U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron FORTY-FIVE (PATRON 45)

UNITAS X Cruise - 1969

In the press releases of US Navy non -combat evolutions, usually only
the names of ships involved are mentioned......

One of the main groups that are overlooked, especially concerning the
UNITAS X goodwill cruise around South America in 1969,
were the US Naval aviation patrol/support squadrons attached to this
cruise -- two P-2V Neptunes Patrol Squadron 45 (VP-45)
from NAS Jacksonville and their crews, consisting of 31 men
and nine ground support personnel also accompanying the UNITAS X
cruise was an aircraft and crew of Fleet Tactical Support
Squadron One (VR-1) out of Norfolk, Virginia.

The VP-45 detachment participated in civic functions held for schools
and orphanages. The detachment transported 200 pounds of
clothes donated by the San Jose Church of Christ in Jacksonville to
the Moise Espinoza Orphans Home in Santiago, Chile. In another
instance, the unit presented a plaque to the Mayor of Bahio Blanco,
Argentina commemorating the sister-city relationship between
Bahia Blanco and Jacksonville, Florida.

The VP-45 detachment departed Jacksonville on 28 July 1969 on the
first leg of their four month 11,000 mile journey that was to
circumnavigate the South American continent. Countries visited
included Columbia, Panama, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil,
Surinam, Trinidad, and Venezuela.

The two photos (left) of the aircraft and ID
of the crews of VP-45 that participated
in the 1969 UNITAS X cruise.

  Photo and Photo ID's provided by  

Ron Craker YN3

.