Patrol Squadron FOUR family selected as Navy Family of the Year

Every year, the National Military Family Association holds a contest to find the National Military Family of the Year. The Association is celebrating its 40th Anniversary and one Patrol Squadron FOUR family has been chosen as the Navy Family of the Year. LTJG Joshua Caldwell and his family are the lucky recipients of this year’s prestigious award. LTJG Caldwell is a Naval Flight Officer for the VP-4 Skinny Dragons. Last week, it was announced that LTJG Caldwell and his family had made the Top Ten Families to represent the United States Navy. More recently, it was announced that his family was then chosen out of the top ten to be the Navy Family of the Year. With this award, LTJG Caldwell and his family will fly to Washington, D.C. and attend the National Military Family Association’s 40th Anniversary Reception on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. The reception will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building on Pennsylvania Avenue. At the reception, LTJG Caldwell and his family will represent the navy and compete against six other families representing their respective branches; Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of Public Health Service, and the Commissioned Corps of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. These six families will compete for the grand prize winner as the 2009 National Military Family of the Year. Notable guests include; General James Cartwright, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations; Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; Vice Admiral Dirk Debbink, Chief of the Navy Reserve; and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West.

VP-4 Shines in Kauai Marathon

It was a day that began in darkness and ended in sweet success for Team Skinny Dragon. The Inaugural Kauai Marathon started in the wee hours of Sunday, September 6. Amid the darkness that was still present, it started to rain. The island of Kauai is home to Mt. Waialeale, known to many as the wettest place on Earth and Sunday was certainly no exception. The runners shoes had become waterlogged, their feet had become pruny, but their wills had not been broken. Eventually, the sun came out and everyone dried off and received a slight red tinge to cap off the morning's action.

The Half and Full Marathon Competitors ran side by side until mile 11. Then, the Half split off downhill, and the Full turned uphill. The Half participants ran the steady downhill all the way to the finish. Most of the Full participants regretted their decision at the split point, but every Skinny Dragon fought bravely through the pain. Mile 12 through 20 was generally uphill and many Skinny Dragons took the opportunities to catch their breath. After mile 20, the course was generally downhill. The Skinny Dragons then met up for the awards ceremony and celebration. Tropical fruits, massages, beer, and various other food were enjoyed by all.

Eventually, the Skinny Dragon Family went their separate ways to explore all of what Kauai had to offer. Waimea Canyon, Spouting Horn, and ziplining on the North Shore are some examples of activities enjoyed. All in all it was a great time and everyone was glad they came. For complete race results, go to http://www.thekauaimarathon.com/ and scroll to the results line.

Skinny Dragons Head to Kauai for Marathon

Over the next two days, approximately 35 Skinny Dragons will make their way to the island of Kauai for "the perfect getaway" weekend. Unfortunately for most, it will not be a lazy weekend underneath the Hawaiian sun. Many will participate in the inaugural Kauai Marathon by running the half (13.1 miles), but only a few brave souls will attempt the full (26.2 miles). All of the runners will be sporting snazzy Patron Four jerseys (see above design). The Marathon starts Sunday morning at 6am. Those not running will be volunteers and help distribute water, guide the route, take photos, etc. A VP-4 party will be held afterward. Check back here for complete Skinny Dragon results. Wish them luck!

New Blog Look

This is the new look for the Blog....keep looking back for further postings and updates on the squadrons activities.

Awards Ceremony 26 June

Families are highly encouraged to attend the Awards/Frocking Ceremony on June 26, 2009 at the Base Theater, starting at 0800. Please be in your seats and ready to go at 0750. This ceremony is to commemorate all awards not previously handed out from deployment. The uniform for those at the ceremony is summer whites for CPO's and above, summer whites or service uniform for E6 and below.

Taking a break

Right now the Skinny Dragons are in the middle of their post-deployment leave period. When everyone is back, they will begin getting ready for the next deployment. In the meantime, this blog is going to take a little holoholo. Tune in in mid-July for the next update and see how the men and women of VP-4 get ready for a deployment. Aloha a hui hou.

Lucky we live (in) Hawaii

There is a local saying that people who live in Hawaii use to describe their good fortune. No one understands the sentiment better than the Skinny Dragons. Having just returned from a seven-month combat deployment to Iraq, the members of Patrol Squadron FOUR and their families are out and about doing all of the things that they enjoyed before the deployment: hiking, surfing, scuba diving, etc. On a recent day, one family hiked the Olomana peak and took a panoramic shot of our home on the windward side of Oahu. Yes, we are "lucky we live Hawaii."

What people are saying

Several media outlets have picked up stories about the returning Skinny Dragons including a local news channel story (available here) which focused on a unique program used by one of the Skinny Dragons.

Each of these stories helped the returning squadron appreciate just how big of a deal their sacrifice has been to the folks at home.

Skinny Dragons get a surprise in Whidbey Island, Washington

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington is very close to the Boeing facility which is building the P-8A aircraft, the replacement for the venerable P-3 which VP-4 currently flies. On the day that the Skinny Dragon P-3 passed thru, the second P-8 to be produced did a few approaches at NAS Whidbey. One of those passes was caught on film in these exclusive photos.

P-3 Time Update

The P-3 will arrive at 5:00pm on its final leg of travel to hangar 104.

Updated time for Airlift #3

The arrival time for the final airlift has been moved from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM on Sunday, June 7th.

P-3 Homecoming

The P-3 bringing one of the last Skinny Dragon crews will be arriving at hanger 104 at 5:30 PM.

Update to remaining flights

The arrival of the final Skinny Dragons will be at hanger 105.  The P-3 is scheduled to arrive at 5:30 PM, Saturday, June 6th, and the third airlift is scheduled to arrive at 7:00 AM, Sunday, June 7th.  

Lift Delays

Unfortunately, all three remaining flights have been delayed as follows:

The Cargo Airlift was supposed to arrive at 9:00 PM, Monday, June 1st is now scheduled to arrive 10:00 AM, Tuesday, June 2nd.

The Third Airlift and the P-3 were supposed to arrive at 5:30 PM, Thursday, June 4th and are now scheduled to arrive 3:10 PM, Saturday, June 6th.

All of these flights are arriving at KANEOHE.

There are different reasons for each of the delays, but the bottom line is that the squadron is working very hard to get your Skinny Dragons back to you. Please stay tuned here or call the VP-4 Duty Office at 257-0612 x7138 or x7087 if you have any questions about the remaining flights.

Cargo Lift Update -- Delay

The cargo lift arrival has been delayed and is now scheduled to arrive KANEOHE at 9:00 PM, Monday, June 1st. No information on the cause of the delay is currently available.

Airlift #2 Update -> Arrival Slid One Day to the Right

The arrival time for the second airlift has shifted one day to the right. The new estimated time of arrival is 8:15 AM on Sunday, May 31st.

This change was apparently caused by the contractor flying the airlift and could not have been foreseen. Check back often for any updates that come in.

Kaneohe Information for Meeting Airlift #2

The second Airlift will be arriving at Hangar 105 at MCB Hawaii. The two maps below show how to get from the main gate (H3) to Hangar 105 and where to park. There special event signs and VP4 personnel to assist in getting you on base and to the parking area starting one hour before the scheduled arrival time of 8:00 AM, Saturday, May 30th.

The Pacific Fleet Band will be on hand to help welcome our Sailors home, and there will be a shaded area, light refreshments and a keiki bouncy house to help keep everyone's spirits up before the plane arrives. Come early to ensure you get the best view of your hero landing.

Aloha airlift #1!

Airlift #1 touched down at Hickam AFB as predicted and the first round of Skinny Dragons made quick work of reconnecting with their families. There were new family additions and old friends in the waiting crowd, but mostly there was pride. Pride on behalf of the Skinny Dragons for having done a tough job well and pride on behalf of their loved ones for being part of the support network that buoyed their service and sacrifice. Thank you to all of you who have supported the Skinny Dragons through our deployement. Enjoy your reunions and making up for lost time.

VP-4 Duty Office Phone Number

It's been reported that using the automated menu to get the VP-4 Duty Office does not work. To get to the Duty Office, please dial 808-257-0612 x7087. That will do the trick.

Airlift #1: still waiting to find out where it will land

The big question on everyone's mind is where Airlift #1 will land. The prospect of landing at Kaneohe looks promising, but has not yet been confirmed. As soon as the decision is known to us, it will be updated here.