November 4, 2009 — NAS Jax is the short and usual way of referring to the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. NAS Jax is home to the remaining east coast Navy Patrol Squadrons (VP) and a host of helicopter squadrons and other units. The base has been in existence since 1940 and it has served the country well in all these years.
Yesterday I was able to see a sight I have been familiar with for over 40 years and that is a P-3 Orion patrol aircraft taking off and landing here at NAS Jax. I know exactly what was most likely going on in that aircraft as it flew in the pattern here at Jax. Some young pilot was going through one of his or her syllabus flights that would lead him or her to the next level of qualification in the aircraft. There were most likely four other crew onboard...pilot/instructor, flight engineer, and two aft observers. I cannot count the many, many times I have flown in a P-3 doing what they were most likely doing yesterday. All total I have about 6000 flight hours in the P-3 in a flying career that lasted from 1965 to 1986.
Today I want to go to the Air terminal for just a short while where I can get a good look at some young pilot learning to fly the P-3. It is a marvelous airplane that has been in service since 1962 and will go out of service in 2012 when the Boeing P-8 Poseidon comes on active duty. At that time the grand ol' P-3 will go to the bone yard, but my memories will live on forever...it's what really matters!
Yesterday I was able to see a sight I have been familiar with for over 40 years and that is a P-3 Orion patrol aircraft taking off and landing here at NAS Jax. I know exactly what was most likely going on in that aircraft as it flew in the pattern here at Jax. Some young pilot was going through one of his or her syllabus flights that would lead him or her to the next level of qualification in the aircraft. There were most likely four other crew onboard...pilot/instructor, flight engineer, and two aft observers. I cannot count the many, many times I have flown in a P-3 doing what they were most likely doing yesterday. All total I have about 6000 flight hours in the P-3 in a flying career that lasted from 1965 to 1986.
Today I want to go to the Air terminal for just a short while where I can get a good look at some young pilot learning to fly the P-3. It is a marvelous airplane that has been in service since 1962 and will go out of service in 2012 when the Boeing P-8 Poseidon comes on active duty. At that time the grand ol' P-3 will go to the bone yard, but my memories will live on forever...it's what really matters!
No comments:
Post a Comment