P3s relocate to 15th Wing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lauren Main
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  About 10 U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft normally operating from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, have found a temporary home on the 15th Wing's flightline here.

The P-3s, which are part of the Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two at MCBH are at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam due to runway reconstruction.

The aircraft are relocated here for about two months. The estimated completion date for the construction at MCBH is Feb. 15.

According to U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Steve Platt, Wing Two operations officer, the operations and mission have not been affected by the relocation.

"This is essentially the first big test of joint basing," Commander Platt said. "So far this has all coincided really well with the whole concept of joint basing. It's made it much easier to receive support."

A memorandum of agreement signed by the Navy outlined the specifics as to what and how much support would be given, said Glen Bailey, 15th Wing logistics management specialist.

"The 15th WG is tasked to provide support such as airfield management, communications, flight and weapons safety, and aircraft maintenance," said Mr. Bailey.

Although, the aircraft have their own maintainers and mechanics, facilities to maintain the P-3s are still required.

Administrative work and flight planning for the aircraft sorties is being done in a temporary facility normally reserved for transient operations, according to Mr. Bailey.

The increases in personnel and operations due to the P-3s presence here have not affected the 15th WG mission, said Master. Sgt. Jonathan Green, Airfield Operations Manger.

The P-3 aircraft was originally designed as a land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft, according to a U.S. Navy fact sheet. The P-3C's mission evolved in the late 1990s and early 21st century to include surveillance of the battlespace, either at sea or over land. Its long range and long loiter time capabilities were utilized during Operation Iraqi Freedom to view battlespace and instantaneously provide that information to ground troops, especially U.S. Marines.