Patrol Squadron Eight Participates in Joint Maritime Patrol Exercise with JMSDF
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KANOYA, KAGOSHIMA, JAPAN
Patrol Squadron EIGHT (VP-8)
KANOYA AIR BASE, Japan – On Tuesday, September 11th, members of Patrol Squadron Eight’s (VP-8) Fighting Tigers traveled to Kanoya Air Base to participate in a Coordinated Maritime Patrol Operational Procedures (CMPOP) exercise with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). The purpose of this joint exercise was to showcase coordination between the United States Navy and the JMSDF Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPR) communities.
The exercise included a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon, JMSDF P-3C Orion, and JMSDF Kawasaki P-1. The U.S. Navy’s P-8A, in addition to the P-3C Orion, is one of the fleet’s two long range, multi-mission MPR aircrafts currently in service. The P-3C Orion is one of the JMSDF’s current MPR aircrafts while the P-1 is the country’s newest model.
The Fighting Tigers were afforded an opportunity to see firsthand the layout and capabilities of both the JMSDF P-3C and P-1. The coordination and briefing of each aircraft and their capabilities on station provided the crews the knowledge to maximize sensor employment and effectiveness. Additionally, all three aircraft underwent communication and data link checks before VP-8 returned to Misawa, NAF.
On Wednesday, September 12th, VP-8 and JMSDF aircrew deployed a MK 39 Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target while conducting CMPOP procedures on-station. This CMPOP exercise demonstrated the USN and JMSDF’s ability to successfully execute coordinated Anti-Submarine Warfare.
“Working alongside the JMSDF was both humbling and exciting, and we are an unstoppable force when we team up,” said Lt. j.g. Dan Michaels, VP-8 Naval Flight Officer.
VP-8 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
