[Llarry]

U.S. Navy patrol and maritime reconnaissance aviation - an update.

For a number of years, the USN has maintained 12 patrol squadrons (VP) with 6 P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft each: 6 VPs based at Jacksonville, Florida and 6 VPs based at Whidbey Island, Washington. The Navy Reserve has also operated two VPs with older P-3C Orion turboprop aircraft, but they have now transitioned to the P-8A as well. Apparently longer-term Navy planning is to disestablish two active-duty VPs in a few years as there are not enough P-8As to go around.

In addition to the above patrol squadrons, there is a Fleet Replacement Squadron with P-8As at Jacksonville that trains aircrews and maintainers.

There is also a Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron, VQ-1, that flies SIGINT collection missions worldwide with a few aging EP-3E Aries II aircraft. This mission is to be assumed by unmanned aircraft in the near future.

The unmanned aircraft, the MQ-4C Triton, is now fully operational in the Pacific and based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, with 4 MQ-4Cs assigned. A second forward location at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, is soon to be operational with 4 more MQ-4Cs. A third operating location -- at a yet to be disclosed location -- is planned. All the MQ-4Cs are operated by Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP) 19 based in Jacksonville and its detachments.

The final piece of the patrol and reconnaissance force is Special Projects Patrol Squadron (VPU) 2, also based at Jacksonville and flying the P-8A. Not much is known about this secretive unit.

With the exception of the P-8A training squadron, all of these units deploy worldwide, either as whole squadrons or detachments, as required.