• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

VR-61Celebrates 25 Years of Service

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071016-14
Release Date: 10/16/2007 2:35:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tucker M. Yates, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- The Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 61 “Islanders,” celebrated 25 years of service at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Oct. 13.

VR-61 was commissioned Oct. 16, 1982. Through the years, the squadron has received numerous awards including the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Unit Commendation, and multiple Battle “E,” operational and maintenance awards. The squadron also recently completed 100,000 mishap-free flight hours. Three of the squadron’s former commanding officers attended the ceremony.

“I’m big into naval heritage and recognizing the contributions that people have made along the way. It's kind of fun to be part of it,” said retired Capt. Roy Seth, commanding officer of VR-61 from 1990-91.

The celebration included a display of photographs and plaque presentations for notable achievements.

“I love flying with VR-61,” said Senior Chief Storekeeper Linda Barnes. “This has been my career and vocation since I qualified to fly in April 1986, and it just went from there.”

Barnes received a plaque in recognition of flying 10,000 hours in a DC-9, approximately 10 percent of VR-61’s total flight hours.

Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Cody Hawthorne, the youngest VR-61 crew member appreciated being able to participate in a cake-cutting ceremony with Master Chief Hospital Corpsman (AW/NAC) Connie Piper, the oldest in the squadron.

“I was honored to be selected to take part in the ceremony,” said Hawthorne. “Master Chief Piper is an inspiration. Being up there with her was awesome.”

Last year, VR-61 completed more than 17 overseas detachments, flew more than 4,000 hours, and moved over 11,000 people and 690,000 pounds of cargo in support of the global war on terrorism.

Cmdr. Keith Robison, VR-61 commanding officer noted, “No one takes care of business better than the Islanders. We take care of our mission by focusing on the people we serve, but it doesn’t stop there. We take care of our families, we take care of each other, and by dedicating our lives to the service of others, we enrich our own lives and become better people ourselves.”