NAS JAX to mark final deployment of P-3C Orion

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The local naval aviation community is gearing up for a historic day.

On Thursday morning, the last remaining P-3C Orion squadron on the East Coast will deploy for the final time.

The United States Navy is phasing out the aircraft.

Naval Air Station Jacksonville has been home to the P-3C Orion since the Cold War era of the 1960s.

People on the First Coast might recognize it by its four propellers. It's often seen flying over the city.

Orion's primary function is to track submarines, but it also completes electronic surveillance and combat missions.

Most recently, the aircraft has been involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the global fight against Isis.

When the local sailors return, they will upgrade to a new aircraft called the P-8A Poseidon. That transition means there will no longer be any active Orion squadrons on the East Coast.

However, the aircraft is still currently used by six naval squadrons on the West Coast.

More In Your Military

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group deploys from Yokosuka

During its last5 deployment, which concluded in Octobe, the Reagan not only operated in U.S. 7th Fleet but also 5th Fleet to support the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Afghanistan.

IPPS-A rollout still on track after initial delay, Army says

The Army says its new master human resources platform is on track for full implementation Sept. 30.

Wildfire monitoring, other state missions in jeopardy without a Space Guard, these officials say

Space Force officials want to move away from the traditional Guard and Reserve. These colonels say that's a bad idea.

Army makes new cohesion assessment teams permanent

The teams use focus groups and on-the-ground interviews to dig deeper than traditional climate surveys.

Navy investigating drowning death of research lab civilian

Wesley Goode died earlier this month in Gulfport, Mississippi.

In Other News

Blue Star Museums again offering free admission to troops, families all summer

Participating museums are offering free admission to military families from May 21 through Sept. 5.

Military commands spent pandemic money on space analytics, IT upgrades

The U.S. military commands responsible for North America misused at least $19 million in COVID-19 relief money on space-related data analytics connected to the Pentagon’s JADC2 endeavor, as well as office information technology upgrades, investigators said.

Ukraine getting battalion’s worth of artillery in new $100 million aid package

The U.S. is sending Ukraine another $100 million in military assistance, including heavy artillery and counter-artillery radars, the Biden administration announced Thursday.

Biden invokes Defense Production Act for formula shortage

President Joe Biden has invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and has authorized flights to import supply from overseas.

Junior service members being hit hard by inflation, senior enlisted leaders say

From food to child care to housing, inflation is hitting junior service members especially hard.

Load More