#1835 5 Sqn, P-8A Poseidon print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1835, NZ4801, P-8A Poseidon, 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea.
No.5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force was formed in November 1941 as the New Zealand Defence Force expanded to meet its inevitable inclusion in a Pacific conflict. Based in Fiji, No. 5 Squadron flew Vickers Vincents, then moved on to Short Singapore flying boats providing long-range maritime patrol for the region. 5 Squadron was disbanded in 1942, but reformed again in 1944 operating Catalina flying boats. The Squadron moved to the Southwest Pacific in 1944, operating from Espiritu Santo to the Admiralty Islands. Following the Second World War, the Squadron relocated to Lauthala Bay in Fiji and in 1953 they replaced the Catalinas with Short Sunderland flying boats. In 1966 the majority of the Squadron moved to RNZAF Base Whenuapai and took delivery of five new Lockheed P-3B Orions. Lauthala Bay was closed and the Sunderlands were withdrawn in 1967. A sixth Orion (NZ4206) was purchased from the RAAF in 1985. The P-3Bs were partially modified by Boeing in 1982 under Project Rigel and redesignated P-3K. In 2005 a further upgrade was undertaken to improve or replace mission equipment including sensors, navigation, and communication equipment, and to provide improved ground support systems. These upgraded aircraft were redesignated P-3K2. During the 21st Century, 5 Squadron has deployed all over the world; from 2003 to 2004 the Orions flew 142 missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Between 2014 and 2018 5 Squadron was deployed multiple times to the Middle East region on Operation Tiki and Operation Takapu, flying counter piracy and counter narcotics-smuggling operations. From 2018 the Squadron began flying on Operation Whio, supporting United Nations sanctions in the East-China Sea. In early 2023 the P-3K2 Orion was retired from service after a long 57 years flying with the RNZAF, making way for the 4 P-8A Poseidons acquired in 2022. 5 Squadron moved to RNZAF Base Ohakea to accommodate for the larger and heavier Poseidons, basing out of a new purpose-built facility, Te Whare Taroa (the Home of the Albatross). The P-8As began operational service in 2023, and have since deployed to Japan, Malaysia, Hawaii, Guam, The Philippines, Brunei, and all throughout the Pacific.