US NAVY SQUADRON HISTORIES
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Cod. NF-305
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US NAVY SQUADRON HISTORIES - NO. 305
WORLD WATCHERS
A Pictorial History of Electronic Countermeasures Squadron ONE (ECMRON-1) and Fleet
Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE (VQ-1).
by Angelo Romano
Pages: 304
Size: 8.5 X 11 (inches)
Format: Paperback with semi-rigid cover
Illustrations: 633 mostly color photos, 39 color profiles, 82 patches
Publisher: Ginter Books
The lineage of VQ-1’s “World Watchers" can be traced back to two PBY-5A
Catalina "Black Cats" modified for electronic reconnaissance during World War II.
In Oct 1951, the unit was formally established as the Special Electronic Search
Project (SESP) at NAS Sangley Point, Republic of the Philippines, in Oct 1951.
On 13 May 1953, the unit was redesignated Detachment Able of Airborne Early Warning
Squadron One (VW-1), and operated four P4M-1Q Mercator aircraft.
On 1 Jun 1955, Detachment Able was reorganized into Electronic Countermeasures Squadron
One (VQ-1) at MCAF Iwakuni, Japan. This was the first Navy squadron dedicated to
electronic warfare.
In Sep 1956, VQ-1 received the first A3D/A-3 Skywarrior, or “Whale" as it
came to be known, which served the squadron for the next three decades.
In 1960, VQ-1 moved to NAS Atsugi, Japan and redesignated Fleet Air Reconnaissance
Squadron ONE. The last Mercator was retired and replaced by the WV-2Q Super Constellations.
The “Willie Victor" would remain the backbone of VQ-1’s long range,
land-based reconnaissance efforts through the Vietnam Era and into the 1970s.
The squadron’s involvement in the Vietnam War started characteristically,
at the very beginning, when a Skywarrior crew was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation
for their role in the Gulf of Tonkin incident of 2-5 Aug 1964. For the next nine
years, VQ-1 would operate from DaNang, Cubi Point, Bangkok, aircraft carriers on
patrol in Yankee Station and other bases in Southeast Asia. VQ-1’s aircrews
supported countless air strikes and were credited with assisting in the destruction
of numerous MiG aircraft and Komar patrol boats.
In 1969, The first EP-3B joined the squadron, which began the replacement program
for the Super Constellations, which was completed in 1974.
In 1971, VQ-1 moved its homeport to NAS Agana, Guam. At that time it absorbed Heavy
Photographic Squadron SIXTY ONE (VAP-61) and its former parent unit, VW-1. For a
time, VQ-1 consisted of thirty aircraft: sixteen Skywarriors, twelve Super Constellations
and two Orions.
In Jul 1974, VQ-1 welcomed the first of three EP-3E ARIES I, which served well until
retirement, in 1992.
On 29 Nov 1988, the last four Skywarriors left the squadron which now flew EP-3E
exclusively.
In 1991, the squadron closed its permanent detachment at Atsugi, after 30 years
and relocated it to Misawa, Japan. In the same year, VQ-1 received the first EP-3E
Aries II, an upgraded version of the ARIES I, using modified P-3C airframes. The
squadron played a key role in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Tasking
included strike support, combat search and rescue, communications and over-the-horizon-targeting
support to Coalition forces.
In 1994, as a result of the base closure of NAS Agana, VQ-1 was notified of the
homeport change to NAS Whidbey Island. Coincidentally, in Jul 1994, VQ-1 retired
the Navy's oldest operational P-3, EP-3E ARIES I BuNo 148887. Its retirement also
marked VQ-1’s transition to all EP-3E ARIES II mission aircraft. The next
aircraft upgrade, the Sensor Systems Improvement (SSIP) Program, became operational
in Aug 2000.
On 1 Apr 2001, a VQ-1 EP-3E collided with a People's Republic of China F-8 II fighter,
70 nm off the coast of Hainan Island in the South China Sea. After struggling to
regain control of the crippled aircraft, the crew performed a successful three-engine,
no-flap emergency landing at Lingshui Air Base on Hainan Island. The crew of 24
was detained for ten days.
After the terrorist attacks of 11 Sep 2001, VQ-1 surged aircraft and crews to the
Central Command, where missions were flown in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM,
IRAQI FREEDOM and NEW DAWN.
On 17 May 2012, VQ-1 became the largest operational aviation squadron in the Navy
when Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ-2) was officially disestablished
and its personnel consolidated into VQ-1.
Today, VQ-1 continues to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
(ISR) flights over an area of responsibility spanning 17 time zones from the East
Coast of Africa to the West Coast of the United States. The World Watchers maintain
a constant, forward-deployed status to ensure global support to Combatant, Joint
and Fleet Commanders.
This book is a tribute to all World Watchers who have served the squadron since
its establishment to date. A special mention goes to those crews who were lost in
tragic accidents, while serving their country.
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