Minimum crew complement was 2 Pilots and a Flight Engineer (FE); on routine transits, the Radio, Radar and Navigation positions also were manned. Standard tactical crew was 10, due to the number of approved takeoff/crash positions. On routine transits, the Radio, Radar and Navigation positions were manned. In tactical situations, Nose Observer, Acoustics/Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), and ASW were added. The latter position, at the rear of the aircraft, housed sonobuoys, charges, and smokes that were dropped to locate and mark contacts. Because Radio Operators were responsible for all positions except Pilot, FE and Navigator, they were the "Jack-of-all trades" type crew member. As the Neptune was a mid-wing aircraft, crew had to slide over the wing spar on their bellies to get from front to back and vice versa. Because of the 8,000 lb heavier approved takeoff weight with jets, the jets were always used at full power for takeoff; the extra thrust was necessary to get off the ground in a reasonable distance and to climb away if a reciprocating engine failed. As a fitting tribute to a grand "old lady" of the air, flown in a variety of operations by so many different nations, the P-2000 club (later VPI) was formed by 407 Commanding Officer, Herb Smale, in 1966. The common bond of having accumulated 2,000 flying hours in the P-2 Neptune was a noteworthy achievement that created friendships around the world; today called VPI, Maritime Patrol International, boasts membership of some 5,000 aviators worldwide.