Lt. Cmdr. Curtis Phillips and Lt. j.g. David Snyder maneuver a P-3C Orion assigned to the “Screaming Eagles” of Patrol Squadron One (VP-1), through the wash rack after a training flight aboard Naval Air Facility, Okinawa, Japan. VP-1 is assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., and is currently on a six-month deployment to the Seventh Fleet Area of Operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Scott Taylor.Patrol Squadron (VP) 1, the "Screaming Eagles," returned home to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island after a six-month deployment to the Eastern Pacific, June 9.
The Screaming Eagles departed November, 2007, to support Commander 7th Fleet and Combined Task Force 72 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
"We flew in excess of 2,500 flight hours and that was with, instead of the normal complement of 10 aircraft, four aircraft at times," said Cmdr. Mark Rudesill, VP-1 executive officer.
"We had a quite a few accomplishments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the global war on terror[ism], specifically in the Philippines," he said.
Rudesill was proud of the effort put forth by his Sailors.
"We've done a remarkable job," said Rudesill. "The whole squadron from top to bottom all performed magnificently on station. I'm very proud of all of them. We're happy to be home and happy to be home safe."
VP-1 will be the last NAS Whidbey Island Patrol Squadron to be integrated into the newly stood up Consolidated Maintenance Organization (CMO) 10. VP-1 will transfer accountability for their aircraft and maintainers to the organization in an effort to produce more capable aircraft and maintenance crews while maintaining the most efficient and cost-effective methods.
"I was working with a few of the other squadrons before we left so I've already integrated a little into this. Overall, I think it will be a little bit better as far as working hours and being set up on deployment rotation schedules," said Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Brandon Ruby, of VP-1, who will be working in CMO-10. "We don't know all the fine details until we get into it, but so far, so good."