14
The Signature: 2020 Year In Review
COMMANDER TASK FORCE 67 W
ith staff and major support commands based here in lovely Sigonella, Commander Task Force (CTF) 67 is responsible for command and tactical control of deployed maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) squadrons along with several rotary aircraft units throughout the European and African areas of responsibility (AOR). “2020 has been a challenge, but CTF-67 has risen to that challenge,” noted Capt. Tim Thompson, commanding officer of CTF-67 and Commander, Fleet Air Sigonella (CFAS). He continued, “While the majority of our forces are often on the road, the hub here in Sigonella has kept our team properly resourced for operations forward.” The team Capt. Thompson is referring to includes permanently stationed CTF-67 staff, CFAS staff, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), Aviation Supply Depot (ASD), and Tactical Operation Center (TOC) Sailors, and civilians. This year, these deployed aircraft have included P-8A Poseidon aircraft, combat aircrews, and maintenance personnel from the Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 “Skinny Dragons;” VP-47 “Golden Swordsmen;” VP-16 War Eagles, who completed full deployments of around 6-months; and the current VP-9 “Golden Eagles” and VP-46 “Grey Knights.” Alongside each squadron are forces from Mobile Tactical Operations Center (MTOC) 8, MTOC 1, MTOC 4, and the current MTOC 2 and MTOC 6. These MTOCs supplement TOC Sigonella, which acts as the nerve center with tracking and coordinating operational aircraft in realtime. These teams have accounted for almost 1,050 individual flight events over the past year. Beyond Sigonella, support has also come from the VP26 Tridents, who supplemented with 23 flight events
during a critical operation. Additionally around the area of responsibility, helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 Griffins, a helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 Ghost Rider, and an EP-3C ARIES II aircraft from Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 “World Watches” have supported the theater. On top of their normal requirements, deployed forces needed to overcome additional obstacles, to include COVID tests, quarantines, and restriction of movement. In spite of these perceived obstacles, operational commitments were fully achieved. Often this was due to air-to-air refueling and quick gas-andgo stops in which the team stays on the plane, allowing operations without breaking safety boundaries. This success is a testament of the entire joint team coming together to support operations. Speaking in praise of the hard working watch standers who have worked through the hardships, Lt. Cmdr. Peter Andrew, the officer-in-charge of TOC Sigonella said, “Through travel restrictions and other challenges, we’re happy that we are able to continue to support deployed MPRA during these difficult times.” The TOC, led by Lt. Cmdr. Andrew, has tracked over 9,300 flight hours of P-8A and EP-3C aircraft this year. Over the last 12 months, forces have conducted real world intelligence collection, submarine tracking, Search-and-Rescue, and allied and partnership cooperation. A great example of this was partnership was VP 4 and MTOC 8’s work in NATO’s DYNAMIC MANTA exercise, which ran from Feb. 24 until March 6, east of the Sicilian coastline. During this exercise, Sigonella was critical in basing aviation assets from the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Turkey. 2020 has been a highly successful year for CTF-67,
