A BIT OF HISTORY: "...The following was submitted to the local papers in and around Brunswick, Maine, and to various Navy publications by PATROL SQUADRON EIGHT..." Contributed by Beth Perry (E-Mail Removed By Request) NEWSLETTER: "VP-8 Alumni Association" World War II Stories, and more!!![14MAR98]

Patrol Squadron EIGHT's outstanding performance over the past year earned the 1997 Commander Naval Air Force, Atlantic Battle Efficiency Award. From an aggressive Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC) to a highly successful deployment to Sigonella, Sicily, the FIGHTING TIGERS excelled in all arenas, making them the top VP squadron on the East Coast.

The Battle "E" honors the squadron that demonstrates superior efficiency in the various aspects of Maritime Patrol Aviation. These areas include Surveillance, Undersea Warfare, Surface Warfare, Battle Group Interoperability, weapons proficiency, detachment operations, readiness, training, logistics and support, and safety.

The FIGHTING TIGERS began their 1997 quest by completing a challenging home cycle. Operational Readiness Exams, Mining Readiness, aircrew qualifications, and Fleet NATOPS evaluations tested the squadron's preparation for their upcoming Mediterranean deployment. VP-8 aircrews seized the opportunity, quickly qualifying electro-optic reconnaissance operators for Operations DELIBERATE GUARD and SILVER WAKE.

VP-8's Med deployment spanned 34 exercises, involving detachments to 13 different countries. Over Bosnia-Herzegovina, the squadron was the unit of choice for crisis response and contingency operations, flying over 100 sorties totaling more than 800 hours of Operation DELIBERATE GUARD support. Aircrews imaged over 1,000 targets at an unprecedented 100% sortie completion rate. Operation SILVER WAKE demonstrated the squadron's operational flexibility. Over 40 missions totaling more than 300 hours were flown, providing real-time video imagery for Joint Task Force Commanders during Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations in Albania. FIGHTING TIGERS displayed their Undersea Warfare (USW) prowess by logging simulated attacks on over 70 submarines from over 13 different countries. On the cutting edge of USW, aircrews expanded Mediterranean Extended Echo Ranging employment, developing, validating, and refining new tactics. Flying over 1,000 hours of dedicated Coordinated Operations, VP-8 aggressively supported SIXTH Fleet tasking and Battle Group operations, providing E surveillance, Over-The-Horizon Targeting, and Search, Surveillance, and Control (SSC). FIGHTING TIGER Sailors worked closely with Allied partners, provided mining and torpedo training to the Dutch and Greek Navies.

In August, 1997, VP-8 returned home to relax and spend time with family. However, the squadron's dedication to excellence did not waver. Aircrews began IDTC in preparation for a tri-site deployment while supporting USS JOHN C. STENNIS COMPTUEX and UNITAS 38-97. By year's end, the squadron already had 7 qualified aircrews, well ahead of COMPATWING FIVE goals.

All of this operational and training success could not exist without exemplary maintenance, administrative,and command service teams to support it. FIGHTING TIGER maintenance excelled throughout this past year by providing mission capable aircraft for every sortie on deployment and meeting all operational and training commitments at home. VP-8 Administration logged their second consecutive year as the best Admin Department in the Wing, while the squadron Command Services kept the Sailors fed and provided a professional-looking work environment. Through an aggressive safety program and Operational Risk Management (ORM), VP-8 extended its safety record to a milestone of 120,000 hours and 19 mishap-free years.

With over 98% sortie completion rate for over 4,000 deployed flight hours,the FIGHTING TIGERS of VP-8 worked long and hard to earn the honor ofwearing the Battle "E." Each member takes pride in this teamaccomplishment and is committed to continued success.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "15MAY97--Headline: Sigonella Squadron in Exercise Dogu Akdeniz 97 by LTJG Mike Burke, VP-8...SIGONELLA, Sicily - (NENS) -- The Patrol Squadron EIGHT (VP-8) "Tigers" launched Combat Air Crews Five, Six, Twelve and a maintenance team to Dalaman, Turkey last month for Exercise Dogu Akdeniz 97. The exercise provided an excellent multi-lateral environment with U.S., Italian, Spanish, French and Turkish naval units operating in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Other U.S. participants included USS Hayler (DD 997), USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Atlanta (SSN 712). Tiger aircrews displayed proficiency in undersea and surface warfare in support of two opposing task groups composed of international naval units. The aircrews provided the task groups with over-the-horizon targeting, conducted simulated AGM-84 Harpoon strikes against the opposing forces, and launched numerous simulated MK-46 torpedo attacks on participating subsurface units. The embarkation of Turkish officers on all flights created a bilateral exchange forum for Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) knowledge and procedures..." NavEur News (17-97) May 15, 1997 Posted by JO2 Charles Achord cne019c@post.nctsl.navy.mil

A BIT OF HISTORY: "00JUN97--Because the defense budget is being cut more and more since the end of the Cold War, Maritime Patrol Aviation was felt more than its fair share of these cuts. In 1989 there were 24 VP squadrons in the Navy. As of June, 1997 that number stands at 12. VP-8 was rumored to be Disestablished in 1996, but it turned out that the squadron was spared and is still going strong. The squadron's long time name of being called the "TIGERS" has also been updated to 'THE FIGHTING TIGERS". Since surviving the swing of the budget ax the squadron sent an aircraft to Puerto Rico and fired the first fleet online Harpoon missile from the P-3C. This missile is the Navy's premier long range anti-ship missile. Shortly after that, the squadron was awarded the Isabell Trophy for USW (undersea warfare) excellence, a very impressive achievement and awarded annually. July, 1996 the squadron sent a crew to Whidbey Island, Washington, site of the 1996 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aviation) symposium. The week long annual even featured MPA from around the world, with aircraft and aircrews participating in a USW competition. VP-8 took home the coveted first place trophy, capturing it from France, the defending champions. February, 1997 the squadron deployed to Sigonella, Sicily for another six month deployment. The main focus was to support NATO forces in Bosnia-Herzigovinia; however they still participated in many detachments and exercises around the region and in Europe. Some crews have been sent as far away as South Africa. Recently, VP-8 was featured in the March 31, 1997 edition of Aviation Week and Space Technology. The article highlights the future of the P-3 and where VP-8 is going in the future..." Thanks to Lt. Darayl Pridham, Pilot and Public Affairs Officer, PATRON EIGHT for this update of June 1997...Contributed by Beth Perry (E-Mail Removed By Request) NEWSLETTER: "VP-8 Alumni Association" World War II Stories, and more!!!

A BIT OF HISTORY: "The following article was submitted to the local newspapers in and around Brunswick, ME, and various Navy publications. It was gratefully submitted to us by LTJG Russ Pesut...Patrol Squadron EIGHT, based at Naval Air Station Brunswick, ME, marked 19 years and 119,700 mishap-free flight hours on 22 September 1997. During this period, the FIGHTING TIGERS deployed overseas 12 times and experienced six complete personnel turnovers. This August, VP-8 completed a high tempo Mediterranean deployment, flying over 4,000 mishap-free flight hours supporting Operations Deliberate Guard, Silver Wake, AND 27 naval, joint and combined exercises... While this achievement is a tribute to all Fighting Tigers, past and present, Admiral Johnson, Chief of Naval Operations, reminds Sailors that for success in all endeavors, the Navy must "Steer by the stars, not by our wake." So how do the Fighting Tigers "Steer by the stars?" First and foremost, the command's safety culture emanates from the Commanding Officer, Commander Ray Para. A staunch advocate of powerful, effective tools such as Operational Risk Management (ORM), the Commanding Officer is the catalyst for continued success, facilitating an ORM implementation embraced by all hands. Additional programs maintaining VP-8's safety awareness include an innovative Safety Monitor Program, developed by Safety Petty Officer, Aviation Electrician's Mate First Class John McCormick. At random, AE1 McCormick recruits an "assistant" from another work center and they take a "30-minute walk" focusing on how daily business is conducted. This simple program produces a win-win situation; personnel awareness is immediately increased and the command receives a daily safety inspection. The Quality Assurance Officer, LT Bruck Rasche, under the guidance of the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, successfully integrated ORM into numerous maintenance evolutions from routine aircraft moves to engine turns, where qualified personnel are in close proximity to an operating engine and propeller. The Aircraft Safety Officer, LT John Stuhlfire, provides ORM training in conjunction with important Aircrew Coordination Training (ACT). Additional programs including the Enlisted Safety Council, Officer's Safety Council, and the Human Factors Committee complement an effective command safety program ensuring safety now and in the future...VP-8's wake of the past 19 years has been straight, through hard work and attention to detail. All squadron personnel mark this occasion with a commitment to safe practices in the work center, at home, in the community, and in the aircraft. (LCDR Jerry Nyberg, VP-8 Safety Officer.)...." Contributed by Beth Perry (E-Mail Removed By Request) NEWSLETTER: "VP-8 Alumni Association" World War II Stories, and more!!!

A BIT OF HISTORY: "00JUN97--Greetings from Vicenza, Italy. Our legacy continues, the Tigers of VP-8 fly daily over Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Guard. In a few weeks, VP-45 assumes the 'Watch'..." Contributed by G. L. Nyberg, LCDR, USN nyberg@jax-inter.net

"VP-8 History Summary Page"

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