Patrol Squadron 4 (United States Navy)

Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4) is a U.S. Navy land-based patrol squadron based at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Oahu, Hawaii, which is tasked to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions flying the Lockheed P-3 Orion.

History

Patrol Squadron 4 has a long and distinguished history dating back to before World War II. The first squadron designated Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4) was established in 1928 and was based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Re-designated Patrol Squadron 22 (VP-22) in 1938, the squadron was nearly destroyed during the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941. Following the attack, the squadron was reformed, refitted, and called to duty in World War II. While in the defense of the Philippines the squadron lost all but one aircraft leading to the disestablishment of the squadron. This paved the way for the second Patrol Squadron FOUR to be formed.

In July 1943, a new bombing squadron, Bombing Squadron 144 (VB-144) was established at NAS Alameda, California with the PV-1 Ventura and continued to conduct combat and reconnaissance operations throughout the Pacific Theater. VB-144 was redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 144 (VPB-144) in October 1944. Following the war, VPB-144 was placed in an inactive status and existed only administratively at NAS North Island, California. On 15 May 1946 VPB-144 was redesignated Patrol Squadron (VP-144). Shortly thereafter, on 15 November 1946, VP-144 was redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) FOUR (VP-ML-4). In 1947, VP-ML-4 was reactivated at NAS Miramar, California. After taking receipt of the United States Navy’s newest patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, the P2V Neptune, VP-ML-4 moved to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington in January 1948. In September 1948, the squadron was redesignated Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4). These events mark the birth of the squadron as we know it today.