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Indian Naval Attache Visits NAS Jacksonville P-8 A Sites

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100702-32
7/2/2010

By Clark Pierce, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The Embassy of India naval attache and the director for international engagement (OPNAV N52) visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksvonille, Fla., June 23.

Commodore Monty Khanna, Embassy of India naval attache, and Director for International Engagement Rear Adm. Jeff Lemmons were welcomed by Capt. Jeffrey Maclay, NAS Jacksonville's commanding officer, as part of their tour of maritime patrol and reconnaissance training facilities in Navy Region Southeast.

"This represents an opportunity to discuss the P-8A Poseidon transition plan for our mission operators and maintainers," said Lemmons. "VP-30 (Patrol Squadron 30) has a long history of working with international aviation students, and the Indian Navy will be conducting similar planning as it prepares for P-8I transition. Our conversations cover the full spectrum of this installation's area of responsibility, which includes some excellent training ranges, both on land and under water."

"We need to ensure this base provides the most effective ways to support and train P-8 personnel, and it is important to share U.S. Navy 'best practices' in logistics, maintenance and air traffic control," said Maclay. "This is a great opportunity to meet the India naval attache and show NAS Jacksonville's proven commitment to international partnerships."

The P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy.
VP-30 and the P-8 Fleet Integration Team at NAS Jacksonville are currently developing mission systems and maintenance course materials.

As part of the visit, Maclay held a reception in honor of Khanna so the commodore could meet key personnel from various commands at NAS Jacksonville. Among those in attendance were Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Tim Alexander; Naval Facility Engineering Command Southeast Commanding Officer Capt. Doug Morton; Fleet Industrial Supply Center Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Joyce Robinson; Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 Deputy Commodore Capt. William Wheeler; and U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Squadron Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Baker.

Other area leaders included former U.S. Ambassador Marilyn McAfee; retired Adm. Jonathan Howe, president of Jacksonville World Affairs Council, Dr. Harriet Mangrum Howe; and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Gerald Maloney.