A BIT OF HISTORY: "...'Mad Foxes' to change leaders - By Lt. j.g. Brian Fichter, VP-5 - Thursday, April 14, 2005..." WebSite: JaxAirNews http://www.jaxairnews.com/stories/041405/mil_vp5001.shtml [18APR2005]

The VP-5 ''Mad Foxes'' will celebrate their 54th change of command April 18 with distinguished guests, families and friends at NAS Sigonella, Sicily.

The change of command ceremony will culminate a highly successful tour for outgoing Commanding Officer Cmdr. Sean Cannon who is being relieved by Cmdr. William Johns.

Cmdr. William Johns Johns will continue to lead the Mad Foxes through the remainder of their deployment and then into the following inter-deployment readiness cycle (IDRC). Johns reported to the squadron in April 2004, assuming duties as executive officer.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska, Johns received a Naval ROTC commission in 1987.

After earning his naval flight officer's wings in May 1989, he reported to VP-30 for initial P-3 training in NAS Jacksonville, Florida. His very distinguished career includes an initial fleet tour in Brunswick, Maine with VP-44, which included a deployment to Keflavik, Iceland.

After VP-44's decommissioning in 1991, he joined VP-10 and deployed to NAS Sigonella, Sicily. In 1993, he returned to VP-30 for instructor duty.

Ordered to Commander, Carrier Group Six in 1996, Johns served as flag secretary and aide and qualified as staff tactical action officer deploying with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 64) Battle Group on its maiden deployment around the world and in support of Operation Southern Watch and United Nations sanctions against Iraq.

In April 1999, he reported to VP-16 in NAS Jacksonville, Florida for his aviation department head tour, which included another deployment to NAS Sigonella, Sicily. In November 2000, Johns joined Com-mander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group in Norfolk, Va. prior to reporting to VP-5.

Cmdr. Sean Cannon Cannon's tenure began in April 2004, and he effectively transitioned the Mad Foxes through a challenging IDRC into a demanding worldwide deployment to Italy, El Salvador and NSA Bahrain. The squadron covered three areas of responsibility as well as several detachment sites to various countries.

Under Cannon's guidance, VP-5 broke new ground by bringing the Navy's Fleet Response Plan (FRP) to maritime patrol aviation.

While building 12 combat ready aircrews during the IDRC, six were detached within a three-month period to support European Command (EUCOM) and Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) requirements, executing 298 mishap-free hours and a 100 percent mission completion rate.

In addition to providing FRP surge assistance, the squadron kept pace with readiness requirements while supporting carrier strike groups in numerous operations such as the joint task force exercise, and the composite training unit exercise.

Cannon leaves the Mad Foxes in the middle of an already successful tri-site deployment. Under his charge, VP-5 has charted a new course for the operational employment of maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, achieving a 98 percent mission completion rate during 3,600 flight hours.

While supporting Fifth and Sixth Fleet operations in Central Command (CENTCOM) and EUCOM, the Mad Foxes have also conducted counter-drug operations throughout SOUTHCOM and CENTCOM in support of the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South, aiding in the interdiction of narcotics worth 400 million dollars.

VP-5 also completed numerous missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His aircrews supported Operations Joint Guardian, Deliberate Forge and Active Endeavor, Strait of Gibraltar escort missions, as well as numerous NATO and multi-national exercises.

Cannon's inspirational leadership led the command to unprecedented combat readiness, while surpassing 147,000 hours of mishap-free flight operations.

He sparked advancement rates the last two cycles that exceeded wing, group, and Navy average, produced the highest chief petty officer selection rate of any VP squadron in the fleet, and received the 2004 Comman-der Atlantic Fleet Retention Excellence Award.

Beginning this summer, Cannon will commence full time study under the Moreau Scholar Program at Johns Hopkins University.

The Mad Foxes also welcome their new Executive Officer Cmdr. Brent Klavon. Klavon's last tour was as executive officer of VP-30.

He is a 1988 graduate of Pennsylvania State University and received his commission via Naval ROTC and subsequently began flight training, earning his naval aviator wings in 1989.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-5 Mad Fox Newsletter - Second Edition (PDF File 528KB), April 2005..." VP-5 Official WebSite: http://www.nasjax.navy.mil/vp5/OMBUDSMAN2.doc [08JUL2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Approach March - April 2005 - CRM: What If? - By AEC(AW/NAC) Dan Schwertfager - AEC(AW/NAC) Schwertfager flies with VP-5..." Naval Safety Center WebSite: http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/media/approach/issues/marapr05/CRM.htm [08JUN2005]

Our crew had been operating for a month out of the Manta, Ecuador, forward operating location (FOL). Our missions were in support of Operations Dolphin Archer and Caper Focus.

Our day began with a 0900 preflight for a five-hour reposition flight to NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The P-3 we were to take back had arrived in the FOL two weeks earlier with a flap-asymmetry gripe, which was fixed with a flap re-rig, followed by a functional check flight. The plane then sat idle for two weeks.

After takeoff, we leveled off at FL230 as the crew began to ponder what the next couple of weeks in Puerto Rico would be like. One hour into the flight, the flap-asymmetry light illuminated with the flaps in the up position. A quick visual inspection verified both flaps were in the full-up position and would not be available for landing. We broke out NATOPS, reviewed the procedures, and began a risk analysis of our situation.

Flaps in the full-up position require higher speeds and AOA for approach and landing, and they create much longer landing distances. We evaluated our options and considered weather, runway numbers, and fuel remaining. Everything favored continuing to Puerto Rico.

We try to keep all crew members "in the game" during every flight, and we routinely fire "what if" questions to each other. I thought it was time to toss a question to the crew. I looked out the starboard aft window and asked over the ICS, "What are everybody's thoughts on losing an engine during the rest of the flight?"

During the conversation, the second flight engineer saw a slight reduction in the No. 1 hydraulic quantity from what had been noted during the preflight. I still was in the back of the plane, so I grabbed my cranial and goggles to take a look in the hydraulic service center (HSC). As expected, I saw a little fluid but no massive puddles or any sign of a leak. We once again evaluated our situation and decided to continue. Heck, it's not like the P-3 never leaks.

At the four-hour mark of the flight, at FL230, the pilot thought he saw something flicker on the horizontal-annunciator-lights-panel assembly for the No. 3 engine; the flight station became abnormally quiet. I ran a lights check to see if any lights were burnt out, and I also checked to see if the "flicker" could have been the sun's reflection on the lights panel. As I scanned engine indications and the pilot finished checking the engine nacelle for any external indications, the No. 3 chips light came on for about 15 seconds, then went out. (The chips light means metal particles are on the power section or the reduction-gearbox magnetic plugs.)

The No. 3 engine had no secondary indications of an engine or gearbox failure. NATOPS requires the engine to be shut down when a chips light comes on. If another emergency requiring power exists, the crew may elect to leave the engine running. This bad day was getting worse.

Aircraft pressurization is provided by two engine-driven compressors (EDCs): one on the No. 2 engine and the other on the No. 3 engine. One EDC should be able to maintain pressurization; however, we also had an outstanding gripe in the book for a weak No. 2 EDC. This situation presented a dilemma because, as I mentioned, we were cruising at FL230.

The pilot immediately contacted center and coordinated a descent to help the No. 2 EDC maintain cabin pressurization. Because of our altitude, we kept the No. 3 engine running to help maintain pressurization.

Center initially cleared us to FL150, and we evaluated the remaining EDC's performance. The cabin pressure stabilized at 7,500 feet. The three-engine-at-15,000-feet range chart determined, with the fuel remaining, we would land 1,000 pounds above our on-top fuel requirement. Once everybody was comfortable with the situation, and no more questions existed, we shut down the No. 3 engine.

In the Orion world, we routinely practice no-flap landings; we also practice three-engine landings. However, we do not routinely practice no-flap, three-engine landings.

All the crew aft of the flight station, who weren't too concerned before, now were trying to find reasons to crowd into the flight station. This rush forward included our one passenger, the FOL maintenance-control chief who had released us "safe for flight."

After what seemed to be an endless list of "what if" questions, and a good old-fashioned, round-table ORM discussion by the flight station (three pilots and both FEs), we decided to set up No. 3 engine for restart. With no secondary indications from the chips light, we agreed it would be beneficial to restart the engine before commencing the approach. We would do a four-engine, no-flap landing. If the No. 3 engine then developed secondary indications and degraded, we would shut it down for good.

Before arriving at the initial approach fix, we reviewed the emergency-landing brief and the no-flap-landing procedures, completed our required checklists, and then restarted the No. 3 engine. All engine indications appeared normal, and we started our approach.

Three miles from the landing threshold, the No. 1 hyd-press light illuminated (Do you recall our earlier slight loss of hydraulic fluid in the No. 1 system?). This light means the No. 1 hydraulic-pump pressure has dropped below the required limits. I secured the No. 1 hydraulic pump after talking with the pilot and verified the integrity of the No. 1 system. The No. 1A pump still worked and we saw no loss of fluid indicated.

After announcing an "all good" to the flight station, we let the crew know everything was OK and flew a textbook, uneventful no-flap, four-engine landing.

After landing rollout, we secured the No. 3 engine, and, during the taxi to our line, the second FE verified the HSC was clear and the integrity of the No. 1 hydraulic pump was intact. The main-power circuit breaker on the main load center had tripped; we reset it, and the pump ran fine. During postflight, the maintenance crew inspected the aircraft and found numerous gripes. The port flap brake was seized, the starboard flap brake had damaged pins, and the flap-asymmetry relay was shorted because of the flap gripe. The metal fuzz found on the No. 3 gearbox-mag plug was non-rejection criteria; a follow-on penalty run yielded no more fuzz. The HSC leak was within limits, and the No. 1 hydraulic-pump circuit breaker, when set, operated normally, and the discrepancies could be duplicated.

Though we train for any of these malfunctions individually, when combined, this situation became an excellent ORM scenario. If we had added a few more malfunctions and a little runway work, we could have completed a fly flight for the junior pilots and my second engineer.

I think this event made the biggest impression on our single passenger, the maintenance-control chief. So many times he signs "safe for flight," then the plane leaves, comes back, gripes are written, and gripes get fixed-the same old routine. But, when he actually got to experience the full effects of an in-flight malfunction, combined with a few problems, and to see the process we go through, he was impressed. After we had finished our postflight, he still was talking about how fluent and methodical it looked. He said we had made it look easy.

A BIT OF HISTORY: Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 "...Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 - Photos by PO Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert GEN - Cleaning the windows of the cockpit is also part of getting an aircraft ready to take off. An enlisted member of the United States Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron Five brushes dust off the cockpit window of an US P3C. The US Maritime Patrol Aircraft gets ready to take off to search Ionian Sa for submarines. This is one of the many missions during the NATO Exercise NOBLE MARLIN 2005, an Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise in the Ionian Sea..." Allied Joint Force Command Naples http://www.afsouth.nato.int/JFCN_Images/2005/Noble_Marlin05/ExNM05_p3.htm [21MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 "...Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 - Photos by PO Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert GEN - A pilot of the United States Navy checks the instruments of the cockpit of an US P3C prior to take off. The P3C of the United States Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron Five takes part in the NATO Exercise NOBLE MARLIN 2005. The exercise is NATO’s Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise with a wide range of military objectives..." Allied Joint Force Command Naples http://www.afsouth.nato.int/JFCN_Images/2005/Noble_Marlin05/ExNM05_p3.htm [21MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 "...Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 - Photos by PO Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert GEN - Stationed at the NAS Sigonella, Sicily P3C of the United States Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron Five is getting refueled. The Maritime Patrol Aircraft participates in the NATO Exercise NOBLE MARLIN 2005. The NATO exercise is an Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise, with the main aim to improve the ability of the ten participating nations to operate together..." Allied Joint Force Command Naples http://www.afsouth.nato.int/JFCN_Images/2005/Noble_Marlin05/ExNM05_p3.htm [21MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 "...Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 - Photos by PO Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert GEN - A “wing walker” of the United States Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron Five escorts a P3C to its parking position. Wing-walkers are utilized for aircraft movements on the ground, to avoid accidents on the airfield. The P3C takes part in the NATO Exercise NOBLE MARLIN 2005, an Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise in the Ionian Sea..." Allied Joint Force Command Naples http://www.afsouth.nato.int/JFCN_Images/2005/Noble_Marlin05/ExNM05_p2.htm [21MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 "...Exercise Noble Marlin 2005 - Photos by PO Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert GEN - An enlisted member of the United States Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron Five controls an US P3C from outside, before the aircraft gets reported as “ready for take off”. The P3C of the US Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron Five participates in the NATO Exercise NOBLE MARLIN 2005. One of the main aims of the exercise is to amplify the existing inter-operability of the ten participating NATO nations..." Allied Joint Force Command Naples http://www.afsouth.nato.int/JFCN_Images/2005/Noble_Marlin05/ExNM05_p2.htm [21MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: 050301-N-1550W-003 Sigonella, Sicily (Mar. 1, 2005) "...Director, Naval Forces Europe, Plans and Operations/Commander, Submarine Group Eight, Rear Adm. Carl V. Mauney, speaks with Sailors assigned to Patrol Squadron Five (VP-5), in Sigonella, Sicily, during a site visit. VP-5 is currently deployed to Sigonella in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Elizabeth Williams (RELEASED)..." Navy News Stand http://newshome.news.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=22421 [10MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...NATO sub exercise set to kick off near Sicily - Stars and Stripes - European edition, Tuesday, March 1, 2005..." WebSite: Stars And Strips http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=26591&archive=true [21MAR2005]

NAPLES, Italy — NATO’s annual anti-submarine exercise Noble Marlin kicks off Thursday in the Ionian Sea southeast of Sicily.

The exercise, known as Dogfish in previous years, will run through March 16.

Six submarines, 10 maritime patrol aircraft and 16 surface ships will take part in Noble Marlin, which the alliance is billing as “the world’s largest anti-submarine warfare exercise.”

The exercise will be run from Commander, Submarines Allied Naval Forces and Commander, Maritime Air, both based in Naples.

U.S. forces include aircraft from the Sigonella, Sicily-based Patrol Squadron Five and staff assigned to the two Naples-based headquarters.

Noble Marlin includes forces from 10 NATO nations, ranging from Turkey to Canada.

According to an alliance press release, the exercise is designed to keep forces proficient in coordinated anti-submarine, anti-surface and coastal surveillance operations.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-5 Crew Joins SAR Mission Off Coast of Malta - Story Number: NNS050216-06 - Release Date: 2/16/2005 3:22:00 PM - By Journalist 1st Class Russell C. Tafuri, Armed Forces Network Sigonella..." Navy News Stand WebSite http://www.news.navy.mil/Search/display.asp?Story_id=17117

NAS South Weymouth, Massachusetts (NNS) -- A Commander Task Force (CTF) 67 P-3 Orion crew from VP-5 assisted in a search and rescue mission of an exploded civilian cargo vessel off the coast of Malta Feb. 3.

When the civilian cargo vessel Vigla exploded, Rescue Command Center Malta put out the SOS call. Britian’s HMS Nottingham (D 91) was in the area and initiated the search-and-rescue effort, joined by an Italian military helicopter. The 11-member crew of VP-5, homeported in NAS Jacksonville, Florida, joined the effort looking for seven Dutch crew members of the Vigla, who were feared dead after the ship exploded 150 miles southeast of Malta, according to Capt. Robert Lally, commodore of CTF 67.

The Navy’s P-3 Orion lent unique support due to its ability to stay on mission for up to 10 hours, as well as provide the electronic equipment aboard suited to this type of mission, including radar systems and infra-red sensors, according to VP-5 Tactical Coordinator Lt. Tom Pickering.

“We also had every available person onboard manning the windows as observers,” said Pickering. “The whole time, we’re treating this as if there are people in the water, waiting on us. We all stayed hopeful.”

But with the water temperatures between 55 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit, the mission ultimately became a search-and-recovery one.

“If the people in the water were not in a life boat or without protective clothing, they could only last in the water up to two hours maximum,” said Lally.

The P-3 crew assisted with the recovery of four of the seven sailors' bodies from Vigla.

“The take-away for me is genuine flexibility of the crews to respond so quickly to an emergent need like that," said Cmdr. Sean Cannon, VP-5 commanding officer. "It also validates the value of having a large-dwell platform like the P-3, because it is able to stay exactly where the action is longer than anything else.”

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...050211-N-3195P-004/005/009 Sigonella, Sicily (Feb 11, 2005) - Sailors assigned to the "Mad Foxes" of Patrol Squadron Five (VP-5) perform a foreign object damage (FOD) walk down under the rising sun on the flight line of NAS Sigonella, Sicily. A FOD walkdown is done before, during, and after flight operations to ensure that no debris is on the flight line to cause any damage. The "Mad Foxes" are responsible for maintaining, flying, and performing missions with the P-3C Orion aircraft. VP-5 is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class Jesse L Paquin. (RELEASED)..." Port Orange http://www.portorangeimages.com/In%20and%20around%20Port%20Orange.htm [10MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - Italy is latest stop for "Mad Foxes" on global anti-terror trek - By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes - European edition, Tuesday, February 8, 2005..." WebSite: Stars And Strips http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=26169&archive=true [15FEB2005]

"...Jesse L. Paquin / U.S. Navy - A P-3C Orion assigned to the “Mad Foxes” of Patrol Squadron Five makes its final approach to land at NAS Sigonella, Sicily, during routine flight operations.

NAS Sigonella, Sicily — The “Mad Foxes” have traveled from El Salvador to NSA Bahrain to help fight the global war on terror.

The 430 sailors of Patrol Squadron 5 — though based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida — are currently flying their four P-3 Orions out of NAS Sigonella, Sicily during a six-month routine deployment.

The unit’s sailors, such as Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeremy Fox, have been trekking around the world.

Fox, 21, an aviation electrician’s mate, spent about a month-and-a-half at the end of last year in El Salvador maintaining one of the squadron’s aircraft that was aiding the U.S. Coast Guard and El Salvadoran military to track vessels possibly smuggling narcotics.

And while he might not be on the front lines, Fox said, he’s out there making a difference and seeing the world — two reasons why he joined the service more than three years ago.

The squadron got its name in 1948 after being equipped with the first Lockheed P2V Magnetic Anomaly Detector, or MAD — a device that can detect a submerged submarine.

The Sigonella deployment, which started in early December, has some sailors working outside their rates.

Petty Officer 3rd Class David Bergeron, an aviation electronics technician by trade, has taken on the task as the “barracks super.”

“I’m the quality-of-life guy at the barracks, trying to keep everyone happy. If they’re happy there, they’re happy here,” said the 22-year-old sailor during an recent interview at the squadron’s hangar.

No one VP squadron calls Sigonella home, at least not for long. A new one rotates in every six months, providing the surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities needed to meet requirements for the U.S. Sixth Fleet.

The reason for the move is that it’s cheaper for the Navy to deploy a squadron from its home base than to pay the permanent change-of-station costs to base sailors and their families at Sigonella, said Navy Capt. Robert Lally, commanding officer of Combined Task Force 67. The deployed squadrons fall under his command.

Deploying to places such as Sigonella can be tough on the squadron’s members, said Cmdr. Sean Cannon, the squadron’s commanding officer.

“Our biggest challenge is that this is not our hangar, and we have to get used to working in someone else’s home,” he said.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...'Mad Foxes' are world travelers in the war on terror - By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes - European edition, Wednesday, February 9, 2005..." WebSite: Stars And Strips http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=26188&archive=true [10MAR2005]

NAS Sigonella, Sicily — The “Mad Foxes” have traveled from El Salvador to NSA Bahrain to help fight the global war on terror.

The 430 sailors of Patrol Squadron 5 — though based at Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Fla. — are currently flying their four P-3 Orions out of Sigonella during a six-month routine deployment.

The unit’s sailors, such as Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeremy Fox, have been trekking around the world.

Fox, 21, an aviation electrician’s mate, spent about a month-and-a-half at the end of last year in El Salvador maintaining one of the squadron’s aircraft that was aiding the U.S. Coast Guard and El Salvadoran military to track vessels possibly smuggling narcotics.

And while he might not be on the front lines, Fox said, he’s out there making a difference and seeing the world — two reasons why he joined the service more than three years ago.

The squadron got its name in 1948 after being equipped with the first Lockheed P2V Magnetic Anomaly Detector, or MAD — a device that can detect a submerged submarine.

The Sigonella deployment, which started in early December, has some sailors working outside their rates.

Petty Officer 3rd Class David Bergeron, an aviation electronics technician by trade, has taken on the task as the “barracks super.”

“I’m the quality-of-life guy at the barracks, trying to keep everyone happy. If they’re happy there, they’re happy here,” said the 22-year-old sailor during an recent interview at the squadron’s hangar.

No one VP squadron calls Sigonella home, at least not for long. A new one rotates in every six months, providing the surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities needed to meet requirements for the U.S. Sixth Fleet.

The reason for the move is that it’s cheaper for the Navy to deploy a squadron from its home base than to pay the permanent change-of-station costs to base sailors and their families at Sigonella, said Navy Capt. Robert Lally, commanding officer of Combined Task Force 67. The deployed squadrons fall under his command.

Deploying to places such as Sigonella can be tough on the squadron’s members, said Cmdr. Sean Cannon, the squadron’s commanding officer.

“Our biggest challenge is that this is not our hangar, and we have to get used to working in someone else’s home,” he said.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-5 in Europe..." Contributed by Marco P.J. Borst p3orion@planet.nl P-3 Orion Research Group WebSite: http://home.planet.nl/~p3orion [14JAN2005]

VP-5 in Europe
By Lt. Michael Moody

Now firmly established on one of the most challenging deployments in recent memory, the Mad Foxes of VP-5 have begun to make their presence known abroad.

Various crews and aircraft have flown successful missions in the Central and Southern European Command theaters.

Accompanying this grand scope of operations are the inherent challenges of communication, support and logistics. Meeting these challenges head-on, VP-5 has already enjoyed great success.

While working closely with the Coast Guard and other agencies recently, the Mad Foxes were able to prevent more than 2.6 metric tons of illegal drugs from reaching U.S. soil.

Rear Adm. Jeffrey J. Hathaway, director, US Coast Guard Joint Interagency Task Force South was so impressed with the performance that he sent a "Bravo Zulu" to the Mad Foxes from for their role in the operation.

The squadron also had the unique opportunity to assist NAS Souda Bay`s Security Department with the medical evacuation of a canine. The department`s explosives-detecting dog, Maco, was suffering from a a leaky heart valve and needed immediate attention. The Ready Alert crew was notified and airborne within two hours and quickly delivered Maco to Army veterinarians in Germany to get the medical attention he needed. Maco is currently recovering, but will be retired from his military duties.

The Mad Foxes continue a the Navy tradition of making a positive impact in the local community with a visit by members of the administration department to the local Suru Di Gesu Redntore orphanage, where they sponsored a Christmas party for the residents, in addition to tours of the P-3 aircraft for local Italian elementary schools.

Fascinated by the plane, the children brought many questions and were able to learn about the many missions performed by the Orion aircraft and her crews.

A BIT OF HISTORY: 050127-N-3195P-005/006/008 Sigonella, Sicily (Jan 27, 2005) "...A P-3C Orion assigned to the "Mad Foxes" of Patrol Squadron Five (VP-5) makes it final approach for landing at NAS Sigonella, Sicily during routine flight operations. The "Mad Foxes" are currently deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class Jesse L Paquin. (RELEASED)..." WebSite: Port Orange Images http://www.portorangeimages.com/news%20from%20beyond.htm [10MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: Sigonella, Sicily (Jan 12, 2005) "...A P-3C Orion assigned to Patrol Squadron Five (VP-5), "Mad Foxes," sits on the flight line at Naval Air Station Sigonella while a maintenance crew changes the propeller on the number two engine. The Mad Foxes are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy - photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class Jesse L Paquin. (RELEASED)..." [12FEB2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: 050110-N-3195P-002 Sigonella, Sicily (Jan. 10, 2005) "...Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Nick Carlson, right, stands ready to hand a sonobuoy to Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Jason Skelton during the loading of sonobuoys in an P-3C Orion assigned to the “Mad Foxes” of Patrol Squadron Five (VP—5). Sonobuoys are devices that are used to detect acoustic waves produced by ships and submarines. VP-5 is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Jesse L. Paquin (RELEASED)..." Navy News Stand WebSite: http://www.news.navy.mil/search/photolist.asp [14JAN2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-5 WebSite PAO Corner - The Mad Foxes New Den By LTJG Moody..." http://www.nasjax.navy.mil/vp5/pao.htm [18MAR2005]

Now firmly established on one of the most challenging deployments in recent memory, the Mad Foxes of Patrol Squadron FIVE have begun to make their presence known abroad. Various crews and aircraft have flown successful missions in the EUCOM, CENTCOM and SOUTHCOM theaters. Accompanying this grand scope of operations are the inherent challenges of communication, support and logistics. Meeting these challenges head-on, Patrol Squadron FIVE has already enjoyed great success. While working closely with the Coast Guard and other agencies recently, the Mad Foxes were able to prevent more than 2.6 metric tons of illegal drugs from reaching U.S. soil. A Bravo Zulu goes out to the Mad Foxes from RADM Hathaway of the USCG for their role in the operation. VP-5 also had the unique opportunity to assist NAS Souda Bay’s Security Department by conducting a canine MEDEVAC for their explosives-detecting dog, Maco. He was suffering from a leaky heart valve and needed immediate attention. The Ready Alert crew was notified and airborne within two hours, and quickly delivered Maco to veterinarians in Germany to get the medical attention he needed. Maco is currently recovering but will be retired from his military duties. Get well soon Maco.

Representing the Navy, the Mad Foxes continue a tradition of making a positive impact in the local community. Some early activities that have already taken place include a visit by members of the Admin department to the local Suru Di Gesu Redntore orphanage where they sponsored a Christmas party for the residents, in addition to tours of the P-3 aircraft for local Italian elementary schools. Fascinated by the plane, the children brought many questions and were able to learn about the many missions performed by the Orion and her crews. VP-5 looks forward to more community involvement and interaction in the coming months.

During the past Holiday season friends and families are missed the most. When asked about his family, AEAN Ramp of the CSO DEPT said, “Of course I wish I could be with them, but this is what I signed up for and things could always be worse.” AEAN Ramp has a wife and a son patiently waiting for him at home.. As the Mad Foxes dutifully fulfill our obligations far away from home, we would like to send our love and good cheer across the miles, back to all our loved ones. We appreciate your sacrifice, your love and your support.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-5 WebSite CO's Corner..." http://www.nasjax.navy.mil/vp5/cocorner.htm [18MAR2005]

MAD FOX Families and Fans,

Your MAD FOX team launched on deployment as smoothly as any squadron I have ever seen and since arriving at our deployment sites, has striven to make this our best deployment ever.

Operationally, the MAD FOXES have charged out of the gate, already contributing to the nation's counter-drug effort by disrupting over $100 million worth of illegal drugs heretofore destined for your neighborhoods and schools. In the Med, MAD FOXES continue to underpin Commander Sixth Fleet's efforts to identify and track suspect shipping. And further east, elements of your team are supporting Central Command and Fifth Fleet priorities from sites in southwest Asia. With over 75 sorties already flown, the MAD FOXES continue to make a real difference in our Navy.

On the deck, your heroes continue to grapple successfully with our beautiful but aged airplanes. They have kept our fleet flying and combat support folks have not missed a beat despite a whole new environment. We have underscored repeatedly the liberty and driving risks associated with our deployment sites and I could not be more pleased with how the MAD FOXES have embraced our collective efforts to keep each other safe on and off duty.

We are working hard, but have also carved out time for over 100 MAD FOXES to enjoy sponsored tourist trips, including a couple of 4 wheel drive excursions up Mount Etna, the 10,000 foot volcanic peak 20 miles north of Sigonella, and an afternoon wine-tasting tour in nearby Sicilian towns. I could not be more proud of how well your team has been looking after one another and supporting each other.

Over these next days, we will acutely feel the distance from home. We have a Christmas Breakfast planned at the Galley and will team up later in the day for some outdoor sports and finally, a Christmas movie and MAD FOX-cooked and served Christmas dinner. No bones about it - we will miss you. Thank you for supporting us with a mountain of letters and packages and with your diligent prayers. Nothing makes us happier than to know that you are basking in the freedoms that we have deployed to guarantee. As MAD FOX One, I wish you a Happy Christmas and enjoyable winter holiday.

NO FOX LIKE A MAD FOX

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-5 WebSite CMC's Corner..." http://www.nasjax.navy.mil/vp5/CMCcorner.htm [18MAR2005]

Dear Family and Friends,

Your Mad Fox Warriors are doing great things on deployment. Our over the hump party is March 6. Yes, halfway there. This month in the CMC’s corner, I would like to highlight one of the many ways our community shows their appreciation. Below is a program by the City of Jacksonville to award grants to military members and their families.

R/CMC

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"VP-5 History Summary Page"

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