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.

The U.S. Navy delivered the first P-8A Poseidon aircraft to be modified with Increment 3 Block 2 capabilities to Boeing on March 27, enabling the fleet to be outfitted with the full anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities outlined in the P-8A program’s evolutionary acquisition strategy.

The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290) welcomed a new program manager on March 21 when Capt. Erik Thomas relieved Capt. Eric Gardner during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.