Stovall, Joel Clinton

Fleet Problem XVI began on 1935-Apr-22, ranging from Alaska to the Hawaiian islands. Patrol Squadrons VP-1F, VP-4F, VP-6F, VP-7F, VP-8F, VP-9F, and VP-10F participated in the exercise. The intent of this phase was to familiarize the patrol forces with operating in the waters around Midway Island, but two planes crashed (killing 12) while others were forced down with mechanical difficulties and sank.

Based at FAB Pearl Harbor:
VP-1F	[VP-101	on 1941-Dec-07]
VP-4F	[VP-22	on 1941-Dec-07]
VP-6F	[VP-11	on 1941-Dec-07]
VP-8F	[VP-12	on 1941-Dec-07]
VP-10F	[VP-23	on 1941-Dec-07]
Based at NAS San Diego:
VP-7F	[VP-21	on 1941-Dec-07]
VP-9F	[VP-24	on 1941-Dec-07]

XPBY-1 was just undergoing acceptance trials at this time. PBYs would enter service in early 1937, finally giving the patrol forces a reliable, long-range airplane.