Two EP-3E Airborne Reconnaissance Integrated Electronic System (ARIES) II aircraft stopped at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River while making their return journey from final detachments. Upon arrival of the second aircraft, current and former Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290) personnel gathered to commemorate the aircraft flown by a crew from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1. NAS Patuxent River was the first stateside stop before both aircraft flew home to NAS Whidbey Island.

Since 1969, when the U.S. Navy first introduced the EP-3E, PMA-290 personnel have supported the acquisition and sustainment activities surrounding the aircraft including development and test, training systems and life cycle support. The last production EP-3E ARIES II aircraft was delivered in 1997 followed by four P-3 Orion to EP-3E conversion aircraft deliveries in the early 2000s. VQ-1 has flown the aircraft since its introduction into the U.S. Navy as an aerial reconnaissance and signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft.

“Thousands of people had a role in this platform’s prolonged success throughout the last five decades, including many team members from Pax River,” said Capt. Erik Thomas, program manager of PMA-290. “As the EP-3E completes its dutiful service to the nation, PMA-290 is proud of the community’s achievements and dedication. The VQ-1 World Watchers truly earned the respect of friend and foe alike and we here at PMA-290 congratulate them on a successful final deployment of this invaluable asset.”

The Lockheed EP-3E ARIES II is a land-based multi-intelligence reconnaissance aircraft based on the P-3 Orion airframe. During missions, the aircraft provided fleet and theater commanders worldwide with near real-time tactical SIGINT and full motion video intelligence. With sensitive receivers and high-gain dish antennas, the aircraft exploited a wide range of electronic emissions from deep within targeted territory. The crew fused the collected intelligence along with off-board data and disseminated the information for direct threat warning, information dominance, battle space situational awareness, suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses, anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare applications.

Remaining EP-3E aircraft will be decommissioned and transferred to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) for future destruction. The process will continue through March 2025. Other platforms including the P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton assumed portions of the EP-3 ARIES II mission set and responsibilities.

PMA-290 manages the acquisition, development, support and delivery of the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.