P-3s join pirate patrol in the Seychelles

[unhappycamper]

P-3s join pirate patrol in the Seychelles
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 7, 2010 18:24:33 EST

A detachment of P-3 Orions has moved to the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean to help fight pirates off the coast of Africa, a Navy official said.

The three maritime surveillance aircraft from Patrol Squadron 26 moved from Djibouti in December, said Cmdr. Monica Rousselow, a spokeswoman for the Navy’s 6th Fleet command.

“The P-3s are there to conduct surveillance missions that support U.S. Africa Command’s goal in promoting stability and security within the region,” she said.

The Seychelles are an archipelago about 15,000 miles off the coast of Africa.

VP-26 deployed from Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, at the end of November; the base will be closed in 2011. The squadron will head to Florida at the end of its deployment and settle into its new home at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.


Article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_P3s_Seychelles_010710w/