VX-30

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30
VX-30 Insignia
Active	May 1995 - present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Test & Evaluation
Role	RDT&E, Surveillance
Part of	Naval Air Systems Command
Garrison/HQ	NAS Point Mugu
Nickname(s)	"Bloodhounds"
Motto	"Relentless Pursuit of Excellence"
Colors	Yellow, Black
Mascot	Cerberus
Decorations	Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award (2010)
Commanders
Commanding Officer	CDR Sam Hanaki
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F-4 Phantom (retired) F-14 Tomcat (retired) F/A-18 Hornet (retired)
Reconnaissance	P-3 Orion, S-3 Viking (retired)
Transport	C-130

VX-30 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (AIRTEVRON THREE ZERO, nickname The Bloodhounds) is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. Using the tail code BH, they are the only squadron currently supporting the S-3B Viking platform, as well as flying Lockheed P-3 Orion and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, in support of the United States Navy's Sea Test Range, off the shores of central California.

History

The VX-30 logo was designed by Ralph R. Abel, Jr., GS Federal Civil Service, a Graphic Techinical Illustrator for VX-9 Detachment, Naval Base Ventura County(NBVC), Point Mugu requested by Lt. Cmdr Mark Thomas VX-30 Maintenance Officer who had the idea to use Cerberus, the guardian of the gates of Hades in Greek mythology in 2003. The design was based on Mr. Abel's dog a Rott.

Aircraft Flown

Current aircraft

VX-30 is one of the most diverse squadrons in the Navy today, as its flight line encompasses three different Naval Aviation platforms. Each one of these platforms is used in various Research Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) of current and future weapons systems, which are being tested at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division both at Point Mugu and China Lake.

C-130 / KC-130 Hercules

VX-30 uses the C-130 and KC-130 extensively as an aerial refueling platform for units that are conducting tests on the Sea Test Range, as well as for surveillance and clearance on during hazardous operations that are being conducted on the range as well. To this date, the squadron flies the oldest C-130s in active military history, dating back to 1957.

P-3 Orion

The squadron's most used aircraft is the P-3 Orion. These aircraft are used in conjunction with the testing on the Sea Test Range for surveillance and clearance, as well as providing telemetry data during missile testing. VX-30 also flies two of the fleet's only "Billboard" NP-3D, a P-3A that has been upgraded with a large billboard-esqe radar, that can provide over-the-horizon radar capabilities. The NP-3D aircraft were also used to support five NASA Space Shuttle missions using the Cast Glance optical system to monitor re-entry.

S-3 Viking

The S-3 Viking is no longer flown by VX-30, or any other command in the US Navy.

Gulfstream G-550

One G-550 AEW in 2018.

Gallery

• 

  S-3B Viking

• NP-3D VX-30 at Elmendorf AFB 2002.JPEG

  NP-3D Orion

• DC-130A VX-30 over Point Mugu 2004.jpg

  This DC-130A was retired in 2007

• QF-4S VX-30 in flight 2004.jpg

  A QF-4S in flight, 2004

• VX-30 S-3B with 1940's Paint Scheme (on ground).jpg

  Photo of S-3B with 1940's paint scheme

External links

• VX-30 official website
• In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence: VX-30 Bloodhounds - Naval Aviation News - (September–October 2004)