Aviation News - May 2016

VX-30 BLOODHOUNDS

DIVERSIT Y IN TEST

Commander Sam Hanaki, who took

charge of VX-30 in February last year,

provided insight into the unit. He said: “If

you look at the entire history of VX-30 it has

always been a very dynamic squadron. We

used to have F-14s, F-4s, F/A-18s. At one

point there was a  eet of a 100 aircraft on

the ramp here. The squadron has always

changed and I can guarantee you it will look

different  ve years from now, it changes

all the time.” He added: “Due to base

realignments, budgetary issues and the

consolidation of resources, the large  eet of

aircraft shipped out of here years ago and

we are now down to two basic platforms but

the mission, if anything, has expanded for

us. The fact is VX-30 has a vital role in the

development in most of the programmes

in the Navy today. I think I’m correct that

we are the most diverse squadron in the

Navy. I know we’re the most diverse test

squadron. The fact that we have every

type of aircrew assigned to this squadron

is re ective of the mission that we do, from

F/A-18 crews all the way to UAS [unmanned

aircraft systems] guys, helicopter pilots, to

big wing guys [P-3, P-8], to old S-3s guys

like me. I think every single platform in the

http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 21

One of the S-3B Vikings that until recently

served with VX-30  ying in the Sea Range off

Point Mugu. This aircraft is now at NASA’s

Glenn Research Center in Ohio. All photos

Scott Dworkin unless stated

20-27_vx30DC.mf.indd 21 06/04/2016 17:00