VX-30
| Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 VX-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(s) | "Relentless Pursuit of Excellence" |
| Colors | Yellow, Black |
| Mascot(s) | Cerberus |
| Decorations | Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award (2010) |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer |
 CDR Andrew Ballinger |
| Chief Test Pilot |
CDR Christopher Dotson |
| Executive Officer |
CDR Kevin Rice |
| Command Master Chief |
 CMDCM (AW/SW) Benjamin H. Bilyeu |
| 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 |
F-4 Phantom (retired) F-14 Tomcat (retired)
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (AIRTEVRON THREE ZERO or VX-30), nicknamed 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.
Established as the Naval Weapons Test Squadron Point Mugu on 8 May 1995, the squadron was redesignated Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ZERO (VX-30) in May 2002. Today, VX-30 is the principal naval flight and ground test unit for all Point Mugu Naval Air Systems Command aircraft and aircraft functions, including logistics and training support.
The VX-30 logo was designed by Ralph R. Abel, Jr., GS Federal Civil Service, a Graphic Technical 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 rottweiler.
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.
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.
...
Wikipedia