PLANESIDE

The Quarterly Magazine of the Maritime Patrol Association 2019: Issue 2 CONTENTS

President’s Letter 4 Info & Benefits 6 Checking on Station 7 Trump Picks Next Chief of Naval Operations 11 NAS Jacksonville Hosts Annual MPA Symposium 15 Navy’s P-8s Track China’s Nuclear Submarines 18 VP-5 and Philippine Navy Fly Together 20 The Final P-3C Deployment 21 VP-26 Families Reunite After 6-Month Deployment 23 VP-4, VMGR-352 Expand P-8A Refueling Capabilities 25 VP-5 Makes Lasting Impact at Filipino Orphanage 26 VP-40 Qualifies PPC on Last P3 Deployment 27 ‘Fighting Tigers’ Host Alumni Day 29 ADM Faller Visits Comalapa 31 VP-4 Executes First West Coast P-8A In Air Refueling 32 2018 JAXMAN ASW Symposium 33 VP-47 Attends LIMA Exhibition 35 Cover Photo Grey Knights Return to Whidbey Island 36 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (March 29, 2019) Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd class Chuey Thao, of Patrol Squadron (VP) Mad Foxes of VP-5 Head to the Pacific Theater 37 40, signals to aircraft 132, a P-3C Orion, as it taxis on the flightline of NAS Whidbey Island. VP-40 is currently deployed to the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility in what is slated to be the last deployment of an active Mad Foxes Complete ORE 38 duty P-3C Squadron. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jakoeb Vandahlen/Re- War Eagles Participate In Ilopango Airshow 39 leased) VP-47 Keeps Watch during FFA’s Op Rai Balang 40 VP-5 Strengthens Relations with Malaysian Air Force 41 Florida Native to Receive Senior Sailor Award 42 Cobra Gold 2019 44 Events 45 Heritage : CPRW-10 and VP-9 visit Moffett Field 49 Heritage : P-3C Turns 50 at Hickory Aviation Museum 51 VP Images Around the Globe 53 PLANESIDE is a quarterly online magazine published for the Maritime Patrol Associatrion, Inc. Copyright 2012-2019. 1 2 President’s Letter P-8 Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Team, The 2019 MPA symposium is now down doppler. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be part of our remark- able community. This was amplified during the sympo- PROVEN sium because of the comradery and respect we convey to each other regardless of designations or locations. This year’s East Coast event was a resounding success thanks to all who volunteered and participated. The feedback has been positive, from the heritage briefs OVER LAND by CAPT Don Stanton and CAPT Tom Spink (thank you both), to the Heritage Dinner (thank you Air Boss and Admiral Garvin), as well as the flight suit social. Also, many thanks to Allison Kijek and Cindy Mattingly for thinking outside of the box on the spouse symposium. OVER SEA Well done!

Our community continues the tradition of long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW). We are the only com- OVERALL munity in the Department of Defense that has this charter. Our MPA heritage is a reflection of passionate and visionary individuals who fought for freedom and democracy around the globe. During Memorial Day, we paid our respects to those that have gone before us. I reflected on one of our very own ASW heroes, Captain Arnold J. Isbell. Our roots are tied to Isbell and his vision and approach to ASW excellence. I would like to share his story with you:

Born in 1899, Isbell entered the Naval Academy on July 1917 and graduated one year ahead of schedule due to acceleration of midshipman training during World War I. Isbell served successive tours of duty on a multitude of ships, completed flight school and joined our community as a maritime naval aviator. He was Executive Officer of Pa- trol Squadron 7 and assumed command of VP-11 (later redesignated VP-54). Isbell had subsequent command of the escort carrier USS CARD (CVE-11) in 1943. For the next year, USS CARD ranged the essential lifeline across the Atlantic to North Africa.

Isbell was passionate in the potential of the CVE and used his USS CARD command tour wisely to validate his belief. As antisubmarine task group commander, Isbell developed his escort carrier-destroyer unit into a powerful combat force, refining tactics to meet the operational demands imposed by a scheming and determined foe. USS CARD executed a forceful offensive that destroyed eight U-boats. Post command, Isbell served in the 10th Fleet where he advanced tactics for antisubmarine warfare through research and development. On 13 March 1945, he was directed to take command of USS YORKTOWN (CV-10). On 19 March 1945, Isbell perished enroute to command when a Japa- nese plane sank the escort ship that he was on.

Isbell’s legacy of ASW excellence is alive and well in the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community. It is appar- ent in the simulator and in the maritime domain. Each year, we recognize a squadron from each CONUS WING for ASW execution at the level that Captain Arnold J. Isbell would be proud. For 2018, we recognized the Pelicans of VP- 45 and the Skinny Dragons of VP-4. Congrats to both squadrons. Surveillance and reconnaissance. Long-range, anti-submarine capabilities. Search and rescue. The P-8 is the most capable multi-mission aircraft deployed around the world, protecting seas With Triton on the horizon and the mighty P-3 Orion approaching sundown, our community continues to evolve due to advances in technology, warfighter requirements and progressing adversarial threats. What keeps us at the fore- and securing borders. With the global supportability of a 737, P-8 delivers confi dence in an front as the most powerful ASW force in the world is our people. I am humbled to serve and look forward to celebrat- uncertain world—in any condition, anywhere, at any time. ing our heritage this fall in Whidbey Island.

#We are naval aviation

Humbly, Discover more at boeing.com/p-8 Maddog Commodore Craig T. Mattingly Commander, Patrol & Reconnaissance WING ELEVEN MPA President 3 4 . Info & Benefits

What’s in Your Wallet?

Renew your annual membership today and enjoy the benefits of free monthly member happy hours, a quar- terly magazine, discounted event tickets and participation in an organization that was established to preserve the history and legacy of the Maritime Patrol & Reconnais- sance community.

With more than 1,000 members across the country that represent the spectrum of pay grades, active and retired, uniformed and civilian, the member networking oppor- tunities are invaluable. And the association also supports PLEASE UPDATE YOUR dependents of current and former community members through a partnership with the Wings Over America CONTACT INFO! Scholarship Foundation. Since 2012, MPA has awarded Log-in to the Membership page of our web more than $51,000 in scholarships. site or by using our app to access the secure member directory and other features. Join or renew today at: Don’t forget to update your contact information Patrol Squadron FORTY FIVE receives the Captain Arnold J. Isbell ASW award for CPRW-11. www.maritimepatrolassociation.org in your online profile each time you change locations or positions, or general contact info. (Photo courtesy of CPRW-11) MPA Membership cards are mailed out each time you renew. We need your updated mail- ing address to make sure you get yours!

Patrol Squadron FOUR receives the Captain Arnold J. Isbell ASW award for CPRW-10. (Photo courtesy of CPRW-10)

5 6 Finally, remember that no plan survives first contact. This Simply put, Commander’s Intent is the description of what is as true today as it was at Midway in 1942. To fight and Checking On Station a successful mission will look like – the desired end state win, we must be ready to operate forward, independently, as envisioned by the Commander. I define Mission Com- and with limited support. The hallmark of Maritime Patrol mand as leadership through commander’s intent. In other Aviation is that we are relevant to all phases of the fight; words, Mission Command relies on the art of leadership. we get there first, prepare the battle space, conduct com- Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Warriors Past and It requires trust and confidence in others to achieve the bat operations, and remain behind to secure the peace. Present, shared objective. It requires a shared understanding of the battlespace combined with disciplined initiative and For those that made it to JAX for this spring’s Symposium, “Awesome!” In a word, that is how I would describe the prudent risk taking. Leaders who use Mission Command spread the word and thank you for supporting your MPA. 2019 Maritime Patrol Association (MPA) Symposium held empower others to figure out the “what” and the “how” For those that did not, I hope you find an opportunity to at- earlier this month on board NAS Jacksonville, FL. I may be to get to the end state. Borrowing a theme from my last tend next year. For now, I look forward to the West Coast a bit biased, but it seems that MPA is getting better every Checking-on-Station, it is perfectly ok and expected to gathering and MPA Ball in Whidbey Island the week of year. Whether the Heritage Dinner, Professional Sympo- employ available technology and automation, just do not October 21. This fall’s MPA event will be especially signifi- sium, golf tournament, or various Spouses’ and Detailer become overly dependent on it. Because when it goes cant as it coincides with VP-40’s return from the final P-3C briefings, I want to thank the MPA leadership team and the away, all you may have left is your training and the gray Orion deployment. Look for details to be posted on the many volunteers that made this gathering such a huge matter between your ears. Maritime Patrol Association website: http://www.mari- success. With record attendance at every event, the agen- timepatrolassociation.org/. da this year had something for everyone. Whether active It is the responsibility of every leader to understand the duty, retired, or family members there was information you Commander’s Intent of the supported commander and be Until then Fly, Fight, Lead and Win! could use and the easy access to senior leadership was prepared to exercise Mission Command to fulfill that intent. mentioned more than once. Leaders at every level should think about the desired end Pete Garvin state in everything they do. Every action in command Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy I had the honor of participating on a Flag panel with the should have Commander’s Intent behind it with an identi- Commander, Patrol & Reconnaissance Group Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the fied task, purpose, critical factors, and vision of the end Commander, Patrol & Reconnaissance Group Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN state. You will probably not have the option to “call home” Pacific RDA), VADM Mike Moran, and our Air Boss, VADM Dewolfe when the missiles start flying, and the networks go dark. “Bullet” Miller. While very appreciative of senior Navy leadership taking time from their busy schedules to par- ticipate and offer their perspective of where we are head- ing as a community and Navy, the depth and breadth of the questions and ensuing discussion coming from our wardrooms was impressive. It was clear to me, and both of our distinguished panelists, that the community “gets it.” It is not just about what is best for the MPRF or any single platform or individual, but what is best for our Navy and nation as we employ our new Family of Systems.

Yes, it is true that our legacy platforms are being recapitalized with the very best that industry can provide. Yes, the venerable and capable P-3C is currently on its sundown deployment and the last active duty Orion squadron begins its transition this October. Nevertheless, a fundamental truth learned through decades of successful maritime operations during peace and war is that the real strength of Maritime Patrol Aviation continues to lie in its people. It resides in its leaders on station every day around the world making the hard call.

Who can forget the intrepid JO plane commander and crew flying a reconnaissance mission in the South Pacific on June 4, 1942? Piloting a PBY Catalina from VP-23, call sign “Strawberry 5,” Lieutenant Howard P. Ady, already low on fuel and with no protective fighter cover, elected to stay on stations and search just a little bit longer for an elusive enemy strike force. His decision soon resulted in the now famous contact report to the USS Yorktown: “Two carriers and main body ships, carriers in front, course 135, speed 25.” This contact report verified what Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz had suspected for weeks, but could not verify with the sensors he had available at the time. What he did know was that the coming naval engagement west of Midway would change the course of the war in the Pacific.

Why is this still such an important lesson for us today? Because LT Ady understood the concepts of both Commander’s Intent and Mission Command. It is very likely that at some point, even with today’s hi-tech communication equipment and worldwide networks, we will find ourselves operating alone and unafraid…and in the dark. The ability of even our junior aircrew to understand Commander’s Intent and be prepared to act without the benefit of real time direction from higher authority may very well be the difference between victory and defeat. It is necessary but insufficient that we know the technical side of flying our jets – both manned and unmanned - we need to think outside the box and make the call when operational necessity dictates. 7 TRITON

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Trump Picks Next Chief of Naval Operations

The man President Donald J. Trump has nominated to replace Adm. John Richardson as the Navy’s 32nd chief of naval operations is a Cold War aviator who helped reinvent the sea service as its top personnel officer.

If confirmed by the Senate, Adm. William Francis “Bill” Moran will fleet up from his position as the vice chief of naval operations to take the helm of a Navy in flux, pursuing a fleet of 355 warships during an era of increasing competition from Russia, China and other rising powers.

In a prepared statement emailed to Navy Times, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer wel- comed the White House on the nomination of Moran, calling him “a stalwart partner and adviser.”

Richardson told Navy Times he was “thrilled with this announcement” because Moran “is an amazing leader and good friend.”

“He has been central to the Navy adopting a fighting stance in this great power competition,” Richardson said. “As I turn over and go ashore, I will rest easy knowing that, pending confirmation, Adm. Moran has the watch.”

Moran released a terse message, saying only that he was “honored and deeply humbled by the nomination and look forward to working with Congress during the confirmation process.”

Widespread Support

Past and present military leaders lauded the president’s decision and urged lawmakers to con- firm a four-star they believe is the perfect fit to lead the sea service.

“When he shakes your hand and he says something to you, you look at him and immediately Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran inspects the torpedo room of the fast-attack recognize that he’s real and that he cares,” said retired Command Master Chief Aaron Shipley Jr., submarine Connecticut during an exercise in the Beaufort Sea on March 18, 2018. (Mass Com- who served as Moran’s top enlisted adviser after he took command of the Norfolk-based Patrol munication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton/Navy) and Reconnaissance Group in 2008. munity. wasn’t drawn to nearby West Point. Instead, he gradu- Moran is slated to become only the fifth of 39 VCNOs to relieve the CNO as the Navy’s top officer ated from the Naval Academy in 1981 and pinned on his but supporters say he’s uniquely qualified to do the job and they point to his role as chief of naval As VCNO, Moran also emerged as a candid but insistent golden wings as an aviator in 1982. personnel before taking his current Pentagon post. voice on Capitol Hill for sustained funding to shore up years of readiness woes. A P-3 Orion pilot, his job was to hunt Soviet submarines. As the Navy’s top personnel officer between 2013 and 2016, Moran unleashed a stream of -re That crucial mission took him to Brunswick, Maine and forms designed to drag the Navy’s human resources system into the 21st century. It was Moran who delivered the stark warning to House then a long association with Florida — Jacksonville and Armed Services Committee members in early 2017 that nearby Naval Station Mayport, home to the famed flattop Moran’s ambitious “Sailor 2025” program not only has sought to modernize the Navy’s entire a spending bill was soon to expire and the Navy would Forrestal. personnel system and training process but also change the culture of the sea service to embrace almost immediately run out of operations and mainte- flexibility, reward merit and scrap broad purges of sailors like the despised Enlisted Retention nance funds. From mid-1989 to late 1990, he served on board it as Board. a Carrier Strike Group Six staffer, rising from his role as He predicted that without a supplemental infusion of the admiral’s flag lieutenant to qualify as a Battle Group But it didn’t stop there. cash the Navy would begin to shutter air wings and defer Tactical Watch Officer. maintenance for surface ships and submarines. He fought to hike career sea pay and got it. Lawmakers overwhelmingly passed hefty defense He got his initial immersion in personnel issues as a spending hikes, including increased aircraft and ship- detailer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel between 1995 He wanted to preserve military fitness standards but ditch outdated body composition assess- building procurement and more funding for mainte- and 1998 but was chosen to command Patrol Squadron ments and won those fights, too. nance. 46 and departed for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

He tried to muscle the Navy bureaucracy to make it more welcoming to families, including grow- A man from Walden He went on to command Hawaii-based Patrol Recon- ing the capacity of child development centers, lengthening the hours they’re open, liberalizing naissance Wing 2 and Patrol and Reconnaissance Group paternity and adoption leave and making it easier for military spouses to work in the same com- A native of the Hudson Valley hamlet of Walden, Moran in Virginia before becoming a Beltway fixture in 2010 — first in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, then as oning, he was one of the best to ever hold the post. Shipley said, until they began to see Moran’s true mo- Chief of Naval Personnel and VCNO. tives. Once confirmed, Moran, 60, will be the first of the nine “I believe he was the first and only P-3 guy to be given “They learned that he wasn’t coming to inspect them,” aviators who became CNO who never rose through the that job, and again, he was given that job at a more junior Shipley said, only to hear their unvarnished thoughts. ranks of carrier-based commands. level than that job has normally seen in the past,” Fargo said. “But he has such a command of not only the avia- Moran also watched his senior enlisted adviser and no- Retired military leaders who served with Moran over the tion community, but the Navy at large that he was more ticed he was always hanging out at smoke pits. decades pointed Navy Times to a succession of posts than up to the task and, in fact, excelled in the job.” where his competence and commitment telegraphed his “Moran knew I wasn’t a smoker, asked me why I was al- ascension to higher rank and greater responsibilities. His secret, they said, was Moran’s ability to study and ways out there,” Shipley recalled. “I told him it’s because solve problems, coupled with communication and listen- you get a new crowd every 10 minutes.” They included his stint as a junior captain serving as an ing skills that connect him up and down a chain of com- executive assistant to Adm. Thomas Fargo at U.S. Pacific mand, quickly developing strong ties, and trust. Like Moran, Shipley wanted to hear raw opinions and Command between 2002-2003 and then a similar task as complaints. So Moran started accompanying him to the a senior captain to two chiefs of naval operations nearly a “I think that’s one of the reasons, because he engages pits or making solo trips. decade later, the position he’s preparing to fill now. and listens really well,” Fargo said. Over time, Moran’s respect for the chiefs mess became “Shortly after I took over in May of 2002, I had to pick a “He goes out and figures things out first-hand. His willing- mutual. While serving with him, Shipley decided to make new executive assistant,” Fargo told Navy Times . “I was ness to go forward and spend time with the operators a pitch to then-Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy so impressed with Bill that I moved him up into that slot.” and work to understand their problems is how he’s done Rick West to anoint his boss as an honorary master chief. business his whole career.” To Fargo, it was an unusual move. Typically, those slots But before he went to MCPON, he took a poll of the are reserved for senior captains soon to pin on their first Ambassador to the Goat Locker Group’s subordinate command master chiefs and they stars. Rarely do the go to “fresh-caught” captains who voted unanimously to honor Moran. had yet to hold a major command, he said. Those bonds weren’t merely forged with senior officers but also enlisted sailors. What was true for that Group was true for the Navy’s “He was so impressive in terms of his ability to work with collective chiefs mess, according to retired Fleet Master the senior officers on the staff as well as the action offi- Retired Command Master Chief Shipley told Navy Times Chief April Beldo. cers, folks external to the command, that I just made the that Moran has a deep understanding of the role of the decision to bring him into that job at an early point in his chiefs mess. As a commissioned leader, Moran would She served as Moran’s top enlisted adviser during his career,” Fargo said. tap into the authority of the Goat Locker in a self-effacing 13-month tour as the chief of naval personnel. and genuine way, the same way he interacts with every- Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran Selected for flag rank a dozen years before he retired, one, Shipley remembered. “What you see is what you get with Adm. Moran,” Beldo listens to sailors during a 2016 all hands call in Fargo recalled a number of good executive assistants said, a quality he also expects from his staffers. She said the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier Nimitz at but said the most junior of them, Moran, “was at the very “The first opportunity we had to really talk, once he took that he respects “you for what you’ve accomplished” but Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate top.” command I took him over to the chief’s mess for lunch,” at the same time he expects his officers and sailors to Maintenance Facility. (Navy) Shipley said. “We talked about everything, but at one live up to them and if they didn’t, “we were going to have That assessment was shared by retired Adm. William point, he came out and told me that ‘I’m going to need a conversation about that.” “Shortney” Gortney, who helmed both U.S. Fleet Forces your help to learn how to be a flag officer.’” “Sailors can smell a fake from miles away,” Shipley said. Command and North American Aerospace Defense To Beldo, Moran commanded excellence from his subor- “Likewise, they know from the instant they either meet Command, U.S. Northern Command. Shipley didn’t think that Moran really needed his help to dinates because “no one wants to let him down.” him or hear him speak that he’s about as real and genu- become a flag but he understood the sort of counsel he ine as they come.” A career aviator with 1,265 carrier-arrested landings, was seeking. To the command master chief, it was “my Right man, right time mostly in the A-7E Corsair II and the FA-18 Hornet at- first of many aha moments with him,” episodes when He realizes it could sound like a cliché, but Fargo be- tack jets, Gortney said he likes to chide Moran on his P-3 he saw Moran’s sincerely “humble and modest kind of All of the retired flags and senior enlisted contacted by lieves Moran is “the right leader at the right time” and lineage, but he’ll never disparage Moran’s proven ability leadership style.” Navy Times said Moran was the best choice to lead the comes armed with the “policy people and budget ex- to tirelessly conquer any task. sea service. perience to lead the Navy very effectively.” To Fargo, the On all hands calls across the globe, Shipley watched best thing about Moran is that he “is absolutely forthright Gortney marked Moran as a rising star while watching Moran “listen more than he talked.” When a sailor asked a “You can always come up with reasons why someone and transparent with truth” and his inherent credibility him serve as the executive assistant to CNOs Mike Mul- question Moran couldn’t immediately answer, he’d prom- shouldn’t be picked for the job and I’m sure that will hap- resonates down the ranks. len and Gary Roughead. ise to find out “and would always follow through, even if it pen,” Gortney said. “But if you look at what he’s done and took weeks.” what he’s accomplished everywhere he’s been, there’s As an aviator, Gortney says he’s happy to see another “We all saw his innate skills,” Gortney said. “He has the no reason to believe he won’t do a phenomenal job as flyer in the Navy’s top spot but insists Moran is really just ability to pick things up — fast — to listen and understand He often made the phone call or wrote the email himself CNO, too.” the best candidate for the gig. quicker than almost anyone and that’s why he can be instead of delegating the duty, Shipley remembered. given any task and he’ll proceed to knock it out of the Beldo and Shipley said they weren’t surprised when they “I don’t want to spoil it, but I will predict he will be one of park.” “That builds trust,” he said. heard Moran got the nod for CNO. Beldo chalked his rise the great CNOs as well,” Gortney said. up to being a “totally fair and honest leader who leads Fargo and Gortney said it was that drive and intelligence Shipley recalled Moran donning a flight suit and visiting by his own example and brings the same out of others.” that made him a two-star and sent him to become the squadrons at odd hours, simply to talk to sailors to can- Shipley suspects it’s because Moran is the real deal and By Mark D. Faram Director of Air Warfare on the CNO’s staff. By their reck- vass their views. That irked a few commanding officers, everyone in the Navy knows it. Published at navy.mil on April 11, 2019 13 14 In the News

NAS Jacksonville Hosts Annual MPA Symposium

The annual Maritime Patrol Association (MPA) Symposium returned to Jacksonville for another year. The tradition was celebrated from May 15-17 and drew many distinguished guests. All were present to take part in lectures, discussions, and social gatherings focused on the latest developments inside the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF).

With an attendance list of more than 900 people, this year’s symposium brought a crowd that was overflowing the auditorium in Hangar 30. It began with a special welcome from RDML Peter Garvin, Commander Patrol And Reconnaissance Group (CPRG).

“What a crowd,” said RDML Garvin. “This is amazing. What a great time to be in this community.”

As the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the MPRF, Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) is ground zero for new developments.

The VP-1 “Screaming Eagles” are the latest to receive training on the P-8A. With VP-1 complete, there are only two active duty VP squadrons still flying the P-3, one of which is currently transitioning.

This winter, VP-30 graduated the very last class of P-3 pilots it intends to send to the Fleet. There remains a small cadre of pilots who will continue to train students on the electronic intelligence- gathering variant of the P-3 — the EP-3 — but from this year forward almost all students at VP-30 will be trained solely on the P-8.

“It’s exciting to see firsthand how the community is changing,” said LCDR Darryl Abriam, the Student Control Officer at VP-30.

The EP-3 will remain in service until the full integration of the MQ-4C Triton, an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The Navy just broke ground on a new facility for Unmanned Patrol Squadron ELEVEN (VUP-11) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. CAPT T. J. Grady, Commanding Officer of VP-30 remarked, “It’s always fun to bring together the -ex perts in this community. It’s important to determine where we’re headed but also to remind ourselves where we came from.” “We competed with a lot of great crews,” said LT Brent Friday evening members gathered for one last meeting Nelsen, the Mission Commander for CAC Three. “But this at the flight suit social. Generations of aviators shared Notable events for the week included multiple community briefs on May 15th, followed by the MPA crew really earned the title this year. I couldn’t be more stories and made new friends as the festivities brought Heritage dinner, the MPA Scholarship Golf Tournament, and the MPA Flight Suit Social The week’s proud of this team and how hard they worked.” the week to a close. events began Tuesday afternoon as teams of five competed in the MPA Scholarship Games. Partici- pants challenged a one-of-a-kind obstacle course designed to test each team’s strength and deter- Thursday afternoon Symposium attendees competed “You almost never get opportunities like this outside of mination. Afterwards competitors shared a beer and celebrated the launching of festivities. in the MPA golf tournament in order to support the MPA the Symposium,” said LT John Gillen, a VP-30 Instructor. Scholarship Fund. The Fund, in partnership with the The annual heritage dinner Wednesday evening was held in historic Hangar 117 aboard NAS Jack- Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation, offers In addition to the introduction of new platforms, VP-30 sonville and included more than 350 guests. The guest speaker for the evening was Vice Admiral financial aid to dependents of active duty military mem- is now training squadrons to conduct Air-to-Air refueling Dewolfe Miller, Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF). bers. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded operations with assets from other services. In addition, $635,000 to Navy families. This year’s winning team the UK, Australia, and Norway are all currently repre- Every year the MPRF community inducts a new member into its Hall of Honor at the Heritage Dinner. were Josh Lowery, Garett Houston, Ben Hayes, and Brian sented at NAS Jacksonville among the pilots and aircrew Captain John McCaull, USN (Ret.) is the latest addition to a long list of distinguished service members. Mulder. flying the P-8. The arrival of notable foreign military allies Captain McCaull served in the Navy for 31 years and accumulated over 5,000 hours in the Lockheed to receive training on the P-8 will only increase the influ- P-2V Neptune, the predecessor to the P-3C. The following day brought the annual Spouse Sympo- ence of the platform around the world. sium, where MPA members introduce military spouses During the dinner, RDML Garvin announced the winners of the Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) Fleet to resources and networks that can help them navigate “One thing is for sure,” said CAPT Grady, “the future of the Challenge. The Fleet Challenge is a competition between crews from different VP squadrons de- the challenges of family life in the service. This year at- MPRF community is in great shape.” signed to test tactical knowledge and prowess. This year the top crew was Combat Aircrew (CAC) tendees visited the offices of K9s for Warriors and the Three from the VP-4 “Skinny Dragons.” Wounded Warriors Foundation. By VP-30 Public Affairs Office 15 16 In the News

Navy’s Torpedo-Armed Poseidon Spy Planes Track China’s Nuclear Submarines

The increasing global reach of Chinese nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines, armed with JL-2 weapons report- edly able to hit parts of the US, continues to inspire an ongoing Navy effort to accelerate production of attack sub- marines, prepare long-dwell drones for deployment to the Pacific and continue acquisition of torpedo-armed sub- hunting planes such as the P-8/A Poseidon.

Seeking to overcome the Pacific’s “tyranny of distance” dispersed geography, and track China’s expanding fleet of submarines, the Navy is working with Congress to produce as many as three Virginia-class submarines per year, moving beyond the current plan to build two. In the air, the Navy has been moving to place its new Triton sea drones in Guam and has recently awarded Boeing a $2.4 billion deal to produce 19 more P-8A Poseidon surveillance and at- tack planes. It was standing room only in the Given the Poseidon’s role as a high-tech surveillance aircraft, known for capturing video of Chinese phony island VP-30 Auditorium for community building in the South China Sea (land reclamation) several years ago, it takes little imagination to envision ways its briefs at the 2019 MPA Symposium. advanced sensors, sonobuoys and weapons could function as part of a containment strategy against Chinese expan- sion -- and even operate as a deterrent against China’s growing fleet of nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).

The PLA Navy has, in recent years, been expanding its reach beyond the Pacific as part of a visible effort to become a major-power international force. Chinese SSBNs have been sighted at great distances from Western Pacific shores, according to numerous news reports -- and the existence of both JL-2s and emerging JL-3s have increased pres- Left to Right: LT Slade Marlow, sure on the US. According to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, the Chinese had deployed up to 48 JL-2 launchers on submarines as of 2017. With ranges greater than 4,500 miles, JL-2s traveling well beyond China’s imme- VADM Dewolfe Miller, LT Cody Ber- diate vicinity can hold US areas at risk. reman return from a P-8A mobility flight during Symposium week. Just last year, Captain James Fanell, a former director of intelligence and information operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, warned Congress about the need to track and deter Chinese nuclear-armed submarines.

“Every time a [PLA Navy] SSBN departs on a strategic nuclear patrol, the [U.S. Navy] must follow closely enough to be ready to sink them if they ever attempt to launch a nuclear-tipped ICBM towards our shores,” he told Congress, according to an essay called “China’s new undersea nuclear deterrent strategy doctrine and capabilities” from the National Defense University. (Dr. Toshi Yoshirara & Dr. James Holmes)

The essay goes on to make the case that, given the difficulties associated with intercepting possible Chinese SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles), an intelligent way to address the threat might be to “hold Chinese SSBNs at risk so they can be destroyed preemptively before their SLBMs can be launched.”

The Poseidon, alongside ISR-enabled SSN attack submarines, seems well positioned to help perform this SSBN sub- hunting mission for a number of reasons. Not only is the P-8’s 564 mph speed considerably faster than the P-3 Orion it is replacing, but its six additional fuel tanks enable it to search wider swaths of ocean and spend more dwell-time patrolling high-threat areas. Navy developers explain the Poseidon can operate on 10-hour missions at ranges out to 1,200 nautical miles. More dwell time capacity, fortified by high-speeds, seems to position the Poseidon well for covering wide areas in search of “hidden” Chinese SSBNs.

The P-8A, a militarized variant of Boeing’s 737-800, includes torpedo and Harpoon weapons stations, 129 sonobuoys and an in-flight refueling station, providing longer ranges, sub-hunting depth penetration and various attack options. Josh Lowery (center), Garett Given that a P-8 can conduct sonobuoy sub-hunting missions from higher altitudes than surface ships, helicopters or other lower-flying aircraft, it can operate with decreased risk from enemy surface fire and swarming small boat -at Houston (right), Ben Hayes tacks. Unlike many drones and other ISR assets, a Poseidon can not only find and track enemy submarines but attack (missing), and Brian Mulder and destroy them as well. (left) were this year’s MPA Scholarship Golf Tournament Alongside its AN/APY-10 surveillance radar and MX-series electro-optical/infrared cameras optimized to scan the Winners. ocean surface, the Poseidon’s air-parachuted sonobuoys can find submarines at various depths beneath the surface. The surveillance aircraft can operate as a “node” within a broader sub-hunting network consisting of surface ships,

17 18 Community

Patrol Squadron FIVE and Philippine Navy Fly Together

Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines - On 07 May, the Mad The exercise was conducted in accordance with interna- Foxes of VP-5 joined 8 members of the Philippine Navy tional maritime law in order to showcase the capabilities and U.S. Consulate staff for a Maritime Domain Aware- of the P-8A and help monitor complicated issues in the ness (MDA) flight in the South China Sea. region. VP-5 and the P-8A community pride themselves on their dynamic ability to conduct these exercises in a The geographical location of the Philippines makes the moment’s notice all over the globe. country an ideal site and of strategic importance for the navy’s maritime presence in the area. In an effort show- “It was a great opportunity to demonstrate the P-8A case the abilities of the P-8A, The Mad Foxes of VP-5 Poseidon’s capabilities to our partners,” said Naval Air- conducted an MDA mission alongside Philippine allies crewman Third Class Luke Pritchard. “We had a great U.S. State Department Staff near Scarborough Reef. The time conducting this valuable exercise and showcasing mission was a great learning experience for all parties, our training to important members of the local area.” and further strengthened the desire for future coopera- tive missions with the Philippine forces. Commander Rob The Mad Foxes, who are based out of Jacksonville, Wilkerson, Commanding Officer of VP-5, was on-site to Florida, are currently deployed to Kadena Air Force Base greet the distinguished visitors and share experiences as in Okinawa, Japan. Throughout the deployment, they will a Maritime Patrol platform throughout the exercise. be conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within SEVENTH Fleet area “It was a valuable experience getting to work alongside of operations. P-8A Poseidon (Courtesy of Boeing) our Philippine counterparts,” said Lt.j.g. Alejandro Es- carcega. “Working hand-in-hand like this helps build the relationship between our two communities, and it’s really unmanned surface vessels, aerial drone-mounted maritime sensors and submarines. As part of its contribution to inter- By Lt.j.g. Michael Miller & great to see that grow and develop firsthand.” connected sub-hunting missions, the Poseidon can draw upon an Active Electronically Scanned Array, Synthetic Aper- Lt.j.g. Samuel Reber, VP-5 Public Affairs ture Radar and Ground Moving Target Indicator.

By lowering hydrophones and a magnetic compass to a pre-determined depth, connected by cable to a floating sur- Mad Fox crew poses for a photo with members face radio transmitter, Poseidon sonobuoys can convert acoustic energy from the water into a radio signal sent to aircraft of the U.S. Consulate staff to the Philippines. computer processors, according to a June 2018 issue of “Physics World.” Photo courtesy of VP-5.

Also, Poseidon-dispatched sonobuoys can contribute to the often discussed “US Navy Fish Hook Undersea Defense Line,” a seamless network of hydrophones, sensors and strategically positioned assets stretching from coastal areas off of Northern China down near the Philippines all the way to Indonesia, according to an essay from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, called “China’s Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines and Strategic Stability.”

An improved aerial sub-hunting presence offered by the Poseidon, it seems, could help reinforce this “Undersea Defense Line” effort to prevent Chinese SSBNs from leaving the region undetected.

Interestingly, Poseidon planes might offer a significant nuance to the Pentagon’s well-cultivated nuclear deterrence pos- ture, by introducing a technically advanced method of finding and destroying enemy SSBNs from the air. It aligns with the current “offensive power can be the best defense” approach central to the Pentagon’s nuclear-triad strategic deterrence strategy. Holding Chinese SSBNs at risk, could at very least help further deter China from contemplating some kind of sub-launched nuclear strike. The Poseidon could almost function as a kind of connective tissue between the undersea and air portions of the nuclear triad. The current air leg of the triad, consisting of platforms such as the B-2 and B-52 bombers, is not able to track or destroy submarines. A Poseidon could further fortify the air leg of the triad while also providing crucial intelligence to surface ships and US undersea assets seeking to track Chinese SSBNs.

Currently in service with UK, Norwegian and Australian militaries, among others, the Poseidon is increasingly in demand in the international market.

By Kris Osborn, Senior Fellow at The Lexington Institute Published on foxnews.com on March 6, 2019

19 20 Community

The Final P-3C Deployment

The last active duty P-3C Orion departs Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) March 29, 2019.

Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 is the last active duty P-3C squadron. On March 25th, VP-40’s first P-3C Orion aircraft departed NAS Whidbey Island (NASWI) to mark the beginning of the last P-3C squadron to deploy in support of US interests world-wide. After finishing a 12-month inter-deploy- ment readiness cycle (IDRC) at NASWI, they departed across different countries and continents within the US 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

VP-40 has been flying the P-3C aircraft since 1975 and have taken the platform all over the world in support of multiple exercises and operations. While VP-40 is the last active duty squadron to fly P-3s, there will still be P-3s on Whidbey Island. The Naval Reserve squadron, VP-69, is not scheduled to transition away from the P-3C during 2019, but VP-40 sun-downs the P-3C with this final deployment. VQ-1 will also continue to fly E-P3s for a few more years.

The P-3 platform was introduced by Lockheed Martin to the US Navy in 1962. It has been utilized for decades in anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction and information, sur- veillance and reconnaissance operations. The P-3C has operated over all of the world’s oceans and in many of the United States overland conflicts.

“We could not be more proud of the effort given by the men and women of VP-40,” said Cmdr. Patrick O’Reilly VP-40’s commanding officer. “It’s had its challenges, but our Sailors have suc- ceeded in this fight with exceptional results.

VP-40 has had many successes this IDRC, to include nearly perfect scores in the Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection, the Chief of Naval Air Forces Aviation Maintenance Inspection and the Fleet NATOPS Evaluation. They also dominated operationally by participat- ing in exercises supporting the U.S.S. John C. Stennis COMPTUEX, U.S.S. Boxer ARG MEUEX, Air Wing Fallon, and manned the Homeland Defense detachment while simultaneously training and preparing for its upcoming deployment. OAK HARBOR, Wash. (March 29, 2019) Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd class Chuey Thao, “Even when the aircraft fought against us, even when the tempo was high and the days were of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40, signals to aircraft 132, a P-3C Orion, as it taxis on the flight- long, we continued to fight,” said O’Reilly. “We intend to honor the platform’s final deployment by line of NAS Whidbey Island. VP-40 is currently deployed to the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas living the legacy of all those that have gone before us and continuing to fight to the finish.” of Responsibility in what is slated to be the last deployment of an active duty P-3C Squadron. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jakoeb Van- By MC2 Vandahlen, VP-40 Public Affairs dahlen/Released) Community

Dozens of VP-26 Families Reunite After 6-Month Deployment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The planes soared onto the runways at Naval Air Station Jacksonvilleon Tuesday, bringing 42 military men and women home to the waiting arms of their families and friends after a six-month deployment.

Squadron VP-26 Tridents flew in to see a waiting crowd of loved ones, Some sailors had become fathers while deployed. Ariella Butts was born while her father was serving his country. Her mother, Mercede, said, was waiting on the tarmac with a “welcome home” sign.

“It was hard at first, but with the support system, it was easy,” Mercede Butts said. “It’s great. It’s unbelievable.”

Ariella met her father for the first time on Wednesday.

John Fruge’s wife was returning, too.

“The struggle is real. It’s been about six months and it’s been a learning experience, learning to do hair,” Fruge said.

While families struggled at home to get along without their loved ones for half a year, the crew was busy breaking new ground in the air.

Squadron VP-26 performed the first-ever air-to-air refueling in Europe. Executive Officer Eric Andrews is interviewed at one of the several VP-26 homecoming “It’s pretty awesome flying. You’re 20 to 30 feet away from a KC-135, taking fuel in the air, so it’s a arrivals in April on board NAS JAX. pretty neat thing and fun for the pilots,” VP 29 Executive Officer Eric Andrews said.

The squadron executed 15 international detachments to 11 countries, including its first-ever de- tachment exercise in support of AFRICOM with the P-8A.

While the families were able to communicate using video chat, they said nothing beats the real thing.

“He ran right up to me and smiled, (It was the) best moment of my life,” said Westly Bevelhymer, AWO2, NAS Jax.

Several other squadrons will be making their way back home at NAS Jax over the next week.

By Crystal Moyer - Traffic/reporter News 4 Jax Community Community

VP-4, VMGR-352 Expand P-8A Refueling Capabilities Patrol Squadron FIVE Makes Lasting Impact at Filipino Orphanage

The “Mad Foxes” of Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5), who ar- After the delivery, the volunteers helped serve food and SAN DIEGO, Calif. —U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refu- Successfully completing the aviation delivered ground rived at Clark Air Base, Philippines less than a month ago, even sang with the children. eler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352 conducted aviation refueling is a landmark that increases the capabilities used their off-duty time to seek out and help children in delivered ground refueling (ADGR) with Patrol Squadron of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft Navy-wide. In total, VP-4’s need during a Community Relations (COMREL) project at “It was an incredible experience to be able to interact (VP) 4 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, Cali- P-8A aircraft topped off with nearly 2,000 pounds of fuel a local orphanage, April 26. with the boys and girls at the orphanage,” said Chief fornia, March 15, 2019. in today’s test. Petty Officer Joshua Stevens. “I was especially proud of Tagalog speaking members of VP-5 contacted the how well our team came together and rallied behind the This evolution marked the first time this form of refuel- “To be a part of the first P-8 ADGR from one of our KC- Munting Tahanan Ng Nazareth Orphanage, a home for idea of helping to support the amazing staff and children.” ing was utilized between a KC-130J and a P-8A Poseidon 130’s has been great learning opportunity for us,” said poor, abandoned, surrendered, handicapped and special aircraft, effectively demonstrating a proof of concept fuel Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Espino, a crew master assigned to needs children. A standard day at the orphanage consists of breakfast, 6 transfer from aircraft to aircraft. VMGR-352. “It’s not every day you get to refuel a new A.M., songs or cleaning during the morning, lunch, 10:30 platform.” The orphanage, who receive no financial aid from the A.M., personal time, 11:00 A.M., nap time from 12:00 to “It was a great opportunity for the Skinny Dragons to government and rely completely on donations, said any- 2:00 P.M., and dinner at 4:00 P.M.. come down to Miramar and train with VMGR-352, we “These types of exercises enhance the entire aircrew’s thing provided would be gladly accepted. This prompted learned a great deal from their experience in the ADGR ability to work together safely, build experience, and VP-5 members to pool their money together and raise Children also receive a simple spa day in which their process and look forward to expanding a capability that expand the capabilities of our platform for future deploy- 41,000 Philippine pesos equating to about $800. hands and feet are washed and at times painted, which has never been utilized in the P-8 fleet before,” said Lt. ments,” said Toon. simultaneously helps improve their motor skills. Patrick Toon, a pilot assigned to VP-4. The event coordinators then used this money to pur- By MC2 Juan S. Sua, VP-4 Public Affairs chase supplies such as non-perishable foods, hygiene For future operations, the Mad Foxes hope to provide nail products, school supplies and recreational equipment for polish and inexpensive spa care products for the mission the children. workers who work throughout the day. SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2019) Aviation On the morning of April 27, the Mad Foxes and Mobile Rhea Morales, the point-of-contact for the orphanage, Tactical Operations Center (MTOC-3) delivered the sup- has expressed interest in future COMREL opportunities Structural Mechanic plies to the orphanage. The amount of food provided to with the squadron and stated that VP–5 and MTOC-3 3rd Class Michael the orphanage was enough to last the children approxi- made a tremendous and lasting impact at the orphan- Pugh, assigned to the mately two months. age and their efforts there will continue to resonate in the Skinny Dragons of coming months. Patrol Squadron (VP) This donation came at a crucial time due to the upcom- ing rainy season, during which, supplies are usually By Lt.j.g. Reed Arce, VP-5 Public Affairs 4, right, and Lance Cpl. limited. Elizabeth Espino, left, assigned to Marine Upon arrival, the team learned the orphanage is in fact Photo by Lt Michael Raffels, VP-5 Aerial Refueler Trans- home for two different groups of port Squadron (VMGR) children. The first group was girls 352 monitor an avia- who come from abusive homes, tion delivered ground and the second was for children who suffer from either cerebral refueling (ADGR)evolu- palsy or an intellectual disability and tion between a VMGR- often were abandoned as infants or 352 KC-130J aircraft to young children. a VP-4 P-8A aircraft at Marine Corps Air Sta- “Seeing these kids was an incred- ibly humbling experience, and I am tion Miramar, Calif. This immensely proud of our team for evolution marked the what we accomplished in such a first ever ADGR be- short time,” said Lt. j.g. Sarah Amo- tween a KC-130J and a rio, one of the event coordinators. P-8A aircraft. (U.S. Navy “I hope this effort will set a prece- dence for future detachments to photo by Mass Com- give back to the community that so munication Specialist warmly supports us here.” 2nd Class Juan. S. Sua/ Released). 25 26 Community

VP-40 Qualifies PPC on Last P3 Deployment

5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS – Lt. McKenna Cox, a pilot with Patrol Squadron (VP) 40, quali- fied as patrol plane commander on the P-3C Orion platform May 19, 2019.

A patrol plane commander (PPC) is responsible for the overall safety of the aircraft and crew dur- ing flight. Obtaining this qualification is a milestone in Cox’s career as she becomes a fully quali- fied P-3 Naval Aviator.

“I specifically selected VP-40 because I wanted to sundown the P-3C,” said Cox. “I knew I’d be go- ing to the West Coast as part of any of the VP squadrons, but I chose VP-40 because I wanted to be one of the last to fly on this platform.”

The P-3C is a maritime patrol and support aircraft that started its career in the U.S. Navy in the 1960’s. It is utilized for anti-submarine warfare, overland surveillance and search and rescue op- erations.

“People like flying the P-3 because you control all of the inputs,” said Cox. “You are hand-flying a cold war era bird, and it is just a different type of flying that, with newer aircraft and more automa- tion, is going away.”

VP-40 is deployed to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security. VP-40 is the last active-duty maritime squadron to fly the P-3C Orion aircraft and after this deployment will transition to the P-8A Poseidon.

“McKenna is the type of Officer and Aviator that we all strive to be,” said Cmdr. Matt McKerring, VP-40’s Commanding Officer. “The care she demonstrates for her Sailors and her commitment to the Fighting Marlin team is unmatched. We could not be more proud of her and this tremendous achievement.”

While at VP-40, in addition to her duties as a pilot, Cox has served as 1st Lieutenant, branch of- ficer of the aviation structural mechanic (safety equipment) and aircrew survival equipmentman Above: LT Cox is sprayed down by her crew mates to celebrate the completion of her branches, the line division officer and as a sexual assault and prevention victim advocate. PPC qualification. Below: Crew member congratulates LT Cox. Cox is from Gridley, California and is the daughter of residents Tim and Jannette Cox, and grand- daughter of Yuba City, California residents Jim and Sheila Parr.

Cox graduated from Gridley High School in 2010 and from the University of Washington Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) in 2014, thereafter commissioning into the U.S. Navy. After completing her flight training she was awarded her Naval Aviator Wings at her graduation from Advanced Flight Training in Corpus Christi, Texas, July 2016.

After graduating Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 in May 2017, she reported to VP-40 in Whidbey Island, Washington.

“It takes a village to make a PPC,” said Cox. “I know it sounds cheesy, but this wouldn’t be possible without the support and time given to me by my peers and mentors.”

By MC2 Jakoeb VanDahlen Patrol Squadron 40 Public Affairs Community

‘Fighting Tigers’ Host Alumni Day

JACKSONVILLE, Fla—On Friday, March 1, the Fighting Tigers of Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) hosted a group of distinguished squadron alumni. The event was organized by Lt. Nathan Byam-Mooney and took place aboard NAS Jacksonville, in and around the Fighting Tigers’ aircraft, hangar, and spaces.

Thirty alumni attended, with many bringing family and friends to experience the day with them. The alumni present spanned the generations of VP-8 aircraft and homeports, with the senior attendees serving on active duty in 1948 and 1949. At that time, the squadron was homeported aboard NAS Quonset Point, RI, flying the P2V3 Neptune.

Upon Arrival, alumni and their families were warmly greeted with coffee and donuts, and had the opportu- nity to mingle with current members of the squadron. Shortly after, Cmdr. Zac Stang,the current Command- ing Officer (CO) of VP-8, officially kicked off the morning by welcoming the alumni in front of the command and providing a brief history of VP-8 and the greater Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community. Before heading out to a static display, the current squadron leadership, to include the CO, XO, and CMC, were gath- ered outside the hangar in front of the parked aircraft to capture a rare photo opportunity with the alumni.

Guests were then split up into small groups where crewmembers representing all stations aboard the P-8A Poseidon provided alumni with a tour of both the P-8 and its predecessor, the P-3C Orion. For the alumni, the tour on the P- 3C was a brief walk down memory lane since it was the platform most flew during their days in the squadron. The static display gave former Fighting Tigers the opportunity to interact with the current gen- eration of Tigers and also see the Navy’s new P-8A Poseidon from within.

Upstairs in the VP-8 Training room, Lt. Andrew Smith and Lt. Winston Massey from Unmanned Patrol Squad- ron (VUP) 19 provided the alumni and families with a detailed overview of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnais- JACKSONVILLE, Fla (March 1, 2019) Retired U.S. Navy Sailor Ralph Papa, formerly assigned sance Fleet’s unmanned aerial vehicle MQ-4C Triton. Both past and present Tigers in the room were full of to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, boards a P-3C Orion. VP-8 is undergoing questions for the Lieutenants, looking to gain valuable insight into the future of the community. deployment readiness workups, in preparation for their upcoming deployment to U.S. 7th Following the brief, the group was ushered downstairs into the hangar where the squadron was given a final Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerome D. Johnson/ opportunity to sit and reminisce with the former members of the squadron. For lunch, the squadron escorted Released) the alumni to the NAS Jacksonville Golf Course for a catered buffet before they bid one another farewell until next time. As the alumni were caravanning off base, all 286 Sailors of Patrol Squadron Eight lined the sidewalks of Yorktown Avenue to honor the veterans with a “Man the Rails” salute.

Skipper Stang noted, “Alumni Day was a fabulous opportunity for current Fighting Tigers to become person- ally acquainted with the history, tradition, and reputation they have acquired and are expected to maintain. JACKSONVILLE, Fla (March 1, 2019) Sailors assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Both our alumni and active duty Sailors truly benefitted from the events today and witnessing our send off to Squadron (VP) 8 and Alumni, take a group photograph on the flight line of Naval Air Sta- the veterans filled me with pride and an even greater respect for the men and women I am blessed to lead.” tion Jacksonville. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerome D. Lt. Byam-Mooney added, “The Fighting Tigers would like to thank both VP-30 and VUP-19 for their assistance Johnson/Released) and support throughout the day’s event. VP-30 graciously provided the squadron with a P-3 Orion for the static display and VUP-19 gave an outstanding brief for our alumni and families.”

Integral to the success of the day’s event was Ralph Papa, President of the VP-8 Alumni Association. “On be- half of myself and all our VP-8 alumni participating in today’s Alumni Day, our heartfelt thanks for an incredible welcome, tours, and awesome sendoff from the Fighting Tigers. Every one of us were choked up with emotion as we were saluted on our departure. It was an incredible experience that we’ll never forget.” said Papa.

By Lt. j.g. Tori Spies, VP-8 Public Affairs Officer

29 30 Community Community

Admiral Faller Visits Combined Security Location Comalapa VP-4 Executes First West Coast P-8A In Air Refueling Operations

OAK HARBOR, Wash. -- U.S. Navy Aircrewmen assigned Air Refueling Wings, and building of air-to-air experience The War Eagles of Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16) ing a motivating All Hands call, where he outlined the to the “Skinny Dragons” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 began in the MPRA community.” hosted the US Southern Command commander Admiral vital need for strong friendships with partner nations in P-8A air-to-air refueling (AAR) operations on Feb. 6, 2019. (Adm.) Craig Fuller and staff in his recent trip to El Salva- continuing counter-narcotics efforts in the region. Adm The introduction of aerial refueling is a strategic military dor. Adm. Faller, accompanied by his wife, Martha Faller, Faller’s words prompted reflection on the mission and Over the course of two day and night sorties, pilots Lt. capability that increases the P-8A’s range and flexibility. Ambassador Liliana Ayalde, Major Gen Michael Fahey he challenged sailors to gain perspective as to why the Cmdr. Eric Martin and Lt. Brent Nelsen flew a P-8A while (Marine Forces South), and Sergeant Major Brian Zick- squadron is deployed to El Salvador. A fundamental goal a 940th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 fueled the aircraft. “Introducing aerial refueling to west coast P-8A squad- efoose were given a behind-the-scenes look at how the is the establishment of a lasting relationship with the Both pilots also logged several “dry plugs” under the rons is a huge milestone for the maritime patrol and War Eagles and Mobile Tactical Operations Center ONE people of El Salvador, and to that end, Adm. Faller un- guidance of Fleet Replacement Squadron (VP) 30 per- reconnaissance community,” said Cmdr. Christopher Pur- (MTOC 1) support counter narcotics operations in the derscored the fact that each Sailor is an ambassador to sonnel as a part of the AAR requalification. cell, Commanding Officer, VP-4. “We are pleased to have East Pacific. the host nation. This vision sets the tone for the coming an opportunity to introduce this capability on the west years of developing a strong partnership with a country As one of the original test pilots for the P-8A Fleet Inte- coast and build proficiency as more pilots are exposed to Adm. Faller and staff were given a brief which outlined whose support in the counter narcotics operations is gration Team AAR test program, Martin is highly qualified it.” the proceedings of a ready launch, showcasing the paramount. to instruct future VP-4 pilots in this evolution. integral role each deployed Sailor plays in making sure VP-4, based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, that the each aircrafts time critical takeoff requirements Fulfilling part of Adm. Faller’s vision, the War Eagles de- “The P-8A has successfully been conducting aerial Washington is currently conducting a fleet readiness are meet. When the alert aircrew are called to launch, a tached a P-8A aircraft to the Ilopango Air Show, providing refueling on the East Coast for the past 18 months,” said training plan in preparation for an upcoming deployment. chain reaction of quick response teams are set in motion. the El Salvadoran people the opportunity to meet the Martin. “We look forward to extending that capability to Maintenance personnel prioritize fuel and prepare the aircrew and see the aircraft up close. The War Eagles the West Coast, enhancing strategic mission effective- By Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Sua aircraft for the arriving aircrew, MTOC 1 personnel pre- continue to support Operation Martillo in the FOURTH ness, building symbiotic relationships with the Air Force VP-4 Public Affairs Officer pare the mission brief for the Mission Commander, and Fleet area of responsibility. Operation Martillo is a joint the aircrew suit up for the mission. The War Eagles have effort of U.S., European, and Western Hemisphere forces successfully executed counter narcotic operations and targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along supported the United States Coast Guard in seizing over the Central American isthmus. U.S. military participation 25,000 kilograms of narcotics since the beginning of their is led by Joint Interagency Task Force South, a compo- deployment in October 2018. nent of U.S. Southern Command.

Adm. Faller shared his vision with the War Eagles dur- By Lt. j.g. Davis, VP-16 Public Affairs

LT Greco discusses P-8A capabilities with ADM Faller and distinguished Photos courtesy of VP-4. visitors on the aircraft. 31 32 Community with a focus on innovation. These topics were chosen The two FRS squadrons will also provide representatives to align the focus and understanding of both communi- to each other’s simulators to better model coordinated ties and highlighted warfighting concepts that need to operations. At the fleet level, squadrons will be able to be better defined. Participants identified several tactics conduct TACDEV (tactical development) and Tactical 2018 JAXMAN ASW Symposium that may need to be reexamined. As a result of these Initiative events to work out new tactics and reexamine discussions, both communities plan to start covering the those that are already in place. To determine what the fundamentals of the platforms’ cooperation within the communities want to focus on for these events, ATHENA CAT I FRS syllabi at VP-30 and HSM-40. This will ensure Think workshops will be held, aimed at bringing new we are on the same playing field at future events and ideas and approaches to the way we do business. We The United States Navy is responsible for defending America’s interests in a world with countless potential allow us to build more advanced coordinated operations are in a very unique place in Jacksonville. Both FRS flashpoints. Russia is firing upon and detaining Ukrainian warships. An ascendant China is aggressively cow- procedures. squadrons are currently teaching and working with allied ing its neighbors and flouting international law. At any point in time, a small crisis could escalate and lead to counterparts from Australia, the United Kingdom, and conflict with these powers. Being ready for that conflict is the responsibility of every Sailor in the United States The next JAXMAN event will be in summer 2019 and will Norway. Each of these nations is purchasing the P-8A, Navy. As modern warfare becomes more complex, being ready increasingly means being able to work effec- focus on the People’s Republic of China. It will include while Australia is also purchasing the MH-60R, creating tively as a whole Navy, not just as disparate communities. participants from the Navy’s warfare developmental cen- common ground from which to build shared knowledge ters: the Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Na- and enhance interoperability. These close relationships The P-8A and the MH-60R are the two best airborne ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) platforms in the world. val Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center enable us to work hand in hand on problems that affect They work together regularly to track adversary submarines. However, there is still room for improving the and Naval Aviation Warfare Development Center. Work- each other and build an increased ability to coordinate effectiveness of their collaboration. In peacetime, the two aircraft communicate quickly and freely, generating ing with these communities will allow us to quickly and together in combat. This work will culminate in a Fleet plans of action on the fly. In wartime, our adversaries will attempt to disrupt communication between plat- accurately incorporate the concepts of operation, doc- Battle Problem exercise to test newly developed TTPs forms. They expect then to have to contend only with several independent platforms with unique weaknesses, trine, experimentation, and lessons learned they gener- against a realistic, high-end adversary. The exercise will rather than a coherent force. These attempts can be countered today by establishing tactics, techniques, and ate for the fleet. It will also give fleet operators access to encompass assets from the VP, HSM, SSN, and CRUDES procedures (TTPs) that can be easily executed without robust communications. The brightest minds from both the insights these centers bring into how we should be communities. communities need to work together NOW, while no torpedoes or missiles are flying in anger, to solidify TTPs training to a high-end fight with a strategic competitor. that best take advantage of the new technologies onboard either aircraft. We will also receive briefs from outside agencies such as The goal of initiatives like JAXMAN is to increase the U.S. the National Reconnaissance Office, the Office of Naval Navy’s lethality. Increased interoperability, both within the Only by getting these individuals in the same room from time to time can we hope to maximize the effective- Intelligence, and the Central Intelligence Agency about U.S. Navy and with other Navies, allows all partners to ness and efficiency of our efforts. The MPRF and HSM communities recently came together at the inaugural the most current intelligence before engaging in sub- maximize their effectiveness. There is a still a great deal JAXMAN event to do just that. JAXMAN brought together warfighters from different communities to talk about stantive discussions. Dialoguing with these organizations of work to be done. how they can promote interoperability and increase combined lethality. The attendees discussed new tech- not only helps the fleet learn, it also helps the fleet better target its data collection efforts to support their work. Our nologies like the automatic radar periscope detection and discrimination (ARPDD) on the MH-60R and multi- By LT Carson Burton VP-30 P-8A FRS Instruc- static active coherent (MAC) on the P-8A. These are capabilities unique to either platform which can only be last major addition to the next JAXMAN will be question truly optimized by leveraging both platforms’ strengths. A recent classified study has shown that an MH-60R and answer forums from a post-command SSN skipper, tor TACCO, LT Sara Burton HSM-40 MH-60R and a P-8A working together are far more effective at tracking submarines than they are by themselves. The a DDG ASW watch team, and several senior MPRF/HSM FRS Instructor Pilot, LT Sean Lavelle VP-26 same study showed that eliminating the current on-station frictions between fixed-wing and rotary-wing plat- leaders. P-8A Instructor TACCO forms could triple that advantage. In between these events, there will be several chances History proves that collaboration NOW will increase our effectiveness as an ASW force. In the Falklands war, for interoperability at the FRS and fleet level. VP-30 and the Argentine Navy lacked significant combined ASW forces, focusing one-dimensionally on ASW surface HSM-40 will start Link-16 ground events together. In platforms. The Argentines were forced to keep their Navy in port after a British submarine sank a single Argen- these events, both aircrews will gain experience operat- tine warship. On the other hand, the Royal Navy had a formidable ASW force consisting of ships, helicopters, ing data links between aircraft in benign environments and submarines. This force gave the Royal Navy significant freedom to maneuver and allowed zero successful on the ground, before applying that practice in the air. attacks from Argentina’s submarines. The Chinese and Russian navies field far more extensive and formidable submarine forces. The U.S. Navy cannot afford to go without any potential advantage. Its chief advantage is the breadth of its ASW forces. Its ships, submarines, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft all bring different capabili- ties to the fight. Individually they all have weaknesses, but composing these platforms into a coherent force that maximizes the component strengths while minimizing weaknesses offers the best path toward success.

Realizing this vision will not be easy. As ASW forces start to regain the experience lost during the “decade in the desert,” warfighters are remembering old lessons and learning new ones every day. Finding efficient meth- ods of sharing and building upon those lessons is how we accelerate our continuous improvement. In WWII, the submarine force shared lessons learned from arduous combat patrols while resting at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Those conversations helped build one of the most effective components of our nation’s effort in the Pacific theater. Gatherings like JAXMAN help facilitate the same type of high-velocity outcomes necessary to improve our Navy’s effectiveness.

The inaugural JAXMAN symposium covered a wide array of topics and focused heavily on the Russian threat. Attendees received briefs on both platforms’ capabilities and limitations, Russian intelligence updates, multi- static active coherent prosecutions, periscope and mast intelligence from the Office of Naval Intelligence, Photo courtesy of LT Carson mission planning lessons learned from previous collaborations, Link 16, electromagnetic maneuver warfare, Burton, VP-30. HSM TTPs, GPS denied environment operations, joint and over-the-horizon targeting, and finished off the day 33 34 Community Community

VP-47 Attends LIMA Exhibition Grey Knights Return to Whidbey Island

The “Golden Swordsmen” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 par- sion set of the P-8A Poseidon but also show HHQ the In early April, the “Grey Knights” of Patrol Squadron 46 will expected, the “Grey Knights” will not be letting off the gas ticipated in the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime and professionalism and expert execution that VP-47 brings return home from another successful deployment to the pedal any time soon. The squadron will begin to transi- Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition held in Langkawi, Malaysia. to every mission given to us,” said Alcairo. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AOR). After tion to the P-8A Poseidon in short order and will be doing a rewarding six months spent forward in a tri-site de- so throughout the remainder of this year. Approximately 1,400 U.S. Navy and Air Force personnel VP-47 represented the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol and ployment the “Grey Knights” are excited to return to the are participating in LIMA19. U.S. Navy aircraft on display reconnaissance platform at LIMA19, demonstrating the Pacific Northwest. This deployment will go down in VP- Once the squadron has successfully transitioned they include a P-8A Poseidon, EA-18G Growler, and MH-60R versatility of the P-8A Poseidon to partner nations. The 46’s history as their final one flying the P-3C Orion before will begin a challenging yearlong Inter-Deployment Seahawk. The 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC P-8A Poseidon is the Navy’s premiere long-range anti- beginning a six month transition to the P-8A Poseidon. Readiness Cycle to prepare for their first deployment as 19), and destroyer, USS Preble (DDG 88), participated in submarine warfare platform. a P-8A squadron. the maritime portion of the exhibition. Throughout deployment, VP-46 has maintained a rigor- “We are continuing to build partnerships with nations all ous operational tempo completing over 600 missions There is a challenging road ahead for the “Grey Knights”, “This detachment will be key in fostering relationships around the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility,” said Lt. encompassing in excess of 5400 mishap-free flight but they are more than ready for it. They are willing and that will be critical in achieving national objectives in an Shane Lewis, VP-47 CAC-9 Tactical Coordinator. “The re- hours. The “Grey Knights” were called upon to execute a proud to show the rest of the fleet why they have earned ever-expanding dynamic maritime environment,” said lationships we build here have valuable geopolitical and wide range of mission sets including overland Syria/Iraq the distinction of “THE OLDEST AND THE BEST”. Lt. Zach Alcairo, VP-47 Combat Aircrew (CAC) 9 Mission strategic impacts for not only the U.S. but for the world.” in support of the Defeat ISIS Campaign, Intelligence, Sur- Commander. veillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Maritime Domain The “Golden Swordsmen” are currently deployed to Awareness (MDA), and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). LIMA is a biennial event held in Malaysia since 1991 that Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan conducting By VP-46 Public Affairs They also provided armed escort and overwatch of for brings together industry stakeholders and government maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach U.S., and Coalition partners. and military leaders from more than a dozen nations. operations within U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations LIMA19 was the 15th iteration and a four-day event dedi- in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. VP-46 has been spread across the world operating out of cated to the maritime and aerospace sectors for defense, Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Asia three deployed locations. VP-46’s main hub was located civil and commercial applications. Pacific region. in 5th Fleet with detachments in the 6th and 7th Fleet AORs. It is no simple task to keep an entire squadron “We were able to demonstrate not only the robust mis- By Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Flinn, VP-47 running smoothly while forward Public a Affairs, March 30, 2019 deployed; however, the “Grey Knights” were able to do just that due to the hard work of maintain- ers, aircrew, and support person- nel, a “never give up” attitude, and a healthy stable of well- maintained P-3C Orions.

The opportunities brought about by such a challenging tri-site deployment allowed for the men and women of VP-46 to truly grow and recognize their poten- tial to serve with strength and honor while adapting to dynamic operational environments.

The P-3C Orion has been flown by VP-46 for over fifty years, but this homecom- ing marks the end of an era. Upon landing at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, VP- OKINAWA, Japan (Jan. 29, 2019) — Lt. j.g. Matt Johnston, attached to the “Golden Swords- 46 aircrew will step off their men” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, speaks with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force service- Orions for the last time, and members attached to Fleet Air Wing 5 during a tour of a P-8A Poseidon. (U.S. Navy Photo prepare for the next chapter by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kevin A. Flinn/RELEASED) of “Grey Knight” history. As 35 36 Community Community

The Mad Foxes of VP-5 Head to the Pacific Theater Mad Foxes Complete ORE with Deployment Around the Corner

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The VP-5 Mad Foxes are another areas of responsibility while deployed. JACKSONVILLE, FL - Having taken the reins from the departing Golden Swordsmen of VP-47, the Mad Foxes step closer to completing pre-deployment preparations are now officially deployed to the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). after finishing their Operational Readiness Evaluation In all, the Mad Foxes completed 26 simulator events and (ORE) earlier this week. 12 flights totaling over 150 hours during the course of the Earlier this month, the last members of Patrol Squadron Five (VP-5) said their final goodbyes to families and two-week evaluation. “It was a lot of hard work, but I felt loved ones as they departed NAS Jacksonville and flew to the Western Pacific to begin their six-month deploy- ORE began with a series of tests that saw all aircrew that we all managed to go out and perform at a very high ment cycle. Upon arrival, VP-5 aircraft and personnel hit the ground running, quickly operating at full speed completing a combatant sub-surface, surface, and air- level of proficiency,” said LTJG Gabe Merla. and flying missions less than 36 hours after arrival. It was immediately evident that the hard work and training craft recognition (RECCE) test. conducted by all hands during VP-5’s home cycle paid off. With ORE in the books, VP-5 is nearly ready to head back Additionally, enlisted aircrew completed the Aircrew out the door for another successful deployment in the As this 2019 deployment cycle kicks off, it always garners a familiar yet difficult wide mix of emotions for Sailors Training Improvement Program (AWTIP) test, while com- coming months. and their families. Many are excited and motivated as they finally get to go out and put to use the many years of missioned aircrew took a Commander’s Guidance test. training they’ve worked so hard for, yet it also tests the strength of their resolve with those whom they hold so close back on the home front. Following the written examinations, ORE entered its

second phase consisting of simulator and flight events LTJG Michael Miller, VP-5 Public Affairs If you are part of the Mad Fox family, we thank you for all your hard work and sacrifice. In the upcoming months, meant to imitate possible real-world scenarios. we look forward to sharing numerous stories of Mad Fox operational successes abroad. No Fox Like A Mad Fox! These simulator and flight events are meant to test each By LTJG Reed Arce, VP-5 Public Affairs Combat Aircrew (CAC) on its ability to handle a litany of different situations that may be encountered in many

37 38 Community Community

War Eagles Participate In Ilopango Airshow VP-47 Keeps Watch during FFA’s Operation Rai Balang in Pacific Islands

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Mar. 27, 2019) – The “Golden All seventeen island nations that make up the FFA are Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16) War Eagles partici- to make the airshow an unforgettable engagement. This Swordsmen” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 flew multiple committed to ensuring fishing conservation throughout pated in a two-day Airshow at San Salvador’s Ilopango experience allowed the War Eagles to immerse them- missions during Operation Rai Balang, a Forum Fisheries their national waters, exclusive economic zones and Airport. Following Admiral Craig Faller’s visit earlier in the selves in the local culture and customs, strengthening Agency (FFA)-led multi-lateral Monitoring Control & Sur- beyond. week, the War Eagles seized opportunity to build rela- their relationship with the people of El Salvador. veillance operation with eight FFA members; Federated tionships with the El Salvadorans by interacting one-on- States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, The “Golden Swordsmen” are currently deployed to one with the local citizens. VP-16 manned a P-8A static The public’s response was overwhelmingly positive—the the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Solomon Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan conducting display, provided tours around the aircraft, and answered War Eagles ended the day experience with a greater Islands and Vanuatu, Mar. 21-28. maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach questions. The War Eagles welcomed aboard many appreciation of El Salvadoran culture and new friends. operations within U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations guests, including Ambassador Jean Manes, the U.S. Am- VP-16 continues to support Operation Martillo’s counter- VP-47 surveillance missions during Operation Rai Balang in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. bassador to El Salvador, for an interior tour. The airshow narcotics mission set out of CSL Comalapa, El Salvador supported FFA’s mission to detect, deter, report and/or Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Asia team consisted of VP-16 and Mobile Tactical Operations and look forward to participating in future events with the apprehend potential illegal, unregulated or unreported Pacific region. Center ONE (MTOC-1) personnel, and offered the public El Salvadorans while operating in the 4th Fleet Area of fishing activity and to enhance Pacific Island Countries a unique look at what the P-8A community does on a Responsibility. Operation Martillo is a joint effort of U.S., involvement and participation in maritime fisheries sur- C7F conducts forward deployed naval operations that daily basis. The public expressed a great interest in both European, and Western Hemisphere forces targeting veillance and response operations. These IUU activities provide security throughout the Indo-Pacific. As the U.S. the aircraft and the Sailors who operate and maintain the illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central occur in a vast area spanning approximately 18 million Navy’s largest overseas fleet, C7F continues to build aircraft, often requesting photos with the War Eagles. American isthmus. U.S. military participation is led by square kilometers of open ocean. partnerships that foster maritime security, promote sta- Joint Interagency Task Force South, a component of U.S. bility and prevent conflict. When not giving tours, posing for photos, or showcas- Southern Command. “Working with FPA partners during Operation Rai Balang ing the aircraft, the War Eagles were exploring the other improves maritime domain awareness and helps address exhibits around the airfield. Illopanga offered an array of By Lt. j.g. Davis, VP-16 Public Affairs shared maritime security priorities,” said Lt. Cmdr. Karl traditional El Salvadoran delicacies, aircraft displays of all By Senior Chief Petty Officer Barry Hiraya- Schroeder, Commander, Task Group 72.2 Liaison Naval types, captivating aerobatics provided by the El Salva- Officer. ma, VP-47 Public Affairs doran pilots, and a warm environment—all contributing

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (Jan. 19, 2019) — A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon taxis down the flightline after returning from a flight during Exercise Sea Drag- on. Exercise Sea Dragon is an annual, multilateral exercise that stresses coordinated anti- Petty Officers Garza and Devereux trade patches submarine warfare prosecution against both simulated and live targets. (U.S. Navy photo and pose with El Salvadoran military members. by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kevin A. Flinn/Released) 39 40 Community Community

Patrol Squadron Five Strengthens Relations with Royal Malaysian Air Force Florida Native to Receive Senior Sailor of the Quarter Award

OKINAWA, Japan - Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class career comes to an end.” SUBANG, Malaysia – Sailors assigned to the “Mad Foxes” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 joined the Royal Malaysian Stephen R. Berger, native of Hollywood, Florida, has Air Force (RMAF) for the Malaysian Subject Matter Expert Exchange (MYS SMEE) May 6-10. been designated the Senior Sailor of the Quarter for the Petty Officer Berger’s adherence to the Navy core values second quarter of 2019 by Commander Robert Wilker- of honor, courage, and commitment will continue to lay This exercise is held on a quarterly basis, serves to strengthen relations between the two countries, and ad- son, Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron (VP) Five. the foundation for many future sailors. vances the common goal of improved maritime domain awareness. The engagement included an aviation symposium, where SMEEs from both countries exchanged their expertise on the capabilities of their respective This sailor has carried lessons learned from his Florida The “Mad Foxes” of VP-5, who are based out of Jackson- aircraft, and techniques for all phases of flight to include: mission planning, briefing, in-flight execution, and post hometown with him and using them has led to his day- ville, Florida, are currently deployed to Kadena Air Force flight. to-day successes in the United States Navy. “One of the Base in Okinawa, Japan. most important things I carried with me from my home- Combat Aircrew ONE (CAC-1) took six RMAF riders and three United States embassy riders into the WMD-412A town was my work ethic and driven attitude,” Berger Throughout the deployment, they will be conducting working area to display and execute the material exchanged during the aviation symposium. stated. maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within the 7th Fleet area of operations. “This was my first detachment, but it was one I will never forget,” said Naval Aircrewman Operator 2nd Class Ten years later, Petty Officer Berger now serves as the Marcus Arduini, one of CAC-1’s Acoustic Operators. “The RMAF were fantastic and I hope I get another opportu- Lead Petty Officer (LPO) in the Airframes Work Center of nity to work with them again in the future.” VP-5. By AWO2 Trenton Jameson, CAC-1 hosted Maj. Gen. Dato’ Tengku Muhammad Fauzi bin Tengku Ibrahim and Brig. Gen. Anuar Anas bin Abdul “As the Airframes LPO, I am responsible for the safe up- Wahab of the RMAF for an orientation flight. keep and inspection of P-8A aircraft airframes systems to VP-5 Public Affairs include structural integrity, hydraulic systems, and land- “It was an honor being able to take those gentlemen flying with us,” said Lt. Bryan Mullins, a Naval Flight Officer ing gear systems,” said Berger. for CAC-1. “They were very down to earth and extremely knowledgeable. The crew we brought down to Malay- sia had a great time, we learned a lot working with the RMAF, and we are looking forward to further strengthen- A 2001 graduate from Davie Academy ing our relationship with them.” High School, Berger is now an Avia- tion Structural Mechanic for the P-8A The Mad Foxes, based out of Jacksonville, Florida, are currently deployed to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Poseidon Aircraft. This aviation plat- Japan. Throughout the deployment, they will be conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater form operates as part of the United outreach operations within 7th Fleet area of operations. States Navy Maritime Patrol and Re- connaissance Aviation community. As By Lt j.g. Bryan Mullins, Lt j.g. Reed Arce, VP-5 Public Affairs a senior enlisted sailor, Berger takes pride in educating and developing the junior Sailors he oversees.

“I truly enjoy watching my Sailors grow and master their rates. The sense of pride they feel when they accomplish something that they never thought they would, makes all the hardships worth it,” said Berger.

Petty Officer Berger is optimistic about the future of his naval career and the challenges that are to come.

“I often feel that my day-to-day routine is an accomplishment if I am able to create better processes that can be implemented in the future of my career field,” Berger said. “I do not feel that I have reached my peak yet, and I know there will be many more milestones to look back on once my

41 42 Community

Cobra Gold 2019

BANGKOK, Thailand - Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16) national military forces, including the enhancement of begins their participation in Cobra Gold 2019 (CG19), the maritime domain awareness and responding to large- 38th iteration of the annual theater security cooperation scale natural disasters. event exercise taking place at various locations through- out the Kingdom of Thailand. This year’s exercise will consist of three primary events: a Staff Exercise (STAFFEX) located at Camp Akatosarot, CG19 is a Thailand and United States co-sponsored Phitsanulok, a Humanitarian Civic Action (HCA), and a Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Joint Theater Field Training Exercise (FTX). 3,900 U.S. personnel will Security Cooperation (JTSC) exercise managed annually be participating in CG19 to include 488 U.S. Navy sailors in the Kingdom of Thailand. CG19 is held from February from Commanders Task Forces (CTF) 72, 75 and 76, a 12-23, 2019 with 29 participating nations and is one of P-8A detachment. the largest theater security cooperation exercises in the Indo-Pacific. It is a fundamental part of the United States’ commitment to strengthen engagement in the region. By LTJG Nam N. Nguyen The exercise improves the capabilities of participating VP-16 Public Affairs Officer nations to plan and conduct coordinated operations; enhance relationships among participating nations in the region; and improve interoperability between different

CAPT John McCaull 2019 Hall of Honor Inductee VP-16 Aircrew and Royal Thai Navy Aircrew. CDR Smith was honored at the Heritage Dinner during Symposium Week on board NAS Jacksonville on May 15, 2019.

To read CDR Smith’s profile, as well as the profiles of past honorees, please visit: maritimepatrolassociation.org

AT1 Reed stands as a safety observer as mem- bers of the Royal Thai Navy boards the P-8A Poseidon.

43 44 Events Chapter Events Events Chapter Events

Jacksonville Chapter San Diego Chapter VP of Region: VP of Region: LT Matt White CDR James Johnston [email protected] [email protected]

Stay tuned for upcoming events! Stay tuned for upcoming events!

Memphis Chapter Washington DC Chapter VP of Region: VP of Region: CDR Erik Estenson LT Keith Miltner [email protected] [email protected]

Stay tuned for upcoming events! Stay tuned for upcoming events!

Norfolk Chapter Whidbey Chapter VP of Region: VP of Region: CAPT Kevin Long CDR Brian Solano [email protected] [email protected]

Stay tuned for upcoming events! Stay tuned for upcoming events!

Pax River Chapter Moffett Chapter VP of Region: VP of Region: CDR Beau Massenburg CAPT Tom Spink, USN (Ret.) [email protected] [email protected]

Stay tuned for upcoming events! Stay tuned for upcoming events!

45 46 MISSILE DEFENSE / C5ITM / CYBER / EW / PRECISION WEAPONS / TRAINING Events Community A WORLD OF INNOVATION November West Coast Reunion: Whidbey Island, WA : October 23-25 Raytheon.com Watch for more information coming soon at: www.maritimepatrolassociation.org

Events Reunion Groups

VP-1 POPS (P-3 Orion Pioneers) join/Renew your VP-1 POPS Membership: NAVAIR, Check out membership information at: www.vp1pops.com

ANA Patriot Squadron, Boston, MA SIMPLIFIED. Monthly Meeting & Lunch @ 11 am, last Sat- urday of the month at the museum: This group operates a small naval aviation museum on the site of former NAS South Weymouth called the Shea Naval Avia- © 2017 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. tion Museum. A number of members were formerly VP-92 and predecessor reserve patrol squadrons that were based at NAS South Weymouth. For details see: www.anapatri- otsquadron.org 16RT1161_RaytheonNA_FieldOffice.indd 1 12/6/16 12:29 PM Keeping

MARITIME PATROL Eyes in the Skies RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT at Home and Abroad. FOR EVERY OFFICER. FLIGHT CREW FOR EVERY STAGE OF LIFE. TRAINING & SIMULATION AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides and supports aircrew MOAA is the one military association that’s with you every step of the way, serving your needs, fighting for your rights. and aircraft systems and training to those who patrol and protect our shores at home and wherever freedom rings.

We know what’s at stake. ® Join MOAA and see what we can do for you! (877) 770-8762 www.joinmoaa.org

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www.nasc.com 47 48 AmericanSystems.com Heritage

Whidbey’s Wing 10 and VP-9 visit Moffett Field

Last October at the MPA Heritage Dinner in Whidbey Island, Washington, Captain Kevin “KD” Long expressed his desire to see the Moffett Field Historical Society and Museum to one of the Moffett VP veterans in attendance. Later in the evening, two VP-9 alumni were talking with CDR Hamish Kirkland, the C.O. of the Golden Eagles and he said he would like to bring the Wing 10 Commo- dore to Moffett and also meet the many VP-9 alumni in the Bay area. Patrol Squadron NINE (VP- 9) was a Moffett squadron that moved to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington in 1994 when Moffett Naval Air Station decommissioned.

After the first of the year, emails were exchanged and a compatible day was set once VP-9 had completed all of its Pre-deployment requirements. On a cloudy and rainy day in Northern Cali- fornia, the P-8 Poseidon touched down on a rain-soaked runway at Moffett Federal Airfield. Many veterans were shuttled out to the aircraft while the Commodore, the Executive Officer of VP-9, CDR Brian “Spaz” Schneider, and VP-9’s Command Master Chief Kirby Lee were given a tour of the Moffett Museum and its numerous eras of support toward our nation’s defense. They range from Lighter Than Air (LTA), first with the large dirigible USS Macon, an airborne aircraft carrier, to many blimp squadrons that patrolled the Pacific coast during WWII. Before the war, Moffett was an Army Air Corps training base. After the war, it was home to transport squadrons. After the Korean Conflict, many jet squadrons were home ported at Moffett, with their carriers up at NAS Alameda. Once the jets moved to NAS Lemoore in California’s Central Valley, the long-range P-3 Orion patrol planes moved in. NAS Moffett Field had 7 active duty squadrons, the West Coast training squadron, VP-31, a reserve squadron, the Commander Patrol Wing 8 and 10, and Com- mander Patrol Wings U.S. Pacific Fleet.

After a BBQ lunch, Commodore Long gave the Moffett veterans a brief on the status of his forces. Many were unfamiliar with the P-8 Poseidon and the rigorous training cycle to transition from the venerable P-3C Orion. All were impressed with how far the detachments are spread out. The capabilities of VP and VQ are required throughout all of the world’s AORs. Executive Officer Schneider also gave the Golden Eagle veterans a brief on how successful VP-9 has been in the past, how they succeeded in transitioning to the P-8, and all the efforts underway to soon deploy half-way around the world. Before he departed, Commodore Long invited the Moffett veterans to come to Whidbey Island in the Fall for the celebration of the “P-3 Sundown”.

The MPA Chapter at Moffett Field works together with the Moffett Field Historical Society to preserve the legacy of the former West Coast VP base. The Museum is open Wednesday thru Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm. For more information, prices (minimal), and directions, please go to the website: http://www.moffettfieldmuseum.org

By CAPT Tom Spink, USN (ret) VP of Chapter, Moffett Field, MPA Plankowner

TOP RIGHT: VP-9 P-8 in front of Hangar One. BOTTOM RIGHT: Museum tour for VP-9 XO, VP-9 CMC, Commodore Long, and Herb Par- sons, President of the Moffett Field Historical Society and Museum . Photos courtesy of CAPT Tom Spink, USN (Ret)

49 50 Heritage

P-3C BuNo 156515 at Hickory Aviation Museum Turns 50

It’s been a year since P-3C BuNo 156515 at Hickory Avia- to celebrate the 50th anniversary. tion Museum (HAM) in Hickory NC opened for visitors to tour. Since then, it’s been a massive year for us welcom- Friday night, the 23rd, the museum will close to the pub- ing numerous VP aircrew and squadron personnel to the lic and we’ll welcome all VP personnel and their families museum to tour the aircraft as well as the general public who would like to meet and join the museum staff for who are curious to learn about this airplane they’ve never a social gathering. Food will be provided in the form of seen before. excellent North Carolina BBQ, and there is no admission charge. Time will be 1700-????.. HAM took delivery of the aircraft in the Fall of 2017, it is on loan to us from the Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola On Saturday the 24th, the museum will be open for nor- FL. Museum personnel then proceeded to ready the air- mal hours 1000-1600, and everyone is welcome to come craft with multiple aircraft washes and interior cleanings join us and spend the day. There are no formal activities as well as ensuring the safety of our visitors by construct- planned for that day. The airport café will be open for ing Plexiglas screens for each operator station while food service. ensuring that there is no viewing restrictions. Photo courtesy of Bill Baker, LCDR USN (Ret) Updates on this event will be posted across all of our When aircrew walk onboard, the interior is presented social media platforms, and we’ll provide hotel informa- as the plane always looked and it even retains that “P-3 tion that will offer special rates for that weekend. smell” as many have said. The aircraft opened to the public in May 2018 with a two day Open House celebra- Please follow the Museum on Facebook, Instagram, tion that was very well attended by the Maritime Patrol Twitter, YouTube, and the webpage: Community. www.hickoryaviationmuseumorg

Since then, the HAM visitor numbers have skyrocketed For more information call 828-323-1963. thanks to the P-3. In 2018, we welcomed over 5,400 total visitors and we will far exceed that number in 2019. We The Hickory Aviation Museum is located at 3101 Ninth also welcome tour groups, normally the museum used Ave. Drive NW in Hickory NC. The Museum is open to host 8-10 per year, in 2019 we have over 25 tours that Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 10 have happened or are scheduled so far. Those groups a.m. to 4p.m.; and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. include several local JROTC programs.

In April we welcomed Lincolnton NC AFJROTC program By Bill Baker, LCDR USN (Ret) with over 50 Cadets. One of our main charters for the museum is education, and the P-3 is providing that, es- Bill Baker, LCDR USN (Ret’d) is a volunteer at the Hickory pecially when the tours are given by former maintainers Aviation Museum as well as an MPA Plankowner. As an and aircrew. NFO, logged over 3100 hours in P-3C’s in VP-31, VP-40, 10 Squadron RAAF, VX-1, VP-64, plus a tour as a Shooter HAM is a not for profit registered 501(c) charity, there is and V-4 Division Officer onboard CVN-65 no charge for admission, however we do accept mone- tary donations. We are completely staffed by volunteers who are passionate about military aviation, and we also enjoy a fantastic relationship with the City of Hickory and www.safran-usa.com @safranusa the Hickory Regional Airport who also support us tre- mendously.

156515 was accepted by the US Navy on August 28, 1969. HAM is happy to announce that we will be hosting another Open House on August 23-24, 2019 rain or shine

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226379_4.25x2.75_Ad.indd 1 5/8/19 2:50 PM VP Images Around the Globe

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (Apr. 10, 2019) — Cmdr. Nathan Gammache, Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 Commanding Offi- cer, poses for a picture with his family in front of a P-8A Poseidon in hangar six at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island upon returning from deployment. The “Golden Swordsmen” of VP-47 recently com- pleted a six-month deployment conduct- MISAWA, Japan (April 10, 2019) Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Airman Roy Vega ing maritime patrol directs a P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, and reconnaissance on the flight line of Misawa Air Base after a Search and Rescue mission for a missing Japa- and theater outreach nese F-35 fighter jet Pilot. VP-8 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations operations within the conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations in support of Commander, Task U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. area of operations (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerome D. Johnson) in support of Com- mander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo- Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kevin A. Flinn/RE- LEASED)

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 14, 2019) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Corey Olsen, attached to Patrol Squadron (VP) 40, drives drop down panel screws into the wing of a P-3C Orion aircraft as part of a phase charlie maintenance inspection. VP-40 is deployed to the U.S. 5th and 7th fleet areas of operations in support of naval operations to PHILIPPINE SEA — (Mar. 14, 2019) — A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) helicopter ensure maritime stability and security. VP-40 is the last active-duty squadron to fly the P-3C as seen from the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. VP-16 took part in a Trilateral Anti-Submarine War- Orion aircraft and after this deployment will transition to the P-8 Poseidon. (U.S. Navy Photo fare Exercise which included Royal Navy, JMSDF and U.S. assets. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jakoeb Vandahlen/ Released) Communication Specialist Seaman William Andrews/Released) 53 54 CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines (Feb. 20, 2019) — Sailors assigned to the “War Eagles” of Pa- CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines (Feb. 10, 2019) — P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to the “War trol Squadron (VP) 16 load sonobuoys into a trailer at Clark Air Base. VP-16 is deployed to Eagles” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 are parked on the flight line at Clark Air Base. VP-16 is the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Pacific Command objec- reconnaissance operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Pacific tives throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Alan Johnson/ Command objectives throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Released) Alan Johnson/Released)

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Jan. 17, 2019) Vice Adm. Richard Snyder, the naval inspector general, meets with Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 leadership as they report on mis- sion capability and readiness. This deployment marks the last time VP-46 will deploy with MISAWA, JAPAN (April 5, 2019) A P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of the Navy’s historic P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft. VP-46 is currently Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, taxis on the flight line of Misawa Air Base. VP-8 is deployed to the deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operations in support of Opera- U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance op- tion Inherent Resolve. While in this region, VP-46 is supporting naval operations to ensure erations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Pacific Command objectives maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo 1st Class Jerome D. Johnson) by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Dalton/Released) 55 56 THANK YOU

Thank you to our amazing and generous sponsors!

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 17, 2019) Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Alonzo Mattison, attached to Patrol Squadron (VP) 40, signals a returning P-3C Orion aircraft into a space on the parking apron. VP-40 is deployed to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of opera- tions in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security. VP-40 is the last active-duty squadron to fly the P-3C Orion aircraft and after this deployment will tran- sition to the P-8 Poseidon. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jakoeb Vandahlen/Released)

PLANESIDE is a quarterly online magazine published for the Maritime Patrol Association, Inc. by SEPTEMBER BLUE CREATIVE. JACKSONVILLE, FL— After two weeks of round-the-clock day and night training flights, VP-5 com-pleted their involvement in the Navy’s Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) on Feb 23. The exercise involved a multitude of vessels and squadrons from across multiple naval commu-nities, furthering readiness and enhancing tactical proficiency across the board. Photo courtesy of VP-5. 57 58