NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Oct. 4, 2021) – "The World Famous Pelicans" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 returned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville Oct. 4, following a six-month deployment to the 7th Fleet area of operations.
VP-45, consisting of 304 personnel and seven P-8A Poseidon (P-8A) aircraft, deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan in May 2021 and assumed command of Task Force 72.2, which is responsible for conducting Anti-Submarine Warfare, Theatre Security Cooperation, and Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance operations in 7th Fleet.
The deployment was led by the squadron’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Charles Larwood and Cmdr. Seth Eisenmenger, the executive officer at the time, who ‘fleeted up’ as CO during the deployment.
“VP-45 is no stranger to the Pacific or the Geo Political intricacies of the region”, said Eisenmenger. “We proudly represented American values in the region and reinforced the importance of international law through operations that ensured freedom of movement in the maritime domain. It is inspiring that we not only provided regional stability but had a positive impact on the global stage.”
VP-45, often referred to as “The World Famous Pelicans”, was an essential asset in 7th Fleet, accomplishing over 440 sorties, totaling 2,750 flight hours, leading to increased cooperation with our partners and providing a forward presence which ensured a free and open Indo-Pacific. Equipped with the Advanced Airborne Sensor, they provided a unique product that is highly valued within and outside of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community.
Significant joint training occurred on June 4th, when the Pelicans hosted members of the III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, who conducted training to familiarize themselves with the P-8A Poseidon’s weapons systems and aircraft hazards.
On June 7th, VP-45 held its 79th change of command ceremony, during which Eisenmenger relieved Larwood as commanding officer and Cmdr. Stephen Bruner became the new executive officer.
“My first impressions of VP-45 were that everyone on the team displayed refreshing, well-placed pride—pride in the mission, and pride in each other,” said Bruner. “The genuine care and ownership I observed in VP-45 immediately put me at ease, and I knew then that even with the burdens of deployment, COVID, and dynamic tasking, the Pelican team would not let the mission or each other fail.”
As to highlight the dynamic and fast-paced environment, VP-45 conducted a search and rescue mission on the same day as the change of command, which resulted in the successful rescue of a lost mariner.
On July 14th, VP-45 joined Talisman Sabre, a large-scale, bilateral military exercise between Australia and the U.S. involving more than 17,000 participants from seven nations. The biennial event is designed to strengthen relationships and interoperability with allies and partners as well as enhance the U.S. military’s ability to address the full range of potential security concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
The next major milestone was the 25th iteration of Malabar, an exercise off the coast of Guam. Beginning August 24th, its primary focus was on advanced maritime tactics as well as improved interoperability between the four major naval forces in the Indo-Pacific region, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Indian Navy (IN), and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). Participation in exercises such as Malabar are critical for the U.S. and its allies to maintain and improve a united maritime front.
Throughout the entirety of its deployment, VP-45 continued to execute missions that were critical to America and its allies’ interests. This included conducting 52 live weapon carries, dropping 4,250 sonobuoys, and receiving over 1.5 million pounds of gas in air-to-air refueling.
Operating out of nine different detachments required a dedicated maintenance department. VP-45’s pivotal role in 7th Fleet could not be accomplished without the 88,844 maintenance hours from 164 Sailors who worked endlessly to ensure the aircrews were able to accomplish missions on station.
As VP-45 returns home and the Sailors reunite with their loved ones they will take a moment to reconnect and become acclimated. Eisenmenger considered the squadron’s new priorities for home cycle.
“Transitioning from the operational tempo of a deployment into a work up cycle does have its challenges but this team has built a solid plan to meet the requirements,” said Eisenmenger. “Once the team returns from some well-deserved time off, our focus returns to building the combat force ready to execute our Nation’s needs.”
Bruner looked to the future, bearing in mind the lessons of this deployment.
“We continue to take care of each other while we re-build the next deploying maintenance and aircrew teams that will honor and swell the winning Pelican reputation,” Bruner said.
Bruner also highlighted the ‘Pelican pride’ as the core of each Sailor of VP-45, which he says represents the perseverance and unequivocal devotion to duty that the Sailors display and allows VP-45 to be the best patrol squadron in the United States Navy.
“I’m most proud of the dedicated VP-45 Sailors, who, together, consistently muster the pride and put forth the effort to win—no matter the conditions or complexity,” said Bruner. “The Pelican Sailors bring it, always. They are the strong foundation of the squadron and reliably deliver superhuman results every single day.”
Eisenmenger is looking to the future and says his Sailors are the key to continuing a great tradition.
“The Pelicans have a long standing history of operational excellence and the team we have now whole heartedly embraces this legacy and continues to hold the standard,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2021 10:00 |
| Story ID: | 407604 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 174 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Patrol Squadron 45 Completes Indo-Pacific Deployment, by LTJG Kyle Hering, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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