U.S. Navy Airman Joseph Hays checks the safety wiring on the nose landing gear on a P-3 Orion aircraft on the 15th Wing flightline Jan. 6. The aircraft are temporarily being housed by the 15th Wing due to runway construction at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The P-3s were initially released to the Navy in 1962 and are used to detect enemy submarines and aircraft. They are also used to view battlespace in order to relay information instantaneously to ground troops. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)
U.S. Navy AT1 Eric Kunetka, an aviation electronic technician, operates the Radar Advance Image Multi-Spectral System on the P-3 Orion aircraft on the 15th Wing flight line, Jan. 6. The aircraft are temporarily being housed at the 15th Wing due to runway construction at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The P-3s were initially released to the Navy in 1962 and are used to detect enemy submarines and aircraft. They are also used to view battlespace in order to relay information instantaneously to ground troops. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)
Sailors from Marine Corps Base Hawaii make repairs to a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft on the 15th Wing flightline Jan. 6. The aircraft are temporarily being housed by the 15th Wing due to runway construction at MCBH. The P-3s were initially released to the Navy in 1962 and are used to detect enemy submarines and aircraft. They are also used to view battlespace in order to relay information instantaneously to ground troops. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)
U.S. Navy Airman Joseph Hays, an aviation structural mechanic, checks the hydraulic line on the P-3 Orion as Airman Michael Dimio, also an aviatiion structural mechanic, looks on on the 15th Wing flightline Jan. 6. The aircraft are temporarily being housed by the 15th Wing due to runway construction at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The P-3s were initially released to the Navy in 1962 and are used to detect enemy submarines and aircraft. They are also used to view battlespace in order to relay information instantaneously to ground troops. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)
by Airman 1st Class Lauren Main
15th Wing Public Affairs
1/7/2011 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- About 10 U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft normally operating from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, have found a temporary home on the 15th Wing's flightline here.
The P-3s, which are part of the Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two at MCBH, are now at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam due to runway reconstruction.
The aircraft are to be relocated here for about two months. The estimated completion date for the construction at MCBH is Feb. 15.
According to U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Steve Platt, Wing Two operations officer, the operations and mission have not been affected by the relocation.
"This is essentially the first big test of joint basing," Commander Platt said. "So far, this has all coincided really well with the whole concept of joint basing. It's made it much easier to receive support."
A memorandum of agreement signed by the Navy outlined the specifics as to what and how much support would be given, said Glen Bailey, 15th Wing logistics management specialist.
"The 15th WG is tasked to provide support such as airfield management, communications, flight and weapons safety, and aircraft maintenance," said Mr. Bailey.
Although, the aircraft have their own maintainers and mechanics, facilities to maintain the P-3s are still required.
Administrative work and flight planning for the aircraft sorties are being done in a temporary facility normally reserved for transient operations, according to Mr. Bailey.
The increases in personnel and operations due to the P-3s presence here have not had an impact on the 15th WG mission, said Master. Sgt. Jonathan Green, Airfield Operations Manger.
The P-3 aircraft was originally designed as a land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft, according to a U.S. Navy fact sheet. The P-3C's mission evolved in the late 1990s and early 21st century to include surveillance of the battlespace, either at sea or over land. Its long range and long loiter time capabilities were utilized during Operation Iraqi Freedom to view battlespace and instantaneously provide that information to ground troops, especially to U.S. Marines.
