VX-30
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 VX-30 | |
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F-4 Phantom (retired)
F-14 Tomcat (retired)
C-130 , NC-20G |
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (AIRTEVRON THREE ZERO or VX-30), nicknamed The Bloodhounds) is a
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
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
S-3 Viking
First appearing in late 2009, the
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]
Gallery
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S-3B Viking
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NP-3D Orion
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This DC-130A was retired in 2007
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A QF-4S in flight, 2004
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Photo of S-3B with 1940's paint scheme
References
- ^ "Vx-30 | Nawcwd". Retrieved 16 July 2022.
- ^ "VX-30 - History". www.navair.navy.mil. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ "Painted warbirds will celebrate 100 years of naval aviation". Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ "Bittersweet Goodbyes: Last S-3 Viking Leaves U.S. Navy Service".
External links
- Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Facebook page
- VX-30 official website
- In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence: VX-30 Bloodhounds - Naval Aviation News - (September–October 2004)