P3 Orion lifestyle

[HeyJoe]

VP-26 augments US Naval Forces Africa in support of Regional Maritime Security

Stars and Stripes is reporting presence of a VP-26 Det in the Seychelles to assist in Regional Maritime Security.

File Image: 061026-N-8726C-002.jpg. A P-3C Orion pilot from Patrol Squadron Two Six (VP-26), flies above the clouds. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Collins (RELEASED)

US Naval Forces Europe-Commander, US Naval Forces Africa

NAPLES, Italy, Dec 15, 2009 — More then 70 sailors from Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26) 'Tridents' participated in a community relations project, December11, 2009, ensuring that children from the St. Elizabeth Orphanage on Mahe Island, Seychelles had a special holiday season.

VP-26 is temporarily in Seychelles in support of regional maritime security.

During the visit to the orphanage, sailors served lunch, sang Christmas carols, and gave out presents to 15 children.

"It is an absolute honor to be able to bring the joy of Christmas to these young children and to represent VP-26 in the Seychelles," said Aviation Warfare Systems Operation Chief (AW/NAC) Anjenelle Kelly.

In addition to the lunch and presents, sailors also played games of pick-up soccer and baseball.

"Despite the differences in culture and language, all the festivities and games made it easy for Patrol Squadron 26 sailors to form fast friendships with the children in the Seychelles. It just shows you that the holiday spirit and message is universal. The season touches us all," said Lieutenant junior grade John Medwid, a pilot assigned to VP-26.

VP-26 is currently based out U.S. Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine and is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of operations. VP-26 is scheduled to return to its' new duty station at U.S. Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida in June 2010.

 

[foleyswole85]

Could any of you P3 pilots give a spill on your lifestyle at your stateside bases as well as what your deployments are like? I know the P3s are slated to be replaced by P8s but I'm assuming that won't change much in regards to my questions.

Thanks,

Brad

 

[cfam]

Just to save you from getting some sh*t from everyone, try searching first. Your questions have been asked/answered before.

 

[zippy]

Could any of you P3 pilots give a spill on your lifestyle at your stateside bases as well as what your deployments are like? I know the P3s are slated to be replaced by P8s but I'm assuming that won't change much in regards to my questions.

Thanks,

Brad

What specifically are you looking for? QOL is all relative.

 

[foleyswole85]

I apologize, I did try searching but perhaps the info is buried in a long thread or aged out. I will keep looking.

Thanks,

Brad

 

[cfam]

No worries man, just trying to save you from getting flamed on. Try messing with the advanced search filters, I've found that works pretty well for finding older threads.

 

[foleyswole85]

What specifically are you looking for? QOL is all relative.

From what little comments I've seen P3 guys make about their jobs on here is that they typically enjoy being land based versus shipboard operations, flights can be very long (hours and hours) but you can get up and stretch your legs versus being stuck in a Hornet cockpit for example. I suppose I am just looking for more pro's and con's, what do you like/dislike about your job?

I've read a lot of accounts on what its like to live in a FOB in the middle of the dessert and I've read about high creature comfort Air Force bases. I am just curious as to what its like at a Naval Air Station (foreign or stateside)

Thanks for your time,

Brad

 

[foleyswole85]

No worries man, just trying to save you from getting flamed on. Try messing with the advanced search filters, I've found that works pretty well for finding older threads.

thanks for the tip, I will try that

 

[cfam]

I've read a lot of accounts on what its like to live in a FOB in the middle of the dessert and I've read about high creature comfort Air Force bases. I am just curious as to what its like at a Naval Air Station (foreign or stateside)

Thanks for your time,

Brad

Well, I can't help you with P-3 specific questions, but I think overall your quality of life at any stateside base will be good overall. I've never heard P-3 guys complain about their bases. Jacksonville, K-Bay, and Whidbey (don't think I'm missing any) aren't really roughing it.

 

[xj220]

We're pretty much the awesomest guys you'll ever meet. First and foremost, a lot of it is going to depend on who you go through with and who's at your squadron. I lucked out and went to a really good squadron with a great wardroom and front office. That right there can make a world of difference, plus your attitude. But more for what you're looking for:

Pros: set deployment schedule, land based=per diem or at least AF base lodging, working with a crew and leadership within the aircraft, large fixed wing multi-engine time, being able to take a nap during the flight or get up and get some food, exciting flying at 200 ft

Cons: long flights with a lot of drilling holes in the sky (mission dependent), old aircraft means things break, AF bases mean dealing with the AF

I can answer any questions you have more in depth and won't bs you. It is a lot of work but I'm really enjoying things so far. You'll hear people complaining about hours and how there's no aircraft, but that's a carry over from the red stripe that wasn't too long ago. A lot of the re-winged birds are entering service again and there will be more aircraft availability. The community has gone through some tough times recently, but it's getting a lot better. Also, after talking to some of the older P-3 guys, it sounds like the community is starting to get away from the random knowledge that used to permeate things. You still have to study a lot and know the systems, but it's more about big picture and what's important and less senseless trivia.

 

[foleyswole85]

Thank you, that is great info. I am applying for BDCP so I have plenty of time before I need to worry about which pipeline I go to. Honestly I'm just fueling my passion for aviation and cramming every bit of info I can into my brain. This website is a goldmine and I really appreciate the men and women that provide their knowledge.

Doesn't the Navy let you choose East Coast or West to serve? Since there are so few NAS's with P3's do you still have a choice? Is it possible to change NAS's at some point in your career? Of course the needs of the Navy come first, just sheer curiosity talking here. It would be awesome to do some time at K-bay then Jacksonville to be closer to home.

Thanks a lot,

Brad

 

[xj220]

You get to put in for your duty station but ultimately it's up to the Navy. The only places now are Whidbey, K-Bay and Jax which really isn't too bad. You can definitely change you duty stations as you progress, you may do your JO tour in Hawaii and then your Department Head tour in Jax. That's not including shore or disassociated sea tours, either.

 

[foleyswole85]

Could you enlighten me on shore and disassociated sea tours? I have a general understanding of them, so far as you do a flying tour as a JO then you come back and do something like recruiting or flight instructor, then go for another flying tour but this time you do less flying and more administrative work, is this correct? What other opportunities are there for shore or disassociated sea tours?

Thank you,

Brad

 

[twobecrazy]

Could you enlighten me on shore and disassociated sea tours? I have a general understanding of them, so far as you do a flying tour as a JO then you come back and do something like recruiting or flight instructor, then go for another flying tour but this time you do less flying and more administrative work, is this correct? What other opportunities are there for shore or disassociated sea tours?

Thank you,

Brad

I'm not a pilot by any means but I think I can help with some understanding of the basics here. Disassociated sea tour means you will do a job not associated with flying duties i.e. be a shooter on a carrier. Shore tour means just that. Its duty without being in a deployment status. Many individuals choose an instructor position on their first shore tour as this helps with advancement but its not like its forced upon you because you may not want to do this as you would rather to do something else. Also it is recommend that you get your master's degree while on this first shore tour as this will allow for advancement down the road. The point is there are many choices out there for you to make and only you know what you want out of your career.

P.S. I could be mistaken but I believe all of your questions so far have been answered on another thread here on AW or maybe that was for NFO and not Aviator. Either way Good LUCK!

 

[runron]

What other opportunities are there for shore or disassociated sea tours?

http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/8C86648A-64DE-4C4E-9275-114A531732D9/0/vp_jo_billets.xls

I found this list on the NPC website, and it shows some of the available billets for the VPs.