VP-9 Golden Eagles Return From Overseas Deployment
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS041209-11
Release Date: 12/10/2004 12:00:00 PM
By Patrol Squadron 9 Public Affairs, Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
KANEOHE MARINE CORPS BASE, Hawaii (NNS) -- Patrol Squadron 9 (VP) 9 returned from a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility Dec. 10.
The squadron played a versatile role in supporting surface ships and ground troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
VP-9's P-3C Orion aircraft conducted long-range surveillance and collected tactical images for the maritime battle space. Those images were transmitted to commanders in real-time via satellite communications to support Marine Corps and Army ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. VP-9 aircraft flew more than 400 operational sorties.
The squadron's P-3C Orion aircraft fly with an 11-member crew, and are primarily used by the Navy for maritime patrols and reconnaissance missions.
"The United States Navy has again provided indispensable contributions to our fight in Afghanistan over the last six months through the superb work of VP-9," said Commander, Combined Forces Afghanistan Lt. Gen. David Barno. "They were welcome members of the joint team as we build toward the ultimate operational success here in country, in concert with the government of Afghanistan and its people. I am eagerly looking forward to more of the same outstanding U.S. Navy P-3 support in the future."
In addition to supporting ground troops, over half of the squadron's missions were conducted in the Persian Gulf to support carrier strike groups. VP-9 flew in support of three search and rescue missions over the course of this deployment, helping save the lives of more than 20 distressed mariners.
The squadron's maintenance personnel worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, even in inclement weather. Throughout the deployment, the squadron was able to maintain a 98 percent mission completion rate.
"The maintenance team exceeded all my expectations," said Consolidated Maintenance Officer Lt. Terry Watkins. "Working under the extremely hot temperatures during the summer months in the Middle East is no easy task, but 'Team Eagle' maintainers accomplished their mission with pride and enthusiasm. I am proud to work with each of our maintainers."
VP-9 also flew successful missions in four different multinational exercises with the navies of Japan, India, Australia and Pakistan. Air crews were challenged with language barriers when communicating with other country's aircraft; however, the missions proved successful.
Many Sailors of VP-9 were advanced and earned warfare qualifications while on deployment. Forty-eight Sailors earned their Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) designation, 44 Sailors advanced in rate from the September rating exams, and 33 air crew qualifications were achieved during missions and training flights.
While deployed, the "Golden Eagles" flew more than 2,700 hours, allowing them to reach a safety milestone - a continued achievement of 26 years and 162,000 flight hours of mishap-free aviation. Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, Rear Adm. Michael Holmes recently recognized VP-9 for its contributions to safety and success in the P-3 community.
"Our accomplishments over the past six months are due to the hard work and the intense pride of wearing this great nation's cloth by each and every Sailor in VP-9," said VP-9 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Rodney M. Urbano. "A six-month deployment is tough on the crew and our families, but supporting the ground troops and Sailors afloat is crucial and is what we are trained to do. I am humbled by the service by each Sailor of VP-9, and each of them should be justifiably proud of what they contributed to the global war on terrorism."
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