OKINAWA, Japan - Members with the Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squadron (VP)
47 assisted New Zealand in field survey operations following an earthquake
in the South Island of New Zealand Nov. 15.
VP-47's aircrew, accompanied by two Royal New Zealand Air Force airmen, took
off from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base, Auckland, located in
Whenuapai, on a five-hour mission to assess the area surrounding Kaikora.
The squadron is supporting critical relief efforts by visually assessing,
while airborne, the condition of roads and infrastructure that were damaged
by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
"Our ability to work closely with the Royal New Zealand Air Force
crewmembers was essential to the completion of our mission," said Lt. Daniel
O'Keefe, one of VP-47's tactical coordinators. "The navigational assistance
that they provided was invaluable and enabled flawless execution."
During the flight, they were able to identify impassable roads covered in
debris. Additionally, they were able to assess bridges that were cracked and
buckling due to damage by the earthquake.
"We are very glad to be able to render assistance during this disaster,"
said Cmdr. Jim Imlah, executive officer of VP-47. "Both our aircrew and our
aircraft maintainers understand the urgency of these missions and are
working around the clock to provide maritime patrol and humanitarian support
to the people of New Zealand."
This is the Golden Swordsmen's last deployment with the P-3C aircraft. VP-47
is the second of three Hawaii-based squadrons to make the move to Whidbey
Island and transition to the P-8A.
VP-47 is currently deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations at
Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of
operations at Comalapa, El Salvador.
For more news from Commander, Naval Air Forces, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/airpac/.