VP-46
| VP-46 Grey Knights | |
|---|---|
VP-46 Insignia | |
| Active | 1 July 1931 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Role | Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare Anti-Surface Warfare |
| Part of | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Whidbey Island |
| Nickname(s) | Grey Knights |
| Motto(s) | The Oldest and Best Strength and Honor |
| Engagements | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Patrol | PM-2 P2Y-1/2 PBY-3/5 PBM-3C/5E/5S2 P5M-1 P-2V-5F/7/SP-2H P-3A/B/C P-8 A |
Patrol Squadron 46 (VP-46), also known as the "Grey Knights", is a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Part of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten, VP-46 is the oldest maritime patrol squadron and the second oldest aircraft squadron in the entire U.S. Navy, second only behind VFA-14.
The squadron was originally established as Patrol Squadron 5-S (VP-5S) on 1 July 1931, redesignated Patrol Squadron 5-F (VP-5F) on 1 April 1933, redesignated Patrol Squadron 5 (VP-5) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 33 (VP-33) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 32 (VP-32) on 1 October 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 32 (VPB-32) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 32 (VP-32) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) 6 (VP-MS-6) on 15 November 1946 and redesignated Patrol Squadron 46 (VP-46) on 1 September 1948.