Navy Deploys P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to Search for Missing Republic of Korea Crew

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Clay Whaley | NAS JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Apr. 6, 2017) - Aircrewmen assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 perform pre-flight procedures aboard a Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime aircraft in preparation to support search and rescue efforts for the missing Republic of Korea cargo ship crew in the FOURTH Fleet Area of Operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clay Whaley/RELEASED)  

MAYPORT, FL, UNITED STATES

04.06.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Hendricks 

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

The Republic of Korea ship, Stella Daisy, departed Brazil Mar. 26, and is believed to have sunk in the South Atlantic with 22 crew members unaccounted for.

An aircraft and crew from Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) deployed from Naval Air Station Jacksonville to conduct international search and rescue operations at the request of the Republic of Korea. The approximately 20-person crew departed from NAS Jacksonville to Galeão Air Force Base on Apr. 6.

Brazil is one of the nation’s supporting the international search for missing crew members in the Republic of Korea vessel Stella Daisy’s last known location. The government of Brazil has authorized the P-8A aircraft to operate from Galeão Air Force Base in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Operating out of Brazil will allow the P-8A missions to remain over the search area longer while supporting international efforts to locate the missing crew members.

The U.S. is contributing this air asset to the international search and rescue effort being led by the Uruguayan Navy.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) fulfills the maritime role within U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations. USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT employs maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, fortify the ability of U.S. forces to work together with partner nations, and build enduring partnerships with the ultimate goal of enhancing regional security and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions.

For more information, visit www.public.navy.mil/comusnavso-c4f, on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4thflt, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/navsous4thflt.

• Date Taken: 04.06.2017
• Date Posted: 04.07.2017 13:01
• Story ID: 229566
• Location: MAYPORT, FL, US