VP-15 | VPB-15 | Patrol Squadron FIFTEEN

[walika]

VP-15 | VPB-15 | Patrol Squadron FIFTEEN

 

Established as Patrol Squadron FIFTEEN (VP-15) on 15 March 1943.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FIFTEEN (VPB-15) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 23 November 1945.

Patrol Squadron FIFTEEN was organized in March 1943 at the height of the German U-boat menace in the Atlantic. Its primary function was to serve as an antisubmarine warfare unit against the German submarines.

 

15 Mar 1943: VP-15 was established at NAS San Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14. The squadron was equipped with the PB2Y-3 Coronado four-engine heavy seaplane.

 

15 May 1943: Upon completion of the squadron shakedown of personnel and equipment, VP-15 was transferred to NAS Bermuda under the operational control of FAW-5. Principal duties were to provide ASW, patrol searches and convoy coverage along the eastern seaboard. On 1 August 1943, administrative control shifted from FAW-5 to FAW-9.

 

21 Apr 1944: VP-15 was transferred to NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., under the operational control of FAW-3. One detachment was deployed to Corinto, Ecuador, and a second to the Galapagos Islands.

 

15 Oct 1944: VP-15 was transferred NAS San Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14. The squadron was reformed, training for all hands commenced, and refitting of all equipment was begun in preparation for transfer to the South Pacific.

 

Painted on cloth.

 

 

A subsequent design submitted to BuAer by VPB-15 in 1944 gives us a glimpse of the unit's history. It featured a silhouette of the PB2Y-5 Coronado, the squadron’s assigned aircraft, superimposed on a circular globe map in the lower left (Pacific) portion, with a compass rose in the upper right (Atlantic) portion. Marked on the continents were the locations where the squadron had been deployed during its brief existence as VP-15: Bermuda; Quonset Point, R.I.; Coco Solo, C.Z.; Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; and San Diego, Calif.

 

Roberts, Michael D. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Naval Historical Center. Washington, DC. 2000. Volume 2. p  414.

 

 

[Airborne-Hunter]

This is the 2nd style patch referenced above. This piece is sewn to a jacket direct from the family. Please note that the direction of the compass rose. The patch as worn has the plane flying level to the right with the North rose point pointing North West. ABN