Lossiemouth Air Base, Scotland. (March 14, 2024): In this photo by MC2 Jacquelin Frost, Lieutenant Sara Wedemeyer, left, and Lieutenant Wesley Neal, naval aviators attached to Patrol Squadron 46, fly the Navy’s premier maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft the P-8A Poseidon. Manufactured by Boeing Defense, the plane is named after one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek religion and mythology who presides over the seas, storms, earthquakes, and as the protector of seafarers. 

Patrol Squadron 46, also known as the "Grey Knights", is the oldest maritime patrol squadron in United States Navy and is based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. The Poseidon is primarily used in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and also to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It is armed with torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles and can drop and monitor sonobuoys.

With a crew of nine highly specialized professionals, the Poseidon can operate in conjunction with the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle which greatly expands its patrol range. It is equipped with state-of-the-art radars, sensors, and a new air-to-air refueling capability. The P-8A is scheduled to receive periodic future enhancements to keep pace with emerging submarine threats from China and Russia.