Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 participated in an expeditionary ordnance loading exercise at Naval Station Rota, Spain, July 23, 2017.

During the exercise, an ordnance-loading team from VP-16, with specialized equipment, was transported from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, to Naval Station Rota aboard a U.S. Navy C-130 Hercules. The team then loaded an inert Mark 54 recoverable exercise torpedo onto a P-8A Poseidon aircraft, practicing the Navy's capability to move equipment and personnel to locations that do not have the established infrastructure to support ordnance loading operations.

"I'm extremely proud of the improvisation and flexibility our team showed in making the P-8A Poseidon expeditionary loading concept a reality," said Capt. Bill Ellis, commander, Task Force 67. "I look forward to pushing the concept further at other air fields throughout the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in the near future."

Quick Facts:

Expeditionary ordnance loading exercises enhance the U.S. Navy's capability in loading ordnance in austere locations, improving the fleet's capability to conduct operations in support of maritime and regional security.

This is the fourth in a series of inert expeditionary weapons loading events planned this year in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Both Naval Station Sigonella and Naval Station Rota support U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet and combatant command strategic priorities by providing airfield and port facilities, security force protection, logistical support, administrative support and emergency services to all U.S. and NATO forces.

VP-16 is homeported out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.

VP-16 is deployed to Commander, Task Force 67 out of Naval Air Station Sigonella.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of Joint and 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 http://www.navy.mil/.