Helicopter maritime strike and maritime patrol aviators from Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) and Naval Station (NS) Mayport gathered for the JAXMAN Symposium at Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) Nov. 14-15. This was the second symposium in what looks to be a new annual event. The symposium was designed by junior officers to align the focus and understanding of both communities and highlight warfighting concepts that need to be better defined for future success.

The front rows of the VP-30 auditorium were filled with senior maritime patrol and reconnaissance force and helicopter maritime strike leaders, submarine commanding officers, and subject matter experts from various communities to bring insight on how to more efficiently train in the antisubmarine warfare domain. During the opening remarks, VP-30 Commanding Officer Capt. T. J. Grady scanned the room and said, “When we get together, we build community. Take advantage of this today. These relationships that you build now will be beneficial, whether you’re out on station or brainstorming to figure out effective strategies.”

Grady’s remarks were echoed by HSM-40 Commanding Officer Capt. Teague Laguens who said, “This is a junior officer (JO) event, planned by JOs to bring these two communities together. We want to be able to fight better together. Form these relationships so that when you’re in the air talking on the radios, you’re not talking to a stranger.”

Topics covered in the briefs were antisubmarine warfare (ASW) planning, platform capabilities, tactics, recent prosecutions, and enhancing interoperability when tracking adversary submarines.

Attendees spanned the gamut of those involved in ASW currently in Jacksonville to include: HSM-40, HSM-48, Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Atlantic, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic staff, VP-30, VP-5, VP-8, VP-45, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 (CPRW-11) staff, Commander Submarine Group 2 staff, Destroyer Squadron 26 staff, and Undersea Warfighting Development Center.

Staff at both Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) were encouraged to attend the symposium. Instructors at the FRS build the tactical foundation for aviators and aircrews prior to sending them off to operational squadrons, and symposiums like JAXMAN help standardize the material that is taught.

At the close of the first day, leadership from the various communities facilitated a panel discussion on the topic of integrated ASW. Their main focus was officer development, manpower, readiness, and warfighting capabilities.

“Seventy percent of our missions today are hunting submarines. That is why we are here today, to integrate,” said Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic Commodore Capt. Mike Weaver.

CPRW-11 Commodore Capt. Craig Mattingly encouraged the junior officers to continue to build their leadership skills and excel in their careers. “I would ask you to control what you can control. Be the best you can be. Continue to challenge the status quo, and be innovative,” said Mattingly.

A flight suit social was held that evening at the T-Bar on NAS Jax, co-hosted by the National Helicopter Association and the Maritime Patrol Association. There, young officers were able to do just that as Rear Adm. Andrew Loiselle, Carrier Strike Group 8 commander said, “Get to know some folks who do something different from you.”

The flight suit formal on Friday night was the culmination of the two-day symposium, held at Ocean Breeze on NS Mayport. Lt. Sara Burton, instructor pilot at HSM-40, said that this year’s symposium was an improvement from last year. “We do the same thing, but it’s great when we can come together and learn to speak the same language.”

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