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VP-4 Crew Comes Home After Six-Month Deployment

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031219-14

Release Date: 12/19/2003 10:40:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class Devin Wright, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The last of Navy Patrol Squadron (VP) 4, made up of 400 crewmembers and eight aircraft, returned home to Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Dec. 11, after a six-month deployment.

Cmdr. Robert Racoosin, VP-4's commanding officer, said the deployment covered a range of different areas of operation.

"Our mission varied from anti-submarine warfare, surface surveillance, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance," said Racoosin. "Pretty much everything our planes can do, we did this deployment. The most satisfying thing we got to do this deployment was to continue the global war on terrorism. That's important, because we represented a part of the United States' efforts in that war. The Navy ties into that, and we were able to play that part for the Navy, and that's pretty important," he said.

Racoosin was happy to be part of the operations but is happy to be home. "It's been a long six months," he said. "It feels great to finally be home."

Racoosin's wife, Angela, said it's a blessing to be reunited. "It feels wonderful to have him home," she said. "It is absolutely fabulous to have our family back together."

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AW) Derek Oberton of VP-4 said the majority of his tasking while deployed was making sure the aircraft were equipped to carry out the mission.

Although Oberton enjoyed the deployment, he said he is happy to be home.

"I helped load weapons, sonar buoys and stood a lot of watch," said Oberton. "Deployment was great, but there is nothing like being in the United States."

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Michael Snyder of VP-4 said during the deployment, they were able to experience a lot of different cultures. "I was based in Japan most of the time," said Snyder. "That was pretty cool to see that part of the world."

Snyder said he is proud of the contributions the squadron made to the war on terrorism. "What we did on this deployment was important to the Navy, because we helped keep the pressure on the bad guys," Snyder said.

For Snyder, returning home is bittersweet. "I don't have anybody to come home to, but it feels good to be back in America," he said. "It's nice to be able to eat food that you recognize, and it's great being back in Hawaii, especially."