At the onset of the holiday season, the Screaming Eagles embarked on a tri-site deployment. Though they left their families and friends behind at the hardest time of the year, the Sailors of Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 didn’t miss a beat in establishing themselves operationally.

Replacing the manpower of two squadrons, the challenges at the onset were tough, but the professionals in the air and on the ground were able to rise above them with no gap in mission accomplishment.

“Standing up functional maintenance and operations detachments at three major sites has been taxing at all levels of the chain of command, but every day I am blown away at the professionalism and dedication to the mission capability displayed by the members of this squadron,” said Cmdr. Mark Rudesill, commanding officer.

Upon arrival to their area of responsibility, the squadron’s parking ramp was being moved to a different location on the flight line, resulting in the Maintenance Department building brand new spaces and literally laying a new foundation from scratch. From hauling sandbags to building desks and tables, Sailors from all departments contributed. In what seemed like no time at all, a formidable aircraft maintenance complex had been established.

Commanders of Task Force 57/72, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Central, and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 applauded the combined Task Group composed of VP-1, VQ-1 and VQ-2 for their efforts in the air and on the ground. The Screaming Eagles are now approaching the midway point of the deployment and the focus is on avoiding fatigue related problems and complacency. 

Addressing the Sailors at a recent command quarters, Rudesill said, “We are doing everything right; from the minute we hit the deck we have been full bore. It can be easy to fall into a lull of complacency on the heels of such success, but we must police each other, be there for each other and ensure that we continue to maintain safety requirements and do things right, while still keeping the pedal to the metal.”

It has been a lot of hard work, but there have been fun times for the Sailors mixed in. The command held a successful Christmas party, attended the base’s New Year’s celebration and enjoyed several celebrity visits; most notably Kid Rock, who visited the base and toured the P-3C Orion.

With almost half of a long deployment in the rear view mirror, the Screaming Eagles are looking forward to their traditional “Over the Hump” party. After a brief period of rest and reflection, the journey continues and the squadron will lean forward into the second half of the deployment.