Offshore Patrol

Off Shore Patrol
Active	February 9, 1939 – June 30, 1946
Country	Philippines
Branch	United States Army Forces in the Far East
Size	60+ personnel 5 Q-boats
Part of	United States Department of War (1941)
Headquarters	Muelle del Codo, Port Area, Manila, Philippines
Anniversaries	February 9, 1939
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Bataan * Battle of Corregidor
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation (US) Presidential Unit Citation (PH)
Commanders
Flag Officer in-Command	Col. Enrique L. Jurado (1941-1944)
Ceremonial chief	Col. Jose V. Andrada (1945-1946)

The Offshore Patrol (OSP) also known as the Mosquito Fleet was a small naval branch of the United States Army, intended for inshore defense of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. It was active from February 9, 1939 to June 30, 1946. The OSP became part of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) on July 26, 1941, with General Douglas MacArthur as Commander. During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the Patrol engaged in limited naval operations along the coastlines of Bataan and Corregidor, against the tight enemy blockade, to bring much-needed provisions to the beleaguered Filipino and American troops during the battle. Undaunted by enemy superiority, the ubiquitous patrol boats fought with zeal, courage and heroism, hitting Japanese warships with torpedoes when given the opportunity. The unit relied on speed and surprise to attack larger vessels at close range.

During the course of the war, the unit was cited for gallantry by General MacArthur for actions against three of nine Japanese dive bombers going to attack shore installations in Bataan.

After World War II, the OSP continued until June 30, 1946, dissolving concurrently with the USAFFE in the lead-up to the Philippines's independence. The OSP was transformed into the Philippine Naval Patrol (PNP). This small unit was the first independent Philippine naval force that fully understood the doctrine of naval warfare. The OSP's veterans eventually became the nucleus that shaped the beginnings of the modern Philippine Navy.