NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan – The “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 participated in the Fleet Air Wing 2 55th Air Memorial Event with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Squadron, VP-2 “Odin” at Hachinohe Air Base, Sept. 23.
This was the first time in the event’s history that a U.S. aircraft was involved. VP-8 flew a P-3C Orion to Hachinohe Air Base and joined into loose trail formation with three VP-2 aircraft to conduct a fly-by over the event.
“It was an honor to be able to be a part of an event that celebrates such a rich history of JMDSF aviation,” said Lt. William Flynn, a native of Boston, and VP-8’s combat aircrew 1 Patrol Plane Pilot. “The JMSDF has a historical foundation built upon exceptionally professional aviators and today’s event was a celebration of that fact.”
The VP-8 aircrew that executed the fly-by was accompanied for the event by two VP-2 pilots, Lt.j.g. Tatsuya Ochiai and Lt. Cmdr. Tadahisa Shida. “Today's flight was a very memorable experience for me as a P-3C pilot; to see the systems in the flight station of the U.S. P-3C were wonderful. This was the first time for me to ride on another country's P-3C.” said Ochiai.
VP-8 and VP-2 have an enduring history of working together. The squadrons have interacted together throughout VP-8’s six-month deployment in support of U.S. 7th Fleet.
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