Command History
Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 was commissioned as VP-201 in September 1942 in Norfolk, Virginia. During World War II, VP-201 flew the sea-based PBM Mariner aircraft, combating German submarines that threatened Allied shipping throughout the Atlantic. In June 1947, the squadron completed a homeport change to Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and transitioned to the land-based P-2V Neptune aircraft. The squadron was renamed to VP-8 in September 1948, and in October 1962, VP-8 became the first operational P-3 Orion aircraft squadron in the U.S. Navy.
VP-8 operated the venerable P-3 above every ocean for over 50 years, earning a reputation as one of the best Maritime Patrol Aviation (MPA) squadrons. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, VP-8 demonstrated the P-3's superior Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) capabilities by tracking Soviet submarines in the Caribbean and Eastern Atlantic. Later that decade, VP-8 flew combat missions throughout Southeast Asia in support of the Vietnam War. The squadron conducted a homeport change to Naval Air Station (NAS) Brunswick, Maine, in 1971.
In 1999, VP-8 upgraded to the P-3C Aircraft Improvement Program (AIP) aircraft. This new warfighting suite vastly improved the aircraft capabilities which further contributed to meeting national security objectives. Upgrades include an improved radar sensor (APS-137), surveillance video suite (AIMS), and robust communications which allows the aircraft to transmit "near real-time" imagery and data. With this advancement in technology, VP-8 excelled at ASW, ASUW and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in support of numerous operations. VP-8 conducted a homeport change from NAS Brunswick, Maine, to NAS Jacksonville, Florida, in 2009.
Upon completion of the squadron's final P-3 deployment in 2014, aircrew and maintenance personnel began a seven-month transition to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. In March 2016, VP-8 made their first P-8A deployment to Kadena Air Base, Japan. During deployment in 2017, VP-8 became the first P-8A squadron to successfully deploy a UNI-PAC II Search and Rescue kit in real-world search and rescue (SAR) operations.
The P-8A Poseidon aircraft is a modified Boeing 737-800ERX airframe featuring a fully connected, state-of-the-art, open architecture mission system. This aircraft features a highly advanced sensor suite which dramatically improves MPAs ASW, ASUW and ISR capabilities.
VP-8 continues to go on deployment supporting U.S. 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet with various detachments around the world. Conducting an impressive result, flying an unprecedented amount of ASW operations and supporting operations in various countries. The “Fighting Tigers” participated in both operational duties as well as exercises with our partners across the globe to create a stronger force for good.