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Constellation Underway With Help From Skinny Dragons

Navy Newsstand

12/18/2002 11:40:00 AM

By Lt. j.g. Jason Gaudette, Patrol Squadron 4 Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The USS Constellation (CV 64) Battle Group, homeported in San Diego, is now underway and mission ready, thanks in part to the "Skinny Dragons" of Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4).

Members of VP-4, based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, recently traveled to San Diego to participate in the joint fleet exercise (JTFEX) for the Constellation Battle Group and the composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) for the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Battle Group.

The JTFEX was the last series of exercises for Constellation's battle group before they departed San Diego for a six-month deployment.

The COMPTUEX was held to prepare Carl Vinson for its upcoming JTFEX, to be held early next year. A total of seven aircrews and 15 maintenance personnel participated in the 17-day event.

JTFEX and COMPTUEX are used to evaluate the overall effectiveness of each battle group in each of their primary mission areas. During the exercise, the P-3 Orion aircrews flew almost around the clock, participating with other ships and submarines in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surface intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The nature of the exercises allowed aircrews to hone their ASW skills and gain valuable real-world experience.

"The training was incredible," said Lt. Rick Pool, an upgrading tactical coordinator with Combat Air Crew 9 (CAC-9). "Both the battle group and the maritime patrol aircraft crews gained a better understanding of their respective roles within the tactical picture."

VP-4 flew 50 events for a total of more than 270 hours. The maintenance personnel assigned to the detachment worked around the clock to service the aircraft and keep them flying.

In January, VP-4 will again travel to San Diego to support the Vinson battle group during its JTFEX. With this continued dedication and support, the group will be ready to tackle any challenge they face during their upcoming deployment.