P-3 Orion Articles: 1995

• 16 Feb 1995. VP-24 Returns from Final Deployment of 52-year Service; Navy News Service

  JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (NNS) -- Patrol Squadron 24 (VP-24) returned home to Naval Air Station Jacksonville from Keflavik, Iceland, Feb. 9, following its final deployment after 52 years of service.

  During the six-month deployment, VP-24 flew about 4,000 flight hours on missions ranging from anti-submarine flights over the Arctic, to surface patrols over the Adriatic Sea in support of Operation Sharp Guard. The squadron will be decommissioned April 13.

• 24 March 1995. Search Teams Rescue Three Following Fire on Greek Ship

  LONDON (NNS) -- USNS San Diego responded to Sixth Fleet tasking to assist in a search and rescue (SAR) operation by getting underway on 47 minutes notice, while aircraft from Reserve Squadron 53 (VR 53) and Patrol Squadron 26 (VP 26) assisted from above.

  The rescuers were looking for survivors from the Greek registry container ship Pel Hunter, which was reported to be on fire and abandoned about 120 nautical miles east of the coast of Siracusa, Sicily, March 13. Three survivors of the 15 person crew were found during the extensive operation.

  Battling gale force winds of more than 45 knots and high seas, San Diego joined 10 foreign ships, a C-130 from VR 53 and three P-3 aircraft from VP 26 to comb the area for survivors.

  The C-130 crew initially located the site, as well as rafts and debris in the water. Two survivors were then picked up by Italian SAR helos. VP 26 also spotted a raft, which resulted in the SAR helos picking up a third survivor.

• 30 March 1995. Navy Plane Ditches in North Arabian Sea

  NORTH ARABIAN SEA (NNS) -- Eleven crew members from Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 were recovered safely from the North Arabian Sea about 1:30 p.m. March 25 after their P-3C Orion aircraft ditched following engine problems.

  The aircraft was on a routine mission five miles off the Omani coast when the mishap occurred. The 11 crew members were recovered by a helicopter at the scene and treated for minor injuries. Units from the Omani air force responded immediately to lend assistance at the scene.

• 28 December 1995. Career opportunity for AD, AM, AE Sailors by CDR D. Gray, BUPERS (PERS-221D)

  WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy has increased the number of P-3 flight engineers (FEs) required to man 13 operational patrol (VP) squadrons. The current inventory of P-3 FEs (NEC 8251) is not adequate to support the increase which has created an excellent career opportunity qualified Sailors interested in becoming a naval air crewman.

  P-3s are homeported in Jacksonville, Fla.; Brunswick, Maine; Whidbey Island, Wash.; and Barbers Point, Hawaii. VP squadrons deploy worldwide doing a variety of missions. P-3 flight engineers currently are eligible for Zone "A" SRB of 3.0, Zone "B" SRB of 0.5, and Special Duty Assignment Pay.

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