Orion Obsession; giving it up for the mighty P-3C

[HeyJoe]

090610-N-3666B-001 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 10, 2009) A P-3C Orion assigned to the "Tigers" of Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) returns to its new homebase at NAS Jacksonville after a six-month deployment to the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Air Crewman Airman Scott Beach/Released)

090916-N-6855K-078 KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (Sept. 16, 2009) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Daniel Moulder, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, signals to the flight station of a P-3C Orion aircraft during a high-power turn evolution. The evolution allows maintenance personnel to perform functionality checks on the aircraft before it is deemed safe for flight. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Meagan E. Klein/Released)

060721-N-2858G-030 Sigonella, Sicily (July 21, 2006) - Store Keeper 2nd Class Marcus M. Mathews, of Washington D.C., secures straps during cargo loading at Naval Air Station Sigonella. Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella provides logistical support for Commander, 6th Fleet and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in the Mediterranean area. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gunnar Gorder (RELEASED)

090319-N-3013W-009 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 19, 2009) Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Clinton Keyte assists in the maintenance on engine number one of a P-3C Orion assigned to the "War Eagles" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles White/Released)

090314-N-3013W-068 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 14, 2009) Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Crystal Toles, from Greenville, Ala., explains the bomb bay of a P-3C Orion aircraft assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 to staff members of the U.S. House of Representatives House Armed Services Committee. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles White/Released)

090314-N-3013W-045 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 6, 2009) Naval Air Crewman 1st Class Adam Herzog explains the acoustic equipment of a P-3C Orion aircraft assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 to staff members of the U.S. House of Representatives House Armed Services Committee. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles White/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090212-N-2610F-158 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 12, 2009) A P-3C Orion from the "Mad Foxes" of Patrol Squadron Five (VP) 5 patrols as a Los Angeles-class submarine participates in an undersea warfare exercise involving the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elliott Fabrizio/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

Of all the aircraft I've worked on this is the one I have the fewest photos of. I shall post what I have tomorrow night.

 

[HeyJoe]

080629-N-3013W-047 OKINAWA, Japan (June 29, 2008) Aviation Airman 1st Class (A1C) Gilbert Hardy, assigned to the Air Force 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, uses a vacuum to remove a swarm of Japanese honey bees from a Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 P-3C Orion. It is speculated that the bees sheltered on the aircraft from the heat and wind while in transit to a new hive site. VP-16 and Consolidated Maintenance Organization (CMO) 11 Det. BRAVO are deployed in support of Commander, U.S Navy 7th Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles White (Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

080204-N-6855K-022 TALLIL, Iraq (Feb. 4, 2008) Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Samuel Trapanese, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, slides a sonobuoy into a pressurized launch tube aboard a P-3C Orion aircraft. Although the P-3 Orion aircraft has been in service for over 45 years, the planes continue to play a vital role in anti-submarine warfare. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Meagan E. Klein (Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

080213-N-6855K-041 TALLIL, Iraq (Feb. 13, 2008) Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Gary Phillips, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, operates sensor equipment aboard a P-3C Orion aircraft. Although the P-3 Orion aircraft has been in service for over 45 years, the planes continue to play a vital role in anti-submarine warfare. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Meagan E. Klein (Released)

 

[PropAddict]

Cue the picture of the P-3 cockpit with the pilot's purse hanging from the e-handle. . .

Come on, somebody's gotta have it!

 

[HeyJoe]

080205-N-6855K-052 TALLIL, Iraq (Feb. 5, 2008) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Francisco Mayorga, right, points at Aviation Ordanceman 3rd Class Jennifer Wilcox as she pins the countermeasure system on a P-3C Orion aircraft. Mayorga makes sure the air crew in the flight station have their hands visible to ensure the countermeasure system is not activated while Wilcox is close to the aircraft. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Meagan E. Klein (Released)

080205-N-6855K-039 TALLIL, Iraq (Feb. 5, 2008) Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Richard Robillard, assigned to Consolidated Maintenance Organization (CMO) 2 based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, directs the P-3C Orion aircraft transporting Capt. Michael Carter, commander of Patrol and Reconaissance Wing 2, onto the tarmac. Carter flew to Iraq to visit CMO-2 and Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 during their deployment in Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Meagan E. Klein (Released)

080204-N-6855K-066 TALLIL, Iraq (Feb. 4, 2008) Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Samuel Trapanese listens closely for orders to drop a communication device from the free fall chute aboard a P-3C Orion aircraft. The crew performed several training exercises simulating emergency situations during the flight. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Meagan E. Klein (Released)

 

[Cleonard19]

090314-N-3013W-045 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 6, 2009) Naval Air Crewman 1st Class Adam Herzog explains the acoustic equipment of a P-3C Orion aircraft assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 to staff members of the U.S. House of Representatives House Armed Services Committee. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles White/Released)

Got any more shots of her?

 

[HeyJoe]

071116-N-7883G-079 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 16, 2007) Two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) P-3C Orion patrol aircraft fly over a group of 19 American and Japanese naval ships at the end of ANNUALEX 19G, the maritime component of the U.S.-Japan exercise Keen Sword '08. The exercise was designed to increase interoperability between the United States and JMSDF and increase their ability to effectively and mutually respond to a regional crisis situation. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau (Released)

071116-N-5387K-043 PHILIPPINE SEA, (Nov. 16, 2007) A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) P-3C Orion flies above the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during a 19-ship group photo exercise. Kitty Hawk and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 recently completed ANNUALEX 19G, the maritime component of the U.S.-Japan exercise Keen Sword '08. The exercise was designed to increase interoperability between the United States and JMSDF and increase their ability to effectively and mutually respond to a regional crisis situation. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Antoine King (Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

070413-N-8102J-012 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 13, 2007) - Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton addresses invited guest at the groundbreaking ceremony for the state-of-the art facility that will provide space for five P-3C "Orion" squadrons and one C-130 "Hercules" logistics squadron. The hangar will house approximately 33 P-3 and four C-130 aircraft and accommodate more than 1,600 personnel. The 277,000 sq. ft. hangar will support the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative to bring additional squadrons to NAS Jacksonville following the closure of NAS Brunswick, Maine. Completion of the hangar is scheduled for the summer of 2009, in time for the first P-3C squadron from NAS Brunswick to relocate here. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Toiete Jackson (RELEASED)

070413-N-8102J-044 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 13, 2007) - Ceremony participants aboard Naval Station Jacksonville, Fla. and managers of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast (NAVFAC SE) participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the state-of-the art facility that will provide space for five P-3C "Orion" squadrons and one C-130 "Hercules" logistics squadron. It will house approximately 33 P-3 and four C-130 aircraft and accommodate more than 1,600 personnel. The 277,000 sq. ft. hangar will support the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative to bring additional squadrons to NAS Jacksonville following the closure of NAS Brunswick, Maine. Completion of the hangar is scheduled for the summer of 2009, in time for the first P-3C squadron from NAS Brunswick to relocate here. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Toiete Jackson (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

070329-N-5060B-052 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 29, 2007) - Lt. Cmdr. Charles Dittbinner II escapes the smoky fuselage of a P-3C Orion, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16, while conducting emergency landing and egress training during a Safety Stand Down at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. VP-16 is completing workups for upcoming deployments. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Brown (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

Rightside up?

070330-N-3855M-002 SIGONELLA, Sicily (March 30, 2007) - Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kenneth R. Wheeler assigned to the "Mad Foxes" of Patrol Squadron Five (VP) 5 installs intake covers on the P-3C Orion aircraft. VP-5, homeport Jacksonville, Fla., is forward deployed in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class G. Wade McKinnon (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

070319-N-3398B-145 KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (March 19, 2007) - Airplane director, Aviation Electricians Mate 2nd Class Leanne H. McCollum of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, directs Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Brandon A. Haag as they tow the P-3C Orion during a competitive exercise know as the Flight Line Rodeo. Four competing teams from VP-47's maintenance department competed in five events during the Flight Line Rodeo for a custom designed belt buckle and bragging rights. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin S. Beauchamp (RELEASED)

070319-N-3398B-143 KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (March 19, 2007) - Airplane director, Aviation Electricians Mate 2nd Class Leanne H. McCollum of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, directs Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Brandon A. Haag as they tow the P-3C Orion during a competitive exercise know as the Flight Line Rodeo. Four competing teams from VP-47's maintenance department competed in five events during the Flight Line Rodeo for a custom designed belt buckle and bragging rights. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin S. Beauchamp (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

070213-N-1810F-039 Jacksonville, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2006) - Airman Jesse Baron assigned to “Pro's Nest” of Patrol Squadron Three Zero (VP-30) signals to the crew of a P-3C Orion during start-up checks. VP-30 is the U.S. Navy's Maritime Patrol Fleet Replacement Squadron whose mission is to provide aircraft-specific training for pilots, naval flight officers, and enlisted aircrew men prior to reporting to the fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lynn Friant (RELEASED)