In 2009 , VP-5 was called upon for a multi-site deployment to include both SOUTHCOM and U. S. Pacific Command ( PACOM ) sites . In SOUTHCOM , VP-5 provided combat ready aircrews to execute missions in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South ’s ( JIATF-S ) counter narcotics mission . They successfully prevented drug traffickers from delivering over 30.7 metric tons of illegal narcotics worth over 2.8 billion dollars to the shores of the United States . This deployment also included redeployment to Natal , Brazil , to support the search and rescue effort for Air France Flight 447 . VP-5 coordinated operations and search tactics with the Brazilian Search and Rescue Center and flew three flights searching over 6000 square miles of sea space
Air France Flight 447
Air France Flight 447
VP-5