I am SSgt Croley currently stationed at VMR-1 Cherry Point NC. I am currently searching for any history of aircraft that were assigned to this squadron both rotary wing and fixed wing. This squadron has gone by 3 names over the years AES-46, SOES, VMR-1. I am looking for pictures, news paper articles, or I witnessed accounts of any thing that this squadron has done since 1951. Upon review of the squadron history files allot of information has been lost over the years. I am trying to correct that problem and give this place back its history.
If you have any information please contact me. I will insure that everything I receive will go back into the Squadron History files
After 59 years military service this squadron deserves its history.
Thank you
SSgt Croley
AES 41 Cherry Pt 1947/1950
I was not in AES 46 however the population of A/C types during my years at AES 41 (O&R Facility) Was: C46, F7F, F4U, F9F Panther, OY Observation, C47 Gooney birds & the HO3S-1 Sikorsky Helicopter. These were the A/C we were servicing from units throiughout the Corp at that time. We had some in Emergency Repair & others in Overhaul. SF PM
CH-46 crewchief
I was a SAR crewchief in SOES from 83-86 the H-46's that were there at that time were as folows 150963,150964 and 151948 all were A models also there were a couple of T-39's and a couple of C-9 fixed wing aircraft,i also received 5 Boeing rescue citations while stationed there,if you would like to know the details of them just e-mail me.I hope this helps.Semper Fi.
SOES or SOMS?
I'm not familiar with an SOES but I recall an air stations squadron being known as SOMS (Station Operations and Maintenance Squadron). Does that ring a bell with anyone?
Larry Groah
SOES, two heads are better than one
SOES is station operatons and engineering squadron,our squadron logo at that time was the road runner,except the H-46 which was Pedro.Soms as i recall was in Hawaii.
Update
Thank you for assisting me on my history search. Step 1 right now is to identify all the aircraft the squadron used since 1951. I am going to post what I have up to this point.
BIG TRANSPORTS
C-9B SKYTRAIN BOEING 1975- PRESENT
C-117D SUPER DAKOTA/SUPER GOONEY DOUGLAS ???? – 1975
????
SMALL TRANSPORTS
UC-35D Citation/Encore ???? – PRESENT
C-12B HURON BEECH ????-????
CT-39G NORTH AMERICAN ROCKWELL????-????
U-11A ASTEC PIPER ????-????
????
RESCUE HELO
HH-46 A,D,E SEA KNIGHT BOEING 1975-PRESENT
HH-1K IROQUOIS BELL 1970-1975
UH-2B SEASPRITE KAMAN 1964-1970
?????
RUMORED AIRCRAFT TO BE IN THE SQUADRON BUT NEED CONFORMATION
HH-34 “HUSS”
HUP-1 RETRIEVER
C-119 FLYING BOXCAR
C-46 CURTISS COMANDO
CAN ANYONE CAN HELP ME FILL IN THE BLANKS
Thanks again SSgt Croley
keith purks;26776 wrote: I was a SAR crewchief in SOES from 83-86 the H-46's that were there at that time were as folows 150963,150964 and 151948 all were A models also there were a couple of T-39's and a couple of C-9 fixed wing aircraft,i also received 5 Boeing rescue citations while stationed there,if you would like to know the details of them just e-mail me.I hope this helps.Semper Fi.
We still have a picture hanging in the hallway with Pedro BUNO 150963. it look like a group photo of the aircrew at that time.
Last "D" models to fly flew Pedro
The last "D" models to fly were in Cherry Point doing Pedro duty. At least one of the last five was originally an "A" model, Bu No 151912. The were retired in late 2007. I got the photos in December and understood that it was a recent event.
Joe Reed;26905 wrote: The last "D" models to fly were in Cherry Point doing Pedro duty. At least one of the last five was originally an "A" model, Bu No 151912. The were retired in late 2007. I got the photos in December and understood that it was a recent event.
This is correct 912 was the last "D" to shut down. It has since been repainted and is waiting for the new 2 MAW HQ to be built. Then it will go on display in front of the HQ building.
528 was the other "D" model we had. After the last flight it was put on a truck and was being shipped to Florida to a museum when it stuck a bridge. It ripped off the top half of the tail.
Also the three HH-46E models that we have here should be the last 46's to fly in military service. They are slated to be replaced in 2015 all the fleet squadrons should have V-22's by then.
Bridges!
After the last flight it was put on a truck and was being shipped to Florida to a museum when it stuck a bridge. It ripped off the top half of the tail.
Seems to be a problem when trucking Phrogs anywhere. Same thing happened to MOH recipient Mike Clausen's bird in Bagdhad after a hard landing! It's now at the Carolina Aviation Museum restored in 1970 livery from HMM-263!
Joe Reed;26919 wrote: Seems to be a problem when trucking Phrogs anywhere. Same thing happened to MOH recipient Mike Clausen's bird in Bagdhad after a hard landing! It's now at the Carolina Aviation Museum restored in 1970 livery from HMM-263!
I was at Al Asad and saw that aircraft a few hours after it hit the bridge. It scared the driver (ARMY) pretty bad. He thought he hit an IED when it happened. Now here is the crazy part, the day the bird hit the bridge was the day they were putting Clausen in the ground. spooky!
pm3777;26733 wrote: I was not in AES 46 however the population of A/C types during my years at AES 41 (O&R Facility) Was: Ch46, F7F, F4U, F9F Panther, OY Observation, C47 Gooney birds & the HO3S-1 Sikorsky Helicopter. These were the A/C we were servicing from units throiughout the Corp at that time. We had some in Emergency Repair & others in Overhaul. SF PM
Do you have any pictures from Cherry Point from that time? I have learned that AES-46 and SOES had multiple TMS aircraft in the early years.
Aircraft types from 1956-80
Fighters/Attack (for proficiency flying program)
AD-5 (A-1E) Douglas "Skyraider" 1958-59
TV-2 (T-33B) Lockheed "Shooting Star" 1958-71
F2H-2 McDonell "Banshee" >1956-58
T-28B/C North American "Trojan" >1971-75
Transports/Utility/Admin
SNB-5 (TC/UC-45J) Beech "Navigator" >1956-68
R4D-6 (CH-47J) Douglas "Skytrain" >1956-61
R4D-8 (C-117D) Douglas "Super Goonie" 1956-75
TC-117D Douglas "Super Goonie" 1967-71
R5D-3 (C-54Q) Douglas "Skymaster" 1956-70
R4Q-1 Fairchild "Packet"/"Flying Boxcar" 1959-62
R4Q-2 (C-119F) Fairchild "Pcket"/"Flying Boxcar" 1962-65
UO-1 (U-11A) Piper "Aztec" 1961-82
US-2B Grumman "Tracker" 1966-71
Helicopters SAR
HUP-1 Piasecki "Retriever" 1956-58
HOK-1 (OH-43D) Kaman "Huskie" 1959
HRS-1 Sikorsky >1956-59
HRS-3 (CH-19E) Sikorsky 1959-62
UH-34D Sikorsky "Seahorse" 1970
HH/UH-34J Sikorsky "Seabat" 1969-70
HH-46A/D/E Boeing-Vertol "Sea Knight" 1975-
Thank you!
hma1369;26927 wrote: Fighters/Attack (for proficiency flying program)
AD-5 (A-1E) Douglas "Skyraider" 1958-59
TV-2 (T-33B) Lockheed "Shooting Star" 1958-71
F2H-2 McDonell "Banshee" >1956-58
T-28B/C North American "Trojan" >1971-75Transports/Utility/Admin
SNB-5 (TC/UC-45J) Beech "Navigator" >1956-68
R4D-6 (CH-47J) Douglas "Skytrain" >1956-61
R4D-8 (C-117D) Douglas "Super Goonie" 1956-75
TC-117D Douglas "Super Goonie" 1967-71
R5D-3 (C-54Q) Douglas "Skymaster" 1956-70
R4Q-1 Fairchild "Packet"/"Flying Boxcar" 1959-62
R4Q-2 (C-119F) Fairchild "Pcket"/"Flying Boxcar" 1962-65
UO-1 (U-11A) Piper "Aztec" 1961-82
US-2B Grumman "Tracker" 1966-71Helicopters SAR
HUP-1 Piasecki "Retriever" 1956-58
HOK-1 (OH-43D) Kaman "Huskie" 1959
HRS-1 Sikorsky >1956-59
HRS-3 (CH-19E) Sikorsky 1959-62
UH-34D Sikorsky "Seahorse" 1970
HH/UH-34J Sikorsky "Seabat" 1969-70
HH-46A/D/E Boeing-Vertol "Sea Knight" 1975-
Very slow going finding the aircraft prior to 1970 on the internet. This helps tremendously. Were you stationed here before and if so do you have any pictures of any of the aircraft with the squadron markings? If so I would like to put them in the squadron archives. Once again thank you! 😀
SSgt Croley
Very slow going finding the aircraft prior to 1970 on the internet. This helps tremendously. Were you stationed here before and if so do you have any pictures of any of the aircraft with the squadron markings? If so I would like to put them in the squadron archives.
I was never on the East Coast, just Pendleton and Okinawa. I spent a few hours going through the online copies of "Allowances and Location of Naval Aircraft" posted on the Naval Historical site (section 7). It only runs from September 1956 to Sept 1988.
You can also check the "Naval Aviation Organization" lists on the same site. It goes to 1998 but doesn't always show all the aircraft assigned.
Photos A/C AES 41
Sorry back than all I have is personal Photos of myself & Sqd Members. I have photos of most of those Type A/C in my Profile on TWS Site. However they are during Korea & Vietnam service. For example the AD or AE -1 Skyraider : Was with it during both wars at some period of that time. The Ch 46 indicated in my first post should have been C46 (Curtis Commando. The CH46 was not around back when I was in AES 41.
pm3777;26935 wrote: Sorry back than all I have is personal Photos of myself & Sqd Members. I have photos of most of those Type A/C in my Profile on TWS Site. However they are during Korea & Vietnam service. For example the AD or AE -1 Skyraider : Was with it during both wars at some period of that time. The Ch 46 indicated in my first post should have been C46 (Curtis Commando. The CH46 was not around back when I was in AES 41.
Thank you for the info! I was a liitle confussed on the CH 46 that you posted. The C46 Commando make since now. We have a very old picture of a Commando with the Marine band in it But no documentation on it ever being here. From what I have seen in our records here at the squadron they only go back to 1970 anything before that is a mystery.
SSgt Croley
SO&ES Cherry Point had the following on charge.
HRS-1 127786 from 29 Jan 1957 to approx 1959 when it went to Litchfield Park for storage.
HRS-1 127839 from 12 July 1956 to approx 1958, again to LP and storage.
HRS-3 129027 from 9 Nov 1961 to 3 June 1964, to LP.
HRS-3 129044 from 31 Mar 1959 to 4 Oct 1961, when it went for o/haul at Jacksonville.
HRS-3 130253 from 29 Dec 1959 to 24 Jan 1963, to o/haul at Jacksonville.
HRS-3 140958 from 6 Oct 1961 to 4 Jan 1962, to NAS Quonset Point.
HRS-3 142432 from 23 May 1962 to 21 Mar 1964, to MCAS Beaufort.
UH-2B 150152 from 23 Oct 1964 to 9 Dec 1965.
UH-2B 150166 from 6 Jan 1964 to 17 Aug 1965.
UH-2B 150167 from 11 Sep 1964 to 21 Nov 1964.
UH-2B 150180 from 13 Mar 1964, written off with them 31 Aug 1964.
UH-2B 152189 from 13 May 1965 to 18 June 1969.
HOK-1 129808 from 17 Dec 1958 to 20 Jan 1960.
SIDSIKO;26977 wrote: SO&ES Cherry Point had the following on charge.
HRS-1 127786 from 29 Jan 1957 to approx 1959 when it went to Litchfield Park for storage.
HRS-1 127839 from 12 July 1956 to approx 1958, again to LP and storage.
HRS-3 129027 from 9 Nov 1961 to 3 June 1964, to LP.
HRS-3 129044 from 31 Mar 1959 to 4 Oct 1961, when it went for o/haul at Jacksonville.
HRS-3 130253 from 29 Dec 1959 to 24 Jan 1963, to o/haul at Jacksonville.
HRS-3 140958 from 6 Oct 1961 to 4 Jan 1962, to NAS Quonset Point.
HRS-3 142432 from 23 May 1962 to 21 Mar 1964, to MCAS Beaufort.UH-2B 150152 from 23 Oct 1964 to 9 Dec 1965.
UH-2B 150166 from 6 Jan 1964 to 17 Aug 1965.
UH-2B 150167 from 11 Sep 1964 to 21 Nov 1964.
UH-2B 150180 from 13 Mar 1964, written off with them 31 Aug 1964.
UH-2B 152189 from 13 May 1965 to 18 June 1969.HOK-1 129808 from 17 Dec 1958 to 20 Jan 1960.
Thank you for the info! How did you find all of the BUNO's and times?
SSgt Croley
Thank you!
I would like to say THANK YOU to all that have help me so far!
I have been overwelmed with the info I have been getting between this site and the squadron history files. The tracking down of the aicraft has been amazing fast thanks to vets who love aircraft! I didnt know what I was getting into when I started this project but I have learned alot about this squadron that majority if not all of the personnel that work here never knew!
I will compile what information I have and post the highlights soon!
SSgt Croley
I found some AES-46 aircraft on the aviationarchaeology.com website.
Piper NE-1 "Grasshopper"
26404 'A' damage Landing accident 25 Jan 45
26407 'B' damage Forced landing - engine failure. 12 Jun 43
26267 'D' damage take-off accident 27 Dec 44
Consolidated OY-1 "Sentinel"
04090 'A' damage landing accident - ground loop 6 May 47
75179 'D' damage Forced landing-engine failure 19 Nov 48
Thank you!
hma1369;27010 wrote: I found some AES-46 aircraft on the aviationarchaeology.com website.
Piper NE-1 "Grasshopper"
26404 'A' damage Landing accident 25 Jan 45
26407 'B' damage Forced landing - engine failure. 12 Jun 43
26267 'D' damage take-off accident 27 Dec 44Consolidated OY-1 "Sentinel"
04090 'A' damage landing accident - ground loop 6 May 47
75179 'D' damage Forced landing-engine failure 19 Nov 48
Cool thank you!
Re: Update
PhrogS&R;26879 wrote: Thank you for assisting me on my history search. Step 1 right now is to identify all the aircraft the squadron used since 1951. I am going to post what I have up to this point.
BIG TRANSPORTS
C-9B SKYTRAIN BOEING 1975- PRESENT
C-117D SUPER DAKOTA/SUPER GOONEY DOUGLAS ???? – 1975
????SMALL TRANSPORTS
UC-35D Citation/Encore ???? – PRESENT
C-12B HURON BEECH ????-????
CT-39G NORTH AMERICAN ROCKWELL????-????
U-11A ASTEC PIPER ????-1982
????RESCUE HELO
HH-46 A,D,E SEA KNIGHT BOEING 1975-PRESENT
HH-1K IROQUOIS BELL 1970-1975
UH-2B SEASPRITE KAMAN 1964-1970
?????RUMORED AIRCRAFT TO BE IN THE SQUADRON BUT NEED CONFORMATION
HH-34 “HUSS”
HUP-1 RETRIEVER
C-119 FLYING BOXCAR
C-46 CURTISS COMANDOCAN ANYONE CAN HELP ME FILL IN THE BLANKS
Thanks again SSgt Croley
Updated the date on the U-11, it was decommissioned in 1982
Re: looking for history on Cherry Point AES-46/SOES/VMR-1
I was stationed at SOES from 1981 to 1984, during my time there we had several major incidents. One of the C-9's hit the dike at the end of the run way in Kansas City, one of the T-39's landed with the gear up, and a blade strike occurred on Pedro. Just prior to checking into SOES, they had an Harrier fly through the opposite side.
Re: looking for history on Cherry Point AES-46/SOES/VMR-1
SSgt Croley,
Sorry for being very slow on the uptake here. Below is a link to a photo on my website, www.hrs-helicopter.com, of BuNo127786 when it was with Cherry Point SOES:
Hope this helps.