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The threat posed by the
German submarine fleet during World War II mandated a new program to
rapidly develop Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) weapons and tactics. To
help defeat this formidable threat, the Air Antisubmarine Commander
Air Force, Atlantic Fleet was established 1. April 1943 at Quonset
Point, Rhode Island.
This command was charged with conducting tests to determine the
effectiveness of standard equipment and developing tactics for ASW
aircraft. To consolidate ASW evaluations of air and surface units,
the Antisubmarine Development Detachment, comprised of Air and
Surface Divisions, was established on 17. September 1943. By the
end of the war, the Operational Development Force, U.S Atlantic
Fleet was formed, to which the Antisubmarine Development Detachment
(ASDEVLANT) reported for duty.
In 1946, the unit was renamed Antisubmarine Development Squadron ONE
and was moved to Boca Chica Field, NAS Key West, Florida. The new
squadron’s mission was to test and evaluate ASW and related
equipment, determine the practical value of such material, and
develop and coordinate ASW tactics using optimally developed
equipment. First among the squadron’s important contributions to
the Fleet were the scanning sonar, surface radar, helicopter dipping
sonar, and hunter/killer ASW tactics.
The 1950's generated new aircraft and significant improvements that
were tested at VX-1. The P2V- Neptune, AD- Skyraider, S2F- Tracker,
P5M- Marlin, HRP-1 Rescuer, and other aircraft were evaluated.
Additional project evaluations included operational testing of
sonobuoys, towed Magnetic Anomaly Detectors (MAD), improved sonar
and radar equipment, and ASW mining techniques. Operational
evaluations were extended to air photography, human factors in ASW,
and target interpretations and recognition.
The long association with NAS Key West ended 15. September 1973 when
the squadron changed homeports to its present location at NAS
Patuxent River, Maryland.
Over the years, the squadron and its evaluation crews have received
numerous awards which include the Navy Unit Commendations, Navy
Expeditionary Medal, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, nine CNO
Safety Awards, ten Silver Anchor Awards, ten Golden Anchor Awards
for retention, and a variety of additional citations and
commendations. VX-1 has also received the Bronze Hammer Awards for
self-help, and the first Secretary of the Navy Energy Consumption
Award.
Today, the VX-1 Pioneers continue their support of maritime
operations with testing and evaluation of the Navy’s newest aircraft:
the MH-60S, MH-60R, KC-130J, E-2D, MQ-8B, MQ-24, P-8A, MQ-4C, and
E-6. VX-1 is also pushing the forefront of technology and tactical
development in Surface Warfare (SUW), Airborne Mine Countermeasures
(AMCM), extended range surface/land attack, and Electronic Warfare (EW). |
