Why?

Why should I join the Patrol Squadron Forty-Five Association? I had the same question about 15 years ago. I left VP-45 in 1974 (it was my first tour in the Navy) and went on to complete eight other tours of duty before retiring in 1991. Around 1996 I received a letter in the mail from this "VP-45 Association" group asking me to pony up fifteen bucks a year to become a member. I tossed it in the circular file.

Fast forward to 2005. I received an email this time (technical progress) with the same invitation saying that there would be a reunion in San Antonio in 2006...I live in Austin, Texas. What the hell; why not? Long story short: I joined and went had more fun at that reunion than at any school reunion I'd been to! Gripped, grined, hugged and hoo-rahhed with guys I hadn't seen in over 30 years. That weekend was spectacular and I was hooked!

So hooked that I've made two 30 minute "Squadron History" videos shown at the next two reunions. I am now the WebMaster who designed this site and I devised a project to have a large original oil painting of a VP-45 P-3 (see our home page) donated the the National Museum of Naval Aviation. See? And I'm the guy who tossed the 1996 invitation to join the VP-45 Association!

So, don't make my mistake. I could have joined other navy associations but this one is the largest and most organized and, unlike other outfits, our squadron still flys in the fleet and will soon take delivery of new P-8 aircraft!!

Don't delay. Take a look around this site, if you like, and then come back here by clicking any "Membership" link on the left side or either "Click Here to Join" button at the bottom of every page. Ready to register NOW, you say? Good...

Bill Hobgood (WebMaster)

Click Here to Register!!