VRC-30 — “Providers”
The carrier's logistics lifeline, flying the C-2 Greyhound.
The Squadron
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30, the “Providers,” deployed a detachment aboard Constellation flying the C-2A Greyhound in the carrier onboard delivery role. Theirs was the lifeline that connected the ship at sea to the world ashore, carrying the parts, mail, and people that kept the carrier running.
Carrier onboard delivery, known throughout the fleet as COD, was unglamorous and indispensable. The detachment’s flights brought aboard the spare parts that returned aircraft to service, the mail that sustained morale, and the personnel who came and went from the deployed ship.
The Aircraft
The C-2A Greyhound was a twin-turboprop aircraft built for carrier onboard delivery, sharing its wings and engines with the E-2 Hawkeye but configured with a cargo cabin and a rear loading ramp. It could carry passengers, mail, and cargo and land aboard the carrier by arrested wire like any other aircraft.
The Greyhound’s ability to fly cargo and people directly to a ship hundreds of miles from land made it essential to sustained operations. A high-priority part flown aboard by COD could mean the difference between an aircraft grounded and an aircraft flying, tying the deployed carrier to its supply chain.
In the Cruise
Throughout the 1994–95 WESTPAC deployment, the logistics detachment flew the carrier onboard delivery mission as Constellation operated across the Pacific and into the Persian Gulf. Its Greyhounds shuttled between the ship and shore bases, carrying the cargo, mail, and passengers that kept the deployment supplied.
While the strike and fighter squadrons carried out the operations connected with Operation Southern Watch, the COD detachment sustained the effort from behind, delivering the parts and people that allowed the air wing to keep flying. It was steady, essential work that ran for the length of the cruise.
Crew Roster
Officers, aircrew, and maintainers of VRC-30 “Providers,” CVW-2, USS Constellation (CV-64), 1994–95 WESTPAC. Names transcribed from the original cruise book; each links to that Sailor’s page in the scanned book. See a misspelling or a shipmate we missed? Tell us and we’ll fix it.
- LTBrant Brockettp. 360
- LTMichael D. Cobbp. 360
- LTSusan L. Merrimanp. 360
- LTJGBurt J. Yarochp. 360
- AMSCGary D. Brattainp. 360
- AMECThomas J. Luxnerp. 360
- AT1Mark W. Burkep. 360
- AMS1Henry A. Del Mendop. 360
- AD1Brian J. Hartmanp. 360
- AD1Christopher J. Insullp. 360
- AMH1Jeffrey D. Spraguep. 360
- AD2Joey B. Barcelonp. 360
- AMS2Rodolfo C. De Castrop. 360
- AME2Peter J. Fontep. 360
- AK2Enrico P. Lopezp. 361
- AME2Eko Rofip. 361
- AZ2Patrick L. Saljep. 361
- PR2Thomas D. Sawyerp. 361
- AME2Jeffrey P. Taylorp. 361
- AE2Daniel C. Turnerp. 361
- AD3Daniel S. Amesp. 361
- AD3Jason H. Leyvasp. 361
- AT3Thomas J. Radkep. 361
- AK3Jose D. Ricamarap. 361
- AE3Philip R.B. Scharffp. 361
- AMS3Gregory A. Schneiderp. 361
- AME3Charles A. Sullivanp. 361
- ADANTodd A. Bolhuisp. 361
- PRANRodney W. Brownp. 361
- AMHARPatrick N. Dadep. 361
- ADANJohn M. Gilchristp. 361
- AMSANRobert L. Hansonp. 361
- ANKiley P. Jensenp. 361
- ADANKenneth J. Martinp. 361
- ATANEric C. Rousmanp. 362
- AEANJoel J. Steffenp. 362
Squadron insignia: official U.S. Navy/Marine Corps insignia (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.
Questions & Answers
What aircraft did VRC-30 fly?
VRC-30's detachment flew the C-2A Greyhound, a twin-turboprop carrier onboard delivery aircraft.
What is carrier onboard delivery (COD)?
COD is the mission of flying parts, mail, cargo, and personnel between shore bases and a carrier at sea, keeping the deployed ship supplied and connected.
How is the C-2A related to the E-2 Hawkeye?
The C-2A Greyhound shares its wings and engines with the E-2 Hawkeye but is configured with a cargo cabin and rear loading ramp for carrying people and freight.