Navy Air Reserve Begins Transition to P-8A Poseidon Aircraft

A P-8A and P-3C fly over Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, in 2010. *U.S. NAVY / Liz Goettee*

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy Air Reserve has begun to retire its P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and upgrade to the P-8A Poseidon MPA.

Current and former members of Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62), based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, gathered June 4 at the squadron’s hangar to bid farewell to the squadron’s P-3Cs as the squadron begins its transition to the P-8A.

The transition will leave VP-69 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, as the last reserve VP squadron to operate the Orion. VP-69 is scheduled to begin transition to the P-8A in fiscal 2023.

The 12 active-component fleet VP squadrons began transition in 2012 and completed the upgrade to the P-8A in 2020.

For many years, the Navy was uncertain as to whether the two reserve VP squadrons would be able to upgrade to the P-8A. Eventually, the Navy’s program of record was increased to procure enough P-8As to equip the two reserve squadrons.

The two reserve VP squadrons are very active in augmenting the fleet squadrons in operations and exercises. With more than 300 Sailors assigned, VP-62 is manned by a staff of full-time support personnel, selective reservists and a few active-component personnel.

At the height of the Cold War, the Navy Reserve fielded 13 VP squadrons equipped with Orions.