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JACKSONVILLE, FL — Military leaders want to keep the largest air squadron in the US Navy at NAS Jacksonville and add five other squadrons when a fleet of new, modern planes enter service in the next decade, under a draft plan released this week.

The Navy said it would like to base between 30 and 48 new P-8 jet airplanes in a massive new hangar now under construction near the western end of Naval Air Station Jacksonville’s runway.

The proposed changes were announced this week in the first public draft of an Environmental Impact Study designed to plan for the future of the new Navy jets, which are Boeing 737 airliners converted for submarine hunting and other Navy roles.

The aircraft are designed to replace the aging fleet of P-3 Orion propeller-driven planes that often fly low circles over the Westside, Orange Park, and Mandarin. P-8 planes will start entering service in 2012 and completely replace the older P-3s by 2019, under current Navy plans.

In the draft report, the Navy recommends keeping the training team for all P-3 and P-8 crews at NAS Jacksonville. That current unit, VP-30, is the Navy’s largest aircraft squadron.

Five other squadrons of pilots, mechanics, and others would also be based at NAS Jax to fly military missions in the jets. Four squadrons would go to NAS Whidbey Island in Washington, and three would be located at Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay.

The report is only a draft, and will not be finalized until December, after a series of public hearings around the United States.

The public hearing in Jacksonville is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, at the Howard Johnson at 150 Park Avenue in Orange Park. It will begin with an open information session that runs from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The official public comment period will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Source:  FirstCoastNews

Good.  I love seeing the Navy ships, planes, and personnel.