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Jacksonville-based patrol squadron helps locate missing mariner in Pacific Ocean, Navy says

PACIFIC OCEAN — The Jacksonville-based patrol squadron, VP-45, successfully assisted in a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation to locate a missing mariner and his vessel about 600 miles off the coast of Guam on Friday, Jan. 17, according to the Navy.

The mariner and his 16-foot skiff were reported missing on Monday, Jan. 13.

Initially, Guam’s U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center responded, but later requested the assistance of VP-45′s fixed-wing Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft.

The VP-45 crew was able to locate the vessel approximately 50 nautical miles from its last known location.

“The ‘Pelicans’ demonstrated the valuable role they play in 7th Fleet in conducting a wide range of missions to support a free and open Indo-Pacific," Lieutenant Joe Keiley, the director of public affairs officer of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. “The P-8A brings the latest avionics and reliability to the maritime air and Information, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, making it the most advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft in the world.”

VP-45 is currently operating out of Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.


Lindsey Nolen

Lindsey Nolen

Lindsey Nolen is a Digital Content Producer for Action News Jax