Wading River, NY Native Keeps Navy Wing Flying

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A 2007 Shoreham Wading River High School graduate and Wading River, New York native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the largest base in the Southeast Region and third largest ...

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2007 Shoreham Wading River High School graduate and Wading River native Thomas Verbeeck serves the U.S. Navy.

Wading River, NY - May 10, 2016 - A 2007 Shoreham Wading River High School graduate and Wading River, New York native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the largest base in the Southeast Region and third largest in the nation.

Lt. Thomas Verbeeck is a pilot serving with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.

As a pilot, Verbeeck is responsible for the safe flight of aircraft, navigation and organizing flight plans and missions.

“What I enjoy most about my job is working with proficient and motivated sailors,” said Verbeeck.

According to Navy officials, Wing 11’s history and reputation remain unparalleled since being commissioned on August 15, 1942. Throughout the decades, Wing 11 has continued to fly combat missions in direct support of the troops on the ground and delivered traditional maritime capabilities, real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Beginning in the 1960s, the P-3C Orion, a land-based, long-range anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft, replaced the P-2V Neptune fleet.  After 50 years of faithful service and the 50th anniversary of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, the P-3C Orion is being phased out of the fleet, according to Navy officials.

The P-8A is a modified Boeing airframe featuring a fully connected, state-of-the-art, open architecture mission system designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, Navy officials explained.

"The U.S. Navy sometimes asks the impossible of our people. It is sailors that make the impossible possible,” said Capt. Anthony Corapi, Commodore, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.  “Lt. Verbeeck is one example of a selfless servant of our nation.  These heroes ask for very little recognition and perform their daily job with pride and professionalism defending freedom and our way of life around the world. Each member of the Navy's combat team is crucial to our success. I am very proud to have Lt. Verbeeck on our team!"

Verbeeck is part of a crew that began a transition to the P-8A Poseidon and is preparing for deployment in the future.

“This command has a tight-knit family atmosphere," said Verbeeck. "I enjoy the camaraderie I have among my fellow crew."

According to Navy officials, the Navy continues to meet milestone after milestone on this world-class mission and is providing an aircraft with superior capabilities to the men and women in uniform that will have a lasting legacy promoting a global maritime strategy.

“Serving in the Navy I've learned that patience is a virtue and it's important to trust those below you as well as above you,” said Verbeeck. “Given time, people will surprise you with the results of their hard work.”


By Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs