About Naval Air Station Patuxent River - DCMilitary.com

commands--Scientific Development
Squadron One (VXS-1) Dec. 13, 2004.
As VXS-1, the new command will
continue its mission as the Naval
Research Laboratory’s aviation
component as an Echelon III command,
reporting to the Commanding Officer,
Naval Research Laboratory.
VXS-1 is manned by 11 officers,
91 enlisted Sailors, eight government
employees and four civilian contractors.
The squadron is responsible for the
maintenance, employment and security
of three uniquely configured
P-3 Orion turbo-prop and a C-12 aircraft.
These aircraft, with their
aircrews, conduct numerous singleaircraft
deployments around the world
in support of a wide range of
scientific research and projects.
VXS-1 conducts and supports
broadly based, multidisciplinary
programs across the full spectrum of
scientific research. The command
strives for advanced technological
developments toward the maritime
applications of new and improved
airborne collection techniques, equipment
and systems. VXS-1’s unique
expertise focuses on the oceanic,
atmospheric and space sciences in the
advancement of U.S. Government and
U.S. naval scientific goals.
The squadron’s flight safety record
spans more than 40 years and includes
more than 64,000 mishap free flight
hours. The command continues to
improve the capabilities of its assigned
aircraft platforms.
VXS-1 P-3
Partners in Excellence
Naval Atlantic
Meteorology
and
Oceanography
Detachment
Patuxent River
The Naval Atlantic Meteorology
and Oceanography Detachment
(NAVLANTMETOC DET) is a tenant
command onboard NAS Patuxent River
and operates as a subordinate activity
of the Naval Aviation Forecast Center
(NAFC) in Norfolk, Va.
The detachment provides a variety of
functions and services to local and surrounding
activities. Certified METOC
observers take hourly observations
while the airfield is open and disseminate
weather warnings for NAS
Patuxent River and tenant commands.
To accomplish assigned missions
and functions, METOC service members
operate a variety of computer and
data collection/communication systems.
Data from national weather networks
including NOAA and NWS are used in
identifying and predicting the location
and movement of thunderstorm and
tornadic activity across the local region.
Additionally, data from the Lightning
Positioning and Tracking System provides
a real-time display of local lightning
strikes and allows detachment
observers to report to the Northeast Sub
Regional Forecast Duty Officers at
NAFC, to ensure timely and highly
accurate thunderstorm and severe
weather warnings are issued. The
Automated Surface Observation System
installed at Patuxent River and Webster
Field provides continuous readouts
of weather conditions at each site.
Other satellite and landline systems
provide access to weather data on a
global scale and the detachment
closed circuit television product line
spans five channels of information
disseminated throughout the station.
NAVLANTMETOC DET maintains
a dedicated Web site at
https://detweb.nlmoc.navy.mil/paxriver/.
Marine Aviation
Detachment
The Marine Aviation Detachment is
responsible to Deputy Commadant for
Aviation for USMC manpower support
of the Naval Air Systems Team. MAD’s
role is to support the Marine Corps’
equity in the various naval aviation
acquisition programs through the entire
life cycle. MAD service members’
assignments range from program managers,
logistics and fleet support to test
pilots, engineers and administrative
support.
The commanding officer performs
duties as aviation occupational field
sponsor and advocate for the entire
Marine aviation acquisition work force.
He provides assistance to the
Commandant of the Marine Corps
through the Deputy Commandant for
Aviation, in coordination with the
Marine Corps Systems Command and
the Deputy Commandant for
Manpower in the career development
of Marine Corps members assigned
nationwide to the aviation acquisition
work force.
The commanding officer also promotes
NAWCAD business development
and actively participates in the research
and engineering competency program
developments, especially in areas of
Marine Corps interest.
Where the Future of Naval Aviation Begins
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