Royal New Zealand Air Force joins anti-submarine warfare exercise in Guam

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon aircraft has deployed from RNZAF Base Ohakea to Guam to take part in Exercise Sea Dragon, a multi-national anti-submarine warfare exercise held annually at the United States’ Andersen Air Force Base.

10 March, 2026

The RNZAF aircraft and crew will join participants from the US, Australia, Japan and India in the exercise, which is designed for aircrews to develop their anti-submarine warfare skills and at the same time refine how they work together in a range of situations.

The exercise includes competing for the Dragon Belt award, which tests participants’ tactics and effectiveness in a specific scenario. The Royal Australian Air Force is the current holder, from the 2025 exercise.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said the exercise was a welcome opportunity for crews to develop interoperability and tactical skills by working with - and testing themselves against - partner nations.

“This is one of the ways we join with partners and friends to play our part in maintaining regional security, by ensuring that we are at the top of our game and can work together seamlessly with any or all of the other nations, should the need arise,” he said.

No. 5 Squadron’s four P-8A Poseidon aircraft contribute to the security of New Zealand and its neighbours in the Pacific, through the conduct of maritime surveillance, intelligence operations, and resource protection. They also take part in search and rescue operations and provide support in the event of natural disasters.