View Full Version : USN Retires the P-3
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/5827044/p-3c-orion-returns-final-deployment
OAK HARBOR, Wash. (Oct. 10, 2019) Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Services Battalion Three sprays arches of water as a P-3C Orion taxis the flight line onboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island during a homecoming ceremony for the "Fighting Marlins" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40, Oct. 9, 2019. The "Fighting Marlins" homecoming return marks the final active duty deployment of the P-3C Orion with the transition to the P-8A Poseidon as it's replacement closing out more than 60 years of the P-3C Orion's operational history within the U.S. Navy.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x317/image_fb171fa754633f9f38809ed9e4f22f883cadd4d4.jpeg
sandiego89
21st Oct 2019, 15:22
I believe the US Navy Reserves will still be flying the P-3 until @2023 out of Jacksonville and Whidbey Island. Not quite dead! but still a deserved retirement.
TBM-Legend
22nd Oct 2019, 07:39
RAAF AP-3C's are all but retired and replaced by P-8's. Two EAP-3C's will remain in service until around 2022/23 when our Gulfstream MC-55A's arrive in the AISREW role. P-3's B's/C's/AP-C's have served the RAAF since 1968!
MPN11
22nd Oct 2019, 08:56
A fine career for the P-3. :ok:
Asturias56
22nd Oct 2019, 08:57
not bad at all for what wasn't the most successful airliner of it's time
The RNZAF will continue to operate their P3’s until 2023
RAFEngO74to09
22nd Oct 2019, 14:49
The USN EP-3E ARIES II SIGINT aircraft are not due to retire until 2025.
obgraham
22nd Oct 2019, 14:51
P-3s from Whitby Island still outside my window doing T&G's all day yesterday.
AndySmith
22nd Oct 2019, 18:52
The Argentine Navy are looking to acquire some newer P-3s right now, if they can find the money, so I guess they'll be around quite a few years yet.
West Coast
23rd Oct 2019, 06:33
See if some soldier on in firefighting careers.
TBM-Legend
23rd Oct 2019, 21:40
Several aircraft now in Museums here including one that is being kept airworthy with HARS Museum south of Sydney. Our P-3's were also used in A/Stan on an ISR role and as such the Australian War Memorial now hosts one of these.
dead_pan
24th Oct 2019, 09:14
I believe NOAA or whoever still operate a couple of heavily modified P-3s as hurricane hunters.
Wikip entry on the type:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-3_Orion#Civilian_uses
TBM-Legend
24th Oct 2019, 10:43
Korea, Japan, Germany, Greece, Brasil, Canada, Chile, Iran, Pakistan, Portugal, Taiwan, Thailand, Spain still fly them in the military..
There are several nations till flying the F-4, and of course Iran still flys the F-14.
Doesn't change the fact the USN has retired it as a front line operational airframe. Used to be the Reserve/ANG would get hand-me-downs, increasingly, as with the P-8 and F-35, they also get the new kit.
typerated
24th Oct 2019, 20:12
Korea, Japan, Germany, Greece, Brasil, Canada, Chile, Iran, Pakistan, Portugal, Taiwan, Thailand, Spain still fly them in the military..
And New Zealand!
How could your forget about your most important ally across the ditch!
TBM-Legend
25th Oct 2019, 00:16
The RNZAF will continue to operate their P3’s until 2023
Covered above and by the way they have an ex-RAAF P-3B in their fleet. P-8's on the way...
typerated
25th Oct 2019, 02:27
Still I don't know why Aussies get all tight about NZ defence?
We have a fit airframe on the line at least a couple of time a month - and sometimes a trained crew to fly them.