First 2011 reunion recap

Posted on 19 Oct 2011 by | 1 comment

Subject: 2011 VP4 Reunion (JAX, Fl)

By Carl D. Moore
Date Tue, Oct 18, 2011

Just returned from my first VP4 Association “reunion” held in Jacksonville, Florida.

I’m so glad I went. It was more fun than I’d even anticipated!

Approximately 160 VP4 vets showed up (many with their wives).
Of course, I hadn’t seen these guys in 44 years. It was a good thing some of them brought their “’64-’65 Cruise Book,” because once someone shows you their picture in the book, you’ll say “Oh, yeah… ” and the stories begin.

Among those of my crew 9, were Mike Turkington (Nav/TACCO) and his wife Gerri, Bill Tantlinger (1st tech) who says he’ll have his wife Elsie with him next time, and Dave Cheek (2nd tech) with his wife Marvlyn.

All the ladies were lovely and the fellows… good and true gentlemen… all.

People drifted in and out of the “ready room” (an open-bar meeting room on the second floor) throughout the stay. It was sure fun reminiscing about the “good ole days” in Naha, Iwakuni, Atsugi, the P.I., Saigon, Osan (Korea), Hong Kong, Taipai, Johnson and Canton Islands, etc., etc. and of course Barber’s Point.

I took the tour to St Augustine (a nice tourist-trap) one day, then the really good one to Jacksonville NAS.
I gotta tell you — when we served, we were in the “sweet spot” of time to be in the Navy. Today’s Naval Air is different. These two Chief’s (seemed like really young guys and of whom we all can be proud), gave us a slide presentation of where VP4 has been over the last two decades. Iraq, Bahrain, tents in Afghanistan, drug interdiction in our southern hemisphere, just all over the world. And now the defense budget is really changing things. We had 12 birds, they said they should have 9, however only have 3 and need to borrow P3’s from other local squadrons. Since the crews don’t have their own planes (due to the swapping around), those they do have are pretty beat-up (and 30 years old). Getting into an aircrew now requires a 6-year enlistment and the in-flight responsibilities have changed considerably. I was radio and now that’s assigned to an officer. Yes, it’s very different now. And the uniforms, well… they’re different too.

The next VP4 reunion will be held September 2013 in Seattle (with a tour of the new P8 at the Boeing plant).
I’ll be working on my crew mates; Dwight Kau and Charlie Leonard (tried to contact Darv Taylor with no luck, yet) and anyone else I can locate, to be certain they put that one on their calendars. See you in Seattle! Carl

1964-1965 Roster
http://www.vp4association.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/1964-65-Roster.pdf

1 Comment

Posted in VP-4 Association News, VP-4 Association Reunion

P-3 Orions returning to Misawa

Posted on 06 Oct 2011 by | Comments Off on P-3 Orions returning to Misawa

P-3 Orions returning to Misawa – News – Stripes.

P-3 Orions returning to Misawa

Stars and Stripes
Published: October 6, 2011

SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — For the first time since 2007, a P-3 Orion maritime patrol squadron will be deployed to Misawa Air Base, Navy officials said this week.

The squadron from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., will arrive in Misawa in late November, according to Misawa’s Navy spokesman Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Sanford.

The P-3 has been used for patrols and tracking submarines since the Cold War.

The move to bring a squadron back coincides with the drawdown of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Sanford said, and was in an effort to bring surveillance coverage in the region back to 2007 levels.

“Misawa is an important strategic location,” Sanford said. “The P-3’s have been rotationally deployed here in the past, and I think they’re trying to get back to that.”

There is no timetable for how long the aircraft will be in Misawa.

The P-3 has a maximum range of more than 2,700 miles, according to a Navy website. Its 10-member crew conducts surveillance using on-board instrument panels, scopes and detection devices.

There are about 435 P-3s in use worldwide by 21 governments and agencies in 17 nations.

From staff reports

Comments Off on P-3 Orions returning to Misawa

Posted in Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

RNoAF P-3N pirate hunting

Posted on 01 Oct 2011 by | Comments Off on RNoAF P-3N pirate hunting

Posted by: “Marco P.J. Borst” mborst@p3orion.nl marco_pj
Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:24 pm (PDT)

From Barents surveillance to pirate hunting
2011-09-28

The Norwegian Orion aircraft with crew before take-off to Africa from Andøya air base.

Norway has sent one of its P3-N Orion surveillance plane to hunt for pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

The plane is normally based at Andøya airbase in northern Norway from where it flies on missions to watch for illegal fishing and Russian submarine activities In the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

The surveillance plane with staff is stationed at the Seychelles as part of Norway’s contribution to the NATO led anti-pirate operation Ocean Shield, reports the Norwegian armed forces.

The plane will fly regular surveillance missions off the coast of east Africa until it returns to northern Norway after December 15th.

In August 2009, Norway contributed to the pirate hunting outside Somalia with the navy’s new frigate “KNM Fridtjof Nansen” for a six months period. The naval vessel was then a part of the EU led Task Force Atlanta.

Russia has also participated in anti-pirate operations off the coast of Africa with vessels from its Northern Fleet that normally sails the Barents Sea. The destroyer “Severomorsk” will later in October arrived back to her home port on the Kola Peninsula after a three months mission in the Gulf of Aden.

Text: Thomas Nilsen

Comments Off on RNoAF P-3N pirate hunting

Posted in General, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

Aviators: Ditch new flight suit wear rules – Navy Times

Posted on 01 Oct 2011 by | Comments Off on Aviators: Ditch new flight suit wear rules – Navy Times

Aviators: Ditch new flight suit wear rules

via Aviators: Ditch new flight suit wear rules – Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq – Navy Times.

Aviators: Ditch new flight suit wear rules

By Joshua Stewart – Staff writer

Posted : Monday Sep 26, 2011 8:14:39 EDT

MC2 JONATHEN E. DAVIS / NAVY As of January, green flight suits are required for all aviators not in tactical environments.

RENO, Nev. — Aviators are chafing at a Big Navy policy that controls exactly how they wear their flight suits and what color they wear.

But they may find some relief if a proposal that lets commanding officers decide how their aviators wear the suits is approved.

If the Navy Uniform Board OKs the proposal, squadrons will once again be able to pick which flight suit their members wear — green or tan. The proposal would undo a January policy stating that green flight suits must be worn in the U.S. and overseas, and tan suits are for tactical environments only.

The January policy required black T-shirts be worn with green suits and brown T-shirts be worn with tan suits. It also relegated graduate-level aircrew training patches to the right shoulder and required garrison caps to be stuffed into either leg pocket with the zipper open and cap exposed.

Previously, squadrons could choose between the green and the tan flight suits and undershirts. As for patches, they could wear either a U.S. flag patch or a graduate-level aircrew training patch — like Top Gun — on their left shoulder. The right shoulder could feature either a community patch, a patch for a particular type of aircraft, a flight hour achievement or any other sort of patch.

The January policy allowed fliers to wear their flight suits at approved off-base functions celebrating the century of naval aviation, which is this year. However, they still aren’t allowed to wear flight suits off base otherwise, except for short stops while commuting and during official travel.

The January policy wasn’t going over well at this year’s annual Tailhook Symposium here.

“Having us wear flight suits, standardized patches, all black shirts — we’ve basically gone to the Air Force way of wearing it, but I’m still going to get attacked” off base if I’m seen with my flight suit on, an aviator said at a forum Sept. 10, bringing applause and cheers from the standing-room-only crowd.

“Is there going to be any leniency to wearing the flight suits from now on?” the aviator from Early Warning Squadron 121 asked a panel of admirals.

‘WE’RE GOING TO FIX IT’

It may happen soon enough, Vice Adm. Allen Myers, commander of Naval Air Forces, said. A proposal is being developed that will give commanding officers the authority to choose between the tan and green flight suits for their squadron, like they did before the January policy.

“As a matter of fact, there’s a proposal that’s going forward. It’s already at the fleet level. We’ll keep you posted. Basically, we’re going to fix it,” he said.

It’s unclear whether the policy would allow aviators to wear flight suits off base beyond centennial events. A spokeswoman for Myers later said she didn’t know whether off-base wear was part of the new submission because the proposal is still being crafted. She also didn’t know if the new proposal would reinstate the old, looser patch rules.

Myers said that before the Uniform Board released its findings in January, the fleet had requested looser off-base rules in addition to being able to wear the flight suits to centennial events.

“The submission went forward from both fleets with a standardized flight suit and the authority to wear them off base and at different events,” Myers said.

However, the Uniform Board did not approve the proposal to loosen off-base wear, leaving in place the old policy that allows flight suits to be worn only to and from work with “brief and appropriate stops,” on military transport aircraft and on official business.

Comments Off on Aviators: Ditch new flight suit wear rules – Navy Times

Posted in General

New address for Veterans Records

Posted on 01 Oct 2011 by | Comments Off on New address for Veterans Records

Please pass this information on to those members of your organization that interface with veterans. Your assistance with this initiative will allow us, and you, to better serve the needs of our veterans. If you publish a newsletter, we would appreciate it if you include this preferred channel for submitting requests in an upcoming issue. You can also post this information to any web site that you have.

The new address for the National Personnel Records Center is:

National Personnel Records Center

1 Archives Drive

St Louis, MO 63138-1002

USA

 

The majority of personnel have moved to the new location and the military personnel records are in the process of moving. The entire move should be completed by the end of the Summer of 2012.

As a reminder, ALL retirees and Honorably Discharged veterans should ensure that their family knows the location of their military Separation Document (DD Form 214 from 1950 to present and WD (War Department) Form 53-55 and other variations prior to 1950). Note that registering a copy at the county court house may make that document a public record. Separation Documents issued after 1969 may contain a Social Security Number which could be used for identity theft. Storing the Separation Document in a safe deposit box may make it difficult to retrieve immediately upon the death of the retiree or honorably discharged veteran. The better storage locations are:

1-Fire safe in a secure location of the house (not in the bedroom, as this is where most thieves search first). Be sure spouse/NOK knows the location and has key/combination.

2-In a watertight food container (Glad, Tupperware. etc.) in the refrigerator. Most refrigerators are fire resistant. Additionally, a refrigerator is heavy enough to fall through the floor of a building into

the cooler part of the fire in the basement and better survive. Finally, a refrigerator is large enough to be easily located in the ash and ruble of a fire or other serious incident. (As a bonus, everyone has a refrigerator, not everyone has a fire resistant storage box). Be sure to inform your spouse and relatives where to locate your Separation Document – and any other important papers.

As a reminder, the preferred method of submitting a request to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is via the Internet. Please note that in some cases using a browser other than Internet Explorer may create problems with data entry. As you know, the NPRC provides copies of documents from military personnel records to authorized requesters. Our web-based application will provide better service on these requests by eliminating our mailroom processing time. Also, since the requester will be prompted to

supply all information essential for us to process the request, delays that occur when we must go back for more information will be minimized. You may access this application at:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

This improved on-line request process should be used INSTEAD OF Standard Form 180 for requests from the veteran or the veteran’s next of kin, if possible. Your assistance with this initiative will allow us, and you, to better serve the needs of our veterans. If you do not wish to use the Internet, you should use Standard Form 180. You should print Standard Form 180 as you need it, not in advance because the form is periodically revised and updated. It should not be available on your web site. You can have a link to the NPRC web page.

 

The link is:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html

Since the Standard Form 180 is updated periodically, it is NOT recommended that large quantities be printed/photocopied and stocked.

The form will be updated with the new address within six months. The US Postal Service will forward mail if requests are mailed to the old location until February 2012.

 

Dan Sickman Sr.

Non-Attorney Veteran Advocate

pointmanlawgroup@gmail.com

(267) 603 2567

Comments Off on New address for Veterans Records

Posted in General

Maritime Patrol Association Launches Official Plank Owner Membership

Posted on 28 Sep 2011 by | Comments Off on Maritime Patrol Association Launches Official Plank Owner Membership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2011

Maritime Patrol Association Launches Official Plank Owner Membership

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Maritime Patrol Association (MPA) launched its Plank Owner Membership program on the organization’s website on September 13, 2011, beginning the inaugural drive to build a strong foundation of members to support the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF).

Members of MPA will have the opportunity to network with each other through a variety of meetings, events and media; give and receive recognition to those persons who have made significant contributions to the community; and be informed of new developments and accomplishments in the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community. Members who register in the association’s first year will be considered “Plank Owners,” a historical tradition in the U.S. Navy whereby crew members of a newly commissioned ship had bragging rights to the “ownership” of one of the planks on the main deck.

Incorporated earlier this year, MPA has grown from wishful thinking to an official Florida non-profit corporation in less than ten months.

“The idea of an MPA organization has been around for a long time,” said CAPT Rich Heimerle, USN (Ret.) “It’s just never seemed to be the right time and we never have had the right people to put it together, until now.”

A group of MPRF officers recognized the need for a member association in 2010 while planning the MPRF Centennial of Naval Aviation Celebration events that took place at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in April 2011. They began talking to counterparts in other professional military membership organizations and an idea began to take shape. With the ongoing effort to link the community as a family of systems, along with the transition to a new aircraft and the stand up of the first long range Navy UAV on the horizon, the founding members of MPA realized that if ever an association was going to exist, now was the time.

“I want to thank those who have made this association a reality,” said Rear Admiral Michael W. Hewitt, U.S. Navy. “As we close out the first 100 years of Naval Aviation and celebrate the rich heritage of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, I look forward to a bright future with the P-8A Poseidon and BAMS UAS. Now that we have begun the complex transition from a legacy aircraft that has served us well for over fifty years, it is more important than ever to bring together our past, present, and future warriors. Synergistic efforts between those great Americans assigned to our squadrons, the organizations that support them, and our many dedicated industry partners will continue to deliver unmatched capability to the Fleet. Continuing communication and collaboration between Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force and our civilian partners is vital to our overall success.”

A 501(c)(3) Florida non-profit corporation established in 2011 and headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, the Maritime Patrol Association plans on being a premier professional organization representing the U.S. Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community by promoting the use of the patrol and reconnaissance aircraft in the United States Navy. For more information, contact September Wilkerson, Executive Director, at (904) 563-4036 or info@maritimepatrolassociation.org; or check out the MPA website at www.maritimepatrolassociation.org.

###

_____________________________

Maritime Patrol Association

Comments Off on Maritime Patrol Association Launches Official Plank Owner Membership

Posted in General, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

Decorated Navy air squadron to reunite at its Miramar roots

Posted on 23 Sep 2011 by | Comments Off on Decorated Navy air squadron to reunite at its Miramar roots

MILITARY: Decorated Navy air squadron to reunite at its Miramar roots.

A PB4Y-1 Liberator, of the type flown by Navy Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-117 (which trained at what is now Marine Corps Air Station Miramar) is seen flying off the English coast in the summer of 1943. Photo courtesy U.S. Navy Naval History Center Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/article_60d5a7a3-706d-5017-8abb-c284b3b6e10c.html#ixzz1YniP4IlE

When the airmen of Navy Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-117, known as the Blue Raiders, were training at Naval Air Station Miramar nearly 70 years ago, the area was almost nothing like it is today.

The base was then Camp Kearney, a Navy station, and the sprawl of San Diego had yet to reach the breezy plateaus where young pilots were preparing for intense combat over the South Pacific.

“At Camp Kearney, there wasn’t much out there at that point,” said Robert Owens, one of the surviving members of the heavily decorated squadron that carried out key missions in the Pacific during World War II. “It was pretty much out in the sticks.”

On Wednesday, the veterans of VPB-117 who can make the trip will reunite where the unit began, at what is now Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Organized by four children of the men who served in the unit, the reunion is the latest —- and perhaps the last —- for a tight-knit squadron that received the Presidential Unit Citation in 1947 for its bravery during World War II.

Mary Mount, whose father-in-law was a member of the squadron, said that she and her husband, Glenn, became involved with the annual reunions when they started looking into the unit’s history.

“They are scattered all over the United States —- the ones who usually attend the reunions now are from Florida, New Jersey,” Mount said of the unit’s veterans. “We’ve got three in California —- in fact, one lives in San Diego —- and they’ll all be at the reunion.”

While the veterans are touring the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum off Miramar Road on Wednesday, Mount said she and the other organizers hope to surprise them by unveiling a display of the unit’s most prized honor, the presidential citation, which was once assumed to be lost.

“The squadron has been trying to locate the plaque for years,” she said. “One day, I got a hold of Steve Smith at the museum, and he said, ‘You know, I remember seeing that plaque. I think it’s in our warehouse.’ A couple of days later he called me, and he had found the plaque.”

Mount said it will be on display outside the museum, and added that “the whole tour was (organized) to get them there, so they can see the plaque.”

In the June 1947 edition of Naval Aviation News, a reporter wrote that “VPB-117 destroyed thousands of tons of (enemy) shipping, damaged shore installations and shot down 63 enemy planes.

“It ran 1,000-mile searches, patrols for the Third Fleet, shore bombardment spotting missions, night shipping strikes and sub protection.”

In his personal, written recollection of serving in the unit, Owens recalled how the squadron’s “war-weary” PB4Y-1 Liberators (the Navy’s version of the B-24) were still in use, flying 10- to 14-hour patrols over Vietnam.

For Owens, who joined the Blue Raiders in the Pacific near the end of the war as a fresh, 19-year-old replacement gunner, the sights and sounds of aircraft in Miramar next week will be nothing out of the ordinary.

“I fly that every chance I get —- at least once a week,” he said. “At age 85, I figure that’s doing pretty good.”

 

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/article_60d5a7a3-706d-5017-8abb-c284b3b6e10c.html#ixzz1Yni5ykvq

Comments Off on Decorated Navy air squadron to reunite at its Miramar roots

Posted in General, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

Maritime Patrol Association Memberships NOW AVAILABLE!

Posted on 13 Sep 2011 by | Comments Off on Maritime Patrol Association Memberships NOW AVAILABLE!

There’s never been a professional membership organization so worth waiting for……..

 

We are proud to announce the official launch of membership in the Maritime Patrol Association to all interested Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force members, past and present! To become one of our Plank Owner Members, sign up today at: www.maritimepatrolassociation.org.

 

The Maritime Patrol Association (MPA) has been developed to leverage the support of all of our community members, past and present, and our corporate partners to affect the U.S. MPRF community directly through events, programs, recognition and scholarships. You’ll see the first steps of our success at the 2012 MPRF Symposium in Jacksonville, FL, where our community and our members will be invited to enhanced programs, briefs and networking opportunities…all made possible by MPA’s support.

 

For more information and to register as a member, go to: www.maritimepatrolassociation.org.

 

Please pass on the good news to your friends and colleagues!

 

_____________________________

Maritime Patrol Association

info@maritimepatrolassociation.org

www.maritimepatrolassociation.org

 

Comments Off on Maritime Patrol Association Memberships NOW AVAILABLE!

Posted in Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

2010 Isbell Trophy goes to VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ | jacksonville.com

Posted on 12 Sep 2011 by | Comments Off on 2010 Isbell Trophy goes to VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ | jacksonville.com

2010 Isbell Trophy goes to VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ | jacksonville.com.

2010 Isbell Trophy goes to VP-16 ‘War Eagles’

Posted: September 7, 2011 – 9:53am | Updated: September 7, 2011 – 2:19pm

Photo courtesy of VP-16
Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, Commodore Trey Wheeler (left) presents VP-16 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Brad Rosen with the 2010 Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for ASW excellence.

By Lt. j.g. Nichole Giampietro

VP-16 Public Affairs

The Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy, sponsored by Lockheed Martin, was awarded to the VP-16 “War Eagles” recently for demonstrating superior anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) acumen in the P-3 community.
Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, Commodore Trey Wheeler presented VP-16 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Brad Rosen with the 2010 Isbell Trophy, citing the squadron’s ASW excellence and superb leadership within the community from October 2009 to September 2010.
“During that time, the War Eagles completed a rigorous tri-site deployment to EUCOM, Horn of Africa, and SOUTHCOM – in addition to executing numerous exercises and real-world missions while on its home cycle. VP-16 constantly ensured that Wing-11’s high standard of readiness was maintained,” said Wheeler.
Innovative tactics, aggressive on-station performance and optimization of resources enabled the squadron to excel at every turn during the 2010 Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle.
During the 2009 Operational Readiness Evaluation (ORE), CPRW-11 evaluators commented that VP-16’s performance was, “by far, the highest ASW productivity during an ORE we have ever seen.”
VP-16 successfully operated from three areas of responsibility (AOR) during deployment, executing 98 percent of its sorties and flying more than 3,733 flight hours.
War Eagle combat aircrews put the multi-role capabilities of the P-3 on display by successfully executing theater security cooperation engagements, humanitarian missions, real-world ASW and ASUW operations, and fleet support missions.
They continuously honed their ASW skills by participating in eight multinational exercises while in the European Command AOR.
The War Eagles conducted joint operations in France, Ukraine, Finland, Scotland and Norway by successfully tracking evasive, real-world submarine contacts. They also flew around the clock in support of Operation Active Endeavour.
Skipper Rosen said, “The many and varied accomplishments of the War Eagle team has established them as the most trusted and consistent ASW/ASUW squadron based at NAS Jacksonville. VP-16 has proven itself as the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force standard bearer in ASW, Sea Control, deterrence, power projection, maritime security and overall readiness. Our level of pride, professionalism and operational effectiveness is matched only by our dedication and perseverance to accomplish the mission, regardless of the obstacles. We are humbled and honored to accept this award and will continue to lead the way for the MPRF community.”

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/military/jax-air-news/2011-09-07/story/2010-isbell-trophy-goes-vp-16-war-eagles#ixzz1XlFiGBKd

Comments Off on 2010 Isbell Trophy goes to VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ | jacksonville.com

Posted in Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

ROBERSON, AOC Felix James USN Retired VP-4 1967-70

Posted on 16 Aug 2011 by | Comments Off on ROBERSON, AOC Felix James USN Retired VP-4 1967-70
Felix James Roberson (Chief Robie) went to be with his Heavenly Father at the age of 77, on March 16, 2009. Robie was born August 29, 1931 in Wichita Falls, TX. He joined the Navy in 1951 and served for 20 years retiring as a Navy Chief. He served the Army for 15 years as a small arms repairman. He enjoyed bowling, muzzleloading and was an excellent pen craftsman. He attended numerous crafts shows with his wife around South Texas. He is preceded in death by his son Jamie Roberson, his parents Francis and Samuel Roberson, sister Frances Haney and nephew Kenny Whitaker. He is survived by his wife Anne of 44 years, daughters, Sandra Cook, Kim Rodriguez (husband Raul), Jane Mendoza (husband Mike), son John Roberson (Fiancé Mary), sister Donna Whitaker (husband Bill), ten grandchildren; Daniel, Ryan, Amanda, Fritz, Eric, Kayla, Evan, Ian, Matthew, and Corbin, 9 great grandchildren, nieces; Diane, Linda, and Karen, nephews; Michael, David, Jeffery, Billy and Steven.
He was interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
A guest book is available at http://obit.memorialobituaries.com/wrapper_gb.php?id=649014&clientid=missionparks&listing=Found

Comments Off on ROBERSON, AOC Felix James USN Retired VP-4 1967-70

Posted in Fallen Shipmates

Kawasaki XP-1 develops cracks in ground testing

Posted on 16 Aug 2011 by | Comments Off on Kawasaki XP-1 develops cracks in ground testing

Kawasaki XP-1 develops cracks in ground testing.

Japan’s developmental Kawasaki Heavy Industries XP-1 maritime patrol aircraft has developed rips and tears during ground testing, although it is uncertain whether the problems will delay the type’s entry into service.

“The tears and rips were found in several locations, such as inside the fuel tank of the main wing and on the fuselage near the foot of the main wing,” said Japan’s defence ministry.

The tears and rips measured 10-15cm in length.

The two aircraft affected were acquired for ground tests and not flight activities.

 

© Kawasaki Heavy Industries

 

The defence ministry said repairs will be conducted to reinforce the damaged areas, but how this work will affect the XP-1’s testing programme is uncertain.

Two other aircraft are used for flight tests.

© Kawasaki Heavy Industries

 

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force plans to acquire 65 P-1s to replace its Lockheed Martin P-3C Orions.

The indigenously-developed maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft is powered by four Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries F7-10 turbofan engines.

The XP-1 is 38m long, 12.1m high and has a wingspan of 35.4m, says KHI. Its basic operating weight is 79,700kg (176,000lb).

Comments Off on Kawasaki XP-1 develops cracks in ground testing

Posted in General, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

Lost asset: ‘P3C Orion can’t be replaced anytime soon’ – The Express Tribune

Posted on 16 Aug 2011 by | Comments Off on Lost asset: ‘P3C Orion can’t be replaced anytime soon’ – The Express Tribune

Lost asset: ‘P3C Orion can’t be replaced anytime soon’ – The Express Tribune.

Published: August 10, 2011

Wreckage of a P-3C Orion aircraft is seen at a major Pakistani naval air base following an attack by militants in Karachi. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: The P3C Orion planes destroyed in the PNS Mehran base attack in Karachi cannot be replaced anytime soon, defence and production secretary Lt General (retd) Shahid Iqbal said on Tuesday.

Informing PAC’s sub-committee on defence during a meeting held in Parliament House, Iqbal said that tense US-Pak relations are a major hurdle in acquiring the planes as they are manufactured in America and cannot be ordered from any other country. “It will take some time to replace the lost asset,” he said.

In May, terrorists destroyed two P3C Orion planes parked in the PNS Mehran Base in Karachi in one of Pakistan’s deadliest terrorist attacks on a military installation. Earlier last week the Pakistan Navy moved its main battleships away from Karachi, to another port in Ormara, Balochistan, as security threats continued, sources in the navy said.

The navy had sent its warships away from its main base in Karachi as a “precautionary measure” after a 16-hour siege of its main naval airbase, PNS Mehran. The commando-style gun and rocket-propelled grenade attacks had resulted in the destruction of two P3C Orion airplanes – which were key naval assets.

Meanwhile chairperson of the PAC committee, MNA Zahid Hamid, also inquired about production of J F Thunder planes. Pakistan Air Force authorities said that so far 26 Thunder planes have been manufactured in Pakistan with China’s cooperation, adding that a huge budget is required for Pakistan to manufacture the planes on its own.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2011.

Comments Off on Lost asset: ‘P3C Orion can’t be replaced anytime soon’ – The Express Tribune

Posted in General, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

US Navy to replace EP-3s with unmanned aircraft

Posted on 13 Aug 2011 by | Comments Off on US Navy to replace EP-3s with unmanned aircraft

US Navy to replace EP-3s with unmanned aircraft.

The US Navy has confirmed plans to retire the special mission versions of the Lockheed P-3 by 2020, and replace them with an all-unmanned fleet.

The decision comes as a blow to contractors who had been hoping to extend the service life of the fleet beyond 2020, or introduce new manned aircraft as replacements.

In written responses to the Senate Armed Services Committee late last month, incoming chief of naval operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert said the navy’s ageing EP-3 Aries and special projects aircraft will be retired in 2019 and 2020.

 

The US Navy is to replace its special mission EP-3 aircraft with an all-unmanned fleet by 2020

 

They will be replaced by an $8 billion investment over the next five years in a family of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, Greenert said.

Those investments include $1.1 billion in the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout, $3.9 billion in the Northrop RQ-4N broad area maritime surveillance aircraft, $2.5 billion in the unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike programme and $1.1 billion in the medium-range maritime unmanned aircraft system.

Those plans leave no room for extending the service of the EP-3 through outer-wing panel replacements, as Lockheed officials had previously expressed interest in performing.

They also end discussion of a manned EP-X programme, which was cancelled by the navy last year.

Some industry officials had speculated that the service could be interested in a turboprop-powered replacement, similar to the US Air Force’s MC-12 Project Liberty, or the US Army’s enhanced medium-range airborne surveillance system.

Instead, the navy believes its intelligence-collecting capabilities will be improved by transitioning to a larger fleet of long-endurance, unmanned aircraft, Greenert said.

Such systems are also more “tailorable and scalable” to changing needs, he added.

The USN currently operates 16 EP-3 Aries surveillance aircraft, plus an uncertain number of special projects aircraft based on the same platform.

Comments Off on US Navy to replace EP-3s with unmanned aircraft

Posted in Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

VETERANS NEW UPDATE = CANTEEN SERVICE FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

Posted on 04 Aug 2011 by | Comments Off on VETERANS NEW UPDATE = CANTEEN SERVICE FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

This information came in an email from Thomas P. Flanigan

 

VA NEWS UPDATE
3 August 2011
If you are a VA patient or employee, you may not be aware of a huge shopping benefit at your fingertips.
The All Service Exchange Online Store and Catalog offers millions of items for sale online, by phone, or by mail to customers worldwide. Because you pay no sales tax and receive free shipping offers, we can keep our prices low.
We have several other ways to help you maximize your savings, if you shop online:
  • Browse or Super Daily Specials
  • Take advantage of Weekly Savings Promotions
  • Enter our Weekly Sweepstakes every day
Join our Online Savings Club to receive exclusive coupons
All Service Exchange Online Store and Catalog are sponsored by the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS). Go to www.vacanteen.va.gov to shop online 24 hours, 7 days a week or call 1-800-745-9707 to order a catalog or place an order.
* If you are not listed with your loca VA Canteen, please register at the VA facility near you before you try to sign on the above website.
This program was available to Active and Retired Military Personal up to 2010, now Veterans can take advantage of the All Service Exchange Online Store or Catalog Service.

Comments Off on VETERANS NEW UPDATE = CANTEEN SERVICE FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

Posted in General

Navy P-8 Sub-Killer Plane Makes First Flight

Posted on 30 Jul 2011 by | 6 comments

Navy P-8 Sub-Killer Plane Makes First Flight. (visit the link to view a quick video)

The first production version of Boeing‘s first P-8A Poseidon took off and completed its first successful flight.

The plane flew June 21 from Renton Field, where it is assembled, to Boeing Field in Seattle, where mission systems will be installed. It is the first of six low-rate initial production aircraft for the Navy, part of a $1.6 billion contract awarded in January.

The Navy plans to buy 117 of the 737-based aircraft. The P-8 is designed to hunt and kill submarines as well as surface ships. On top of that, it is designed to replace the prop-driven P-3 and serve as one of the Navy‘s primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

“This is the first P-8 that will go directly to the fleet in Jacksonville, Fla., so the aircraft’s first flight is an important milestone for the Boeing team and our Navy customer,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager.

This plane should be delivered to the Navy next year. The Indian Navy plans to buy eight P-8I long-range aircraft for $2.1 billion.

For more news and information on the swiftly changing defense industry, please sign up for the AOL Defense newsletter along the right side of the page or simply click here. Or catch us on Twitter @AOLDefense

 

6 Comments

Posted in Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

Our posts now get delivered to Twitter!

Posted on 21 Jul 2011 by | Comments Off on Our posts now get delivered to Twitter!

We have added another cool bit of technology to the VP-4 Association website (http://www.vp4association.com/). In addition to automatically updating our Facebook group page (http://www.facebook.com/groups/VP4Vets) when ever a new article or page is added, we are now updating Twitter (http://twitter.com/) at the same time. This update allows our members to get information to them any way that is convenient to them.

 

follow us on twitter

Follow us on twitter!

Comments Off on Our posts now get delivered to Twitter!

Posted in General, VP-4 Association Website Updates and News

Boeing flies first production P-8A Poseidon

Posted on 21 Jul 2011 by | Comments Off on Boeing flies first production P-8A Poseidon

Boeing flies first production P-8A Poseidon | Boeing and Aerospace News – seattlepi.com.

 

Boeing’s first production P-8A Poseidon completed its first flight on July 7, Boeing announced Tuesday.

The U.S. Navy plans to purchase 117 737-800-based P-8As to replace the P-3 Orion as its primary maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

The airplane took off from Renton Municipal Airport, beside Boeing’s 737 final assembly plant, and landed three hours later at Seattle’s Boeing Field, where Boeing installs military systems in the aircraft.

Boeing is scheduled to deliver the plane to the Navy next year, with operations set to start in 2013.

“This is the first P-8 that will go directly to the fleet in Jacksonville, Fla., so the aircraft’s first flight is an important milestone for the Boeing team and our Navy customer,” Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager, said in a news release.

Boeing is building six flight-test P-8As and two ground-test aircraft under a separate contract. The first four flight-test aircraft are completing testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

Read more aerospace news. Visit seattlepi.com’s home page for more Seattle news.

Comments Off on Boeing flies first production P-8A Poseidon

Posted in General, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

Attention Navy Patrol Squadron Veterans

Posted on 20 Jul 2011 by | Comments Off on Attention Navy Patrol Squadron Veterans

Patrol Squadron Two Association
Truculent Turtle Sponsorship Committee
PO Box 2894
Gardnerville, NV 89410

 

Attention Navy Patrol Squadron Veterans:

By now, you may have heard that there is an effort underway to raise funds to support the upkeep of the Truculent Turtle at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. The Truculent Turtle is the most famous and historic patrol plane in the 100 year history of naval aviation. If in doubt, read about it on the VP-2 website at www.patron2.com/files/Turtle/turtleproj.html. In 1946, the Truculent Turtle flew a record-shattering non-stop flight from Perth, Australia to Columbus, OH… 11,236 miles in 55 hours 17 minutes. That record stood for 40 years…no computers, no satellite GPS, no electronic navigation… just four aviators in a brand new P2V-1 Neptune.

I’m not a professional fundraiser. I’m retired Navy and a veteran of three tours of duty in patrol squadrons. I learned how to find Soviet submarines flying the P2V-7 in VP-2 in 1960. In subsequent tours, I flew the P3A, P3B and P3C, and commanded a P3C squadron. The P3 is an incredible aircraft that continues into its fifth decade of naval service. The P2V was a marvel of aeronautical engineering that was years ahead of its time. P2V flight crew members will attest to the durability, flexibility and survivability of the Neptune. From nuclear weapon delivery to carrier feasibility studies to ski-equipped Antarctic operations to mining, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and its primary mission: anti-submarine warfare, the P2V gave the Navy an unprecedented capability. The record-setting flight of the Truculent Turtle is credited with cementing the Navy’s maritime patrol mission at a time when the Army Air Forces wanted that role to help justify its expansion into a larger separate-service Air Force.

Go to the VP-2 website at www.patron2.com/files/Turtle/turtleproj.html to read the engrossing story of the Turtle and its crew, and to learn how you can make a contribution to the fund that will support the upkeep of the Truculent Turtle as it occupies its rightful place of honor in the Pensacola air museum. Your tax-deductible donation, large or small, will help to keep the memory of the P2V and, specifically, the Truculent Turtle, in the forefront of aviation history. Think about it; can you name any Navy aircraft logo other than the Truculent Turtle?

Help us to spread the word among your friends and former squadron-mates about the preservation of the Truculent Turtle, and let me or Bob Champoux (rchampoux@comcast.net) know if you have any questions.

 

Best regards,

Vic Gulliver, VP-2 Association

Comments Off on Attention Navy Patrol Squadron Veterans

Posted in General, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

WHITE, Boyd E. AO3 VP-4 1963-64

Posted on 14 Jul 2011 by | Comments Off on WHITE, Boyd E. AO3 VP-4 1963-64

Boyd E. White, age 70 of Leavenworth, Kansas passed away on July 10, 2011. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday July 14 at the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home with burial of cremains to follow at a later date in the Big Creek Cemetery in Gridley, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.Boyd was born on September 18, 1940 in Emporia, Kansas. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving on the USS Coral Sea. Boyd was a supervisor in the gift wrap department at Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Leavenworth, KS. After leaving Hallmark in 1986 he purchased Connell True Value Hardware in Cameron, MO. He worked many years in the printing industry and at the end of his long and successful career he was a sales manager at Inx. In Edwardsville, KS., Boyd was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 48 years Judy White of the home, two children Lori Van Fleet and husband Larry of Bonner springs, KS., Boyd C. White and wife Becky of Olathe, KS., two sisters Joyce Hanes of Leroy, KS., and Kay Baldwin of Emporia, KS., and five grandchildren.

ArrangementsAlden-Harrington Funeral Home214 Oak St. Bonner Springs, KS. 66012
913-422-4074

http://www.leavenworthtimes.com/obituaries/x910600518/Boyd-E-White

Comments Off on WHITE, Boyd E. AO3 VP-4 1963-64

Posted in Fallen Shipmates

Patrol Squadron 40 puts forward-deployed logistics to work

Posted on 11 Jul 2011 by | Comments Off on Patrol Squadron 40 puts forward-deployed logistics to work

Patrol Squadron 40 puts forward-deployed logistics to work.

 

OKINAWA, Japan – Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 logistics specialists are using existing Navy logistics systems to improve the squadron’s forward-deployed reconnaissance capabilities and readiness.

OKINAWA, Japan (July 5, 2011) - An P-3 Orion assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 lands on the airstrip at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. VP-40 is forward deployed to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone)

Advanced reconnaissance aircraft provide unique challenges to logistics specialists attempting to keep the squadron’s P-3C Orions ready for flight.

On aircraft containing thousands of parts, a missing piece could ground the P-3C. Purchasing, shipping, and warehousing these parts at their forward-deployed location was challenging, but according to Logistics Specialist 1st Class Yu He, this is a challenge they overcame.

“I find myself multi-tasking even on a slow day,” said He, a leading petty officer in VP-40’s supply department. “On a ship, if you need a part, usually the ship can keep steaming ahead. With forward-deployed squadrons, if we need a part we probably needed it yesterday. Mission readiness could be affected if we don’t get it promptly. To adapt we find innovative ways to work with the Navy’s supply system. In most cases, we can attain parts within twenty-four hours.”

VP-40 logistics specialists mention pride as a factor in their success.

“Working in supply is awesome,” said Logistics Specialist Seaman Marriel Labasug. “I love being able to help keep our birds running smoothly. This squadron couldn’t run without our help and I’m proud of what we do. ”

Chief Logistics Specialist John Navarro mentioned the importance of computer software programs and networked supply systems as a major factor in their logistics readiness. Due to advanced software programs, logistics specialists can view the parts inventory of nearby squadrons and air bases. Supply departments can trade and move parts between locations seamlessly, improving overall efficiency and allowing independent commands to support one another.

“Getting parts can be difficult, especially in the time allotted,” said Navarro. “Still, with the tools we’ve got, we get the job done. I like the challenge of logistics. My logistics specialists have a great attitude, too, and years of experience in their rating. It helps tremendously to have such reliable personnel.”

VP-40 is forward-deployed in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan at the Kadena Air Base in support of Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. The squadron is tasked with a full spectrum of missions in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Comments Off on Patrol Squadron 40 puts forward-deployed logistics to work

Posted in Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group