VP-10 "Red Lancers" Making an Impact in El Salvador

By LTJG Brendan McGoey, VP-10 Public Affairs

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR (NNS) -- Patrol Squadron 10, known as the "Red Lancers", has had an immediate positive impact since arriving in El Salvador on June 24 in support of Operation MARTILLO, a U.S., European, and Western Hemisphere effort targeting illicit drug trafficking routes in Central America.

Operationally, the Red Lancers, a P-3C squadron based in Jacksonville, Fl., have conducted (X number) of patrols, helping bring to justice those suspected of participating in illegal smuggling operations and preventing the transfer of 5,703 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated U.S. market value of $116,000,000.

These flights would not be possible without the tireless diligence and devotion of the maintenance team, who provide the aircrews with mission capable aircraft. The department has provided a total of 2400 man-hours that have included one engine change, two propeller changes, two engine driven compressor changes, two hydraulic pump changes, and one AIMS turret change.

The Red Lancers will be attending the annual UNITAS and Silent Force Exercise conferences that are held in Lima, Peru. These conferences, beginning mid-September, consist of multinational exercises conducted to enhance interoperability and mutual cooperation between navies. The Red Lancers will be joined by forces from many Central and South American and European countries.

Additionally, the Red Lancers have had a positive impact in the local community by participating in various volunteer and community relations activities with local organizations. They have donated nearly 4,450 lbs. of clothing, food and school supplies to Iglesia Gran Comisin (Grand Commission Church), in La Libertad, El Salvador. Squadron members have also helped by cleaning floors, painting rooms, and building new shelves in the church's child development center.

The Love and Hope Children's Home, which provides care and shelter for local children in need, has also benefited from Red Lancer involvement. Volunteers have given over 163 hours of their time to build connections with the orphaned, abused, abandoned, or neglected children who are supported by the home.

Squadron members are also raising money on their own to help support future volunteer efforts. The squadron had 79 members participate in the COMREL 5K run on Saturday, August 23, which raised $2,255. The money will subsidize improvements to the child development center to include building a set of retractable folding doors so the children will have a protected place to do homework and other after school activities.

Additionally, 2,000 pounds of high-protein, nutritious rice packages will be delivered, providing food for up to 14,000 people.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet provide a sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions in support of U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations.