Airborne Early Warning Barrier Squadron Pacific (AEWBarRonpac) was
established on 1 February 1960 as a consolidation of Airborne Early
Warning Squadrons VW-12 and
VW-14 and, in May 1960, the unit that
provided and maintained the aircraft for their crews, Airborne
Barrier Support Squadron 2. With approximately 30 Willie Victors and
very large crews, AEWBarRonpac became the largest squadron in U.S.
naval aviation history. The squadron also operated several R7V-1
Constellations for training and transport duties.
AEWBarRonpac's primary mission was to maintain 24-hour radar
coverage over the northern Pacific as seaward extension of the
Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, the Pacific Contiguous Barrier.
Beginning in 1961, the squadron maintained a detachment on Midway.
Four or five aircraft were kept airborne at all times to maintain
the integrity of the barrier. Willie Victors would stage to Midway
from Barbers Point and carry out their 16-hour patrols over the
northern Pacific. Patrols sometimes would terminate in Kodiak,
Alaska, for turnaround.
By 1965, the need for the Navy to participate in the continental
air-defense role had diminished because of improvements in the Air
Force's surveillance radar system. During its five years of
operations, AEWBarRonpac lost only one aircraft and six crewmen to a
mishap. The squadron flew its last barrier patrol on 30 April 1965
and was disestablished on 30 June 1965. |