VP-26 accumulated 275,000 mishap-free flight hours in over 38 years by 2000 , a world record for civilian and military aviation . In preparation for its next Mediterranean deployment , the squadron trained its 12 aircrews in the new P-3C Update III AIP ( anti-surface-warfare improvement program ) aircraft with state-of-the-art improvements in command , control , communications and intelligence ; surveillance , and survivibility . The squadron received its first AIP aircraft in September 2000 . VP-26 also conducted extensive training to employ the SLAM and Maverick missiles . In February 2001 VP-26 returned to NAS Sigonella to support the United Nations Operations Deliberate Forge and Joint Guardian , and participated in several multinational exercises in Africa and Europe . During its six months in Sicily the squadron flew over 5,000 mishap-free operational hours , with a 93-percent sortie-completion rate . VP-26 deployed detachments to 15 countries ( including NS Rota , Spain ; Souda Bay , Crete ; Nordholtz , Germany ; Visby , Sweden ; Nîmes , France ; RAF Kinloss , Scotland ; Malta , and Turkey ) , and flew missions over the Atlantic Ocean , Baltic Sea , Black Sea , North Sea and the Mediterranean . The missions included support for two US carrier battle groups and NATO surface combatants , overland reconnaissance in support of NATO stabilization forces ( SFOR ) and its Kosovo Force ( KFOR ) , and over 20 multinational exercises with 24 nations . On 10 August 2001 , VP-26 arrived at its home base at Brunswick , Maine , for an inter-deployment cycle . After the September 11 attacks , the squadron had a heightened state of readiness and supported the war on terrorism by participating in homeland-defense operations
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
VP-26