Patrol Squadron 16 “War Eagles” return to NAS Jax from deployment
Naval Air Station Jacksonville to see Monday homecoming.
ByRich Jones, News 104.5 WOKV
Jacksonville, Fl — Local military families will have a lot to celebrate today when the “War Eagles” of Patrol Squadron 16 and the “Lightning Riders” of Mobile Tactical Operations Center-1 return.
Their seven-month deployment was to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. The War Eagles were attached to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 57 and 6, providing widespread intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capability to the fleet.
During their deployment, VP-16′s maintenance professionals, maintained seven P-8A Poseidon aircraft requiring over 20,000 man hours.
“I am proud of every single War Eagle and Lightning Rider for their dedication, perseverance, and resiliency during this challenging and dynamic deployment,” said Cmdr. Kevin Kraemer, commanding officer of VP-16.
Jacksonville will be a welcoming sight for the War Eagles, eight of which will be returning as new fathers. The VP-8 “Fighting Tigers” are relieving the War Eagles in Bahrain.
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Rich Jones, News 104.5 WOKV
Rich Jones is the Host of Jacksonville’s Morning News. Rich joined WOKV in October 2006. Rich is involved in many community organizations and causes. Rich and his wife, Noelle, have three children: Avery, Harper and Austen.