FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
I spent 6 years in the USNR, 5 1/2 were with VP-65. We operated P-3Cs that I actually built during the 1980s. It was recently decided to de-commission all reserve VP squadrons. When I arrived at Point Mugu last Thursday, I found out the last P-3 was flown out the day before. Times are changing, good-bye VP-65, 35 years of service without a major mishap! 
Patrol Squadron Six Five (VP-65) has been operating in Ventura County since it's establishment in 1970. The Tridents currently fly the P-3C Update III version of the Lockheed Martin Orion, the U.S. Navy's standard long range maritime patrol aircraft. The P-3C is specifically designed to search, detect, track and destroy enemy submarines. Secondary missions include mine laying, shipping surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and drug enforcement operations. VP-65 is one of seven reserve patrol squadrons assigned to Commander Reserve Patrol Wing, based out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Willow Grove PA.
Supporting both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, VP-65's mission is two-fold. The first is to support the regular Navy in fleet operations and exercises around the world. The second is to maintain combat readiness for rapid mobilization to meet national defense requirements. The highly skilled and motivated aircrews, maintainers, and support personnel maintain proficiency in a multitude of combat mission areas such as undersea warfare, surface warfare, surveillance, intelligence collection, aerial photography and counter-narcotics.
VP-65 most recently supported operations in the Caribbean and Western Pacific, including Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Scotland, Belize and Japan.
Team Trident is comprised of 304 active duty and Reserve personnel. A majority of these people live in the local area, however, some commute from points as distant as El Paso, Phoenix, Atlanta and Denver to meet their commitment to train and operate at least one weekend each month and one 16-day detachment per year.
For aircrews this commitment is often much more. These "Citizen Sailors" come from all walks of life and are the key ingredient in keeping VP-65 a fully trained and operational Maritime Patrol Squadron
Patrol Squadron Six Five (VP-65) has been operating in Ventura County since it's establishment in 1970. The Tridents currently fly the P-3C Update III version of the Lockheed Martin Orion, the U.S. Navy's standard long range maritime patrol aircraft. The P-3C is specifically designed to search, detect, track and destroy enemy submarines. Secondary missions include mine laying, shipping surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and drug enforcement operations. VP-65 is one of seven reserve patrol squadrons assigned to Commander Reserve Patrol Wing, based out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Willow Grove PA.
Supporting both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, VP-65's mission is two-fold. The first is to support the regular Navy in fleet operations and exercises around the world. The second is to maintain combat readiness for rapid mobilization to meet national defense requirements. The highly skilled and motivated aircrews, maintainers, and support personnel maintain proficiency in a multitude of combat mission areas such as undersea warfare, surface warfare, surveillance, intelligence collection, aerial photography and counter-narcotics.
VP-65 most recently supported operations in the Caribbean and Western Pacific, including Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Scotland, Belize and Japan.
Team Trident is comprised of 304 active duty and Reserve personnel. A majority of these people live in the local area, however, some commute from points as distant as El Paso, Phoenix, Atlanta and Denver to meet their commitment to train and operate at least one weekend each month and one 16-day detachment per year.
For aircrews this commitment is often much more. These "Citizen Sailors" come from all walks of life and are the key ingredient in keeping VP-65 a fully trained and operational Maritime Patrol Squadron
