P-8A Poseidon proves its versatility
The P-8A aircraft, which are operated by No. 5 Squadron, replaced the P-3K2 Orions which served New Zealand for 57 years.
One of the first capabilities to be released in July 2023, when the new P-8A Poseidon became operational in New Zealand, was search and rescue.
To help prepare for search and rescue operations (SAROPs), New Zealand aviators trained in searching for a variety of boats, including the small wooden or aluminium fishing boats they might search for in the Pacific region.
The P-8A is a faster aircraft than the P-3K2 which means the crews can quickly get to a search area and cover large search areas faster. This is an important factor when considering the vast size of the 30 million square kilometre New Zealand Search and Rescue Region.
While the aircraft’s home location is Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Ohakea, some searches can take several days and so the aircraft will sometimes base in our neighbouring countries in the Pacific.
When involved in SAROPs, the New Zealand Defence Force works with Police and Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) which are the coordinating authorities. RCCNZ uses the last known location of the missing vessel, oceanic currents and weather during search area determination.
A recent successful SAROP was in October when crew on a P-8A found three Fijian fishermen nine days after they were reported missing aboard their 8.5-metre wooden fishing boat. Because of the time the boat had been drifting, the search area was considerable in size.
The aircraft left RNZAF Base Ohakea in the morning, refuelled in Fiji and was quickly on station, locating the missing boat in the afternoon.
The successful operation was a testament to the excellent search area determination and coordination by RCCNZ, preparations by the fishermen to survive at sea, and the training of those on board the P-8A who conducted radar and visual searches.
The advanced systems on board the P-8A includes a high-resolution camera, which can capture imagery of moving targets. The P-8A can be further away from a vessel than the P3K-2, but still get very clear imagery.
The P-8A can also deploy a 20-person life raft if there are people in the water or it is unsafe for people to remain on the vessel in distress.
Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott says once the aircrew finds the missing vessel, they make radio contact with other vessels in the vicinity. The P-8A crew provide coordinates and confirm that the vessel can make way to those in trouble and take them on board to safety.
“The P-8A is proving itself a highly effective and responsive asset to support the people of New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours, and like the Orion was before it, will be an incredibly welcome sight for the people on board any vessel in distress,‘’ he said.
This story was originally published in the December 2023 issue of Link magazine.
Feature image: A P-8A in flight. Courtesy New Zealand Defence Force