About this Unit
Patrol Squadron 92 (VP-92), known as the "Minutemen," was a U.S. Navy Reserve patrol squadron established on November 1, 1970, at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts. The squadron operated the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, conducting anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and maritime surveillance missions. Throughout the Cold War and into the 1990s, VP-92 supported fleet operations and participated in numerous exercises and deployments, both domestically and overseas. The squadron was deactivated on October 1, 2007, as part of the post-Cold War restructuring of the Navy Reserve Force.
Historical Facts
• Establishment: Patrol Squadron 92 (VP-92), known as the “Minutemen,” was established on 1 November 1970 as a reserve patrol squadron of the U.S. Navy.
• Aircraft Operated: VP-92 flew several variants of the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, primarily the P-3A, P-3B, and later the P-3C Update II.
• Base Locations: The squadron was initially based at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts, before relocating to NAS Brunswick, Maine, in 1996.
• Cold War Service: During the Cold War, VP-92 participated in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, tracking Soviet submarines in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Operations and Deployments: The squadron deployed to several locations, including Naval Air Station Bermuda, Naval Station Rota (Spain), and Lajes Field in the Azores, supporting maritime patrol operations.
• Support for Operations: VP-92 provided support for operations such as “Operation Maritime Guard” and “Sharp Guard” during the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s, enforcing embargoes and monitoring shipping.
• Reserve Integration: As a Navy Reserve squadron, VP-92 worked closely with active-duty units, integrating seamlessly during joint exercises and real-world contingencies.
• Community Connections: The squadron maintained strong ties with New England communities, participating in air shows, public events, and supporting local causes.
• Disestablishment: VP-92 was disestablished on 17 October 2007 as part of a broader realignment and reduction of the Navy’s reserve patrol squadrons.
• Legacy: Former members of VP-92 continue to gather for reunions and maintain the squadron’s traditions, preserving its memory as one of the last P-3 reserve squadrons on the East Coast.
