The 2000s
The crowning achievement of the Trident’s “Millennium” deployment was the attainment of 275,000 mishap-free flight hours in over 38 years (2000)—a worldwide record which encompasses all types of aviation, civilian and military. In preparation for its next Mediterranean deployment, VP-26 trained all twelve aircrews in the new P-3C Update III AIP (Anti-surface-warfare Improvement Program) aircraft. By providing the P-3C with state-of-the-art improvements in Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence; surveillance and survivability, AIP advances maritime patrol into the 21st century. The squadron received its first AIP aircraft in September 2000. VP-26 also conducted extensive in-house training for all its crews to properly use the SLAM Missile, Maverick Missile, and Online Harpoon.
In February 2001, the Tridents returned to Sicily. Deployed Tridents supported the United Nations operations Deliberate Forge and Joint Guardian and participated in several multinational exercises throughout Africa and Europe. Over the course of the six months in Sigonella, the Tridents flew more than 5000 mishap-free operational hours, achieving a 93 percent sortie completion rate. They made operational detachments to 15 different countries including: Rota, Spain; Souda Bay, Crete; Nordholtz, Germany; Visby, Sweden; Nîmes, France; Kinloss, Scotland; Malta, and Turkey. Tridents flew a variety of operational missions over the Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, North Sea, and the Mediterranean. These missions included: support for two US carrier battlegroups and various NATO surface combatants, overland reconnaissance in support of NATO Stabilization Forces (SFOR) and NATO Kosovo Forces (KFOR), and over 20 multinational exercises with 24 nations. On August 10, 2001, the Tridents of Patrol Squadron 26 arrived back at their home base of Brunswick, ME, in preparation for a highly charged interdeployment cycle. Following the events of September 11, VP-26 moved to a heightened state of readiness. The squadron supported the war on terrorism by taking part in various Homeland Defense operations. VP-26 did everything from locating and identifying high interest merchant shipping traffic approaching the US to observing potential terrorist targets on American soil. Tridents continued their efforts on the war on terrorism into 2002. On June 8, members of VP-26 took the opportunity to reflect on past tragedies with a visit to “Ground Zero”. Eleven Tridents were promoted there, exemplifying their commitment to the protection of US citizens and their Allies.
In August 2002, VP-26 began its six month, split-site deployment in NAS Keflavik, Iceland, and NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Tridents embraced the challenge of a long-distance working environment that would spread them across 6,200 nautical miles (11,500 km) and seven time zones, from Souda Bay, Crete to Manta, Ecuador. Aircrews took part in missions ranging from armed SUCAP in the STRoG to SRO to the "Wars on Drugs and Terrorism". Efforts in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific led to Tridents’ interdiction of 12,641 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of over $3.4 billion. VP-26 also played a major role in the introduction of AIP to the SOUTHCOM AOR. The squadron executed over 5000 flight hours, including 83 ASW events, and was nominated for the 2002 Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence and the 2002 Battle Efficiency Award. At top of its military achievements, VP-26 provided "Community Support" through "Manta Santa" (200 families clothed, 1678 children received toys, and $800 dollars donated for a local pediatric hospital), "Sisters of Mother Teresa" aid in Reykjavik, and multiple "Adopt-a-School" affiliations.
On 4 April 2003, Team Trident bore witness to its 57th change of command as CDR Matthew J. Carter relieved CDR Sean S. Buck as Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 26. In attendance were friends and family of Team Trident and members of New York City Fire Department, Ladder 10, with whom VP-26 has an affiliation. The firefighters presented the command a cross, fabricated of steel from the World Trade Center, as well as a photograph of the tragedy. On April 7, the Tridents were called back into action. Two crews and maintenance support personnel departed for the Mediterranean to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. “The CNO recently told the entire Navy to ensure we are combat ready at all times and ready to enter the fray when called. VP-26 followed that order by augmenting forward-deployed units. The Trident worked side-by-side with crews from five VP squadrons supporting two carrier battle groups. VP-26 commenced their detachment in Rota, Spain, and then later in Sigonella, Sicily, they flew armed support for supply boats transiting the Strait of Gibraltar. While in Sicily, the Tridents flew multiple missions supporting of both the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-72) Carrier Battle Groups. Shortly after arriving at Naval Station Rota, Spain, VP-26 personnel discovered that a mobile field hospital had been built to receive wounded coming from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The facility began receiving its first wounded war fighters on March 29. Although well-equipped to provide medical support, the hospital needed toiletries, uniform items, underclothes and other basics. Many wounded patriots arrived with only the clothes on their back. As a result, Operation Rota Comfort began. Knowledge of the need for supplies passed by word of mouth, and as word spread, a generous outpouring of support evolved into Operation Rota Comfort. The response on NAVSTA Rota was outstanding. Members of VP-26 immediately joined the effort and sent an appeal to friends, family and to Team Trident remaining in Brunswick. Within 48 hours, over one thousand dollars had been pledged to the cause. The money provided shoes, shirts, underwear, and over six thousand minutes of phone cards to men and women in the hospital in Rota. Team Trident raised an additional $1,700 in supplies and funds. On Friday, April 18, a crew from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VQ-2) transferred the supplies overseas.
On April 16, the Tridents officially assume the duties of the Ready Squadron. In addition to homeland defense duties (when required), the Tridents provided mechanical support to planes arriving from other bases, as well as ground logistics for the associated aircrews. From May to June 2003, members of VP-26 worked with Habitat for Humanity - Bath Brunswick Area (HFHBBA) to provide suitable living quarters for a family in Bowdoinham. At the house in Bowdoinham, Tridents worked alongside volunteers from the Bath and Brunswick area as well as other members of the NAS Brunswick community. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses.
In August 2003, Patrol Squadron 26 surpassed 41 years of mishap-free flying, an outstanding record recognized by both the Navy and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This makes the Brunswick-based squadron the safest organization throughout all military and civilian aviation. Team Trident has flown over 296,000 hours without a mishap, a commendable achievement and testament to the hard work of over 5400 current and former Tridents. The clock began following an incident in 1962, when a P-2E Neptune caught fire and exploded during a ground maintenance engine check. According to the Safety Center report, the cause of the explosion was the “main primer line of the impeller section was improperly connected.” No deaths or injuries resulted, and members of VP-26 have worked vigilantly to prevent another incident. On September 17, Combat Air Crew One (CAC-1) flew to Jacksonville, FL to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) event with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Battle Group. The following day, they were joined by a second Trident aircrew, CAC-5, and a maintenance detachment. Their involvement in the exercise, which had been moved off the coast of Florida due to Hurricane Isabel, lasted two weeks and included over 75 flight hours between the two crews. On September 19, 2003 Patrol Squadron 26 gathered to commemorate the missing crew of “HB 7” in a solemn POW/MIA ceremony. Following an old maritime tradition, a ship’s bell was struck once as the name of each missing crewmember was read. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a memorial frame containing charcoal rubbings from the monument of names of “HB 7” crewmembers, and artwork of the monument and plane. The Commanding Officer, CDR Matthew J. Carter, accepted the commemorative work on behalf of the command.
By the start of 2004, VP-26 was ready for deployment, and at the end of January VP-26 relieved VP-45 in Sigonella, Italy to perform various operations. In March, CDR Frank W. Doris relieved CDR Matthew J. Carter as the 58th Commanding Officer of VP-26. For the entire deployment VP-26 flew in Operations DELIBERATE FORGE and JOINT GUARDIAN in Kosovo and Bosnia. In addition, the squadron flew escort missions through the Straights of Gibraltar, escorting USNR ships, ensuring the sea-lanes of communication and commerce remained open. During February and March, Tridents participated in Exercise DOGFISH, a multi-national ASW exercise. In April, CAC 4 conducted a successful Search and Rescue event, saving the lives of over 80 people whose ship had sank. Later, two crews went to the Persian Gulf to participate in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Also, in May and June, they flew in Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR in support of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
Patrol Squadron 26 was relieved by VP-16 in Sigonella and returned to NAS Brunswick in the beginning of July, with most of the squadron personnel returning home on July 4. During the remainder of 2004 VP-26 continued training. Once again VP-26 surpassed 42 years of mishap-free flying, totaling over 303,420 hours in August. In September, one crew detached, for six days to NAS Jacksonville, participating in the JTFEX. With Hangar 6 still under construction, Tridents moved in with VP-92. The composition of two squadrons in one hangar proved to be beneficial because VP-26 became the test squadron for Active/Reserve Integration. In December, two crews from VP-92 joined VP-26 as the first reserve crews to be part of an active squadron. Throughout the year, VP-26 earned several awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, and two crews earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. The squadron again won the Golden Anchor Award for Retention Excellence.
As 2005 came to a close VP-26 again deployed to NAS Sigonella in Sicily and Comalopa Air Base in El Salvador, providing support for Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR as well as multi-national exercises in Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, France, Crete, Ghana, and Germany, as well as hosting Naval Forces from around Europe for Operation NOBLE MANTA and Caribbean Anti-Drug Operations. March 2006 saw the change of command with CDR Gregory Cozad relieving CDR Thomas Kollie. The Tridents returned to Brunswick in June 2006. The Squadron was awarded the Armed Forced Service Medal for their actions.
In 2007 VP-26 surpassed 410,000 hours of mishap-free flying. An interdeployment training cycle with surge detachments to the Fifth Fleet AOR consumed most of the year. CDR King relieved CDR Cozad as Commanding Officer in May 2007. In December the Tridents deployed to the Fifth Fleet AOR in support of the "Global War on Terror", operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, as well as anti-piracy operation in the Horn of Africa. March 2008 saw CDR King relieved by squadron executive officer CDR Westerkom.