P-3 Orion Articles: September 1997

• 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.

Return to Lynellen's P-3 Orion Fan Site.

Return to Lynellen's Home Page