On June 9, Commander Patrol and Recon-naissance Wing 10, Capt. John Dziminowicz presented Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2 with the 2005 Battle ‘E’ award in a brief ceremony in the base theater.

The Battle ‘E’ rewards the squadron for a very eventful year during which the squadron conducted its overseas homeport change from NS Rota, Spain to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., while simultaneously maintaining full, uninterrupted worldwide operational deployment responsibilities. The squadron’s hard work and dedication lead to a seamless relocation of 950 personnel and their families, 300 privately owned vehicles, and more then 45 metric tons of furniture and equipment over a distance of 7,000 miles without a single ground or aviation mishap. These efforts were instrumental in maintaining a high state of morale during an extremely challenging transition.

In addition to the move, VQ-2 amassed over 4,550 mishap-free flight hours during 936 sorties while maintaining a mission-capable rate above 72 percent.

Operations, Training and Maintenance departments were also kept busy with the implementation of numerous EP-3E upgrades, such as the fielding of the first JMOD Common Configuration Aircraft, as well as work on the Sensor System Improvement Program 4.0.

Squadron medical personnel contributed to the effort by achieving a 92 percent medical readiness level. The squadron also maintained a solid 67 percent retention rate for the year.

On achieving the award, VQ-2 Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr Cory Howes comments that “The Battle Efficiency award evaluates commands from bottom to top, including operations, readiness, retention, mission completion rate, and tactical advancement. VQ-2 excelled in all these areas in 2005, but perhaps our proudest achievement was our continuous worldwide presence, flying combat reconnaissance missions in the war on terror. At one point during the year, VQ-2 was operating in all four major theaters simultaneously, which spawned the motto ‘The Sun Never Sets on VQ-2.’”

While supporting the squadron’s mission, individual members also achieved numerous accolades including one Meritorious Service Medal, 42 Air Medals, 35 Navy Commendation Medals, 104 Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, as well as more than 120 other individual awards and commendations.

This is the eighth Battle ‘E’ awarded to VQ-2.