U.S. 7th Fleet Commander praises Patrol Squadron (VP) 47

Courtesy Photo | 161120-N-N0897-002 WHENUAPAI, New Zealand (November 20, 2016) Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, thanks Sailors with the Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 for their role in assisting New Zealand following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake. VP-47 is currently deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operation (AOO) at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and to the U.S. 4th Fleet AOO at Comalapa, El Salvador. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g Kyle Burdick/Released)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

11.20.2016

Story by Lt.j.g. Matthew Baker 

Patrol Squadron 47

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) – U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin met with aircrew and maintainers Nov. 20 from the Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 currently on a detachment to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base, Auckland, located in Whenuapai, NZ.
He addressed VP-47 Sailors and recognized their work supporting critical relief efforts in the wake of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the South Island of New Zealand Nov. 14.
"I want to thank everyone for their hard work and flexibility,” Aucoin said. “This is why we train, so we can respond to situations like these."
VP-47 was participating in Exercise Mahi Tangaroa as part of the New Zealand International Naval Review when the earthquake occurred. At the request of the New Zealand Ministry of Defense, the squadron quickly changed focus and worked around the clock to provide aerial reconnaissance of badly damaged infrastructure near the town of Kaikoura, NZ.
VP-47 was able to identify numerous impassible roads covered in debris. Additionally, they were able to assess bridges that were cracked and buckling and rail lines that were bent beyond use.
"It was a real honor to have the admiral come down and acknowledge our hard work in the squadron,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class David Pietri, an Aviation Electronics Technician. “He understands the difficulty of keeping the plane up, and I appreciate 7th Fleet recognizing the hard work of our maintenance department."
This is the Golden Swordsmen’s last deployment with the P-3C aircraft. VP-47 is the second of three Hawaii-based squadrons to make the move to Whidbey Island and transition to the P-8A.
VP-47 is currently deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations (AOO) at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and to the U.S. 4th Fleet AOO at Comalapa, El Salvador.
For more news from Commander, Naval Air Forces, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/airpac/.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2016
• Date Posted: 11.25.2016 00:32
• Story ID: 215794
• Location: OKINAWA, JP