Boeing P-8 - the P3K2 Orion Replacement

[tbf2504]

Departed Nadi 8.06am landed NZOH 12.02pm stopped outside air movements terminal 12.06 (All from flight radar)

[hardyakka]

Dec 12, 2022 12:42:55 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

My mate Mike and I were talking on the weekend about the unique plugged barrel roll that our Skyhawks used to perform at airshows, and it suddenly dawned mon me that the Poseidons are capable of air-to-air refuelling, so maybe we will see the plugged barrel roll come back as a thing at airshows?

They'd have to dig up zombie Tex Johnson to show them how.
...and convince an Aussie MRTT to be on the other end. A few beers may need to be exchanged as incentive.

[Dave Homewood]

I was thinking droptanks on one P-8 supplying the other, like the Skyhawks.

[Dave Homewood]

I am pleased to announce that permission just came through from DPA to publish this new episode of The Wings Over New Zealand Show, WONZ 268 - Changing Times at No. 5 Squadron.

Featuring Wing Commander Glen Donaldson (Commanding Officer of No. 5 Squadron), Flight Sergeant Tony Strugnell (Flight Engineer), Squadron Leader Paul Barrett (Maintenance Flight Commander), Flight Lieutenant Tom Peterson, (Pilot), Flying Officer Holly Graham (Air Warfare Officer) and Corporal Nikita Crookbain (Air Warfare Specialist).


In this episode I visited No. 5 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force at RNZAF Base Whenuapai, and sat down with a group of aircrew and engineers from the squadron to talk about their experiences with the Lockheed P-3K2 Orion as the sun sets on its very long RNZAF career. And they discuss the new Boeing P-8 Poseidon that is just entering service to replace the Orions.

This discussion gives a great insight into the amazing work that the Orion has done over five and a half decades for New Zealand, and also looks forward to how the now Poseidon will fulfil the roles that the Orion spent so long doing, and what is to come for the new aircraft

Here is the link:
cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2022/12/wonz-268-changing-times-at-no-5-squadron/

[machina]

Orion 4205 en route to Ohakea by the looks of it.

[ErrolC]

www.beehive.govt.nz/release/delivery-first-poseidon-air-force-aircraft

13 DECEMBER 2022
Delivery of first Poseidon Air Force Aircraft
HON PEENI HENARE

Minister of Defence Peeni Henare today marked the arrival of the first of Aotearoa New Zealand’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea.

This is the first of four new P-8A Poseidon aircraft purchased by the Government through its historic investment to modernise New Zealand’s defence force.

“Since coming into office we’ve focused on ensuring our Defence force personnel have the support, tools and capability to serve on behalf of all New Zealanders, and play our part in providing security and stability to our region,” Peeni Henare said.

“We have invested a record $2.53 billion to upgrade our Defence capability in Budget 2018 and that included $2.3 billion purchase to replace the aging P-3K2 Orion which have been in service with the RNZAF since the 1960s.

“The P-8s will replace the Orions, conducting maritime surveillance, resource protection, natural disaster support and search and rescue operations as we work alongside our Pacific partners to support the security and stability of the region.

“Indeed, one of the primary security concerns of the Pacific is that of climate change which is also one of my top priorities as Defence Minister.

“With the ability to travel faster and with greater reliability than the existing aircraft the P-8A will be a key capability to support national and international disaster responses as a result of climate change.

“To help move into a new era of maritime surveillance and in order to ensure we focus our efforts on the training and maintenance required of the new aircrafts we are reprioritising our workforce to allow for the safe transition to the four P-8A Poseidons.

“An important part of this launch is seeing the mahi so far on a purpose built facility to house the new aircrafts. Built right here at Base Ohakea it measures 180m long, 26m high and 80m wide with an average of 250 workers onsite each day,” Peeni Henare said.

The official welcome ceremony for the first P-8A was attended by 450 guests including Ambassadors, local community members, and Defence personnel.

“New Zealand’s first P-8A aircraft marks a major milestone in the decisions taken since 2018 to replace those Defence Force capabilities that have served the country’s interests, and those of our friends and neighbours, for more than three generations,” Peeni Henare.

“To the current, and future generations of Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel who will operate the P-8A, thank you for your commitment to continuing this record of service,” Peeni Henare said.

The remaining aircraft are scheduled to arrive by mid-2023.

[Dave Homewood]

These two photos have been sent to me by Paul Harrison (Avenger2504) who was at the press conference this morning and asked me to post them.

[camtech]

This has just been released by the Chief of the Air Force.

Today I am announcing that we will be withdrawing the P-3K2 Orion fleet from service on 31 January 2023. This is five months earlier than had been planned under the P-8A Capability Integration Plan.

This decision is in response to the impact that high levels of attrition are having on our people. By ceasing P-3K2 operations early we are taking positive steps to align our operational demands with the capacity of our workforce. This will allow us to focus our resources on the safe operation of our other fleets, as well as the introduction into service of the P-8A.

Some of you will be disappointed that we have been unable to see the P-3K2 fleet out as planned. This decision is not a reflection on any units or individuals who support the P-3K2, including our industry partners. You have all been tireless in your efforts to ensure the RNZAF can deliver its airborne surveillance and response outputs safely and effectively. However, workforce pressures mean we need to take proactive steps to protect the wellbeing of our people and ensure we are operating safely.

There is still much to do. We will re-focus our personnel resources into those areas of greatest need, to deliver air operations for New Zealand and to introduce the P-8A. We are also engaging with our international and agency partners about managing the period of reduced maritime surveillance capability. There will be more information to follow as the RNZAF enters 2023 looking firmly forward.


CAF

[ErrolC]

That makes sense of the 'early 2023' withdrawal date that people have been saying and the IOC (or whatever was term was that the 5SQN CO used in the podcast) for being able to take over tasking originally being planned for July 2023.

[johnnyfalcon]

Dec 13, 2022 11:11:36 GMT 12 ErrolC said:

www.beehive.govt.nz/release/delivery-first-poseidon-air-force-aircraft

13 DECEMBER 2022
Delivery of first Poseidon Air Force Aircraft
HON PEENI HENARE

Minister of Defence Peeni Henare today marked the arrival of the first of Aotearoa New Zealand’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea.

“To help move into a new era of maritime surveillance and in order to ensure we focus our efforts on the training and maintenance required of the new aircrafts we are reprioritising our workforce to allow for the safe transition to the four P-8A Poseidons.

“An important part of this launch is seeing the mahi so far on a purpose built facility to house the new aircrafts...Built right here at Base Ohakea it measures 180m long, 26m high and 80m wide with an average of 250 workers onsite each day,” Peeni Henare said.

Did he actually say that? If so, since when is aircrafts plural for aircraft? Does he also think NZ has millions of sheeps?

If not his actual words, what does this say about journalism standards of grammar?

Rant over. As you were.

[skyhawkdon]

Henare also taking all the credit when this project only happened because of Ron Mark/NZF when he was MOD. At least Ron was invited to the welcome ceremony by the RNZAF.

[skyhawkdon]

When is the new hangar/maintenance facility at Ohakea going to be finished? Are they using the old 75 Sqn hangar in the mean time?

[tbf2504]

The new hangar and support facilities for 5 Squadron being erected adjacent to 3 Squadron will be completed mid 2024. In the meantime the 75/3/ hangar is now the home of the Poseidon Transition Unit and will be the temporary
home of 5 Squadron until the new facility is completed.

[Dave Homewood]

Dec 13, 2022 14:01:02 GMT 12 skyhawkdon said:

Henare also taking all the credit when this project only happened because of Ron Mark/NZF when he was MOD. At least Ron was invited to the welcome ceremony by the RNZAF.

Gerry Brownlee and Mark Mitchell did most of the work. Ron Mark reviewed it, and then signed it off. Henare had nothing to do with it.

[madmark]

P-3 to retire 31 Jan, five months early.
Sounds like its due to manning issues.

[Chelsea57986]

Poseidon landing from 6.30 minutes.

[Deane B]

Dec 13, 2022 15:42:01 GMT 12 madmark said:

P-3 to retire 31 Jan, five months early.
Sounds like its due to manning issues.

Yes I heard this yesterday. Bit of a shock. Oh well, just don't go getting lost out at sea after Jan 31 !

[gibbo]

Dec 13, 2022 15:42:01 GMT 12 madmark said:

P-3 to retire 31 Jan, five months early.
Sounds like its due to manning issues.

Yep...looks like crew freed-up by having a smaller 5 Sqn fleet (& the P8 having a smaller crew) will quickly find openings in the other squadrons.  Good news for the crews involved.. highly capable assets that should be looked after.

Bad news: EMAC project won't be a priority whilst retention is so poor... best we can hope is the planned defence review doesn't kill off the project
Good news: Now that we can graphically understand the manning crisis and how far the RNZAF is away from being able to operate an ACF, we should stop seeing (for a while at least) wish-lists of ACF fleets.  

[beagle]

87 months after starting this thread... finally the first aircraft to replace the P3K2 has arrived.

beagle, who's he, where's he been....

[johnnyfalcon]

Dec 13, 2022 20:46:04 GMT 12 beagle said:

87 months after starting this thread... finally the first aircraft to replace the P3K2 has arrived.

beagle, who's he, where's he been....

Was thinking the same thing. Welcome back Beagle!