JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 2006 Grand Prairie High School graduate and Grand Prairie, Texas native is serving with Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16), also known as the “War Eagles”.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Clarence Allen is an aviation structural mechanic with VP-16, a Jacksonville-based squadron that operates the Navy’s newly-designed maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Clarence Allen is an aviation structural mechanic with VP-16, a Jacksonville-based squadron that operates the Navy’s newly-designed maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon. Each aircraft has an aircrew of nine, is nearly 130 feet long, may weigh up to 188,200 lbs. (max gross) and can travel over 560 miles per hour and nearly 1,380 miles on a tank of gas.
As an aviation structural mechanic, Allen ‘s job duties are to maintain aircraft airframe and structural components flight surfaces and controls hydraulic and pneumatic control and actuating systems and mechanisms, landing gear systems, air conditioning, pressurization, visual improvement, oxygen and other utility systems.
“We prime and paint and make minor metal repairs and repair some of the composite materials on the aircraft, and all flight control services,” said Allen.
The Navy’s replacement platform for the P-3C, the P-8A Poseidon, is designed to secure the Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, while transforming how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy.
“It is pretty reliable, nothing really breaks on it because it is so new, for the most part and the airframe itself is reliable,” said Allen.
The P-8A provides more combat capability from a smaller force and less infrastructure while focusing on worldwide responsiveness and interoperability with traditional manned forces and evolving unmanned sensors.
Allen also said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the squadron’s 260-member team, helping to protect America on the world’s oceans.
“This squadron is a lot smaller than what I am used to, and there is a family aspect to serving with VP-16,” said Allen.
The P-8A leverages the experience and technology of the P-3C’s capabilities and assets to meet the Navy’s needs of developing and fielding a maritime aircraft equipped with significant growth potential, including an extended global reach, greater payload capacity, higher operating altitude, and the open systems architecture.
The War Eagles were the first squadron to deploy with the new P-8A platform. One of their first major missions had international attention as they participated in the international search effort for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean.
“I was in Australia, making sure that the aircraft was able to participate in the search and rescue of MH370, it was a good experience because we were working toward a common goal that had a big impact on families,” said Allen.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied in VP-16. Approximately 60 officers, 200 enlisted men and women make up and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly — this includes everything from maintaining aircraft airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weaponry, and flying the aircraft.
“Every day I feel an extraordinary amount of pride to serve alongside our great Nation’s most inspiring men and women,” said Cmdr. Daniel Papp, VP-16’s commanding officer. “Our team is filled with hardworking and highly qualified professionals who hold uncommon levels of responsibility and accountability in support of our mission: To provide maritime patrol services to the fleet in support of national interests. Their work ethic, commitment, enthusiasm, and esprit de corps are second to none!”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s newest maritime patrol aircraft platforms, Allen and other VP-16 sailors are proud to part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
Source: Navy Office of Community Outreach
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