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Fighting Marlins Return from Successful Deployment

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031223-08

Release Date: 12/23/2003 1:53:00 PM

By Lt. Josh Robbins, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Public Affairs

WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (NNS) -- The last of seven P-3C Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 Fighting Marlins returned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Dec. 19 from a Persian Gulf deployment, which lasted more than six months.

"It's great to be back with my family, but our thoughts and prayers are still with the men and women deployed overseas," said Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician John Fallert of VP-40.

The first aircrews and maintainers left NAS Whidbey Island May 24 for a six-month deployment to the 5th Fleet area of operations. Over the following two weeks, the rest of the squadron left their families and friends to do their part in the ongoing war on terrorism.

The next 180 days put the Marlins to the test. Missions once thought to be out of the realm of the P-3C soon became commonplace. Being able to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), to ground troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan became the squadron's bread and butter. In addition to ISR missions, the Marlins also maintained anti-submarine warfare proficiency participating in joint operations with the Indian, British and Australian navies.

Anti-surface warfare skills were honed working along side the Omani, Saudi, Qatari and multiple coalition forces. While primarily operating out of Bahrain, Masirah and Diego Garcia, the Fighting Marlins also flew missions out of Australia, India, Seychelles, Thailand and Djibouti.

"It's great to finally be coming home - and with 405 of the most dedicated professionals who made the last six months a resounding success," said Cmdr. Kyle J. Cozad, VP-40 commanding officer. "It's even more meaningful that we return healthy and safe, in time to share the holidays with our family and friends who have supported us through the last six months. That tremendous support made our jobs easier to focus on.

"It amazed me on a daily basis how every member of the squadron from my most junior airman to the most seasoned officer and chief played a significant role in everything we accomplished, and routinely made the 'impossible' a reality," Cozad said. "My aircrews, maintainers and support personnel all returned home with a great sense of pride for what we've accomplished since May, toward the global war on terrorism."