During April 2025, a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol crew deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, for Operation Argos.
The deployment reaffirms Australia's commitment to enforcing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea. It is also a critical component of Australia's broader effort to prevent illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods.
While operating from Kadena Air Base, the P-8A Poseidon conducted aerial surveillance missions, contributing to regional security and supporting international sanctions enforcement.
Squadron Leader Joshua Wyatt, of 11 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, was the Operation Argos detachment commander.
"The objective of Operation Argos is to work with our partner nations to implement UNSC sanctions against North Korea, to help ensure compliance with the rules-based system," Squadron Leader Wyatt said.
"Contributing capability with our partner nations ensures our continued ability to operate together and to deter other rogue actors from engaging in actions that are detrimental to the international community and the rules-based system."
'Integrating with our partners, the United States and Japan, allows us to test our procedures to achieve our job better in a peacetime environment.'
Flying Officer Oliver Hodgson, of 11 Squadron, is a maritime patrol response officer on the deployment.
"My role in the crew is the mission command of the aircraft as we fly through the area, managing the collection priorities, the sensors and the backend crew to ensure we achieve the required outcomes," Flying Officer Hodgson said.
Since 2018, Australia has deployed RAAF maritime patrol aircraft 15 times and Royal Australian Navy vessels 12 times under Operation Argos.
"The Poseidon is a fantastic piece of kit for maritime awareness. We've got a highly advanced sensor suite consisting of radar, electronic support measures, and electro-optical and infrared cameras," Flying Officer Hodgson said.
"The crew is a part of that, as well as a very highly trained asset, and we work very hard to make sure we use the P-8A to the very best of our ability.
"Our ability to go out and clear a search area is unparalleled amongst maritime patrol aircraft."
'The current deployment has been really productive; the aircraft and crew have performed well in what is one of the busiest areas of marine activity in the world.'
"Operating out of Kadena Air Base with the United States Air Force has provided us with a lot of integration opportunities that we otherwise wouldn't get in Australia," Flying Officer Hodgson said.
"Integrating with our partners, the United States and Japan, allows us to test our procedures to achieve our job better in a peacetime environment.
"Okinawa is a really fantastic place; the mixing pot of Japanese culture here is fantastic. You get a lot of the mainland culture, but also a very specific Okinawan culture. The ability to visit here, see a different part of the world, and really experience the Japanese culture and lifestyle has been fantastic."
Squadron Leader Wyatt was proud of the deployed team's efforts and levels of professionalism.
"The current deployment has been really productive; the aircraft and crew have performed well in what is one of the busiest areas of marine activity in the world," he said.
"The support and professionalism of the maintainers, intelligence, admin, logistic and operations teams have all been instrumental in ensuring that the crew is able to achieve the great results they are achieving every flight. I have been extremely lucky to be deployed with such a great team."
