The 'Mad Foxes' of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, the Honorable Lewis Eisenberg, onboard a recent training flight on the P-8A Poseidon out of their current deployment site, Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Italy Feb. 7.

On Feb. 7, the P-8A departed Sigonella and gave Eisenberg a look on how a combat air crew (CAC) operates as a team.

During the flight, Eisenberg observed the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) as it performed an underway replenishment with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201).

The ambassador was also able to experience a takeoff and landing from the flight deck.

"It was great being able to demonstrate the flying characteristics of the P-8A with the ambassador," said Lt. Shane Woodard, the flight's patrol plane commander.

At the conclusion of the flight, the Mad Foxes dropped the ambassador off in Rome. The trip provided valuable training for the pilots.

"We don't always get the opportunity to fly into unfamiliar airfields, so it really is a worthwhile experience to be able to operate with our Italian counterparts at their air bases," said the crew's co-pilot Lt.j.g. Rhen Nathe.

After the trip to Rome, the crew returned to back to NAS Sigonella.

QUICK FACTS:

VP-5 is on a dual deployment to Sigonella, Italy and El Salvador.

VP-5 is deployed to Commander, Task Force 67 out of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily.

This is the first deployment for VP-5 to U.S. 6th Fleet with the P-8A.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of Naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.