18 September 1997;
VP-45 aids in rescue off Namibia Coast
Navy News Service
OFF THE COAST OF NAMIBIA (NNS) -- A Navy P-3C Orion
aircraft forward deployed to Sigonella, Sicily departed
early Sept. 15 to assist in an ongoing search effort for one
U.S. and one German aircraft reported missing Sept. 14 off
the coast of Namibia, Africa.
"This is why we're forward deployed", said CDR Jerry
Hyde, commanding officer of Patrol Squadron forty-five (VP-
45). "From Sigonella we can respond anywhere in the
Mediterranean, Europe or Africa within 24-hours and the SAR
mission is one we train for regularly."
Approximately 20 personnel from VP-45 departed after
being tasked by senior U.S. military commanders in Europe.
The crew will conduct search and rescue operations from a
forward staging area in Namibia, Africa, until the mission
is completed.
"This is the kind of mission where our training really
pays off," said Aviation Systems Warfare Operation 1st Class
Edward Ginder, from VP-45. "The P-3C's endurance in
combination with its radar and communications suite make it
the most capable SAR platform in the world ... a fact that
is often overlooked."
The 11-member aircrew, supported by maintenance
personnel on the ground will use a variety of onboard video,
photographic sensors and communications equipment to search
for survivors.
VP-45, known as the Pelicans, departed their home port
in Jacksonville, Fla., for a six-month deployment to Naval
Air Station, Sigonella, Sicily, Italy, in August.