VP-4 Gets New Leadership, Continues Maritime Security Efforts
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050427-12
Release Date: 4/27/2005 5:33:00 PM
By Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Phillip A. Nickerson Jr., Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- In an April 12 change of command ceremony, Cmdr. Steven G. Bethke assumed command of Patrol Squadron (VP) 4, "The Skinny Dragons," and became the leader of a vital piece in the multinational coalition united in the fight against terrorism.
The Sailors of VP-4 are currently four months into a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. They fly in support of coalition maritime forces operating throughout international waters in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, conducting maritime security operations (MSO) with maritime patrol and reconnaissance.
MSO is aimed at setting the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment. MSO complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. I denies international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
The squadron flies the P-3C Orion, which was originally designed to hunt submarines but has evolved to include aerial surveillance of the battlefield, whether on land or at sea.
“We take pictures of what’s going on out there, and we send it back to the Marines and Soldiers on the ground,” said VP-4 Command Master Chief CMDCM John Baldwin. “It’s all about saving lives. Any life we can save by seeing over the hill is well worth it.”
Since deploying in late November, the “Skinny Dragons” have done their part in the war against terrorism. Each member, from the pilots to the maintenance crew on the flight line, takes pride in their job.
“You get a lot of satisfaction when five minutes after you’ve been working on it, the plane goes flying and completes the mission it needs to do,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Franklin Varela. “If the engines ain’t working, it’s not going flying.”
VP-4 aircraft were vital to the success of the Jan. 30 Iraqi national elections, providing critical intelligence to combat troops on the ground covering polling locations. The squadron also flew in support of Operation Allied Assistance in December, providing surveillance and humanitarian assistance to the tsunami victims in the Indian Ocean region.
VP-4 has logged 215,555 flights and 33 years mishap free.
“This record shows that we take pride in what we do,” said Varela.
As of April 24, VP-4 has surpassed more than 160 sorties and 1,050 flight hours conducting MSO.
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