VP-4 Deploys
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS041130-06
Release Date: 11/30/2004 1:12:00 PM
By Journalist 3rd Class Ryan McGinley, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Seventy-five Sailors from Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 deployed from Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Nov. 27 in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
In total, a crew of approximately 390 Sailors from VP-4 will deploy over the next week to support U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet operations in a variety of locations, something new to the squadron.
"Nobody in the squadron has ever done a deployment like this," said Cmdr. Steve Bethke, executive officer of VP-4. "We went through a very specific regimen for training."
Previously, the squadron would deploy as a whole to a specific region. However, with reconfigurations in how the squadron community operates, they will now have six autonomous detachments in different areas.
"We have had to blaze some new ground here, and we'll learn some more things once we get there," said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Janke, operations officer. "But this is what we trained over a year for."
The squadron, commanded by Cmdr. David Smith, will participate in anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, intelligence and surveillance over the six-month period. Bethke said the key to a successful deployment was applying foundations to the mission.
"We're executing basics by the book, and fundamentals is the most important part," he said. "Do the basics well, and everything else takes care of itself."
For some Sailors in the squadron, it's their first deployment. Airman Joseph Kusi-Davis from Jamaica said he was excited for the opportunity to travel and experience real-life situations.
"I'm really looking forward to it, since this is my first deployment," he said. "My goal for the deployment is to stay focused and come back safe."
For other Sailors who have been on previous deployments, they will be helping out the first-time Sailors on adjusting to the new environment.
"You want to make sure you always keep a high morale, because the people around you are going to be watching you," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (AW) Qunita Triplett. "If your morale is up, their morale is up. It's important for everyone to have a good outlook on the deployment."
Bethke said he feels the mission will be a success because of the Sailors in his command.
"Our strength is our people," he said. "This is the best squadron I have been in, as far as having all the right people work well together."
For both Bethke and Janke, the number one priority when going on deployment is safety.
"If we deploy and come home with the same number of people and aircraft, that is 100 percent success to me," said Janke.
Now in their 13th year of mishap-free flying with more than 200,000 flight hours behind them, the Skinny Dragons of VP-4 deployed in late November 2001 to the Middle East, flying around-the-clock missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the war on terror. During this campaign, VP-4 successfully completed more than 500 combat missions over Afghanistan, resulting in the awarding of 85 Air Medals.
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