VU-1

Utility Squadron 1 (VU-1)
Active: 20 Jul 1951 -
Theater Pacific
Motto: None
Number 5+

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This page is under construction. It will contain information about US Navy JD-1 Invaders assigned to Utility Squadron 1 (VU-1).

History

Utility Squadron 1 (VU-1) was formally established on 20 July 1951 in response to the Korean War. Their home base was Naval Air Station Barber's Point, Hawaii. It inherited the lineage of the Pacific Fleet's former Utility Squadron, VJ-1, which had been deactivated in 1949. The mission of VU-1 was to provide training and support for the 14th Naval District. In 1952, NAS Barber's Point absorbed the Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, after the Marine units were moved to Kaneohe Bay.

Activity at Barber's Point increased in the 1950s in correlation with the war in Korea and the rising tensions of the Cold War. Throughout this time VU-1 helped with training for other squadrons that were also housed at the base, including Patrol Squadron 6 (VP-6), Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12, and Airborne Early Warning Squadron 14. The VU-1 planes often served as "bogeys" for the AEWS planes to track and identify.

From the photos, we know that VU-1 also flew TBM-3U Avengers as part of the squadron.

In addition to the training and support functions, in the late 1950s the VU-1 planes also carried out photo mapping missions for the Navy.

Planes

US Navy Buoy Number	USAF S/N	Delivered	SOC	Comments
				UA-1
89074				UA-2. From the images we have in the archive, there were at least 2 different planes bearing the markings of UA-2. This plane is clearly identified as BuNo 89074 in the photo. The other plane, only a partial BuNo beginning with 771 can be seen.
771XX				UA-2
				UA-3
77203				UA-4
				UA-6

Photos