The return of 117 sailors to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Dec. 7 marked the last of the Fighting Marlins to come home from their deployment to U.S. Seventh Fleet.
On May 12, 337 sailors and officers from Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 departed Whidbey Island for Okinawa, Japan, with intentions of demonstrating their proficiency and expertise in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
After 206 days operating out of Kadena Air Base, VP-40 Aircrew flew over 4,300 flight hours while maintenance personnel performed over 24,400 hours of maintenance. Among pilot trainers, aircrew qualification trainers and real-world missions, aircrews flew a total of 704 sorties in the Seventh Fleet Theater of Operations.
“There were very few days when we weren’t scheduled for a flight or training or even just duty. The operational tempo out of Kadena was extremely busy and evolved daily,” said Naval Aircrewman Third Class Tyler Turner. “Whether you are aircrew or maintenance, there was always a mission to fulfill.”
During the six-month deployment, the 12 aircrews detached to 10 countries, including: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the Republic of Korea. Of the 29 exercises in which VP-40 participated, six were a part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, two were a part of Maritime Surveillance Exercises (MARSURVEX), and two were a part of Sea Surveillance Exercises (SEASURVEX).
On detachment, the Fighting Marlins were provided the unique opportunity to work with aircrews from around Southeast Asia, improving interoperability and cohesion between the United States Navy and partner forces.
Many lessons were learned and experience gained while integrating with friends of partner nations.
“I had the privilege of visiting Brunei, where I met the first women to ever serve at sea onboard their ships and the first female pilot to ever serve in the Royal Brunei Air Force,” said Lt. Jennifer Daniels. “The more people I meet from other countries, the more I believe we’re all the same. This deployment has been exotic, humbling, instructive, trying, and exhausting. It’s been everything I signed up to experience.”
On the morning of September 6, the Fighting Marlins surpassed 275,000 mishap-free flight hours, a 43-year safety record.
“The Fighting Marlins have worked exceedingly hard during a challenging Seventh Fleet deployment. Our maintainers produced mission-ready aircraft at unprecedented levels, and our aircrew expertly employed the venerable Orion whenever and wherever the opportunity arose,” said Cmdr. Brett W. Mietus, VP-40 Commanding Officer. “We have accomplished our mission safely and effectively. I couldn’t be prouder of their effort, their attitude, or their performance. I’m lucky to be their skipper.”
