Patrol Squadron (VP) 1s Combat Aircrew Ten (CAC-10) enjoyed a rather unique opportunity recently as they traveled to southern California to take part in a live-fire missile exercise. The event was professionally executed by the entire Screaming Eagle team.

Preparation began several weeks ago with extensive planning and training, including two dedicated Maverick simulators and two flights with the Maverick Captive Air Training Missile (CATM). 

The Maverick missile is one of the main Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) weapons employed by the P-3C Orion. The AGM-65 is the most widely used precision-guided missile in production today. 

First used in South East Asia almost 30 years ago, it is included in the inventories of more than over 30 countries and is incorporated on almost every friendly strike aircraft including the P-3C. It is capable of hitting a variety of mobile land and sea targets. 

Mission Commander Lt. Rob Hines, Patrol Plane Commander Lt. Brian Steckroth, Acoustic Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class Kevin McGranahan, Non-Acoustic Warfare Operator 2nd Class Joseph Shrader and the rest of CAC-10 started their day with a 1 a.m. pre- flight. They were on station at 9 a.m. in the Southern California Offshore Range (SCORE) located 20 nautical miles west of San Diego.

After checking in with range control the crew conducted their own range clearance by beginning a radar sweep of the area to clear it of any non-exercise surface contacts. The environmental conditions were challenging for the AGM-65F’s infrared seeker below the normal Southern California marine layer. As the cloud layer began to clear, the crew received a clear range and began their clearing runs on the target.

The mission commander was satisfied that the crew and the target were in position and commenced their live fire run. The target lock-up and weapon release were flawless.

The crew maneuvered to assess battle damage and confirmed a direct hit. After ensuring the area was again safe, they guided the range support boat in to recover debris and checked off with range control to transit back to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

This marked the first live AGM-65F Maverick shot by VP-1 in more than two years and satisfied Wing 10 readiness requirements for the Squadron.