SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras – While on detachment to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron EIGHT (VP-8) took part in a joint cooperative learning program with the Army’s 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, Nov. 19 and 20.
Nineteen VP-8 sailors were able to experience an UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter static display and aircraft familiarization flight around the mountainous local area.
”It was a great way to see the beautiful landscape in which we have been living,” said Lt. Erin Buttler-Ricketts of VP-8.
In return for the unique experience, the “Fighting Tigers” invited the “Winged Warriors” on board the P-3C Orion for an aircraft tour. The “Winged Warriors” Executive Officer Maj. Christopher McNutt was present for the tour and drew some parallels between the aging UH-60A and P-3C platforms. Applauding the maintenance professionals who take great pride in the preservation of these aging aircraft.
“Great maintenance is how we keep these aircraft flying for 50 years,” said McNutt.
Being the only continuously forward deployed rotary-wing aviation asset in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, the “Winged Warriors” mission set includes counter drug operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, air movement of people, equipment, and supplies, aero-medical evacuation, and search and rescue.
VP-8 is currently deployed in support of U.S. 4th Fleet. The similarity in mission sets and pride in their people and platform have helped build a strong relationship between the “Winged Warriors” and “Fighting Tigers” teams.
For more news from Patrol Squadron 8, visit http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/vp8/Pages/default.aspx or check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patrol-Squadron-EIGHT-VP-8/335177721864?ref=hl
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2012 17:52 |
| Story ID: | 98351 |
| Location: | SOTO CANO, SV |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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