>WARNING_EU_

>_EU_POSSIBLE_CAR_ATTACK_72

>STRIKE_PACKAGE_B-7V

>WARNING_UK_IMM_CHATTER_

>XRAY_7

>Q, DELTA

Task Force 72

Mission Statement:

CTF 72 leads patrol, reconnaissance and surveillance forces in support of U.S. SEVENTH fleet. We maintain readiness to support today's maritime contingency and are ready for tomorrow's adversaries. We promote regional security and enhancement of theater security operations through multilateral engagements to build, reconnaissance and surveillance capability within SEVENTH fleet and partner forces. We seek close interoperability with allied forces, friendly nations, and other U.S. military services in execution of this mission.

War Eagles of Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16) successfully deployed the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to support the commander of Task Force (CTF) 72, through the western Pacific area of operations with anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

The aircraft provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, carrier strike group coordination and theatre security cooperation tasks.

In 2002, VQ-1 maintained a permanent detachment in Misawa, Japan, in addition to its home base at Whidbey and its presence in the Persian Gulf. Its area of responsibility reaches from the east coast of Africa to the west coast of the United States, roughly two-thirds of the world's surface.

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1 (VQ-1)is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established on 1 June 1955. Its role is aerial reconnaissance and signals intelligence. The squadron is nicknamed the "World Watchers" and flying Lockheed EP-3E Aries Il aircraft.