Mike Cunningham

Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4), known as the "Skinny Dragons," is a United States Navy maritime patrol squadron originally established in 1943. During World War II, VP-4 conducted anti-submarine and reconnaissance missions across the Pacific theater, playing a key role in securing sea lanes. Over the decades, the squadron transitioned through several aircraft, including the P-2 Neptune, P-3 Orion, and currently operates the P-8A Poseidon. VP-4 has participated in numerous Cold War, post-Cold War, and modern operations, providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support in various global theaters.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda, located on Alameda Island in San Francisco Bay, was commissioned in 1940 as a key United States Navy airfield. During World War II, NAS Alameda played a crucial role as a center for the assembly, repair, and deployment of naval aircraft and supported major Pacific Theater operations. In the Cold War era, the station continued to serve as a hub for aviation squadrons, including hosting aircraft carriers and providing logistics and maintenance for fleet operations. The base remained active until its closure in 1997 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, but its legacy as a pivotal West Coast naval aviation facility endures.