VQ-2 Sandeman 50th Anniversary Patch – Sew On Aviators! Are you looking for a high-quality patch you'll proudly wear or display? Look no further than the VQ-2 Sandeman 50th Anniversary Patch! 4 inch Embroidered/ Hook and Loop US Naval Aviator Owned Business Reproduction Formation photo of a VQ-2 EP-3 (BuNo unknown) and two EA-3's circa 1991. Photo by PH3 Franklin Call. VQ-2 was commissioned on 1 September 1955 as Electronic Countermeasures Squadron TWO (ECMRON TWO), originally home ported at the NAF Port Lyautey, Morocco. In January 1960, the squadron transferred to its present homeport, NS Rota, Spain and was renamed Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VQ-2). Over the years the squadron has flown the P4M-1Q, the EC-121M Super Constellation, the A3D-1Q and the EA-3B Sky warrior. In July 1971 the squadron took delivery of the first P-3 Orion based EP-3E ARIES aircraft. The ARIES were upgraded to ARIES II beginning in 1991. Today 's P-3E's are Sensor System Improvement Program version 3.2. Since establishment, VQ-2 has collected intelligence on areas and units of naval and national interest in Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern Theatres. VQ-2/Naval Support Group Activity plays an integral role in the War on Terrorism, combat action, crisis operations and peacetime intelligence collection. Since 2001, has flown in Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Mountain Lion, Mountain Sweep, Joint Guardian, Joint Force, Enduring Freedom and Dolphin Eagle. Most recently VQ-2 saw extensive overland combat action in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. VQ-2 flies from operational detachments to such places as NAS Souda Bay, Crete, Greece; NSA Bahrain, Oman; Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and Incirlik, Turkey. VQ-2 has been awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal, the Battle "E" for 1990, 1991, 1993-1996, 1999, 2000, and 2002, the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award for 1993 and 1999, the Golden Anchor Award for 1993, 1994, 1998, and 1999, the Golden Wrench Award for 1999 and 2001, and the Association of Old Crows Award for 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2001.
