VP-30 earns CNO Safety “S” Award

Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group Rear Adm. Lance Scott presented the Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 Safety Department with the 2019 CNO Aviation Safety “S” Award during a ceremony, Oct. 15.

The CNO Aviation Safety Award program recognizes squadrons that have contributed to operational excellence, exemplary safety contributions and to further the Naval Aviation Safety Program. The program honors award recipients with a plaque and the Safety “S” marking on their aircraft, signifying exceptional professionalism in daily operations and a focus on safety. Members of the VP-30 Safety Team accepted the prestigious award on behalf of all the Sailors assigned to the Pro’s Nest, who steadfastly strive to maintain VP-30’s exceptional safety ethic. 

VP-30 safely executed 10,461 flight hours across 2,277 sorties in 2019. This brings the squadron total to 520,110 mishap-free flight hours over the past 55 years.

Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group/Pacific Safety Officer Cmdr. Zachary LaPointe stated, “Having the opportunity to see Patrol Squadron 30 presented with the 2019 CNO Aviation Safety Award today was a fantastic event that highlighted the dedicated team effort made by each member.  VP-30 continues to strive to ensure safe and efficient support, maintenance, and flight operations every single day.”

“When you see the tenets of operational risk management and high-velocity learning incorporated into the day-to-day process of running the largest aviation command in the United States Navy, it is not surprising that VP-30 has amassed over 520,000 mishap-free flight hours,” said LaPointe. “I am very proud of the efforts made by each member of the ‘Pro’s Nest,’ and I am confident that the servant leadership, and caring focus displayed daily will continue to spread across the world-wide maritime forces as our students complete their training at the Fleet Replacement Squadron and join the fleet.” 

In his remarks to the Pro’s Nest, Scott explained how, “This is not a one-year effort, it is a day-to-day effort that drives the basis for safety across the fleet. You are establishing it [safety] and instilling it. Everything we do as MPRF starts here. Everyone that walks through those doors are coming out to the fleet.”

VP-30 Commanding Officer Capt. T.J. Grady applauded his team and commended the Pro’s Nest family on their dedication to safety every day. Grady stated to those gathered, “One of the key factors in our success is effective communication. The way our team conveys information, both good and bad, to others helps us to not only be effective but safe while executing our mission.”