VR-58 ready to lift within a moment's notice

"It's not unusual for the "Sunseekers" to launch within 24 hours of being tasked. Our rapid-response airborne logistics mission is a 24/7 operation," said VR-58 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Ken Johansen. "VR squadrons are the epitome of the Navy's 'total force' concept in which full time support (FTS) Sailors and Selective Reserves (SELRES) work together to help maintain Navy and Marine Corps combat capability."

Johansen reports to Commander, Fleet Logistics Support Wing based at NAS Joint Reserve Base (JRB) Fort Worth, Texas. The wing provides 100 percent of the Navy's shore-based, fixed-wing airlift capability. Operational tasking is scheduled by the Naval Air Logistics Office (NALO).

VR-58 Loadmaster AWF2 Timothy Williams uses a touch-screen notebook computer to ensure that cargo, luggage and passenger placement keep the aircraft within permissible center-of-gravity limits throughout the flight. Photo by Clark Pierce

Johansen, a SELRES himself, became a naval aviator in 1990. Over the past 10 years, he's logged about 3,500 hours, flying Boeing 737s for Continental Airlines. He's in the midst of a two-month active duty stint.

"Continental is very flexible when it comes to time off for my Navy reserve service. In addition to my two months, I also schedule up to 10 days per month with the Sunseekers. When I'm not here, I'm just a phone call or email away from my XO, CMC and other leadership."

According to the Executive Officer, Cmdr. Christopher Fordham, VR squadrons in the Navy's Fleet Logistics Support Wing (FLSW) are a critical component of deployed maritime operations. "We're more than a force in reserve - we're a force in constant action. In fact, FLSW squadrons represent the Navy's sole organic maritime airlift capability.

VR-58 SELRES pilot Lt. Cmdr. Craig Bilyeu checks turbine blades for damage during his pre-flight inspection. Photo by Clark Pierce

With very short notice, we provide express delivery of high-priority passengers and cargo to anywhere in the United States or beyond," he said.

VR-58 Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Brian Legan is part of the squadron's FTS roster. A former F-14 and F/A-18 pilot, Legan is enthusiastic about flying the C-40A Clipper.

"Obviously, it's a great platform that's based on one of Boeing's most successful commercial airliners, so our passengers enjoy its quiet operation and comfortable seating. From a pilot's point of view, the engines are powerful and efficient, the climb ratio is impressive, and the global positioning landing system is a great addition to the flight deck," stated Legan.

(From left) Lt. Cmdr. Craig Bilyeu (a FedEx 727 pilot) and Lt. Cmdr. Case Vernon (a Delta MD-80 pilot) are SELRES officers who fly frequently at VR-58. In this case, they are checking their navigation notes to NAS Fallon, Nevada. Photo by Clark Pierce

Loadmaster AWF1 Jason Brunette, an FTS Sailor and the squadron's operations assistant LPO, explained that the C-40A can operate in three configurations: (1) passenger (121 seats); (2) cargo, up to eight pallets, or (3) combination, up to three cargo pallets and 70 passengers.

"Right now, we operate two passenger and one combination aircraft that fly a lot of priority two missions - that's an airlift tasking with compelling operational considerations that make commercial transportation unacceptable," said Brunette. "Welcome aboard Sunseeker flight …"

On any given day, VR-58 aircraft are supporting carrier air wing movements by transporting squadron personnel to NAS Fallon, Nev. or by transporting medical and security personnel to Guantanomo Bay, Cuba.

Squadron maintainers and contract maintenance personnel work side-by-side to perform the 120-hour "A Check "of a C-40A Clipper. They're working on the apron outside Hangar 1000 because VR-58's hangar space is under renovation. Photo by Clark Pierce

FLSW also tasks VR detachments for month-long, overseas deployments that support the fleet from facilities that include Bahrain (U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet Headquarters); Qatar; Sigonella, Italy; Djibouti, Africa; and Atsugi, Japan.

The Sunseekers also accommodate Space-Available, or "Space-A" travel, that affords active-duty military and family members, plus, retired and Reserve military personnel, travel to destinations throughout the world free of charge. But be aware - Space-A flights are never guaranteed. Also, there is no guarantee to Space-A passengers that the mission will travel the scheduled route. Space-A travelers can also be bumped at any point along the route to accommodate space-required passengers or cargo.

VR-58 Statistics (2008) Missions: 506 Lifts: 748 Flight Hours: 4,834 Passengers: 31,307 Cargo: 685 tons Space-A Passengers: 4,512 Space-A Cargo: 44 tons

AWFC Brian Davis instructs AE2 David Johnson during VR-58 plane captain training. Photo by AWC Christopher Billings

ADAN Imran Chaudhry lends some muscle to help AD1 Dennis Jackson and AM2 Neal Prasad button up the port engine cowling during an inspection on one of the Sunseekers' C-40A Clippers. Jackson said, "Thanks to the aircraft's proven design and our periodic maintenance cycles -- things rarely break."

(From left) VR-58 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Kenneth Johansen, AM1 Michael Rivers, AM2 Neal Prasad, AD1 Dennis Jackson, Ed Vadnais of TSM Corporation, ADAN Imran Chaudhry, PR1 Donald Lee, AE2 David Johnson and Executive Officer Cmdr. Christopher Fordham. Photo by Clark Pierce