VP-4 Participates in Maritime Domain Awareness Exercise in Romania

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160603-03
Release Date: 6/3/2016 8:36:00 AM

By Lt. j.g. Matthew Johnston, Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 Public Affairs

CONSTANTA, Romania (NNS) -- The "Skinny Dragons" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 participated in a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) exercise in Constanta, Romania May 26-30.

One P-3C Orion aircraft, with Combat Aircrew (CAC) 5 flew two missions over the Black Sea in support of MDA.

Quotes:

"These routine operations and interactions with our allies are a vital part of our mission to enhance maritime safety and stability in the Black Sea. We are extremely grateful to our Romanian hosts for their hospitality and assistance in ensuring our continued success operating in the region." - Lt. Greg Syers, CAC-5 Mission commander and detachment officer-in-charge

Quick Facts:

U.S. P-3C operations provide support to our allies and partners in the region and enhance the combined maritime operational picture in the Black Sea. While in Constanta, the P-3C will conduct a bilateral training engagement with the Romanian navy and offer familiarization flights to Romanian personnel in order to increase combined anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

VP-4 is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.