VR-59 Passes Milestone of 150,000 Class A Mishap-Free Hours

FORT WORTH, Texas (NNS) -- Boeing Global Transport and Executive Systems (GTES) presented a trophy to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 59 Dec. 1 after the squadron passed a major safety milestone as it recorded 150,000 Class A mishap-free hours of flight Dec. 1.

Class A mishaps are defined as those which involve deaths or serious injuries, total destruction of the aircraft or damage to the aircraft and/or property exceeding $1 million.

VR-59 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Eargle accepted the award.

"Boeing takes great pride in acknowledging this achievement and wants to share in it with the Navy, who is not just a customer, but a partner as well," said Steve McMullin, Contract Logistics Support (CLS) program manager for Boeing Global Transport and Executive Systems (GTES) for the C-40A Clipper program, who represented Boeing at the ceremony.

"One-hundred and fifty thousand hours is a significant milestone. If you check the annals of Naval aviation, you will see very few squadrons that have reached that level of achievement.

"It requires commitment to doing things right while focusing on safety of the airplanes and the people that fly them."

The milestone was reached Nov. 16 inflight during mission Convoy 4487, as a VR-59 C-40A Clipper transport aircraft flew on a mission from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and on to Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Aircraft 165831 was set in "combi rig" and flew a mixed configuration with about two dozen passengers and almost two tons of cargo.

The crew consisted of Lt. Cmdr. Billy Koone (pilot), Lt. Cmdr. Robert Adair (co-pilot), Naval Aircrewman 1st Class Patrick Calhoon (crew chief), Chief Naval Aircrewman Robert Barnard (loadmaster), Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Vincente Arambula (2nd loadmaster), Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Gustavo Ariza (second loadmaster). They were accompanied by Chief Naval Aircrewman Robert Danner (instructor), Chief Naval Aircrewman Jack Chester (instructor), Chief Naval Aircrewman Jeff Barnhill (loadmaster), Naval Aircrewman David Adams (crew chief trainee), and Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Anthony Pettit (second loadmaster).

"Anytime a squadron can fly 30 years mishap-free is definitely an accomplishment," said Barnhill. "I am happy that I could be a part this accomplishment."

Rear Adm. Brian C. Prindle, commander Naval Safety Center, congratulated VR-59 on reaching this safety milestone.

"The Sailors of VR-59 have demonstrated since their establishment in 1981, that outstanding safety outcomes are the result of an all hands commitment to 'doing it right the first time, every time,' which leads to enhanced mission readiness," Prindle said.

"Everyone in the squadron, pilots, air crew, maintainers, and support staff, from the CO to the most junior Sailor, displayed teamwork and professionalism that sets a high bar for others to follow.

"Every member of the VR-59 Lone Star Express should be extremely proud of the accomplishment. I challenge you to evaluate ways to constantly improve safety program execution and the safety climate in your command. Congratulations on this very important accomplishment."

Fleet Logistics Support Sqaudrons operate on a worldwide basis to provide responsive, flexible, and rapid deployable air logistics support required to sustain combat operations at sea. During peacetime, squadrons provide air logistics support for all Navy commands as well as provide continuous quality training for mobilization readiness.


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