NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan – The “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 took part on a coordinated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise with the “Warlords” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51 while on detachment to NAF Atsugi, Japan.
The "Warlords" are the U.S. Navy's only forward deployed Sikorsky SH-60B/F Seahawk LAMPS Mk III helicopter squadron. Home ported on board NAF Atsugi, the "Warlords" provide combat-ready armed anti-surface and anti-submarine helicopter detachments to ships deploying in the Korea, Western Pacific and Persian Gulf regions, as well as Executive Transport for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet home ported in Yokosuka, Japan.
The exercise focused on improving multiplatform communication and coordination during ASW prosecutions while working in a dynamic environment.
“It’s always great to work with a different platform, especially one as versatile as the P3,” said Lt. Andrew Lathrop, a helicopter aircraft commander for HSL 51. “It was a great experience. We definitely look to forward to doing more of this in the future.”
At the conclusion of the exercise the squadrons arranged a reception on board Atsugi Air Base where the crews were able to interact and share the experiences gained from the mission.
Cmdr. David Loo, HSL 51 commanding officer, showed his appreciation by offering to take VP-8 crewmembers on a low level training flight around the city of Tokyo in a SH-60B “Seahawk” helicopter. The flight consisted of an hour long trip and offered the crewmembers a unique way of experiencing the area of Japan surrounding Tokyo.
“I had never been to Tokyo and to see it like that was amazing,” said VP-8 Lt. Chris Powell after the flight. “I want to thank Commander Loo and all of HSL 51 for their outstanding work during the exercise, and the once in a lifetime experience afforded to us today.”
The Fla.-based “Fighting Tigers” are on a six-month deployment in support of U.S. 7th Fleet.
For more news from Patrol Squadron EIGHT, please visit our Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Patrol-Squadron-EIGHT-VP-8/335177721864.
| Date Taken: | 10.17.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2012 02:36 |
| Story ID: | 96535 |
| Location: | ATSUGI, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | JACKSONVILLE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, VP-8 Conducts Training Exercise with HSL-51, by PO1 Pedro Rodriguez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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