U.S. 7th Fleet commander praises P-8A performance

Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, commander, 7th Fleet, flew over Japan with Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 in the Navy’s newest maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, Jan. 9 and praised the crew for their mission skills and hard work.

The “War Eagles” of VP 16 are making their inaugural deployment with six P-8As in support of 7th Fleet maritime domain awareness efforts in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. According to Thomas, the P-8A deployment brings increased capability to 7th Fleet’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force.

“I am extremely impressed with VP-16 and the P-8A Poseidon’s performance during their inaugural deployment to Seventh Fleet,” Thomas said.

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