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, May 18 through June 9.
The Screaming Eagles departed in November of last year to support Commander Seventh Fleet and Combined Task Force 72
antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
“We flew in excess of 2500 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 specifically in the Philippines.”
Rudesill was proud of the effort put forth by his Sailors to ensure they could accomplish the missions set before them.
“We’ve done a remarkable job,” said Rudesill. “The whole squadron from topside to bottom side 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 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. It is going to be group of maintainers instead of an operations group that happens to run a group of maintainers
so I think it will be centered on the people and provide an overall better working environment. ”