Fleet Challenge Kicks Off at NAS Jacksonville

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Kofonow, Defense Media Activity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Navy P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircrews from around the maritime patrol and reconnaissance fleet will compete April 4-10 in the annual "Fleet Challenge 2014" exercise at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Fleet Challenge 2014 will include seven aircrews from the three maritime patrol and reconnaissance wings, a fleet replacement squadron and a reserve squadron from the United Kingdom.

The annual anti-submarine warfare "rodeo" will see aircrews participate in a simulator scenario and flight operations against USS Springfield (SSN 761), which will act as an opposing force.

"We bring the best of the best together to compete in an ASW rodeo so that we can highlight the training that's been going on across the fleet," said Cmdr. Mike Granger, the officer in charge of the Navy's Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School.

Crews will be assessed on mission planning, optimized tactics, crew training as well as implementation of past lessons learned in determining the most effective maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircrew.

"It's the weapon school's chance to put them through their paces in the latest things that have developed over the previous year," said Granger.

This year marks the first time the P-8A Poseidon will compete against P-3C Orion aircrews in the competition.

"There are some P-3 crews out there that are determined to not get shown up," said Granger. "I think some of the advantages that the Poseidon brings, with being able to bring a few more sonar bouys on station and the training that the crews have gotten, it will be tough. It will be a close run."