Grey Knights detached to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa took time off on October 8 to celebrate the successful completion of over three months of VP-46’s dual-site Seventh Fleet deployment.  Commonly called an “Over the Hump” party, the event marks the midpoint of a six-month deployment.  The halfway milestone actually took place in September when the other Grey Knight detachment held their party at the Naval Air Facility in Misawa, Japan.  The Kadena gathering was delayed several times by typhoon threats and operational commitments. 

The sailors gathered at White Beach, a Navy amphibious installation on the east coast of Okinawa.  The facility was chosen for its excellent MWR resources including a huge all-hands indoor lounge and covered picnic area.  The squadron enjoyed a great barbeque complete with ribs, burgers, hot dogs and chicken while listening to music spun by a professional deejay.

The rainy, windy weather that had been plaguing the island for several days prior to the event cleared just in time for the party to begin.  The squadron enjoyed various outdoor activities including banana boat rides, horseshoes, sumo wrestling, volleyball and croquet.  In addition to the music, festivities and great food, a raffle was held by the squadron to raise money for its MWR fund, which paid for the party.

The traditional celebrations in both sites were an excellent chance for the hard-working men and women of VP-46 to take a step back and relax from the daily grind of deployment operations before refocusing on the job at hand and completing the last two months of deployment in a safe, productive and professional manner.