Wing ten in action - VP -46 report

The Grey Knights of VP-46, commanded by CDR Kevin J. Keilty and homeported at NAS Whidbey Island, recently returned from a highly successful deployment to Misawa and Kadena, Japan. Highly trained and focused, the men and women of VP-46 professionally executed traditional Seventh Fleet missions of anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance while standing by to answer the call of the unexpected.

The first VP-46 crews arrived in the Seventh Fleet AOR on May 30, 2001 and immediately repositioned to the Republic of the Philippines to commence the first of a series of bilateral exercises throughout the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. The squadron operated with the naval and air forces of the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, expanding the role of Maritime Patrol and fostering the spirit of international cooperation in the region. Additionally, the squadron participated in multiple exercises with Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The squadron demonstrated its undersea warfare expertise during successful prosecution and data collections on numerous foreign submarines from countries all around the western Pacific rim. Grey Knight launched from Kadena and Misawa, Japan, to locate and track numerous submarine contacts.

The unexpected sadly came on September 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks changed the focus and tactical priorities for the squadron through the remainder of the deployment. In addition to maintaining previous levels of anti-submarine presence and maritime patrol, VP-46 became an active participant in Operation Enduring Freedom throughout both Seventh and Fifth Fleet AORs. Squadron crews conducted maritime force protection patrols in defense of mainland Japan and provided maritime escort for USS Kitty Hawk and USS John C. Stennis battlegroups through the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca and enroute to the Arabian Sea. They also provided maritime escort for the first out of area deployment by a Japanese Surface Action Group since World War II, enroute to the Indian Ocean in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Grey Knight crews repositioned from Seventh Fleet to Fifth Fleet in response to the demand for increased assets in the region. They conducted daily, armed Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions in the gulf region and overland Afghanistan, conducting optical surveillance and targeting for allied ground assets.

The squadron concluded their deployment on December 10th with the return of their last crew and the CO to NAS Whidbey Island. The men and women of VP-46 were awarded the Seventh Fleet Undersea Warfare Excellence Award, two Task Force 72 Crew of the Month citations and four Task Force 72 Golden Lens Awards for excellence in photographic intelligence collection. VP-46 was relieved by another Whidbey Island squadron, the Fighting Marlins of VP-40. VP-40 is commanded by CDR Clyde Porter.

Copyright Association of Naval Aviation Winter 2001
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