Command History
Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 is one of the original and oldest aviation squadrons in the U.S. Navy. VP-10 was originally a derivative of VS-15, which formed in 1921. The squadron traces its official heritage, however, to July 1, 1930, with the commissioning of Patrol Bombing Squadron 10S.
In February 1935, as VP-10F, the squadron established a world record for non-stop formation transpacific flight in a twenty-four-hour transit from San Francisco to Hawaii. After four years in Hawaii, VP-10 was redesignated as VP-25 in 1939. The Squadron was again redesignated and became VP-23 in 1941.
On December 7, 1941, eight of twelve squadron aircraft were damaged or destroyed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. On June 4, 1942, a squadron PBY-5A “Catalina” aircraft flown by Lt. j.g. Howard Ady and Lt. William Chase was the first to locate and report the positions of four large aircraft carriers of the Japanese Navy’s striking force on their way toward the Island of Midway. This action helped begin the greatest victory in American naval history--the Battle of Midway.
The squadron went on to serve with distinction at the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Guadalcanal, and the Solomon Islands during World War II. The squadron was disestablished following the war on January 25, 1946.
VP-10’s modern era begins with its reestablishment at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville in March 1951, flying the PB-4Y “Privateer” aircraft. In February 1952, VP-10 transitioned to the P-2V “Neptune” aircraft and moved to Brunswick, Maine.
Two years of transition began in 1965 when the P-3A Orion aircraft was delivered. It was around this time that the “RED LANCER” call sign and logo was adopted. One year later, the P-3B Orion aircraft arrived and served the squadron until 1980 when transition to the P-3C Update II aircraft began. These aircraft provided significant advancements in the rapidly developing field of anti-submarine warfare. Over the next five decades, the squadron would fly the P-3 aircraft to numerous sites around the world.
The squadron deployed to Sigonella, Italy, in 1991 and 1994, operating in support of Operations Desert Storm, Restore Hope, Provide Promise, Sharp Guard, and Deny Flight.
Transition to the P-3C Update III aircraft occurred in 1996 and delivered improvements in both the aircraft’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) capabilities. In 1998, VP-10 received the P-3C Update III Aircraft Improvement Program (AIP) aircraft. The AIP aircraft brought upgrades in satellite communications, electronic surveillance, and computer systems.
In February 1999, VP-10 began a six-month deployment to Sigonella, Italy. This deployment saw the RED LANCERS become one of the first squadrons tasked with the operational employment of the AIP aircraft. VP-10 was also the first squadron to operationally employ the Stand-Off Land Attack Missile during Operation Allied Force.
From 1999-2004, the squadron participated in Operations Deliberate Forge, Eagle Eye, Allied Force, Noble Anvil, and Enduring Freedom while on numerous worldwide deployments. In December 2005, the RED LANCERS completed a challenging six-month, multi-site, U.S. European Command (EUCOM), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) deployment. They achieved unparalleled mission accomplishment in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Joint Guardian, Deliberate Forge, Caper Focus, Carib Shield, Hilgard, and GWOT Pan Sahel.
In December 2007, the RED LANCERS returned from the most widely distributed 7th Fleet Mobile Patrol Reconnaissance Activity/U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (MPRA/PACOM) Deployment in recent history as the RED LANCERS expertly planned and executed 30 operational detachments to 11 countries throughout PACOM traversing the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Flying 5,500 operational flight hours, VP-10 had a 96.5 mission completion rate, the highest ASW aircraft Ready for Tasking (RFT) rate on record. VP-10 successfully prosecuted six high-interest out-of-area submarines, while simultaneously flying overland combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The RED LANCERS spent 2008 conducting the Basic and Intermediate phases of the work-up cycle, building and preparing twelve Combat Aircrews for the upcoming CENTCOM deployment. Throughout work-ups, the RED LANCERS simultaneously surged as Task Group (CTG 67.1) in support of EUCOM and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and as CTG 47.1 to El Salvador conducting 4 months of counter-narcotics work in support of SOUTHCOM/ Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) as part of Operations Caper Focus and Carib Shield.
In June 2009, the RED LANCERS deployed from Brunswick, Maine, for the last time as they headed downrange to assume CTG 57.2 for a CENTCOM deployment based out of Al Udeid Air Force Base, Qatar and Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.
In December 2009, the RED LANCERS returned from their combined 5th and 6th Fleet deployments. While deployed, the squadron flew missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, maritime security operations and anti-piracy missions to protect America’s maritime interests in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The squadron safely flew over 731 sorties and amassed over 4,000 flight hours. The RED LANCERS conducted multiple joint military operations and exercises, established course rules for coalition flight safety in Djibouti, combated piracy, and built diplomatic bridges to foster international relations. The RED LANCERS multiple deployment successes were not unnoticed as the squadron received notification in February 2010 that they were the Naval Air Forces Atlantic VP Battle “E” winner.
Throughout 2010, the RED LANCERS continued to excel on a global scale. Participating in Undersea Warfare Exercise (USWEX) in June of 2010, the RED LANCERS flew 230 hours off the coast of Japan participating in joint ASW missions. The RED LANCERS also flew in support of operations in Thule, Greenland alongside Canada’s Maritime Command and the Canadian Coast Guard. Both nations performed joint ASW operations in conjunction with iceberg and ice field recognition to train for disaster and sovereignty patrols in the Arctic. The RED LANCERS again rose to the occasion with a stellar performance in Operation Valiant Shield. Operating out of Andersen, Air Force Base (AFB) Guam, the RED LANCERS focused on integrated joint training and interoperability among U.S. military forces.
In late May 2011, the RED LANCERS once again deployed for six months to the 5th Fleet in support of Operations New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, and other joint exercises. They flew an astounding 6,320 flight hours in over 900 sorties with a 99% mission completion rate.
In November 2012, the RED LANCERS deployed to the 4th and 7th Fleet executing operations out of Japan and El Salvador. While deployed, the RED LANCERS flew 250 sorties and amassed over 2900 flight hours. The squadron supported 7th Fleet, Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S), Operation Martillo, and participated in eight multinational exercises while operating out of six different countries. In March of 2013, the RED LANCERS surpassed the historic aviation benchmark of 40 years and 242,000 mishap free flight hours.
After a busy 12 month Inter-deployment Readiness Cycle, the squadron embarked in June of 2014 for the sundown deployment of the P-3C. They deployed to the 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AOR) that saw operations out of five different countries and four continents. Throughout the deployment, the squadron conducted over 850 sorties and flew over 6,000 hours in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the 5th Fleet. The RED LANCERS played an integral role in the US plan to stem the advance of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. VP-10 returned to NAS Jacksonville in February of 2015 and one month later began their transition to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, their first transition in 50 years. The six-month transition was completed in September of 2015. The squadron then completed a 12 month Fleet Readiness Training Plan (FRTP) in preparation for an upcoming deployment to 7th Fleet.
In September 2016, the RED LANCERS departed Jacksonville on their inaugural P-8A deployment to 7th Fleet. The squadron provided critical intelligence through Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and ASW flights. In the span of six months, VP-10 detached to 16 different locations, conducted over 652 sorties, flew over 3,600 hours in the Pacific theater, and participated in four major bilateral exercises, greatly enhancing partnerships and interoperability with regional allies.
In April 2018, the RED LANCERS successfully completed a 6th Fleet deployment from Sigonella, Italy, with detachments to Scotland, Portugal, Crete, Turkey, Denmark, and Iceland. Amassing nearly 5,000 flight hours throughout the deployment, the squadron conducted successful ASW prosecutions on multiple adversary submarines, and earned yet another Battle “E” award.
From 2019-2020, VP-10 completed a split site 7th and 5th Fleet deployment. A testament to their critical value as an MPRA asset, the squadron demonstrated significant global presence. Over the span of deployment, the RED LANCER team operated from eight different countries and participated in numerous exercises.
The RED LANCERS returned home and completed an exceptional FRTP in 2021. The squadron maintained a dynamic operational tempo by executing six months of forward deployed operations to 7th and 4th Fleets, as well as 10 months of complex home cycle operations. While forward deployed the RED LANCERS executed 28 detachments to 12 locations, including a permanent presence in El Salvador and the Philippines.
Following another FRTP in 2022, the RED LANCERS executed three months of forward deployed operations to 7th Fleet and nine months of complex home cycle operations. VP-10 efficiently completed Advanced Readiness Program (ARP) for all 12 Combat Aircrews despite varying NAS Jacksonville health protection conditions (HPCON) levels and restriction of movement (ROM) personnel constraints.
While forward deployed to the primary hub Kadena, Okinawa, the RED LANCERS executed detachments to Diego Garcia, New Zealand, Brunei, Palau, Atsugi, Taiwan, Singapore, and Guam while maintaining a sustained presence in the Philippines. VP-10 flexed MPRA’s expeditionary capability by conducting detachments to four of these locations simultaneously and still executed a dynamic and active flight schedule in Kadena.
The RED LANCERS returned home and completed an exceptional FRTP in 2023, flying 611 sorties encompassing 2,982 flight hours in addition to detaching multiple crews to execute anti-submarine warfare tasking in Keflavik, Iceland, and Gander, Canada. March 2023 marked 50 years and 289,000 mishap free flight hours for the RED LANCERS.
The squadron deployed to 5th and 7th Fleets in April 2024, executing a challenging operational tempo including operations from three permanent hubs and numerous detachments across the Indo-Pacific, supporting the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Operation Prosperity Guardian, and critical theater tasking. Highlights include leading the largest ASW CTG ever amassed under Commander Task Force (CTF) 72 and the most successful Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (TASW) prosecution ever with 22 crews and 12 aircraft from 6 different squadrons supporting VP-10 to execute 349 sorties and over 2,000 flight hours during a 6-week period. RED LANCERS led the way for the first Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS) deployment to 5th Fleet a full two years ahead of schedule. They participated in Operations Pandora Throttle, Inherent Resolve, Unified Takedown, and Poseidon Archer executing 65 sorties and over 600 flight hours disrupting Houthi smuggling operations, building pattern of life, and supporting the CSG kill-chain.
Since returning home in October 2024, the squadron has concentrated on qualifications and upgrading of its personnel. As the Homeland Defense Ready Alert squadron from January to March 2025, the RED LANCERS were ready to go when called upon following the President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order invoking the National Emergencies Act regarding the crisis at the Southern Border of the United States. While maintaining the Ready Alert posture, they coordinated with five squadrons to provide 20 flights and over 250 hours before turning over the mission to deployed assets.
VP-10 has earned numerous awards and accolades since reactivating in 1951 including three Joint Meritorious Unit Commendations, eight Meritorious Unit Commendations, three Navy Unit Commendations, and five Navy Battle Efficiency “E” Awards. VP-10 has won 11 Captain Arnold Jay Isbell trophies for excellence in airborne anti-submarine warfare since the award was created in 1958, including back-to-back trophies for 2023 and 2024. VP-10 earned the Atlantic Fleet Golden Wrench award for exceptional maintenance performance in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2020. VP-10 earned its 11th Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Aviation Safety Award in 2024, and the squadron recently earned its 12th consecutive Retention Excellence Award.