VIRIN: 240928-N-CI012-1001
An EP-3E Aries II from the “World Watchers” of VQ-1 sits on the ramp in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations before its final operational flight on September 28, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alec R. Kramer)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/download/image/8815788
(Original image was cropped that way.)
Lockheed EP-3E Aries II (built as P-3C-170-LO Orion)
BuNo 159893
c/n 285A-5644
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VIRIN: 241114-F-FP476-1006
A P-3AEW from U.S. Customs and Border Protection sits on the ramp [somewhere] on November 14, 2024 during Exercise Amalgam Eagle 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael Dougherty)
A slightly larger version can be viewed or downloaded here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/download/image/8771430
Lockheed P-3AEW
N149CS
ex-USN P-3B-100-LO Orion BuNo 154581
c/n 185-5262
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PHOTO: Aurora at RIMPAC 24
VIRIN: 240703-N-XK809-1167
A CP-140M Aurora from 415 Squadron, 14 Wing Greenwood (or at least it’s marked for that unit) arrives at JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam on July 3, 2024 for Exercise Rim of the Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class William Sykes)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/download/image/8515199
(Posted image was cropped from the original.)
Lockheed CP-140M Aurora
s/n 140108
c/n 285B-5709
Also participating is s/n 140110 (c/n 285B-5712) from 407 Squadron, 19 Wing Comox (unit confirmed).
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JMSDF P-3 s/n 5081 suffered a runway excursion on May 8th. No injuries. Info: ? ?
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Civilian P-3A emergency landing
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Re: Recent;y restored P-3B Orion at Wings of Freedom aircraft museum in eastern PA
Thanks. I'm volunteering to work at this Museum Sunday afternoons.
Jack
On Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 11:01:12 AM EDT, airboss72 <normturbee@...> wrote:
Noticed this behind the museum building yesterday.
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Recent;y restored P-3B Orion at Wings of Freedom aircraft museum in eastern PA
Noticed this behind the museum building yesterday.
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Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum Horsham PA
Located on fence line of former NAS Willow Grove.
Visited today to donate aviation-related books. They were very pleased.
Parked outside is a beautiful P-3 that was recently restored.
This museum is excellent & worth a visit.
Jack
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The buildings that I went to jr hi in Ft Lauderdale were apparently newer than those shown on the Internet for the NAS which ceased ops in 1946 but were still military-style construction that had been converted into school buildings. None of the students were Black as they had a 'separate but equal' school named Dillard which is apparently now integrated.
Jack
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I went to jr hi at the former NAS Ft lauderdale in the late 1950s - in the original Navy buildings. At that time the Electra version of the P-3 would be seen taking off from the airport nearby, climbing at a very steep angle. The Navy still had a mine warfare op there.
In recent years I moved to Bucks County in suburban Phila. I enjoyed stopping by the small visitor area at NAS Willow Grove. Callsign NXX. They had a number of WWII planes on display including an Me-262 & a Henschel float plane. All gone now but there is a very nice museum nearby that I donated my WWII military aircraft books to.
The local ground water is contaminated with the Forever Chemicals left by the Navy from years of using fire-fighting foam.
During the late 50s we drove from FL to NY & were on the Chesapeake Bay car ferry when a P-2 overflew us on a training sorty.
Jack
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20140428raaf8194170_0004
A JMSDF P-3C Orion from Air Patrol Squadron 3, Fleet Air Wing 4 sits on the tarmac at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia on 28 April 2014. A detachment of two aircraft from rotating JMSDF squadrons was participating in the multinational search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. (RAAF photo by CPL Colin Dadd)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Kawasaki P-3C-II.5 Orion
s/n 5031
c/n 9028
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PHOTOS: Last two RAAF Orions retired
On 5 December 2023, 10 Squadron conducted the final flights of the AP-3C (EW) Orion, bringing to a close 55 years of P-3 operations by the Royal Australian Air Force. With the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Robert Chapman AM, CSC on board, both aircraft departed RAAF Base Edinburgh for separate, scenic flights across South Australia and Victoria. Upon their return, both aircraft were met by a water cannon salute, before shutting down their engines for the final time.
They will be replaced in the ISREW roles by four Gulfstream MC-55A Peregrines.
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20231205raaf8672247_0012
An AP-3C (EW) Orion from 10 Squadron, 92 Wing departs on its final flight from RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia on 5 December 2023. (RAAF photo by LACW Annika Smit)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
http://images.defence.gov.au/20231205raaf8672247_0012.jpg
(Posted image was cropped from the original.)
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20231205raaf8672247_0059
An AP-3C (EW) Orion from 10 Squadron, 92 Wing passes through a water cannon salute following its final flight at RAAF Base Edinburgh on 5 December 2023. (RAAF photo by LACW Annika Smit)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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20231205raaf8672247_0076
AP-3C (EW) Orions from 10 Squadron, 92 Wing pass through a water cannon salute on 5 December 2023 following their final flight at RAAF Base Edinburgh. (RAAF photo by LACW Annika Smit)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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20231205raaf8691394_031
An AP-3C (EW) Orion from 10 Squadron, 92 Wing is marshalled into position on the flightline following its final flight on 5 December 2023 from RAAF Base Edinburgh. (RAAF photo by ACW Halley Van Essen)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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Lockheed AP-3C (EW) Orion
s/n A9-657
FMS BuNo 162657
c/n 285D-5780
Lockheed AP-3C (EW) Orion
s/n A9-660
FMS BuNo 162660
c/n 285D-5785
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Argentina acquires P-3 Orion aircraft for control and surveillance of the South Atlantic
Argentina acquires P-3 Orion aircraft for control and surveillance of the South Atlantic
October 17, 2023
The Minister of Defense, Jorge Taiana, and the head of the Argentine Navy, Admiral Julio Guardia, today led the signing of an agreement with the head of Department D3 of the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency of the Kingdom of Norway for the acquisition, through the National Defense Fund, of four P3 Orion aircraft that will be used for surveillance and control and search and rescue in the South Atlantic.
“These aircraft have a particular observation capacity and also have a great autonomy, which allows them to fly for many hours, being very useful for the surveillance and control of our territorial sea and especially of our exclusive economic zone. They will also be of great importance for the search and rescue system,” said the Minister of Defense on the Presidente Sarmiento frigate.
“The acquisition of these aircraft,” said Taiana, “is a great contribution to strengthening the policy we are developing to improve the surveillance and control of our waters. To do this, we created the Joint Maritime Command, and under its direction the four new ocean patrol boats are used, but, in addition, we needed a long-distance observation aircraft such as the Orion, which will be based in Trelew, a specific observation station of the Naval Aviation.”
“We are also in the process of purchasing specific helicopters for hangars on the ocean patrol boats, so we believe that with all these measures we are taking a very important step in covering and defending our sovereignty and taking care of our resources. We are the ones who guarantee control in our waters,” said Minister Taiana.
For his part, Guardia said, “These four aircraft are central to the Force, since they allow almost continuous permanence in what are our areas of interest, thanks to the enormous autonomy they have, the radar systems they have, and some other technical elements that we plan to add through national development.”
The acquisition of these aircraft will make it possible to recover the capacity for long-range exploration in the Exclusive Economic Zone and to have a greater presence in the maritime areas of interest and the Argentine Antarctic, especially with regard to the control of living and non-living resources and maritime lines of communication. In addition, these aircraft, thanks to their characteristics and performance, are essential to fulfill the functions of search and protection of human life at sea, a responsibility that the Argentine Republic assigns to the Navy.
It should be noted that the negotiations for this incorporation began last March and continued throughout the year through meetings held in Buenos Aires, as well as in Norway based on the technical visit carried out by aeronautical engineers from the Naval Aviation Command together with the team from Department D3 of the NDMA.
The NDMA, the agency through which the new aircraft were acquired, reports to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, whose task is to obtain, maintain, and dispose of the material for use by the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Norway.
As for the aircraft, one of them is the P-3N version (SAR and Mobile Logistics Support) and the remaining three in the P-3C exploration version, with an average flight potential of 17,000 flight hours, which represents an employment time of at least 15 years. It should be noted that the agreement made by the entire Norwegian P-3 system will be supported entirely with funds from FONDEF.
On the other hand, its extensive radius of action of 1,500 nautical miles (2780 km), added to its autonomy of 12 hours of flight, allow it to cover the Argentine maritime coast, continental shelf, and Argentine Antarctica without inconveniences, allowing the permanence in a certain zone or area for prolonged periods. Its ability to operate in all types of weather allows operation from any base and airport on the sea coast, which facilitates its presence in a given area in a relatively short period of time, essential for a SAR search.
In addition, the aircraft has different search sensors, such as radars and camera systems, associated with the corresponding communications systems, allowing the collection, processing, and transmission of data in real time.
All these characteristics will be combined with the work carried out by the Joint Maritime Command, which assumes the conduct of surveillance and control operations of maritime and river areas under national jurisdiction, in order to safeguard Argentina’s sovereign interests at sea and our exclusive economic zone through the A.R.A. Piedrabuena Oceanic Patrol Boats: Rear Admiral Cordero, Storni, and Bouchard.
Currently, these aircraft are in the U.S. The U.S. government granted the endorsement to make the transfer to third parties.
Along these lines, Naval Aviation pilots are conducting flight simulator training in the United States. We need to be in a position to proceed with the acceptance and transfer of the first aircraft to our country.
The acquisition also includes the entire maintenance system, accessories and spare parts, test benches, and components that will be moved from Norway to the Alte Naval Air Base. ZAR, located in Trelew, province of Chubut.
The National Defence Policy Directive (Decree 457/21) establishes the need to weigh, from the perspective of Defence, the existence of large territorial areas that are effectively and potentially profitable in terms of natural resources, which will be the subject of sovereign claims in the immediate future. In this way, military planning for defense identifies such challenges and assigns to the military instrument a role in the surveillance and strategic control of such spaces.
The negotiations were attended by the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense, Héctor Mazzei, the Commander of Naval Aviation and Navy Commodore, Juan Mercatelli with his team; and the Director of Naval Air Materiel, Captain Martín Monsalve, under the General Directorate of Naval Materiel.
Present at the event were the Chief of Staff, Héctor Mazzei; the Secretary of International Affairs for Defense, Francisco Cafiero; the Undersecretary for Scientific Research and Industrial Policy for Defense, Roberto Adaro; and the Undersecretary of Operational Planning and Logistics Service, Joaquín Labarta Liprandi.
Also present at the signing were the director of the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency, Magnus Hansvold, and Norway’s ambassador to the country, Halvor S?tre.
Source: Argentine Republic
(a Googly translation)
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VIRIN: 230509-N-YQ181-1002
An EA-18G Growler from the “Ravens” of VAQ-135 and an OP-3C Orion from Air Reconnaissance Squadron 81, Fleet Air Wing 31 fly in formation over the Sea of Japan on May 9, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Boeing EA-18G Growler
BuNo 168937
520
c/n G109
Kawasaki OP-3C Orion
s/n 9135
c/n 9065
Ten P-3Cs were converted to reconnaissance aircraft for the JMSDF and redesignated OP-3C.
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PHOTO: “Pro’s Nest” Sundown Ceremony Marks the End of an Era
VIRIN: 230623-N-MT581-1392
The last P-3C Poseidon from the “Pro’s Nest” of VP-30 taxis for departure during the P-3C Orion Sundown Ceremony at NAS Jacksonville on June 23, 2023 before flying to Davis-Monthan AFB for storage. The ceremony commemorated 62 years of active service for the Orion. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Curtis D. Spencer)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/download/image/7902393
(Posted image was cropped from the original.)
Lockheed P-3C-210-LO Orion BMUP+
BuNo 161415
LL-415
c/n 285A-5755
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“Pro’s Nest” Sundown Ceremony Marks the End of an Era
June 23, 2023
Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Curtis Spencer
Patrol Squadron 30
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Patrol Squadron 30 hosted a sundown ceremony for the P-3C Orion at VP-30 headquarters in Jacksonville on June 23, 2023.
Sailors, aviation leadership, local media, and distinguished guests were in attendance to commemorate the aircraft’s 62 years of active service to the Fleet. The Orion had been the Navy’s frontline, land-based maritime patrol aircraft since the early 1960s.
“After 60 years of maritime excellence, the watch has been relieved,” said Senior Chief Naval Aircrewman Armando Carrillo, assigned to VP-30, who organized the event. “This plane has united six decades of Naval aviators, aircrew, maintenance, and support personnel. She has united people from different cultures, backgrounds, and generations. She is one of few platforms in the Navy with this kind of history.”
While the ceremony was a celebration, those in attendance felt a certain duality as the last P-3C Orion left the hangar.
“This is all very bittersweet,” said Lt. Cmdr. (Ret.) Donald Cooper, a distinguished guest and a former Naval Aircrewman. “My dad and I both served aboard P-3 aircraft. It is the end of an era.”
“Bittersweet is absolutely how I would describe it,” said Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class (Ret.) Pat Augustine, a distinguished guest. “My entire Navy career happened in a P-3 and she always brought us home. I will be sad to never hear that 68 hertz tone from the engine again or see them fly over my house.”
Although her service to the Fleet is slated to come to an end, the impact this plane has had on the Navy will live on forever.
“We have a rich, glorious heritage to look back upon,” said Capt. Derrick Eastman, commanding officer, VP-30. “For 62 years, this plane and the aircrews that quicken her have stood the watch overseas and off our own coasts.”
The P-3 would not have had such an extended time of service without versatility.
“When you think of the different platforms used in the Navy, there aren’t too many that make it past the half-century barrier,” said Capt. Dennis Jensen, a Navy pilot and the prospective Commodore of Task Force 57 homeported in Manama, Bahrain. “The P-3 is one of five aircraft in the history of Naval aviation to break that barrier. As the mission changed and as the focus changed and the Nation called us to do something else, we did not stay stuck in the past, we adapted the aircraft. It is because of that adaptability and flexibility this platform has stood the test of time.”
The P-3 aircraft was first introduced to the Fleet on April 15, 1961 aboard VP-8 and VP-44.
VXS-1 and VQ-1 are the only commands that will continue to utilize a modified version of the P-3. VQ-1 is slated to sundown their EP-3E Aries in 2025.
The “Pro’s Nest” of VP-30 is the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron. VP-30’s mission is to provide P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C training to pilots, Naval Flight Officers, and enlisted aircrew prior to reporting to the Fleet.
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VIRIN: 230727-F-TE518-1003
“Miss Piggy”, a WP-3D Orion from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Aircraft Operations Center, flies over MacDill AFB on July 27, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Lockheed WP-3D-165-LO Orion
N43RF
“Miss Piggy”
acquisition BuNo 159875
c/n 285A-5633
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20230721raaf8660203_0067
A Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C (EW) Orion from 10 Squadron, 92 Wing lands at RAAF Base Darwin on 21 July 2023 during Exercise Talisman Sabre. (RAAF photo by LAC Chris Tsakisiris)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Lockheed AP-3C (EW) Orion
s/n A9-657
FMS BuNo 162657
c/n 285D-5780
Note the lack of sonobuoy tubes and the additional antennas for the ELINT role.
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VIDEOS: NOAA WP-3D Orion Hurricane Hunter Flight into Hurricane Ian
NOAA WP-3D Orion Hurricane Hunter Flight into Hurricane Ian https://www.omao.noaa.gov/find/media
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VIRIN: 220707-N-MR124-1256 A P-3C BMUP Orion from the “Totems” of VP-69 taxis at MCB Hawaii on July 7, 2022 during RIMPAC 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Elisha Smith/Released) A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/download/image/7307352 Lockheed P-3C-205-LO Orion
BuNo 161339
PJ-339
c/n 285A-5738
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