Fleet Logistics Support Squadron
THREE ZERO

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron THREE ZERO (VRC-30) of San Diego, CA, expanded it's Theater of Operations to include the Kanto Plain of Japan. The disestablishment of the VRC-50 "FOO-DOGS" on September 29, 1994 at Andersen AFB, Guam led to the establishment of the VRC-30 Det 5 "PROVIDERS" on August 7, 1994, at NAF Atsugi. VRC-30 Det 5 is the first permanently forward deployed carrier logistics detachment in the Navy.

The Providers, flying the Grumman built C-2A Greyhound, as part of Carrier Air Wing FIVE, support the USS INDEPENDENCE Battle Group and Commander Fleet Air Western Pacific. Det 5's primary mission is to provide Carrier Onboard Delivery, hence the nickname "COD" is also used when referring to the C-2A. This includes but is not limited to, transporting personnel, mail and high priority cargo. In addition, C-2 aircrew are qualified to provide airdrop/paradrop support for Special Warfare Units of any branch of service.

Detachment 5 consists of seven officers and 51 enlisted personnel who are ordered to Japan for two to three years, similar to other NAF Atsugi based units.

LCDR J. A. Hubbard took control of VRC-30 Det 5 as Officer in Charge on December 1, 1994. On that day the first Det 5 C-2A Greyhound aircraft was flown. Since that day, Det 5 has provided logistic support for numerous exercises and deployments such as COBRA GOLD '95 where they delivered 105,637 pounds of cargo, 113,874 pounds of mail and transported 754 personnel.

Det 5 has been recognized frequently by CVW-5, USS Independence and others throughout the Pacific Theater. Det 5 was presented with the "I-5 Spirit" award as well as the "Golden Wrench" award from CVW-5 and the Indy.

Playing a vital role in defusing a possible confrontation between China and Taiwan, Det 5 was assigned to shuttle out numerous world wide media personnel to the Independence in an all out media blitz with 22 separate embarks involving over 340 media personnel.

The success of Det 5 was also evidenced in it's participation in RIMPAC '96 setting records for logistics support by hauling over 250,000 pounds of cargo, 127,000 pounds of mail and 1001 passengers, which was double the amount of passengers and mail and nine times the amount of cargo hauled during RIMPAC '94. Det 5's mission completion rate of 99% was a key to RIMPAC's success.

The permanently forward deployed "Providers" of Det 5 are performing on the "Tip of the Sword" from the Northern Pacific to the Indian Ocean echoing the VRC-30 signature with pride, performance, professionalism and style boasting their motto... "We Deliver".