VP-46 returns from 5th and 6th Fleet deployment

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacquelin Frost | 221002-N-AN659-1001 Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (Oct. 2, 2022) --Naval Aircrewman Operator Chief Timothy Doan with Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 walks on the flight line as his two daughters run to greet him on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Wash., Oct. 2, 2022. The “Grey Knights” of VP-46 returned to their homeport at NASWI after a six month deployment where they covered over 4,000 miles of ocean to support operations for Commander, Task Force (CTF) 57 and 67. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacquelin Frost)  

OAK HARBOR, WA, UNITED STATES

09.25.2022

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Austin Ingram 

Patrol Squadron 46

OAK HARBOR, Wash. --
The ‘Grey Knights’ of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 returned to their homeport of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island after a six month deployment to the US Fifth and Sixth Fleet Area of Operations, Oct. 1st, 2022.

“I could not be more proud of what the Grey Knights accomplished during this deployment,” said Cmdr. Frank Verducci, the commanding officer of VP-46. “It took leadership at all levels to keep the team rowing together even though we were on three different continents! I would also like to give a special thanks to all of the exceptional families at home supporting, which made it possible for their Sailor to bring their ‘A’ game when we needed them most.”

This was the squadron’s second deployment since transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. VP-46 covered over 4,000 miles of ocean supporting operations for Commander, Task Force (CTF) 57 and 67. The Grey Knight aircrews executed over 600 Sorties totaling over 3,600 Flight Hours and supported exercises such as BALTOPS 22, Joint Warrior, and Northern Viking to name a few.

Over the six months, the Grey Knight maintenance team completed 15 Scheduled Maintenance Inspections, qualified five personnel as ‘Safe for Flight’, 21 Plane Captains, 20 Collateral Duty Inspectors, and 2 Quality Assurance Reps. All this was achieved while executing daily turnarounds and regular maintenance swiftly and correctly allowing the squadron to meet all Task Force objectives.

VP-46 shared much of the responsibility in the High North with their sister squadron, VP-9, much of the time flying on mixed crews or sharing aircraft to meet the mission requirements. Working alongside the Golden Eagles in a “one team, one fight” mind-set was one high point of the deployment and key to Task Force success.

This deployment had many firsts for the crews including detachments to Norway, Sweden, Israel and the first ever P-8A squadron to operate a detachment out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The VP-46 Grey Knights fly the P-8A Poseidon out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington and they are the oldest Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron in the Fleet. From the Catalina to the P-2V Neptune to the P-3A Orion to the mighty P-8A Poseidon, the Grey Knights have participated in every major military conflict since its inception. The many successes of VP-46 are a direct result of the outstanding contributions made each and every day by the men and women who have the strength to fight and win and the honor to do it right. The Grey Knights of VP-46 continue to preserve their legacy by honoring the past, leading in the present, and forging the future. In this spirit, the Squadron retains its favored moniker, "THE OLDEST AND THE BEST.”

• Date Taken: 09.25.2022
• Date Posted: 10.04.2022 09:04
• Story ID: 430044
• Location: OAK HARBOR, WA, US
• Hometown: ANACORTES, WA, US
• Hometown: COUPEVILLE, WA, US
• Hometown: OAK HARBOR, WA, US