VX-30

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Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30
VX-30
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (US Navy) insignia, 2004.png
VX-30 Insignia
ActiveMay 1995 - present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
TypeTest & Evaluation
RoleRDT&E, Surveillance
Part of Naval Air Systems Command
Garrison/HQ NAS Point Mugu
Nickname(s)"Bloodhounds"
Motto(s)"Relentless Pursuit of Excellence"
ColorsYellow, Black
Mascot(s) Cerberus
Decorations Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award (2010)
Commanders
Commanding Officer US-O5 insignia.svg CDR Collette Lazenka [1]
Chief Test Pilot US-O5 insignia.svg CDR Devin Holmes
Executive Officer US-O5 insignia.svg CDR Charles Lewis
Senior Enlisted Leader Badge of a United States Navy command senior chief petty officer.png
Aircraft flown
Fighter F-4 Phantom (retired)

F-14 Tomcat (retired)

F/A-18 Hornet (retired)
Reconnaissance E-2D Hawkeye, P-3 Orion, S-3 Viking (retired)
Transport C-130, NC-20G

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (AIRTEVRON THREE ZERO or VX-30), nicknamed The Bloodhounds) is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. Using the tail code BH, the squadron flies the E-2D Hawkeye, Lockheed P-3 Orion, Gulfstream NC-20G, and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft. The VX-30 Bloodhounds provide support to the United States Navy's Sea Test Range off the shores of central California.

Contents

History

Established as the Naval Weapons Test Squadron Point Mugu on 8 May 1995, the squadron was redesignated Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ZERO (VX-30) in May 2002. Today, VX-30 is the principal naval flight and ground test unit for all Point Mugu Naval Air Systems Command aircraft and aircraft functions, including logistics and training support. [2]

The VX-30 logo was designed by Ralph R. Abel, Jr., GS Federal Civil Service, a Graphic Technical Illustrator for VX-9 Detachment, Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Point Mugu requested by Lt. Cmdr Mark Thomas VX-30 Maintenance Officer who had the idea to use Cerberus, the guardian of the gates of Hades in Greek mythology in 2003. The design was based on Mr. Abel's dog, a rottweiler.

Aircraft Flown

Current aircraft

VX-30 is one of the most diverse squadrons in the Navy today, as its flight line encompasses multiple Naval Aviation platforms. Each one of these platforms is used in various Research Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) of current and future weapons systems, which are being tested at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division both at Point Mugu and China Lake.

C-130 / KC-130 Hercules

VX-30 uses the C-130 and KC-130 extensively as an aerial refueling platform for units that are conducting tests on the Sea Test Range, as well as for surveillance and clearance on during hazardous operations that are being conducted on the range as well. To this date, the squadron flies the oldest C-130s in active military history, dating back to 1957.

P-3 Orion

The squadron's most used aircraft is the P-3 Orion. These aircraft are used in conjunction with the testing on the Sea Test Range for surveillance and clearance, as well as providing telemetry data during missile testing. VX-30 also flies two of the fleet's only "Billboard" NP-3D, a P-3A that has been upgraded with a large billboard-esqe radar, that can provide over-the-horizon radar capabilities. The NP-3D aircraft were also used to support five NASA Space Shuttle missions using the Cast Glance optical system to monitor re-entry.

S-3 Viking

First appearing in late 2009, the S-3 Vikings were used for their surveillance capabilities on the Sea Test Range. Because of their agility and speed, they were able to much more quickly identify and locate various vessels which may impact the operations being conducted. In November 2010, VX-30 helped to celebrate the Centennial of Naval Aviation by sporting an S-3 with a paint scheme that dates back to aircraft that were flying during the  Battle of Midway. [3]

In January 2016, the Navy retired the S-3 Viking from service completely, and thus, the S-3 is no longer flown by VX-30, or any other command in the US Navy. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lockheed S-3 Viking</span> Carrier-based anti-submarine and aerial refueling aircraft

The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-crew, twin-engine turbofan-powered jet aircraft designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Corporation. Because of its characteristic sound, it was nicknamed the "War Hoover" after the vacuum cleaner brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lockheed P-3 Orion</span> Maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft family

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engined, turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner; it is easily distinguished from the Electra by its distinctive tail stinger or "MAD" boom, used for the magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) of submarines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas A-3 Skywarrior</span> Carrier-based multirole aircraft family

The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior is a jet-powered strategic bomber that was developed and produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It was designed by Douglas on behalf of the United States Navy, which sought a carrier-capable strategic bomber. During July 1949, Douglas was awarded the contract to produce its design, having bested eight other aircraft companies' submissions. Unlike rival designs, which had aimed for a 100,000 lb (45,000 kg) maximum take-off weight, the Skywarrior was developed for a 68,000 lb (31,000 kg) take-off weight, facilitating its use from the navy's existing Midway-class aircraft carriers. Large portions of the aircraft were produced by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, including its early Westinghouse J40 turbojet engines, which failed to meet promises and were replaced by the rival Pratt & Whitney J57 engine by mid-1953. On 28 October 1952, the prototype XA3D-1 performed the type's maiden flight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing P-8 Poseidon</span> American maritime patrol aircraft

The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is an American maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, and derived from the civilian Boeing 737-800. It was developed for the United States Navy (USN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing EA-18G Growler</span> Electronic Warfare Aircraft

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G replaced the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy. The Growler's electronic warfare capability is primarily provided by Northrop Grumman. The EA-18G began production in 2007 and entered operational service with the US Navy in late 2009. Australia has also purchased thirteen EA-18Gs, which entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton</span> Maritime version of RQ-4 Global Hawk

The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton is an American high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) under development for the United States Navy as a surveillance aircraft. Together with its associated ground control station, it is an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Developed under the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program, the system is intended to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions (ISR) over vast ocean and coastal regions, continuous maritime surveillance, conduct search and rescue missions, and to complement the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Missile Test Center</span>

Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) is the former name of the current Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division. The name of the center was the Naval Air Missile Test Center prior to PMTC. It is located at Naval Base Ventura County/Naval Air Station Point Mugu in Ventura County, California. The nearest city to the installation is Oxnard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Air Station Patuxent River</span> Military naval air station and flight test centre in Maryland, United States

Naval Air Station Patuxent River, also known as NAS Pax River, is a United States naval air station located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Base Ventura County</span> Group of US Navy installations near Oxnard, California

Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) is a United States Navy base in Ventura County, California. Formed by the merger of NAS Point Mugu and CBC Port Hueneme, NBVC is a diverse installation composed of three main locations — Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island. The base serves as an all-in-one mobilization site, deep water port, railhead, and airfield. NBVC supports more than 100 tenant commands with a base population of more than 19,000 personnel, making it the largest employer in Ventura County.

VX-4, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four,, commonly referred to by its nickname of The Evaluators, was a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. Their tail code was XF, and they flew the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet until their disestablishment in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VX-9</span> Military unit

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. Using the tail code XE, the squadron operates F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operational Test and Evaluation Force</span> Military unit

The Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) serves as an independent and objective agency within the United States Navy for the operational testing and evaluation (OT&E) of naval aviation, surface warfare, submarine warfare, C4I, cryptologic, and space systems in support Navy and U.S. Department of Defense acquisition programs.

Naval Air Warfare Centers are research organizations within Naval Air Systems Command. The centers are grouped within the following divisions:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VX-20</span> Military unit

VX-20, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty, is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VX-6</span> Military unit

Air Development Squadron Six was a United States Navy Air Development Squadron based at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Established at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on 17 January 1955, the squadron's mission was to conduct operations in support of Operation Deep Freeze, the operational component of the United States Antarctic Program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Air Station Point Mugu</span> US Navy airfield near Oxnard, California, U.S.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu was a United States naval air station near Oxnard, California, which operated as an independent base from 1941 to 2000, when it merged with nearby Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme to form Naval Base Ventura County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-60</span> Military unit

VP-60 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve, based at NAS Glenview, Illinois. Its nickname was the Cobras. The squadron was established on 1 November 1970, and disestablished on 1 September 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing MQ-25 Stingray</span> American military aerial refuelling drone

The Boeing MQ-25 Stingray is an aerial refueling drone that resulted from the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) program, which grew out of the earlier Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program. The MQ-25 first flew on 19 September 2019.

VX-1, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One, is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

References

  1. ↑ "Vx-30 | Nawcwd" . Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  2. ↑ "VX-30 - History". www.navair.navy.mil. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Painted warbirds will celebrate 100 years of naval aviation" . Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Bittersweet Goodbyes: Last S-3 Viking Leaves U.S. Navy Service".

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