US Navy P-3 TDY changes in Japan

[Le Addeur noir]

22nd May,

The lead elements of the next VP TDY unit here,VP-8 have started to arrive.

Identified in full colour markings so far is P-3C 161408 coded LC-408.

[Le Addeur noir]

Despite initial reports that VP-8 had replaced VP-16 at Kadena, VP-5 'Mad Foxes' has in fact done so.The VP-8 airplanes at Kadena could have been augmenting the resident TDY VP- unit here.

VP-5 Orions seen here recently,

158215 ex VP-16
158564
159885 ex VP-16
160610 ex VP-16
161012 ex VP-16
161132 BMUP configuration
161338 ex VP-16
163001 LA-001
163002
163003 LA-003

Source : http://www.gonavy.jp

[Le Addeur noir]

17th June,

One confirmed EP-3E operating from here between the 17 and 19th June is 156529 of VQ-1 calling VVDT529.

EP-3E 156529 replaced sistership 156511 in May 2012 at Kadena on detachment.

[Le Addeur noir]

VP-8 are on detachment at Misawa AB,unfortunately only 3 of their Orions are so far known,

161126 -126
161408 LC-408 full colour markings
163000 -000 ex VP-1 TDY Misawa AB.

[Le Addeur noir]

VQ-1 EP-3E 157316 has replaced sistership 156529 during August at Kadena.

[Le Addeur noir]

By now both the P-3C TDYs at Kadena and Misawa should have changed.

So far scant info is known on what the new units in Japan are.

A different unmarked P-3C ending in 773 (162773)? was seen landing at Kadena on the 3rd December.Previous unmarked incumbant 161012 formerly of VP-5 was seen on the same day.

The VQ-1 EP-3E 157316 remains on det at Kadena.

[Le Addeur noir]

VVLN453 has been heard on HF in the Pacific,impling VP-45 may be one of the new VP units operating out of Japan.

[ehvb01orions]

At Kadena VP-45 has replaced VP-5.
At Misawa VP-10 has replaced VP-9

[ehvb01orions]

Sorry, VP-9 should read VP-8
And whilst on the subject:
At Sigonella VP-4 has replaced VP-9
At Al Udeid VP-40 has replaced VP-46

[Le Addeur noir]

At Kadena VP-45 has replaced VP-5.
At Misawa VP-10 has replaced VP-9

It seems highly likely most if not all the unmarked VP-5 Orions will be remaining at Kadena with VP-45.

Former unmarked VP-5 P-3C 160610 has acquired VP-45 markings by 14th December.

[Le Addeur noir]

VP-10 P-3C 161415 LD-415 from the Misawa det was noted at Kadena in full colour marks on 07th January.

VP-45 P-3C 163002 at Kadena has received toned-down VP-45 markings.There is a full-colour VP-45 P-3C at Kadena,but so far it remains unidentified.

[ehvb01orions]

158573 is the VP-45 Orion in full markings
Sofar noted with VP-10 at Misawa are 162771/LD, 161408 and 161415/LD
VP-10 also has Orions in El Salvador on TDY. Noted sofar are 156515/LD, 158915, 158917 and 159320

[Le Addeur noir]

Another unmaked P-3C has appeared at Kadena during the third week of February-161411.

[Le Addeur noir]

VP-26(tail code LK) is the next TDY VP unit at Kadena.

One of their airplanes ending in 29.(special markings obscured the last digit of the Bu number) was photographed at Kadena AB on the 21st May.Update-this is 163293.

Also this week,the long-term detached VQ-1 EP-3E 157316 was replaced by sister ship 159893.

For the last 2 years or so the VP TDY in Japan has been exclusivly operated by Atlantic Fleet VP units.

The Pacific Fleet seem to do the Sigonella detachments.


Report corrected 05th June (VP-26 was incorrectly referred to as VP-23)

[mikek]

VP-23(tail code LK) is the next TDY VP unit at Kadena.

Isn't 'LK' VP-26? I don't think there's a VP-23 anymore.