Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 hosts Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic during Exercise Black Widow

Photo By Lt.j.g. Samantha Michel | 200914-N-XC547-0003 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sep. 15, 2020) RADM John Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, CAPT Matt Pottenburgh, Commodore Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN, and CDR Russell White, Commanding Officer Patrol Squadron TEN, conduct a visual inspection of the P-8A weapons stations. Exercise Black Widow is being conducted in the Atlantic to advance theater undersea warfare in a multi-domain environment. Our submarines, surface ships, ASW capable aircraft, and other undersea capabilities work together in a dynamic environment to prepare our teams for challenging operations against near-peer competitors. (U.S. Navy Photo)  

ATLANTIC OCEAN

09.21.2020

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet   

The “Red Lancers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 enjoyed the distinct honor to fly a Black Widow Exercise flight with Rear Adm. John Meier, Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic and Capt. Matt Pottenburgh, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 11.

Exercise Black Widow provided fleet warfighters the opportunity to employ, hone, and evaluate tactics, techniques, and procedures in efforts to enhance readiness for real-world operations.
During the mission flight, VP-10 demonstrated the P-8A’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities and tactics with multiple units to include the USS McFaul (DDG 74), USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS Wasp (LHD 1), four embarked Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons, as well as Navy submarines. The exercise provided all units the unique opportunity to evaluate coordinated tactics, techniques, and procedures against advanced undersea threats.
“Extremely impressed by the men and women of the Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, specifically the VP-10 ‘Red Lancers’ as they participated in Exercise Black Widow,” said Meier, who emphasized the important take-aways gained from participating in these types of exercises during the era of Great Power Competition.
In this era of Great Power Competition, the Black Widow Exercise allowed VP-10 aircrew to enhance the Navy’s ability in maintaining its unmatched capability in the undersea domain. The Red Lancers of VP-10 effectively employed the P-8A in a dynamic environment working with dissimilar assets to prepare for the challenging operations against our competitors.
The Red Lancers were able to conduct all phases of ASW during the exercise as well as refine turnover and swap procedures with other airborne assets. Specifically, VP-10 was able to refine coordinated ASW tactics with dissimilar platforms to include the MH-60Rs embarked on supporting surface ships. The P-8A’s endurance on-station and ability to collect acoustic, electronic, and imagery intelligence proved critical in achieving exercise objectives.
Rear Adm. Lance Scott, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (CPRG) emphasized the strategic benefits from contributing to the exercise for his forces.
“The P-8A’s endurance on-station and ability to collect acoustic, electronic, and imagery intelligence proved critical in achieving exercise objectives. The men and women of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven achieved a multitude of objectives during the exercise and I look forward to continuing the integrated theater ASW training in future iterations of Exercise Black Widow,” said Scott.
The agility of the P-8 Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, according to Pottenburgh, allows his forces to operate cohesively with surface and sub-surface counterparts.
“Black Widow provided an incredible opportunity for Patrol Wing Eleven to execute and refine Anti-Submarine Warfare tactics in the North Atlantic alongside Destroyer Squadron Two and Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic,” said Pottenburgh, who added the exercise provides an opportunity to apply the lessons learned from the exercise to benefit future operational deployments. “Our Combat Aircrews were able to enhance our lethality in an unforgiving environment – there is just no replacement for training like you fight.”

• Date Taken: 09.21.2020
• Date Posted: 09.21.2020 15:44
• Story ID: 378299
• Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN