The Screaming Eagles of Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 returned to NAS Whidbey Island after successfully completing a six-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. 

Spread across four different locations in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), VP-1 Sailors raised the bar for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aviation (MPRA) operations in the region.

Upon leaving Whidbey Island last November, the squadron worked hard to quickly establish new maintenance spaces, following in the footsteps of the two previous squadrons. 

Early on VP-1 demonstrated the cohesiveness that would prove vital as the deployment progressed.  Upon arrival to the AOR, 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.  Within a matter of days, a formidable aircraft maintenance complex had been established. 

As the deployment progressed, VP-1 never lost their focus.  With 11 P-3C aircraft and 15 aircrews (supported by four stalwart crews from Patrol Squadron 47, based in Hawaii), the squadron executed over 6,600 flight hours over the course of more than 1,100 sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and operations in the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea.

This also included 48 consecutive hours of participation in Search and Rescue operations for a downed E-2C Aviator. All of this was accomplished with a footprint a fraction of the previous two squadrons.  Perhaps most impressive, they achieved an unprecedented 98 percent mission completion rate. 

“The men and women of this squadron have consistently excelled,” said Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Troy Bauder.  “The things we have been able to do out here have greatly exceeded expectations.”

As the deployment was drawing to an end, the squadron’s ingenuity was again put to the test, as it was their duty to stand up a new detachment site in the AOR and cease MPRA flying operations out of Iraq.  The movement was accomplished with the enthusiasm and professionalism that were hallmarks of the Screaming Eagles, and earned accolades from the supported Task Force.

One key achievement was the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) qualification which was attained by over 60 Screaming Eagles. Overall, the squadron reached 87 percent qualification and as such earned the right to fly the coveted EAWS flag despite the increased operational tempo. 

Additionally, 29 Sailors reenlisted during the deployment for a combined total of over 90 years. Whether by physical readiness and well being, personal qualifications, career advancement or off duty education opportunities, virtually every VP-1 Sailor has made some improvement in his or her life. 

Speaking of sports, Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Paul Doyle and Yeoman 3rd Class Brandon Dobbs represented their country playing soccer and basketball respectively on base teams that competed against the host nation’s national teams.

“It was a pretty awesome experience,” said Dobbs. “I’ve been playing basketball my whole life, and that was the toughest competition I have ever seen; some of the guys out there were over seven feet tall,” Dobbs said. 

For the Screaming Eagles, the most recent deployment was rewarding both in the air and on the ground.

“For us, six months came and went in what seems like a blink of the eye, but when we all take the time to relax and look back on what we’ve achieved out here, I know it will be with a keen sense of satisfaction,” said Bauder.

Now that VP1 is home, the Grey Knights of VP-46, along with crews from VP-9, have assumed the Task Group and are ready to achieve even greater success.