Navy's Largest P-3 Hangar Takes Flight

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Hundreds of dignitaries, contractors, military personnel and their families joined the Acting Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable BJ Penn, and NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby, Jr., for the ribbon cutting ceremony at NAS Jacksonvillle Hangar 511: the largest structure of its kind in the Navy.

"The opening of this hangar brings us one step closer to getting our critical P-8 Poseidon capability to the fleet. The state of the art facility incorporates many environmental enhancements that will make operations here safe for our sailors as well as the environment," said Penn.

"As commanding officer of the finest naval air station in the world, I could not be more proud of the hard work that went into making this day a reality. Hangar 511 represents the future of naval aviation, and what a bright future it is. The $127 million invested in this project will serve the Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance community for decades to come and its innovative design allows for simple modifications to accommodate the P-8 Poseidon slated to replace the P-3 beginning in 2021," Scorby said in his welcoming remarks.

The 277,000 square foot structure will be the new home for five P-3 Orion squadrons and accommodate more than 1600 personnel.

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