By Lt. j.g. Robert Valentich
VP-45 Public Affairs Officer
The “Pelicans” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 began their seven-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) when the first of six P-8A Poseidon aircraft departed from NAS Jacksonville on Jan. 27 and the last aircraft departed on Feb. 7.
VP-45 relieved the “Mad Foxes” of VP-5 at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan on Feb. 10 assuming maritime patrol and reconnaissance efforts in support of national interests in the 7th Fleet AOR.