Local News
Brits visits CFB Comox for anti-sub warfare training
2026-02-12
Royal Air Force crew are training in the Comox Valley this week, helping the Canadians get ready for new planes.
This week, 19 Wing is hosting the 201 Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth, an air base in northern Scotland. The Totem Times reports that their visit is part of a routine allied training visit, and they are working with their Canadian counterparts on maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare operations. Crews exchanged professional knowledge and discussed operational concepts, maintenance practices, and how to best use modern maritime patrol aircraft in various scenarios.
The RAF crew brought one of their P-8A Poseidon aircraft with them to use in the training exercise. The Canadian Armed Forces is expecting delivery this year and next year of 16 new P-8A planes, to replace the aging CP-140 Aurora aircraft. They will be split between 19 Wing in Comox and 14 Wing in Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
The new Poseidon aircraft will continue the Aurora’s role: conducting maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and monitoring activities across the Pacific Ocean, including tracking illegal fishing, human trafficking, drug trafficking, pollution, and foreign submarines.
During this week’s exercises, 201 Squadron worked with the Canadian 407 Squadron on anti-submarine training sorties. The exercises simulated submarine detection alongside multiple aircraft, showcasing the Poseidon's capabilities in anti-submarine operations.
The first new P-8A is expected to be delivered to 19 Wing sometime this year and deliveries will continue with one aircraft per month until 2027, with full operational capacity expected by 2033.
Image from Totem Times / Facebook
The RAF's 201 Squadron and their Poseidon P-8A are training with 19 Wing in Comox this week.