RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-002 & A47-008 Complete Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 13 October, a pair Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft were noted completing airwork including a missed approach each at Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

Poseidon A47-002 was heard to be flying as "Mariner 01" and looked to depart its home at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia before flying up to Townsville via airwork at RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Base Amberley before completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

While Poseidon A47-008 was heard to be flying as "Mariner 02" and also departed Edinburgh before also flying up to Townsville but via airwork at Albury, Amberley and Rockhampton Airport.

Of interest, the radio callsign of "Mariner" is of the RAAF's 292 Squadron.

No. 292 Squadron is a RAAF operational conversion unit (OCU) based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The squadron was formed in 1977 as the Maritime Analysis Training Squadron and renamed No. 292 Squadron in 1980. Throughout its history it has formed part of No. 92 Wing and been responsible for training aircrew to operate the RAAF's Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. It is also responsible for training Orion maintenance personnel.

With the RAAF's retirement of the AP-3Cs with Boeing P-8 Poseidons, No. 292 Squadron will remain part of No. 92 Wing and will begin the first local training course using the new type. A new operational conversion facility has been constructed at Edinburgh to facilitate this training.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©