Maritime Patrol Association Awarded Lockheed Martin Sponsorship

JACKSONVILLE, FL – In response to a corporate sponsorship program released by the Maritime Patrol Association (MPA) in October, Lockheed Martin became a MPA Gold Level corporate sponsor by awarding the organization with a financial contribution toward its mission to build a strong foundation of support for the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF).

“Lockheed Martin has been a partner with the U.S. Navy and the Maritime Patrol community for many years,” said Charles P. Martello, Director of Aviation Systems Sustainment for Lockheed Martin. “In recognition of our mutual support of the P-3 Orion and the critical maritime mission, we are proud to join MPA as a corporate sponsor.”

The sponsorship by Lockheed Martin will enable MPA to extend a number of opportunities to the members of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, including; networking and education offered through a variety of meetings, events and media; awards, recognition and scholarships to those persons who have made significant contributions to this aviation community; and information regarding new developments and accomplishments in the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community.

Incorporated earlier this year, MPA has grown from wishful thinking to an official Florida non-profit corporation in less than one year. With a membership count nearing 400 and growing every day, the organization is seeing an increased interaction among its members and an excitement for the future of the community that will ensure MPA’s continued growth. Members who register in the association’s first year will be considered “Plank Owners,” a historical tradition in the U.S. Navy whereby crew members of a newly commissioned ship had bragging rights to the “ownership” of one of the planks on the main deck.

A Florida not-for-profit corporation established in 2011 and headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, the Maritime Patrol Association is dedicated to its mission to be the premier professional organization representing the U.S. Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community by promoting the use of the patrol and reconnaissance aircraft in the United States Navy. Its application for tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code is currently pending.

For more information, contact September Wilkerson, Executive Director, at (904) 563-4036 or info@maritimepatrolassociation.org; or check out the MPA website at www.maritimepatrolassociation.org.

MPRF Centennial of Naval Aviation Celebration

MPRF CONA

April 4-6, 2011, NAS Jacksonville.

“Adak, the Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586″ to come out in paperback.

The Naval Institute Press told me last month that they plan to re-issue “Adak” in paperback later in 2011. The book, the true story of VP-9 Crew 6′s ditching off Kamchatka in 1978, was a 2003 publisher’s selection for best book of the year. It is still available a few places in hard cover.

“Adak” was my first book. Since then the Press has published three others: “Sailors in the Holy Land,” “The Last Lincoln Conspirator,” and–next month–”Horrible Shipwreck!”

The last, “Horrible Shipwreck!” is the story of the wreck of the British female convict transport “Amphitriite” off the French Coast in August 1833. All but three on board drowned.

I’m now working on a fifth book, for the moment called “Congo, or the Short Life and Miserable Death in 1891 of Lieuternant Emory Taunt on Equatorial Africa’s Great River.”

It should be published in 2013.

I’d be happy to talk to anyone interested in my books or in writing for publication more generally.

Best wishes, Andy

Andrew Jampoler (VP-19 76-78, NASMF 81-83)

2011 MPRF Reunion and Symposium

The 2011 Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF) Reunion and Symposium will be held the week of 4-8 April, 2011 onboard NAS Jacksonville, FL. Additionally, the Centennial of Naval Aviation will be celebrated at this year’s reunion through honoring the MPRF role in Naval Aviation history. There will be a full course of professional, historical and social events throughout the week. Over four hundred active and retired officer’s attended the 2010 Reunion at NAS Jacksonville. We hope to see as many former MPRF Warriors as possible in 2011, as this promises to be a Reunion like none other. More information soon to follow. Check out the ‘MPRF Heritage’ page on facebook.com for reunion updates, to share sea stories with current and former MPRF crew members and reconnect with long-lost shipmates.

-ENS John Leeds, VP-26

P-8 at Pax River

These pictures were taken on Saturday, 10 April 2010 as the first P-8 flew in to Pax River. U.S. Navy Photography by Liz Goettee.

U.S. Navy Photography by Liz Goettee

Firefox P-8A Persona

If you’re using Firefox 3.6, you may be aware that it uses themes (oddly referred to as ”personas” — is “theme” no longer a useful word?).

Here’s a Firefox theme — sorry, persona — that may be of interest to some:

http://www.getpersonas.com/en-US/persona/111224

2010 Reunion Set for October 22-24 in San Diego

Reunion VIII planning is underway. Click on the “San Diego 2010″ tab above for details.

New England’s Last Active-Duty Air Base Closes

See story here.

NAS Whidbey to Get Four P-8A Squadrons

See story here.

Reunion VII

Reunion VII was held on October 17-19, 2008, in Santa Clara California.