NAS JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Patrol Squadron Five (VP-5), the “Mad Foxes,” returned home to the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Monday morning after a six-month deployment in Misawa, Japan.
While their primary hub was located in Misawa, the Mad Foxes operated at additional detachment sites within Japan in Atsugi and Kadena and across the globe in Djibouti. Other detachments included Guam, the Republic of the Philippines, Australia, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia.
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The Mad Foxes executed several missions including anti-submarine warfare and intelligence surveillance, according to Commander Brett Eckert.
“The team performed amazingly, from maintenance to aircrew, to combat support we really needed everyone to step up to be able to execute the deployment we just had, and everybody succeeded with flying colors and now it’s great to have them back,” Eckert said.
According to NAS Jacksonville, the VP-5 flew more than 3,930 hours, and executed high-profile missions that demonstrated the commitment of the U.S. to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Nathan Mueller, AM-3, said he is excited to be home.
“It’s a feeling, it’s hard to explain honestly but it’s just filled with excitement, love and happiness. It’s been a tiring and very cold deployment so I’m happy to be home in sunny Florida,” Mueller said.
First Class Petty Officer, Aviation Electrician Mate Zachary Kish agreed with Mueller.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be home, every time leaving, no matter how much you do it, it doesn’t come any easier but being welcomed home by friends and family, nothing beats that,” Kish said.
Welcome home, Mad Foxes!