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

[HeyJoe]

041001-N-4385W-001 Whidbey Island, Wash. (Oct 1, 2004) - A P-3C Orion aircraft glistens in the sun as squadron personnel wash the exterior of the aircraft. Aircraft are washed every 28 days as part of preventative maintenance and corrosion control schedule. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael D. Winter (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

One thing P-3 NFOs do...

041001-N-4385W-001 Whidbey Island, Wash. (Oct 1, 2004) - A P-3C Orion aircraft glistens in the sun as squadron personnel wash the exterior of the aircraft. Aircraft are washed every 28 days as part of preventative maintenance and corrosion control schedule. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael D. Winter (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

040707-N-6932B-019 Marine Corps Base Hawaii (July 7, 2004) — A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion approaches the landing area at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe, Hawaii, during exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This years exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Richard J. Brunson (RELEASED)

040707-N-6932B-010 Marine Corps Base Hawaii (July 7, 2004) — A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion approaches the landing area at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe, Hawaii, during exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This years exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Richard J. Brunson (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

960900-N-0000F-001 Bosnia,Herzegovina (Sep. 09, 1996) -- A P-3C "Orion" attached to Patrol Squadron 45 (VP-45) fires self-defensive flares in preparation for an over land Electro-Optical (EO) surveillance mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Robert Fleugel. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

020919-N-3122S-003 Brunswick, Me. (Sep. 19, 2002) -- A P-3C “Orion” attached to the “Tigers” of Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) heads to a bombing exercise loaded with MK-20 “Rockeye” cluster bombs. MK-20 cluster bombs deliver 247 bomblets, which, upon detonation, release a jet of super heated and pressurized gas, which can penetrate 10 inches of steel and 31 inches of reinforced concrete. The P-3C is a land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft. The weapon’s dispersion area is roughly the size of a football field. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Shannon Smith. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

021022-N-4374S-017 Central Command Area of Operation (Oct. 22, 2002) -- Crewmembers assigned to the "Screaming Eagles" of Patrol Squadron One (VP-1) approach a P-3C “Orion” patrol aircraft to conduct a reconnaissance mission over the Arabian Gulf. The P-3C is a land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and reconnaissance patrol aircraft. VP-1 is based in Whidbey Island, Wash., and is on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the Middle East, conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

021022-N-4374S-037 Central Command Area of Operation (Oct. 22, 2002) -- Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Jesse Olmstead, a flight engineer assigned to the "Screaming Eagles" of Patrol Squadron One (VP-1), calculates the fuel duration planning for a P-3C “Orion” for an upcoming flight mission to conduct reconnaissance over the Arabian Gulf. The P-3C is a land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and reconnaissance patrol aircraft. VP-1 is based in Whidbey Island, Wash., and is on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the Middle East, conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

021101-N-0780F-004 Souda Bay, Crete, Greece (Nov. 1, 2002) -- A Navy P-3C “Orion” aircraft, assigned to the “War Eagles” of Patrol Squadron One Six (VP-16) lifts off to begin another patrol mission in the region. VP-16, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based squadron, is currently on a scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean theater in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The P-3C is a multi-mission aircraft providing Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) capabilities. VP-16 utilizes a wide range of communications, detection, monitoring, reconnaissance and navigation systems to perform their mission. In addition to advanced electronics, the P-3C can deliver an impressive mix of torpedoes, bombs, and missiles along with pinpoint mine-laying capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

021022-N-4374S-079 Central Command Area of Operation (Oct. 22, 2002) -- The pilot and flight engineer assigned to the "Screaming Eagles" of Patrol Squadron One (VP-1), work together as they prepare to land a P-3C “Orion” upon return from a reconnaissance mission over the Arabian Gulf. VP-1 is based in Whidbey Island, Wash., and is on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the Middle East, conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

021022-N-4374S-066 Central Command Area of Operation (Oct. 22, 2002) -- Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator 1st Class Richard Smith, assigned to the "Screaming Eagles" of Patrol Squadron One (VP-1), studies a Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) aviation flight manual, while conducting a reconnaissance mission over the Arabian Gulf in a P-3C “Orion.” The P-3C is a land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and reconnaissance patrol aircraft. VP-1 is based in Whidbey Island, Wash., and is on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the Middle East, conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

030213-N-9760B-001 Misawa, Japan (Feb. 13, 2003) -- A P-3C “Orion” assigned to the “Golden Eagles” of Patrol Squadron Nine (VP-9) circles Mt. Fuji. VP-9 is forward deployed to Misawa, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Elizabeth L. Burke. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

030313-F-9032T-022 Central Command Area of Responsibility (Mar. 13, 2003) -- A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion patrol aircraft takes off on a mission from a forward deployed location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Orion, which carries a crew of ten, is a multi-mission, long-range maritime patrol aircraft. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Tolley. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

More what do P-3 NFOs do...

030509-N-6501M-019 Okinawa, Japan (May 9, 2003) -- U.S. Navy Lt. Eric A. Schuchard operates the tactical coordinator (TACCO) station aboard a P-3C Orion aircraft during a mission en route to the Republic of the Philippines. Lt. Schuchard is attached to the “Golden Eagles” of Patrol Squadron Nine (VP-9), deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Edward G. Martens. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

030526-N-3122S-019 Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Sicily (May 26, 2003) -- A P-3C Orion aircraft assigned to the "Tigers" of Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) flies along the coastline of Taormina, Sicily. VP-8 is home-based in Brunswick, Maine, and is currently deployed to Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella providing logistical support for Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet and NATO forces in the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Shannon R. Smith. (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

030816-N-1928O-043 North Atlantic Ocean. (Aug. 16, 2003) -- Naval Reservists assigned to “The Liberty Bells” of Patrol Squadron Sixty Six (VP-66) man stations in a P-3C Orion during Keflavik Tactical Exchange 2003 (KEFTACEX 03), an anti-submarine warfare exercise held at NAS Keflavik, Iceland each year. Seven countries are participating in the annual anti-submarine warfare exercise. VP-66 from Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Penn., is the only squadron comprised entirely of Naval Reservists that are participating in KEFTACEX 03. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Mark O’Donald. (RELEASED)