VP-4, 100th OSS Refuel over Mediterranean Sea

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Juan Sua | 191023-N-CR843-0076 SIGONELLA, Sicily (Oct. 23, 2019) Lt.j.g Thomas Chretien, left, and Lt. Brent Nelsen, both pilots assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 maneuver a squadron P-8A aircraft toward an Air Force KC-135 aircraft belonging to the 100th Air Refueling Wing during an air-to-air refueling evolution to expand the reach of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission over the Mediterranean Sea. VP-4 is forward deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and is assigned to Commander, Task Group 67, responsible for tactical control of deployed maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadrons throughout Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Juan S. Sua)  

SIGONELLA, ITALY

11.06.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Sua 

Patrol Squadron 4

MEDITERRANEAN SEA – A P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 successfully conducted air-to-air refueling (AAR) operations with a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the U.S. Air Force 100th Operations Support Squadron (OSS), 100th Air Refueling Wing over the Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 23, 2019.
VP-4, currently forward-deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, and assigned to commander, Task Force (CTF) 67, has been conducting regular aerial refueling operations with the 100th OSS since arriving in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in early October.
“Though we have been highly successful in both AAR simulations and practical evolutions at home, this was the first time I helped take on fuel in-flight to complete a mission,” said Lt. j.g. Thomas Chretien, a pilot assigned to VP-4. “We took on 22,000 pounds of fuel, which maximized our ability to fulfill our objectives.”
In addition to maximizing the reach of operational missions, AAR allows P-8A crews more flexibility to operate from airfields with short runways that would preclude a full mission load and reduce time on-station.
“AAR with a P-8A is an exciting new frontier that significantly expands access and improves maritime domain awareness in the region,” said Lt. Brent Nelsen, AAR instructor pilot assigned to VP-4. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the 100th OSS as we continue to build proficiency and support regional commanders.”
The P-8A is only the second naval aircraft equipped to receive fuel mid-flight from a USAF tanker, the first being the E-6B Mercury.
VP-4 is forward deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and is assigned to CTF 67, responsible for tactical control of deployed maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadrons throughout Europe and Africa.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

• Date Taken: 11.06.2019
• Date Posted: 11.06.2019 04:34
• Story ID: 350639
• Location: SIGONELLA, IT