VP-62 Sundown Ceremony
On 4 June 2022, Patrol Squadron (VP) 62 Broadarrows ('LT-xxx') phased out the venerable Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft. The unit flew its last remaining aircraft to Davis-Monthan AFB (AZ), where the aircraft are transferred to 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), also known as the Boneyard.
The current VP-62 was established on 1 November 1970. It is the fourth US Navy squadron to be designated VP-62, the first VP-62 having been disestablished on 1 July 1943, the second VP-62 having been redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 62 (VPB-62) on 1 October 1944 and the third VP-62 having been disestablished on 30 January 1950.
In November 1987, the first new production P-3C Orion was delivered to the unit direct from the manufacturer, Lockheed Aircraft Company. With the last aircraft flying late May 2022, VP-62 completes almost 35 years of service on the P-3C Orion.
Starting in October 2022, Broadarrows will begin the transition and training period learning to fly, operate and maintain the Boeing P-8A Poseidon. Upon completeion in April 2023, VP-62 will be the first reserve squadron to transition to the P-8A, leading its sister squadron VP-69 Totems ('PJ-xxx') which will begin the process in the early 2023.
On 1 May 2022, Scramble Magazine wrote on the plans of the US Navy to shift two Boeing P-8A Poseidon Patrol Squadrons (VP) from the active component to the Reserve component in 2026 in order to save budget Future Years Defense Plan.
Photo by NAS Jacksonville