ABOUT VP-93
- Establishment: Patrol Squadron 93 (VP-93) was established on July 1, 1976, as a Naval Reserve patrol squadron based at Naval Air Facility Detroit, Michigan.
- Nickname: The squadron was known as the “Executioners,” reflecting their mission and esprit de corps.
- Aircraft Operated: VP-93 primarily flew the Lockheed P-3 Orion, a maritime patrol aircraft used for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
- Cold War Era Service: During the height of the Cold War, VP-93 played a vital role in monitoring Soviet submarine activity in the Atlantic and Great Lakes regions.
- Drug Interdiction Missions: In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the squadron was deployed to the Caribbean and Central America in support of counter-narcotics operations.
- Operation Desert Storm: VP-93 provided support for Operation Desert Storm in 1991, flying patrol and reconnaissance missions from European bases.
- Reserve Integration: VP-93 was one of several reserve patrol squadrons that regularly integrated with active duty units, participating in joint exercises and deployments.
- Community Engagement: The squadron was actively involved in community outreach in the Detroit area, enhancing the relationship between the Navy and local civilians.
- Deactivation: Due to post-Cold War military downsizing, VP-93 was disestablished on September 30, 1994, after 18 years of service.
- Legacy: Many former members of VP-93 went on to serve in other military and civilian aviation roles, and the squadron’s history is preserved through veterans’ associations and reunions.