'War Eagles' past and present reunite in San Antonio

By Lt. j.g. Eric Scott

VP-16 Public Affairs Officer

The "War Eagles" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 have been poised on the cutting edge of naval aviation since beginning their transition to the new P-8A Poseidon aircraft. However, despite the squadron's focus on the future, it always works to recognize and appreciate the importance of those who have made VP-16 the squadron that it is today. 

Twenty-one War Eagles departed NAS Jacksonville Oct. 3 for San Antonio, Texas, aboard a P-8A to join the VP-16 Reunion Association for their annual dinner. The association is a non-profit organization comprised of War Eagles from as early as the 1950s.

It is open to all prior members of VP-16 as well as their families. The opportunity to meet with prior War Eagles proved to be a very enriching and educational experience for the current War Eagles in attendance. 

"The War Eagles of the past 50 years have set the bar high, and we strive to meet and exceed those expectations every day," remarked Cmdr. Dan Papp, commanding officer of VP-16.

To kick off the day's activities, current squadron members hosted War Eagles of generations past, as well as their family members, on a guided tour of the P-8A static display at Lackland Air Force Base. 

Following the static display, the current War Eagles were invited to the Reunion Association's annual dinner. Over the course of the event, War Eagles of a past era shared sea stories ranging in topic from day-to-day life in the squadron, to hunting Soviet submarines in the North Atlantic. 

"It's amazing to hear the differences in how our predecessors lived and worked in the squadron during their time," said AOAN Joslin Downey.  

The evening was concluded with an exchange of gifts, where each organization recognized the other in a memorable manner. 

The current War Eagles presented a signed tail flash (a small model of the P-8A's vertical stabilizer) to the VP-16 Reunion Association.  The VP-16 Reunion Association presented Papp with a plaque in expression of their gratitude for all the work being done to foster a relationship with the Reunion Association. War Eagles, new and old, walked away from the night with an appreciation for both the history and future of the squadron.  

According to former AO3 Bill Sherman, the president of the VP-16 Reunion Association, "Despite having a new airframe and new technology, the War Eagles still remain the hard working and accomplished squadron that we all remember."