Conflict zone training success for P-8A Poseidon crews

The No. 5 Squadron aircraft released 80 lightweight simulator flares as part of a broad assessment of its capability, Standards Flight Commander Squadron Leader Michael Craies said. 

“This capability enhances our survivability, keeping us safe in any contested environments and allowing us to continue to deliver military effects, even where the environment is challenging.” 

The capability would typically be deployed in conflict zones where missiles posed a threat to the Poseidon and compromised the ability for crew to achieve their task, he said.

“As part of the aircraft’s self-protection system, large quantity of flares can be carried to sustain the long endurance of the Poseidon.”

The trial was a success and allowed the squadron to bring a focus on their combat capability, Squadron Leader Craies said.

“It enables the whole system to sharpen skills on some of the more advanced capability of the aircraft. It's hugely important for our armourers, maintenance personnel, mission support staff and aircrews to really exercise the whole system. 

“As far as the week went, it was super successful. We had all the flare-loading and firing and also the carriage of the Mark 54 torpedo. This valuable training for the whole team and it went off without a hitch.” 

It was a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the ground crews in particular, who really enabled that capability, he said.

The regular continuation training of the advanced equipment on the aircraft contributed to the crews’ preparedness. 

“We recognise that we haven't had the Poseidon for very long, so we're taking leaps and bounds in cementing those capabilities. We are still doing a lot of training, increasing the number of armourers trained on the aircraft, the number of maintenance personnel who are familiar with flare loading, the number of aircrew who are familiar with operating the aircraft in those threat environments.” 

The week of training included two flights with the self-protective system operating and flares fitted and one flight with the Mark 54 torpedo loaded, Squadron Leader Craies said.