Latest arrival completes the fleet

The arrival of the final P-8A Poseidon on at RAAF Base Edinburgh marked more than the completion of a fleet. It marked the moment the Air Force’s anti-submarine warfare capability evolved.

With 14 P-8A Poseidons, the fleet is complete.

For CO 11SQN WGCDR Melissa Houston, the full fleet strengthens Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability in the nation’s primary area of interest.

“We must be alert and aware of potential adversary movements to ensure that our government has opportunities to respond,” WGCDR Houston said.

“The completion of our P-8A Poseidon fleet sends a message to our partners and allies that we are ready for the missions that Australia is required to support.”

At the tactical level, airborne electronics analyst CPL Hunter Westbrook, of 12SQN, explained how the full fleet enhanced an already capable force.

“The full fleet gives the Air Force access to project further than we have ever done before,” CPL Westbrook said.

“It gives Australia access to more missions, more sorties. This is especially important because we can incorporate other platforms like the E-7A Wedgetail, the MQ-4C Triton and the MC-55A Peregrine.

“This means we can do more for Australia and our allies.”

While fast jets often symbolise air power, the P-8A Poseidon has become one of Defence’s most heavily relied upon operational aircraft, spending long hours over open ocean conducting missions that are rarely seen by the public but critical to Australia’s security. This includes search and rescue, ISR missions, maritime strike and allied support.

“The P-8A Poseidon is always the first one there,” CPL Westbrook said.