Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Mathew Lombardo | JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 23, 2023) Sailors assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance...... read more read more
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 23, 2023) Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 hosted a sundown ceremony for the P-3C Orion aircraft at VP-30 headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., June 23.
Sailors, aviation leadership, local media, and distinguished guests were in attendance to commemorate the aircraft’s 62 years of active service to the Fleet. The Orion had been the Navy’s frontline, land-based maritime patrol aircraft since the early 1960s.
“After 60 years of maritime excellence, the watch has been relieved,” said Senior Chief Naval Aircrewman Armando Carrillo, assigned to VP-30, who organized the event. “This plane has united six decades of Naval aviators, aircrew, maintenance, and support personnel. She has united people from different cultures, backgrounds and generations. She is one of the few platforms in the Navy with this kind of history.”
While the ceremony was a celebration, those in attendance felt a certain duality as the last P-3C Orion left the hangar.
“This is all very bitter sweet,” said Lt. Cmdr. (Ret.) Donald Cooper, a distinguished guest and a former Naval Aircrewman. “My dad and I both served aboard P-3 aircraft. It is the end of an era.”
“Bitter sweet is absolutely how I would describe it,” said Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class (Ret.) Pat Augustine, a distinguished guest. “My entire Navy career happened in a P-3 aircraft and she always brought us home. I will be sad to never hear that 68 hertz tone from the engine again or see them fly over my house.”
Although her service to the Fleet is slated to come to an end, the impact this plane has had on the Navy will live on forever.
“We have a rich, glorious heritage to look back upon,” said Capt. Derrick Eastman, commanding officer, VP-30. “For 62 years, this plane and the aircrews that quicken her have stood the watch overseas and off our own coasts.”
The P-3 would not have had such an extended time of service without versatility.
“When you think of the different platforms used in the Navy, there aren’t too many that make it past the half century barrier,” said Capt. Dennis Jensen, a Navy pilot and the prospective Commodore of Task Force 57 homeported in Manama, Bahrain. “The P-3 is one of five aircraft in the history of Naval aviation to break that barrier. As the mission changed and as the focus changed and the Nation called us to do something else, we did not stay stuck in the past, we adapted the aircraft. It is because of that adaptability and flexibility this platform has stood the test of time.”
The P-3 aircraft was first introduced to the Fleet on April 15, 1961 aboard VP-8 and VP-44.
Scientific Development Squadron (VXS) 1, and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 are the only commands that will continue to utilize a modified version of the P-3 aircraft. VQ-1 is slated to sundown the EP-3E Aries in 2025.
VP-30, based in Jacksonville Fla., is the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). VP-30's mission is to provide P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and MQ-4C UAS specific training to pilots, Naval Flight Officers, and enlisted aircrew prior to reporting to the Fleet.
-VP30-
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 07.10.2023 14:26 |
| Story ID: | 448819 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 968 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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