]VP-46’s Grey Knights recently took part in Patrolling Thunder SinkEx in Hawaii. The objective was to sink the ex-USS Mount Vernon, an LSD class ship that was commissioned into the Navy’s fleet on May 13, 1972, and decommissioned on July 25, 2003.

Patrolling Thunder included four Navy P-3 squadrons that launched seven missiles and dropped 18 bombs on the Mount Vernon. The ship was towed out to the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands on June 16. The first weapon was launched that morning and after four Maverick missiles, three Harpoon missiles and eighteen 500-pound bombs the ship lay at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

“This exercise was a huge success and showed the combat readiness the P-3 Navy provides to the Fleet,” said Grey Knights skipper, Cmdr. Ray Keledei.

“It was an extraordinary opportunity,” added Lt. Trevor Arneson, one of VP-46’s senior tactical coordinators.

The Grey Knights had the opportunity of launching one Maverick missile and one Harpoon missile at the ship. Both missiles launched by VP-46 were direct hits with detonation, leaving gaping holes in the hull and superstructure, adding to the ship’s demise.

“I can’t believe I had the good fortune to participate in this event,” said Lt. Steve Foley, VP-46 Patrol Plane Commander. “This is why I joined the Navy.”

It was a great opportunity for all who participated in the exercise, since most aircrew never get the chance to shoot a live missile during their career.

The three other participating squadrons were VP-1 from Whidbey Island and VP-9 and VP-47 from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.