearly 1,000 combat sorties over Afghanistan from forward bases, providing real-time ISR and strike coordination. In recent years, the wing has focused on Indo-Pacific ISR missions, enhancing maritime domain awareness amid rising regional tensions through joint exercises and persistent surveillance patrols. The wing's leadership has included distinguished officers such as Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., who commanded CPRW-1 from 2002 to 2004 while also serving as Commander, Task Force 72. CPRW-1 has earned multiple Meritorious Unit Commendations for sustained excellence in operational deployments and readiness, reflecting its enduring impact on naval aviation.

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN traces its origins to December 1940, when it was established as Patrol Wing TEN at Sangley Point in the , comprising squadrons equipped with PBY Catalina flying boats for and missions. Initially focused on reconnaissance flights between and Hainan Island to monitor potential threats, the wing suffered severe setbacks following Japan's , with multiple Japanese air raids in December 1941 destroying most of its and facilities at bases like and forcing the evacuation of surviving personnel and remaining planes to by late December. Reformed in , the wing—redesignated Fleet Air Wing TEN in —continued operations in the Southwest Pacific, coordinating night attacks on Japanese shipping under the "Black Cats" initiative and conducting search-and-rescue missions that saved 161 downed airmen and evacuated 415 wounded personnel in the theater during 1943. It was decommissioned on 7 June 1947 in the after contributing to the Allied victory in the Pacific. Following , the wing was reestablished on 29 June 1963 at Moffett Field, California, as Fleet Air Wing TEN, shifting its emphasis to (ASW) during the era with the introduction of P-3 Orion squadrons. These squadrons supported U.S. operations in the Western Pacific, including surveillance and ASW patrols amid heightened tensions, and played a key role in the by conducting missions in the from 1965 to 1972. The wing was disestablished briefly in 1973 due to organizational changes but reactivated on 1 June 1981 at the same base, later deploying assets to the during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–1991. In December 1993, it relocated to , Washington, where it streamlined to oversee a smaller number of squadrons amid post- force reductions. As of 2025, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN remains headquartered at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, providing training, maintenance, and administrative support for seven patrol squadrons (VP-1, VP-4, VP-9, VP-40, VP-46, VP-47, and VP-69) equipped with P-8A Poseidon aircraft, including active-duty units and reserve components. It maintains a forward-deployed posture in the Western Pacific through rotational squadron detachments to sites such as Kadena Air Base, Japan, enabling persistent maritime surveillance and reconnaissance operations. Key missions include monitoring naval activities by North Korea and China, conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to enforce UN sanctions, and supporting U.S. freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in contested areas like the South China Sea and East China Sea. Among active patrol wings, it holds the distinction of the longest continuous forward presence in the Indo-Pacific region, bolstered by multiple Battle "E" awards for combat efficiency, including recent recognitions for squadrons under its command in 2020 and beyond.

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN traces its origins to the commissioning of Patrol Wing 11 on 15 August 1942 at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, where it initially focused on Atlantic patrols against Axis threats, relocating to , five days later to operate under the Caribbean Sea Frontier. Following a redesignation to Fleet Air Wing 11 on 1 November 1942, the unit continued (ASW) missions in the Atlantic theater during . On 30 June 1973, as part of a broader post-war reorganization of , Fleet Air Wing 11 was redesignated Patrol Wing 11 and established at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, , as the primary Atlantic-based command for forces, succeeding its earlier Fleet Air Wing iteration while retaining its historical roots in WWII-era Atlantic operations. This redesignation aligned with the Navy's emphasis on streamlined patrol structures amid evolving demands. During the , Patrol Wing 11 emphasized ASW operations targeting Soviet submarines, particularly in strategic chokepoints like the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (, with P-3 Orion aircraft deploying from forward bases such as , . Squadrons under the wing, including VP-45, routinely conducted surveillance flights from Keflavik to track Soviet movements transiting the toward the Atlantic, contributing to NATO's barrier defense strategy against threats. These missions involved acoustic tracking and intelligence gathering, often in coordination with allied forces, and extended to other Atlantic outposts like and the . On 1 June 1999, the command was redesignated Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN to incorporate reconnaissance assets, such as Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO, reflecting an expanded role in and multi-domain operations. As of 2025, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN remains headquartered at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, commanding eight active and reserve patrol squadrons—VP-5 "Mad Foxes," VP-8 "Fighting Tigers," VP-10 "Wildcats," VP-16 "War Eagles," VP-26 "Tridents," VP-45 "Pelicans," VP-62 "Phantoms," and VUP-19 "Big Red"—along with an Aviation Support Detachment, making it the Navy's first "Super Wing" for and . These units have fully transitioned to the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft by 2016, with ongoing integration of the MQ-4C Triton unmanned system for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), supporting U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. The wing's operations include , ASW, and counter-narcotics patrols, with recent deployments enhancing ISR over the to monitor Russian naval activities amid heightened tensions. The wing has participated in key conflicts, providing maritime patrols during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the 1991 Gulf War, where P-3 squadrons conducted mine countermeasures and surface surveillance in the Persian Gulf. Post-9/11, it supported the Global War on Terror through ISR missions in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, including VP-45's first East Coast squadron detachment to Iraq for persistent overwatch. More recently, wing assets have contributed to Operation Inherent Resolve since 2014 and NATO-led efforts like Operation Unified Protector in Libya (2011), where VP-5 employed AGM-65F Maverick missiles against ground targets. NAS Jacksonville serves as a training hub, integrating allied forces through exercises such as Dynamic Manta, a NATO ASW drill in the Mediterranean that fosters interoperability with partner nations' maritime patrol aircraft. This role emphasizes joint tactics, techniques, and procedures for multinational operations, enhancing collective defense in the Atlantic and European regions.

Decommissioned Wings

World War II Patrol Wings

Patrol Wings established during the interwar period played a critical role in the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance efforts at the outset of World War II, focusing on antisubmarine warfare (ASW), convoy escort, and defense against enemy incursions in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. These units, primarily equipped with Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats, were temporary wartime organizations that conducted long-range patrols, search-and-rescue missions, and bombing operations under challenging conditions. By late 1942, most were redesignated as Fleet Air Wings (FAW) to align with evolving naval aviation structures, effectively deactivating the original Patrol Wing designations by the war's end. Their contributions included early detection of enemy submarines and aircraft carriers, though they suffered significant aircraft losses due to surprise attacks and intense combat. Patrol Wing 2 (PatWing 2) was established on October 1, 1937, at , , , with four squadrons of PBY aircraft, including detachments at . It operated primarily from Hawaiian bases, conducting routine ASW patrols across the central Pacific in the months leading up to the war, which strained resources due to obsolete equipment and heavy operational demands. On December 7, 1941, during the Japanese , PatWing 2 suffered devastating losses, with most of its aircraft destroyed or damaged on the ground, yet surviving crews contributed to antiaircraft fire that downed several enemy planes. Post-attack, the wing shifted to intensified search patrols and reconnaissance from NAS Kaneohe Bay after a September 1942 relocation, supporting early Pacific defense efforts before its redesignation as Fleet Air Wing 2 on November 1, 1942. Patrol Wing 4 (PatWing 4), formed on October 1, 1937, at Sand Point (FAB ), Washington, initially included two PBY squadrons with a detachment in . In response to Japanese advances, it relocated to NAS , on May 27, 1942, to bolster North Pacific defenses, deploying squadrons such as VP-41 and VP-42 for patrols in the chain. These operations targeted Japanese incursions, including bombing raids during the "Kiska Blitz" from June 11-14, 1942, where PBY-5A amphibians conducted strikes against enemy positions on Island amid harsh weather and fog-shrouded terrain. PatWing 4's efforts helped secure the Aleutians by mid-1943, contributing to ASW and , though it faced challenges from environmental hazards and enemy fighters; the wing was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4 on November 1, 1942, ending its Patrol Wing status. Patrol Wing 5 (PatWing 5) was established on October 1, 1937, at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, as the primary Atlantic patrol unit under the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. From 1941, it focused on Neutrality Patrols and, after U.S. entry into the war, escorted North Atlantic convoys against German , using PBY Catalinas for long-range ASW searches and depth-charge attacks. Squadrons under PatWing 5 detected and contributed to the sinking of several submarines, including U-159, U-759, and U-359 in July 1943 alone, helping to mitigate the U-boat threat during critical convoy battles. It was formally redesignated Fleet Air Wing 5 on November 1, 1942. Patrol Wing 10 (PatWing 10), the only Patrol Wing formed specifically for the war, was established in December 1940 at Naval Station Cavite, , with two PBY squadrons based at Point and , plus southern detachments. It conducted immediate strikes against Japanese forces following the December 8, 1941, attack, damaging enemy shipping but suffering catastrophic losses, with nearly all of its approximately 28 Catalinas destroyed within the first few months due to airfield bombings and combat over the and . Surviving aircraft evacuated to by March 1942, operating temporarily from bases in Perth and Darwin for and missions in the Southwest Pacific; a notable example was a prolonged 1942 operation covering nearly 6,500 miles. PatWing 10 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 10 on November 1, 1942, marking the end of its short but intense wartime service. Across these wings, PBY Catalinas formed the backbone of operations, enabling versatile amphibious patrols that totaled hundreds of aircraft lost in combat and accidents throughout the war, underscoring their pivotal yet perilous role in extending naval reach.

Fleet Air Wings

Fleet Air Wings represented the U.S. Navy's shore-based and organizations from November 1, 1942, to June 30, 1973, when they were redesignated back to Patrol Wings amid evolving structures. Post-World War II, these wings shifted focus to (ASW), long-range , and support for carrier operations during the , operating P-2 and later P-3 Orion aircraft from bases across the Atlantic and Pacific. Over 15 Fleet Air Wings were established during and after the war, with many emphasizing integration of patrol squadrons with fleet tasks, but by the 1990s, post- consolidations and P-3 drawdowns led to the decommissioning of several successor Patrol Wings between 1993 and 1998. Fleet Air Wing 3, originally established as Patrol Wing 3 on October 1, 1937, at , , was redesignated FAW-3 on November 1, 1942, and relocated post-war to , , where it conducted ASW patrols in the North Atlantic until its disestablishment on June 30, 1971, amid broader force reductions. Its squadrons provided critical surveillance during early tensions, including monitoring Soviet submarine activity. The wing's deactivation reflected shifting priorities toward more forward-deployed Pacific assets. Fleet Air Wings 4 and 6 underwent multiple iterations to support Pacific operations. FAW-4, established as Patrol Wing 4 on October 1, 1937, at , and redesignated in 1942, focused on Aleutian patrols during the war before shifting to ASW from , until disestablishment on April 1, 1970. The second FAW-6, established August 4, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan, oversaw squadrons in and for Vietnam-era maritime patrols and reconnaissance, including support for carrier strike groups, before its disestablishment on July 1, 1972; its successor Patrol Wing elements operated until final disbandment in 1993 amid base realignments at Barbers Point, . These wings exemplified the Navy's emphasis on forward presence in the Western Pacific during the 1950s–1970s. Fleet Air Wings 8 and 9 maintained Atlantic and Pacific vigilance through the . The second FAW-8, established July 1, 1965, at Moffett Field, , conducted ASW and missions, alternating Pacific deployments until disestablishment on August 1, 1972. FAW-9, redesignated from Patrol Wing 9 in 1942 and based at , supported early post-war ASW before its 1945 deactivation, but its lineage influenced later Atlantic patrols; successor structures participated in surveillance until related wings deactivated in the 1993–1997 period as P-3 forces consolidated. These units were pivotal in crisis response and hemispheric defense. Fleet Air Wings 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 were primarily wartime expansions for global coverage, with FAW-12 (, 1942–1945), FAW-14 (, 1942–1969), FAW-15 (, 1942–1945), FAW-16 (, 1943–1945), FAW-17 (, 1943–1946), and FAW-18 (, 1945–1947) providing reconnaissance in theaters from the to the and Mediterranean approaches. , surviving elements like FAW-14 supported ASW until 1969, while others influenced expansions; all lineages ended by 1998 with the drawdown of patrol assets, prioritizing streamlined active wings for emerging threats.

Reserve Patrol Wings

The Reserve Patrol Wings originated from a major restructuring of the Naval Air Reserve in 1970, which established dedicated reserve units to enhance maritime patrol capabilities through part-time operations with P-3 Orion aircraft. This reorganization created Commander, Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic (COMRESPATWINGLANT) on 1 November 1970, initially overseeing 12 land-based patrol squadrons structured similarly to active-duty units, with a focus on weekend drills, mobilization training, and anti-submarine warfare readiness. The wing was headquartered at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, where squadrons like VP-64, VP-66, and VP-92 conducted routine training to support potential rapid integration into fleet operations. Similarly, Commander, Reserve Patrol Wing Pacific (COMRESPATWINGPAC) was formed in 1970 under the same initiative, administering West Coast-based squadrons such as VP-65 at NAS Point Mugu, California, and VP-69 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, emphasizing ASW proficiency for Pacific theater contingencies. Reserve personnel under these wings participated in annual two-week active-duty periods to simulate operational deployments, transitioning from earlier SP-2H aircraft to P-3A and later P-3C variants by the mid-1970s for realistic training in and acoustic detection. During the 1980s, the wings contributed to joint exercises, such as Operation Hat Trick III in 1989, where reserve crews from VP-94 supported drug interdiction missions from Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, , demonstrating interoperability with active forces. In the 1991 , reserve mobilizations proved critical; for instance, a crew from VP-91 under COMRESPATWINGPAC deployed to Operation Desert Storm in February 1991, assisting in the destruction of two Iraqi naval vessels and marking the only direct combat participation by a Reserve P-3 squadron. Post-Cold War force reductions led to the progressive integration and deactivation of the reserve wings in the late , driven by efficiencies in maintaining a primarily active-duty force. COMRESPATWINGLANT absorbed remaining Pacific assets in 1994 as squadron numbers declined from 13 to nine by 1994, culminating in a full consolidation under a single , Reserve Wing at NAS Willow Grove in January 1999. COMRESPATWINGPAC was inactivated in 1999 following the phase-out of older reserve P-3 configurations and broader reserve drawdowns, with surviving squadrons like VP-62 merging into active wings such as and Wing 11. By 2007, the unified reserve wing was disestablished entirely, reflecting the shift to a streamlined, full-time active component for .

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  26. https://cnrnw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Whidbey-Island/About/Aviation-Commands/Patrol-And-Reconnaissance-Wing-10/
  27. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2255601/vp-45-completes-deployment-to-us-6th-fleet/
  28. https://www.usna.edu/NavalAviation/FixedWingAircraft/P8A_Poseidon.php
  29. https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/Organization/COMPATRECONGRU/-Patrol-and-Reconnaissance-Squadron-VP-30-FRS/
  30. https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2166300/p-8a-poseidon-multi-mission-maritime-aircraft-mma/
  31. https://www.boeing.com/defense/p-8-poseidon
  32. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/06/u-s-navy-final-p-3c-orion-mpa-squadron-completes-transition-to-p-8a-poseidon/
  33. https://stationhypo.com/2025/03/31/sundown-for-fleet-air-reconnaissance-squadron-one/
  34. https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/MQ-4C
  35. https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2382134/e-2-hawkeye-airborne-command-and-control-aircraft/
  36. https://www.twz.com/25572/confessions-of-an-e-2c-hawkeye-radar-operator
  37. https://www.navair.navy.mil/node/18886
  38. https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8881310/last-goodbye-p-3c-orion-naswi
  39. http://www.etherit.co.uk/articles/level1/pearl_harbor_us_navy_aviation_units.htm
  40. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/dictionary-of-american-naval-aviation-squadrons-volume-2/pdfs/Appen6.pdf
  41. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/patreconwing1.htm
  42. https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Patrol-and-Reconnaissance-Wings/Patrol-and-Reconnaissance-Wing-1/
  43. https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/
  44. https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/sundown-for-fleet-air-reconnaissance-squadron-one/
  45. https://militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=224342
  46. https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Patrol-and-Reconnaissance-Wing-10/About-Us/History/
  47. https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/PS47
  48. https://www.vpnavy.com/cpw11.html
  49. https://www.vp45association.org/_archives/cold_war_pilot.pdf
  50. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/04/17/dod-watchdog-wants-know-if-navys-p-8-spy-plane-can-track-russian-subs.html
  51. https://useuworldaffairs.com/usa-nato/
  52. https://maritimepatrolassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MPA_Magazine_2018Q2.pdf
  53. https://npshistory.com/publications/aleu/calendar/2009.pdf
  54. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/browse-by-topic/commemorations/commemorations-toolkits/wwii/articles-on-world-war-ii-naval-aviation/pdf/ww2-33.pdf
  55. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/pby-catalina-world-war-ii
  56. https://cnrnw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Whidbey-Island/About/History/
  57. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/dictionary-of-american-naval-aviation-squadrons-volume-2/pdfs/chap3-12.pdf
  58. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/dictionary-of-american-naval-aviation-squadrons-volume-2/pdfs/chap3-11.pdf
  59. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/respatwinglant.htm
  60. https://www.vpnavy.com/crpw_1970_2007.html
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