April 28, 2022

Navy Proposes Conversion of 2 Active P-8 Squadrons to Reserve 

210107-N-VH871-1207 NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (Jan. 7, 2021) Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) 3rd Class Julian Marriagabossio, left, assigned to the "Grey Knights" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46, signals to the pilots of a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, Jan. 7, 2021. VP-46 is currently forward deployed to the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations and is assigned to Commander, Task Force 67, responsible for tactical control of deployed maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadrons throughout Europe and Africa. U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national security interests and stability in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin Ingram/ Released)
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Richard R.

Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor

Richard R. Burgess, is senior editor for Seapower magazine. He is a retired naval flight officer and author of several books on naval aviation.

Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) 3rd Class Julian Marriagabossio, left, assigned to the “Grey Knights” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46, signals to the pilots of a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, Jan. 7, 2021, at NAS Sigonella, Italy. U.S. NAVY / Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin Ingram

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy proposes to shift two P-8A Poseidon patrol (VP) squadrons from the active component to the reserve component in 2026, budget documents show. 

The Navy’s 2023 budget highlights book published this month shows a proposal to shift two VP squadrons — one from each coast — to the Navy Reserve. The Navy currently fields 12 P-8A-equipped fleet VP squadrons, six each at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, and NAS Jacksonville, Florida. In addition, the Navy Air Reserve operates two P-3C Orion-equipped VP squadrons, one each at Jacksonville and Whidbey Island. These two squadrons are planned for transition to the P-8A in the next few years, which, if the above conversion occurs, eventually would give the reserve component four P-8A VP squadrons.  

The two current reserve VP squadrons, VP-62 at Jacksonville and VP-69 at Whidbey Island, frequently augment the active component force for operations and exercises. 

“This force structure change supports the move to integrate the reserve component more towards a ‘total force’ solution in meeting steady state demands,” the budget highlights book says. 

The Navy estimates the shift would result in savings of $55.5 million over the Future Years Defense Plan.