Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 spent the last several months overseas, spread over a tri-site deployment, but began returning last week to family and loved ones just in time for the holiday season.

The squadron has been extremely busy since leaving NAS Whidbey Island in late spring, concentrating on mission completion and safety with every flight and round-the-clock maintenance measures.

Their diligence resulted in 24/7 combat operations culminating in over 6,500 flight hours while maintaining a 98.5 percent mission completion rate.

While deployed, VP-46 congratulated their newest chief petty officers: Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Nicholas Coyle, Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Philip Jump, Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Odell Millang, Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Ronnie Ogren and Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Jordan Walma.

The chiefs spent six weeks completing CPO induction where they faced numerous challenges and completed required training in preparation for their promotion.  They were officially pinned were promoted in a Sept. 16 ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

The squadron also welcomed AWCM (AW/NAC) Loy Hower, the Grey Knights’ command master chief. Joining VP-46 on deployment, Hower transferred from Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 at NAS Whidbey Island.

He served as Weapons Tactics Unit leading chief petty officer as well as the tactical support center senior enlisted advisor. During a manning shortfall Hower also served as the command master chief and was selected to master chief petty officer in spring 2010.

In 5th Fleet, VP-46 was honored to support Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s very own 4th Stryker Brigade as they safely withdrew from Iraq a few short months ago, representing the departure of the last major U.S. ground combat troops in Iraq. This was a significant milestone considering that the Grey Knights were on station during “Shock and Awe” in March 2003, flew the final P-3C mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and flew the first mission in support of Operation New Dawn in 2010.

In September, Combat Aircrew 12 kicked off the first flight of multi-part Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise, the second such exercise during this deployment. The exercise included locating and tracking a participating coalition submarine while working with French and Australian surface assets.

November proved to be a busy month for VP-46 as they prepared to turn over with the Skinny Dragons of VP-4 and the Fighting Tigers of VP-8, while participating in a major readiness exercise supporting maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The Grey Knights successfully demonstrated the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance capability for providing long-range on-top surveillance coverage in a highly dynamic environment.

During off-duty time, VP-46 saw movies, continued on-line education, engaged in sports and exercise, as well as the occasional morale boost provided by the USO.  In Qatar, personnel welcomed celebrities such as America Ferrera, the band Naughty by Nature and MTV personality Sway Calloway. Meanwhile, Jessica Simpson, the cast of “The Boondock Saints,” and Edwin McCain have made morale visits to the Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen working in Bahrain.

Each Sailor contributed immensely to ensure a safe deployment and enable every Grey Knight to come home safely to loved ones. Especially poignant are the new fathers who met daughters and sons, born while on deployment, for the first time. They are: Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Airman Kevin Hodges, Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Jeremy Porter, In-Flight Technician 2nd Class Joshua Roberts, In-Flight Technician 2nd Class Bryan Brzuchalski, Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher Lehmann, Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Gregory Thomas, Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Eric Leonard, Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Jeremy Dykes, Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Joel Stevens, Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Matthew Wilcox, Information Systems Technician 1st Class Michael Dewitt, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Chief Jeromy Worrell, Aviation Electrician’s Mate Chief Kristofer Greene, Lt.j.g. Joshua Hill, Lt. Steve Griffing and Executive Officer Cmdr. Jake Jacobs.

VP-46 thanks their families for keeping them strong while away.