MAYPORT, Fla. – “The World Famous Pelicans” are returning home to Naval Air Station Wednesday after a 6-month deployment in Italy.
Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 carrying 296 sailors is responsible for conducting anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, maritime domain awareness, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
About 20 crew members will be coming home.
Commanding officer Cmdr. Clayton Hunt led the squadron that executed 640 sorties, totaling 4,015 flight hours and participated in five operations, 15 detachments and six exercises employing and expanding the full breadth of P-8A multi-mission capabilities across the European theater.
“I am incredibly proud of our Pelican team. Our Sailors demonstrated professionalism and excellence in every mission, further solidifying our commitment to our NATO allies and partners. This deployment underscored the importance of maritime presence and readiness in today’s dynamic security environment,” Hunt said.