Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Curtis Spencer | JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 2, 2023) Captain Jon Spore, commanding officer, Patrol and...... read more read more
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 2, 2023) Captain Derrick W. Eastman took the helm of the Patrol Squadron (VP) 30, Pro’s Nest, as its 46th commanding officer onboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, June 2.
Eastman relieved Capt. Jonathan E. Spore who assumed command of VP 30 in May 2021. More than 400 friends, family, and past/present Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance warriors attended the ceremony.
Eastman, a native of Phoenix, Az, joined the Navy in 1989. After enlisting, he served as a Yeoman and deployed twice aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146. Eastman was winged a Naval Flight Officer after completing undergraduate studies at San Diego State University. He also holds Masters degrees from Norwich University and the Air War College.
Captain Eastman’s career includes deployments around the world in support of all major operations conducted in support of American interests. He completed a department head tour with VP 5, and later held command of VP 46 in Whidbey Island, Wa. Ashore, Eastman served at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Command Task Force (CTF) 57 in Bahrain, the U.S. Strategic CTF 72 in Japan, and he is a Joint Qualified Officer.
“I am in awe at the fantastic collaboration across this staff, in our simulators and classrooms, and in the air aboard that beautiful P-8A Poseidon aircraft, Eastman said. “I can attest that we may all be proud of the efforts VP 30 puts forth to effectively train aircrews which are ready to execute the mission anywhere and at any time.”
Rear Adm. Adam Kijek, commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, presided over the ceremony.
“Every time I walk into this Hangar, I am amazed at the talent that has amassed within our community and I feel a special sense of camaraderie. VP-30 is the gateway to the Fleet and the gateway to the future,” said Kijek.
For exceptional meritorious conduct, Kijek presented Spore with the Legion of Merit medal.
VP 30 surpassed 58 years and 564,672 mishap-free flight hours and was awarded the 2022 Commander Theodore G. Ellyson Award for Aviation Production Excellence, the 2022 AVCM Donald M. Neal Aircraft Maintenance Award (Golden Wrench), and the 2022 Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award under Spore’s leadership.
“During my career, I have had the opportunity to work with an incredible group of all-stars,” Spore said. “I am filled with immense gratitude for those who have supported me along the way and for those I’ve had the pleasure of serving with. I am extremely proud of all we have been able to accomplish.”
VP 30, based in Jacksonville, Fla. is the Navy’s largest aviation squadron and is the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). VP-30’s mission is to provide P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft and MQ-4C Unmanned Aerial System specific training to pilots, Naval flight officers, and enlisted aircrew prior to reporting to the Fleet. This year, VP-30 is completing the transition of twelve active-component squadrons and two reserve component squadrons totaling over 5,000 aviators and maintainers from the P-3C Orion aircraft to the state-of-the-art P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft. VP-30 also continues to be the largest producer of Naval Aviators within the United States Navy and produces aviators from Germany, Norway, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
-VP 30-
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2023 15:42 |
| Story ID: | 447438 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,306 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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