PATROL SQUADRON 66 HISTORY Patrol Squadron 66 (VP-66) was commissioned on 1 November 1970 at Naval Air Station, Willow Grove Pennsylvania, as part of the Naval Air Reserve. Initially composed of units relocated from NAS New York, VP-66 began with three active duty officers, 50 active duty enlisted personnel and approximately 300 selected reservists. In less than a year, the squadron’s combat readiness increased from last to first place among all Atlantic Fleet Reserve VP Squadrons, resulting in a special commendation from the Commander, Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic. Although the squadron was originally known as the BOXCARS, in celebration of our Nation’s 200th anniversary and in recognition of the unit’s proximity to Philadelphia, VP-66 was renamed the LIBERTY BELLS in 1976. Patrol Squadron 66 flew the Lockheed SP-2H Neptune aircraft until 1973, when the squadron transitioned to the Lockheed P-3A Orion. Since then, the Liberty Bells have flown the P-3B, the P-3C Update II, and completed transition to the P-3C Block Modification Upgrade Program (BMUP) aircraft in September of 2003. This weapons platform, with its dramatically increased Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) and ocean-surveillance capabilities, enabled squadron aircrews to maintain a level of expertise and operational readiness equal to their active component counterparts. VP-66 proudly achieved a major milestone on 17 November 1999. On that day, the squadron surpassed 100,000 mishap free flight hours during the course of its 29 years. A six-time recipient of the CNO Safety “S” Award, the squadron earned this honor in 1980, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2001. In 1993, VP-66 was the recipient of the Noel Davis Battle “E” Award. The unit also received the 1984 and 1992 AVCM Donald M. Neal (Golden Wrench) Maintenance Award, the 1986 Retention Excellence Award and the 1988 Administrative Excellence Award. Additionally, VP-66 was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1996 and won the 1997 International Maritime Patrol Aircraft Symposium Trophy for ASW excellence while competing against crews from five NATO nations and representatives from every active duty and reserve U.S. Navy P-3C squadron. VP-66 was also awarded the Armed Forces Service Medal (24 October-14 December 1996), and the Joint Meritorious Service Commendation for 1 January-31 December 1998. Among the more cherished accolades earned (because of its name), VP-66 brought home the Commander, Reserve Patrol Wing “Liberty Bell” Trophy for Tactical Excellence in October 2003, besting the six other reserve VP squadrons in a head-to-head tactical competition. More recently, Annual Training found the Liberty Bells detached to El-Salvador, Ecuador, and Curacao in support of JIATF-South Counter Narcotic Operations during 2005. During that timeframe, several VP-66 crews were credited with locating drug-running vessels that were ultimately seized by authorities resulting in the seizure of 7.91 metric tons of cocaine with a street value of roughly $150 million. Also in that year, VP-66 was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for contributing support to the Fleet. Selective Reservists provided 7500 hours of Operational Support Drills to the Fleet during 2004-2005. Over the years, the citizen-Sailors of VP-66 were far more than weekend warriors. Squadron personnel operated and maintained as many as seven P-3C aircraft on a full-time basis, flying over 3000 hours annually in recent years. The squadron’s aircraft and 10 flight crews deployed worldwide with minimal advance notice. To enable the squadron to carry out missions around the clock, seven officers and 110 enlisted personnel were assigned full-time to the command. This permanent active duty cadre provided the training and administration for 50 officers and 136 enlisted personnel who made up the Selected Reserve segment of the squadron. The immensely successful efforts of the officers and sailors culminated in 111,854 Mishap-free flight hours over the life of the squadron. On February 11, 2006, the squadron held a ceremony marking its disestablishment, which became effective 31 March 2006. This closure is in compliance with the Active Reserve Integration (ARI) plan. In CY 05, P-3 aircraft fatigue issues required the grounding of 30 aircraft necessitating an accelerated disestablishment plan to recapitalize scarce aircraft resources across the Maritime Patrol community. VP-66 transferred its complement of P-3C aircraft to fleet concentration areas in Florida, Maine and Washington. These transfers permitted significant enhancements to ARI and provided aircraft needed to continue flight training and overseas detachments. Along with the aircraft, VP-66 transferred many top quality people to the front lines of Naval service. The men and women of VP-66 will proudly carry the Liberty Bell legacy of excellence and service with them into the future through continued support to the fleet, their communities and families.
|
Last
Name
|
First
Name
|
|
Rank
|
Position
|
Call
sign
|
Dates
of Service
|
|
Deloache
|
Tim
|
|
CDR
|
CO
|
|
1996-2005
|
|
Jones
|
Tom
|
|
CAPT
|
CO
|
|
|
|
McMahon
|
Donald
|
C
|
CAPT
|
CO
|
|
1993-2003
|
|
Mitchell
|
David
|
M
|
CAPT
|
CO
|
|
1994-1999
|
|
O'Brien
|
Bill
|
|
CAPT
|
CO
|
|
1978-1990
|
|
Sloan
|
Steve
|
|
CAPT
|
CO
|
|
1993-2004
|
|
Timmerman
|
Claude
|
|
CAPT
|
CO
|
|
1983-1993
|
|
Wadkins
|
James
|
|
CAPT
|
CO
|
|
1980-1994
|
|
Anderson
|
William
|
|
ATCS
(AW)
|
|
Andy
|
1994-2003
|
|
Andrews
|
Mary
Anne
|
|
LCDR
|
|
Moonbeam
|
2005-2006
|
|
Aragon
|
Gino'
|
|
AECS
|
P3FE
|
|
1997-2006
|
|
Armstrong
|
Thomas
|
W
|
AOCS
(AW/NAC) (RET)
|
|
|
1970-1994
|
|
Aronsson
|
RW
|
|
LCDR
|
|
Bill
|
|
|
Barney
|
Kirk
|
|
LCDR
|
|
|
2002-2006
|
|
Bass
|
George
|
T
|
AWC
(RET)
|
|
|
1980-2000
|
|
Beauman
|
James
|
|
AMC
(AW/SS)
|
|
|
1997-2006
|
|
Beck
|
Tom
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
1996-2000
|
|
Belaus
|
Anthony
|
V
|
MS1
|
Plank
owner
|
|
|
|
Benton
|
John
|
N
|
AT1
(AW/NAC)
|
CAC-14
|
|
1985-1988
|
|
Boer
|
Robert
|
|
AD2
|
P3FE
|
Sunshine
|
1975-1979
|
|
Boutcher
|
Walter
|
|
AW3
|
|
|
1970-1976
|
|
Boyt
|
Jim
|
|
LT
|
|
|
2004-2006
|
|
Branner
|
Keith
|
|
CDR
|
PPC
|
Opie
|
2002-2006
|
|
Briggman
Jr.
|
Thomas
|
Jr.
|
MSgt
(RET)
|
USAFR
|
|
|
|
Brown
|
W.
Shannon
|
|
CDR
|
OIC
|
|
2002-2004
|
|
Brunner
|
Robert
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruno
|
Pete
|
|
AEC
|
P3FE
|
|
2000-2005
|
|
Buckwalter
|
Jerry
|
M
|
AECS,
Deceased
|
|
|
|
|
Buyok
|
Jeremy
|
|
AM1(AW)
|
|
|
1999-2004
|
|
Casanova,
Jr.
|
Louis
|
|
AT2
(NAC)
|
|
|
1984-2001
|
|
Case
|
Raymond
|
E
|
AO1
|
|
Really
Old Man
|
1996-2001
|
|
Cawi
|
Steven
|
|
AT1(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
|
|
Cesare
|
Pat
|
|
ADC
|
Plane
Captain, Plank owner
|
|
1970-1973
|
|
Cohn
|
Garry
|
L
|
MS1
|
|
|
1971-1988
|
|
Cook
|
Benjamin
|
D
|
AO2(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
|
|
Crandell
|
Frank
|
|
CWO4
|
Last
SelRes MMCO
|
|
2003-2005
|
|
Croyle
|
Don
|
|
AK2,
Deceased
|
|
|
|
|
Curran
|
Gordon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Custer
|
Jim
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
2005-2006
|
|
Deangeles
|
Anthony
|
|
CS1
|
|
|
1994-2006
|
|
Deeney
III
|
John
|
J
|
ADCS
|
|
|
|
|
DeMaio
|
William
|
|
AWCM(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
2004-2006
|
|
Desai
|
Mark
|
R
|
CDR
|
|
|
2002-2006
|
|
Di
Stefano Jr.
|
Vince
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
2004-2006
|
|
Donahey
|
Landon
|
H
|
AWC
|
|
|
1996-2006
|
|
Eastabrooks
|
Mark
|
|
AOC
|
|
|
1993-97,
2004-06
|
|
Eaton
|
Keith
|
|
AW2(AW)
|
|
|
1997-2001
|
|
Erdman
|
James
|
|
AWCS
(NAC)
|
|
Jim
|
1971-1981
|
|
Evans
|
Joseph
|
|
ADR1
|
|
|
1970-1975
|
|
Faragasso
|
Keith
|
|
AM1(AW)
|
|
|
1990-2006
|
|
Fields
|
Glenn
|
L
|
AW1(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
1993-2002
|
|
Firmbach
|
Gregory
|
A
|
LCDR
|
PPC/PPIP/MC
|
Swamp
Fox
|
1978-1986
|
|
Foster
|
Glen
|
R
|
CDR
|
TACCO
|
|
1979-1985
|
|
Furia
|
Joe
|
|
LCDR
|
|
Speedo
|
1994-1998
|
|
Furtner
|
Thomas
|
F
|
CDR
|
|
|
1993-2000
|
|
Galloway
|
Earl
|
|
CMDCM
|
|
|
2005-2006
|
|
Gillen
|
Alfred
|
J
|
AMS2
|
|
BIG AL
|
1970-1975
|
|
Giordano
|
Isabel
|
R
|
CWO4
|
Intel
Officer
|
|
1985-1989
|
|
Goodwin
|
Charles
|
|
AWC(NAC)
|
|
Charlie
|
1996-2006
|
|
Goul
|
Steve
|
|
AW1(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
1991-2006
|
|
Hable
|
Dan
|
|
CDR
|
|
FIXO
|
1994-2005
|
|
Haloburdo
|
Donald
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
1997-2006
|
|
Harring
|
Gerald
|
G
|
AT1
(SS)
|
|
|
1980-1998
|
|
Hawley
|
Neil
|
T
|
CDR
|
|
|
1994-2004
|
|
Heim
|
Todd
|
|
CDR
|
TACCO
|
|
2000-2006
|
|
Hoerning
|
Brian
|
D
|
CDR
|
|
|
1997-2005
|
|
Hoover
|
Don
|
|
AW2(NAC)
|
|
Jez
|
2001-2006
|
|
Howard
|
Glenn
|
|
AECS
(RET)
|
QA
|
Retired
|
1984-1988
|
|
Hudak
|
Stephen
|
|
AFCM
|
CMDCM
|
|
1979-2006
|
|
Hughes
|
Robert
|
W
|
AD2
|
|
Hugo
|
1980-1993
|
|
Hunt
|
J.J.
|
J
|
AOC
|
CAC-1
|
|
|
|
Ianiro
|
Frank
|
|
ENS
|
IFT
|
Juicy
|
1996-2006
|
|
Jackstis
|
Richard
|
|
LCDR
|
|
|
2000-2006
|
|
Jennings
|
Doug
|
|
AME1
|
|
|
2003-2006
|
|
Johannsen
|
Chris
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
1996-2003
|
|
Johnson
|
Daniel
|
|
LT
|
|
|
2005-2006
|
|
Johnson
|
Keith
|
|
AMEC
|
|
Elvis
|
1987-1991
|
|
Johnson
|
Richard
|
E
|
CDR
|
|
|
1996-2006
|
|
Junius
|
Levarne
|
M
|
AMCS
|
FE
|
JR
|
1988-1994;
1997-2001
|
|
Kalamaris
|
John
|
|
AW2
|
|
Quest
|
1994-1999
|
|
Kane
|
Jed
|
|
LCDR
|
PPC
|
Haywood
|
2004-2006
|
|
Klosowski
|
Bernie
|
|
CDR
|
CAC-1
|
Slots
|
1994-2000
|
|
Kovacs
|
Stephen
|
J
|
CS1
|
|
|
2002-2006
|
|
Kowalski
|
Eric
|
|
CDR
|
PPC
|
|
1994-2006
|
|
Lemelin
|
Stephan
|
M
|
LCDR
|
|
Steve
|
1995-2001
|
|
Lemire
|
William
|
J
|
AW1
(AW/NAC)
|
SS3
|
Billy
|
1989-2006
|
|
Leverich
|
Richard
|
W
|
LCDR
|
|
Dick
|
1976-1997
|
|
Levy
|
Dave
|
|
LT
|
|
|
2005-2006
|
|
Lewko
|
Ken
|
|
CAPT
|
OIC
|
|
1996-1997
|
|
Louridas
|
Chris
|
|
AWCS
(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
1973-2004
|
|
Lowerre
|
Michael
|
|
AOC
|
|
|
|
|
Mansfield
|
Stephen
|
|
AD1
(RET)
|
Plank
owner
|
|
1970-1989
|
|
Marchese
|
Chris
|
|
LCDR
|
|
|
2001-2006
|
|
Mason
|
Aaron
|
W
|
AEC
(AW/NAC)
|
P3FE
|
|
1985-1990
|
|
Mathers
|
Sara
|
|
AW2
|
|
|
|
|
McDonnell
|
Ron
|
|
PHC
|
|
|
|
|
McGurty,
Jr
|
John
|
A
|
Capt
|
Flight
Surgeon
|
Witchdoctor
|
|
|
McNeill
|
Chuck
|
|
AT2
(NAC)
|
|
Plank
owner
|
1970-1993
|
|
Mergen
|
Lynn
|
A
|
AZ1
(AW)
|
|
Mom
|
1981-2000
|
|
Mergen
|
David
|
T
|
AMS1
|
|
Stretch
|
1974-1986
|
|
Merker
|
David
|
S
|
CDR
|
|
|
1998-2005
|
|
Miller
|
Morgan
|
|
LCDR
|
|
Cap'n
|
2004-2006
|
|
Mills
|
Brian
|
|
ADC
(AW/NAC)
|
FE
|
|
|
|
Milmant
|
A.J.
|
|
ADC
|
Plank
owner
|
|
1970-1983
|
|
Mordente
|
Samuel
|
P
|
AOC
|
Plank
owner
|
|
1970-1992
|
|
Morelli
|
Lou
|
P
|
AW1
(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
1991-2006
|
|
Murawski
|
Ken
|
|
ADCS
|
|
|
1982-1986;
1991-2001
|
|
Myers
|
Frank
|
H
|
CDR
|
TACCO
|
Psycho
|
1996-2003
|
|
Nelson
|
Chris
|
|
CDR
|
CAC-10
|
|
1997-2006
|
|
Nelson
|
Daniel
|
A
|
AT1
(AW)
|
|
|
|
|
Noe
|
Scott
|
|
CDR
|
|
Dr. No
|
1994-2006
|
|
Nolan
|
Lawrence
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
|
|
Nuzzi
|
Joseph
|
M
|
AFCM
|
Plank
owner
|
|
1970-1989
|
|
Nystrom
|
Robert
|
R
|
AMSC
|
|
Nasty
|
1989-1993
|
|
O'Brien,
Jr.
|
Patrick
|
J
|
AT1(AW)
|
|
|
2001-2006
|
|
Opett
|
Robert
|
A
|
AMCS
|
Plank
owner
|
Opie
|
1970-1975
|
|
Ortiz
|
Robert
|
|
AT1(AW/NAC)
|
|
Tito
|
1993-2005
|
|
Pachuta
|
Mark
|
T
|
CAPT
|
|
Gesundheit
|
1980-1992
|
|
Palm
|
Andy
|
F
|
LCDR
|
|
|
2003-2005
|
|
Peralta
|
Mike
|
|
AME1
|
|
|
1998-2005
|
|
Perdue
|
Bruce
|
|
AW1(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
1988-1992;
1996-2000
|
|
Pico
|
Walt
|
|
AMC
|
|
|
2000-2004
|
|
Pierson
|
James
|
E
|
MSCS,
Deceased
|
|
Cookie
|
|
|
Plesh
|
Pat
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
2004-2006
|
|
Potts
|
Philip
|
|
AVCM
|
CMC
|
Phil
|
1996-1999
|
|
Quigley
|
Jack
|
|
CDR
|
|
Quigs
|
1986-1999
|
|
Ranalli
|
Robert
|
|
AEC(AW)
|
|
|
1993-2005
|
|
Ratliff
|
Robin
|
|
CS2(AW)
|
|
|
|
|
Richardson
|
Rexford
|
J
|
AO1
|
|
Doc
|
1982-1984
|
|
Rocuba
|
Bruno
|
|
AM1
|
|
|
1991-2005
|
|
Roldan
|
Marcus
|
|
AW2(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
2001-2006
|
|
Rose
|
Kenneth
|
W
|
AKCM
(AW) (RET)
|
CMDCM
|
|
1983-2000
|
|
Rosene
|
Richard
|
H
|
LCDR
|
|
Rich
|
1993-1996
|
|
Rowe
|
Tim
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
2004-2006
|
|
Salamy
|
Paul
|
S
|
CDR
|
|
|
2004-2006
|
|
Sandeno
|
Tim
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
1998-2006
|
|
Schwartz
|
William
|
F
|
AT1
|
|
|
1971-1991
|
|
Sciscio
|
Steve
|
|
AOC
|
|
|
1983-2006
|
|
Seamen
|
Trent
|
S
|
LCDR
|
|
Spooge
|
1994-2000
|
|
Sherman
|
John
|
|
AE2
|
|
|
|
|
Simmermon
|
John
|
C
|
AWCS
(NAC)
|
|
Jack
|
1974-1989
|
|
Sloan
|
Lawrence
|
E
|
AWCM(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
1973-1989
|
|
Smith
|
Don
|
|
AMH1
|
|
|
1992-2000
|
|
Spigler
|
Brian
|
W
|
AW1
|
|
Spig
|
1996-2004
|
|
Sprinkle
|
Randall
|
|
LCDR
|
|
Sprink
|
2004-2006
|
|
Stacy
|
David
|
R
|
CDR
|
|
Stace
|
1981-1992
|
|
Stoneburg
|
Terisa
|
|
AO2
|
|
|
2002-2005
|
|
Stonesifer
|
Ric
|
|
CAPT
|
TACCO
|
|
1980-1985
|
|
Stroud
|
Gary
|
|
PR1
|
|
|
2003-2006
|
|
Sundheim
|
Ed
|
|
LCDR
|
|
|
1971-1987
|
|
Szivos,
Jr.
|
Tibor
|
|
AW1
(AW/NAC)
|
|
Gulash
|
1990-1995;
1999-2004
|
|
Temple
|
Charles
|
|
AO2
|
|
|
2000-2006
|
|
Tonnessen
|
Pete
|
|
LCDR
|
|
Una-pilot
|
1990-1999
|
|
Torres
|
Raymond
|
|
AW2
|
|
|
|
|
Triol
|
John
|
C
|
CDR
|
|
|
1989-1995
|
|
Turnvall
|
Shawn
|
M
|
AE1
(AW/NAC)
|
FE
|
Turbo
|
|
|
Van de
Water
|
Matt
|
|
CDR
|
|
|
2000-2006
|
|
Walker
|
Pat
|
|
LCDR
|
|
|
2002-2006
|
|
Wallace
|
Jeff
|
|
AD1
|
|
Jiffy
|
2002-2006
|
|
Welham
|
Rich
|
|
LCDR
|
PPC
|
|
2003-2006
|
|
Welling
|
Glenn
|
F
|
AWCS
(AW/NAC)
|
|
|
1994-2006
|
|
Wernham
|
G.
Andrew
|
|
CDR
|
|
Andy
|
1981-1989
|
|
Wilson
(Hoffrichter)
|
Katherine
|
|
AX3
|
|
|
1976-1978
|
|
Windstein
|
Jack
|
|
ATC,
Deceased
|
|
|
|
|
Wojtanik
|
John
|
A
|
AEC
|
|
Wojo
|
1975-1996
|
|
Zulkowsky
|
Eric
|
|
|
|
|
1985-2004
|
|
Zulkowsky
|
Iris
|
|
|
|
|
1985-2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
