ABOUT VP-935
- Designation and Role: VP-935 was a U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron established during World War II, with the primary mission of maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare.
- Formation Date: The squadron was established on 20 May 1945, near the end of World War II, as part of the rapid expansion of the Navy’s air patrol capabilities.
- Aircraft Operated: VP-935 was equipped with the Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, a naval patrol bomber adapted from the B-24 Liberator.
- Base of Operations: The unit was initially based at NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, serving as a strategic location for Pacific operations.
- Training and Duties: VP-935 conducted intensive training flights, including long-range patrols, search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare exercises.
- War’s End Impact: The squadron saw limited operational deployment due to the Japanese surrender in August 1945, which led to a rapid reduction in operational tempo.
- Short Service Duration: VP-935 had a brief existence, being redesignated as VPB-935 and then disestablished within a year, reflecting the post-war drawdown of U.S. military forces.
- Squadron Personnel: The squadron was composed of both experienced combat veterans and newly trained aircrew, reflecting the urgent wartime demand for patrol units.
- Legacy: Although short-lived, VP-935 contributed to the Navy’s Pacific patrol network and trained crews who would serve in future naval aviation roles during the early Cold War.
- Post-War Reorganization: The rapid deactivation of VP-935 is emblematic of the massive restructuring of U.S. military aviation following World War II, with many such patrol squadrons being consolidated or dissolved.