JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For 6 months the War Eagles of Patrol Squadron 16 at NAS JAX were deployed in the Pacific to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the 7th Fleet.
The last plane of that Patrol Squadron returned to Jacksonville Wednesday afternoon. Their homecoming is all the happier for families of the sailors because recently members of America's military, including 2 ships based at Mayport, have been deployed to assist Israel in their war against Hamas.
Even before the plane lands on the runway the families are waiting.
"We've been talking about it for weeks that daddy's coming home," said Natalie Freels, who is waiting for her husband with her daughter, "that he's going to fly his air plane to our house is what she keeps saying."
And quicker than the steps off the plane is the sprint to their loved ones.
"Cathartic to say the least," said Zach Freels, "it's just a release and a relief to see both these ladies, I miss them so much."
"While the War Eagle squadron is thrilled to be home and happy to be back here in Jacksonville, their thoughts tend to go towards other service members who are now recently deployed into danger zones.
"That's the somber part of this," said Commander Terrell Radford, VP-16 Commanding Officer, "you know you get to come home and there's always somebody else on watch doing their part."
On Sunday the Department of Defense directed the USS Carney and the USS Thomas Hudner, ships based out of Mayport, to go to the eastern Mediterranean and bolster regional deterrence efforts after Hamas' attacks on Israel. You can read the full DoD statement here: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3551716/statement-from-secretary-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-us-force-posture-changes-in-the/
"My heart goes out to all the folks out there today dealing with all the challenges, not just in the middle east but across the globe because there's always one of us forward deployed," said Commander Radford, "my heart goes out to their families and hope everybody comes home safely."
This day is filled with hugs 6 months in the making, but some family members know someday soon they may be hugging goodbye before the next deployment.
"This is part of it, it's what he signed up to do, this is what we signed up to do as a family," said McKenzie O'Keefe, "so you always know what the possibilities are, what the risks are, but at the end of the day there's nothing like this day."
Due to unrest in the Middle East and the rest of the world, future deployments are not yet known, but for many, their immediate duty is that of 'Dad'.
The “War Eagles” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 returned home this month following an extremely demanding six-month deployment to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility (AOR). During the deployment, VP-16’s 300 Sailors excelled operationally, providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime domain awareness, and anti-surface warfare capabilities for Commander, Task Force 72.
VP-16 was based out of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and conducted several detachments throughout the AOR to include mainland Japan, the Philippines, Guam, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. VP-16's indispensable Maintenance Department played a pivotal role in the squadron’s success, ensuring nine P-8A Poseidon aircraft remained in a mission-capable status throughout the arduous deployment.
In total, VP-16 safely flew over 3,300 hours and executed 600 sorties, providing humanitarian assistance and participating in joint and combined exercises with allies and partners across the region. While supporting U.S. 7th Fleet, the squadron shined on-station, participating in 27 exercises, conducting freedom of navigation operations, and supporting high-interest ASW operations. The “War Eagles” efforts ensured continued maritime stability, improved regional cooperation, deterred aggression and contributed to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“I could not be prouder of the way our War Eagle team performed over the last six months. Each and every War Eagle was crucial to our success and I want to thank them for their sacrifice, perseverance, determination, and hard work during this demanding deployment. It is a great feeling to see our families and loved ones after being gone for so long, and I am happy to have all of our War Eagles home,” said VP-16 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Terrell Radford.