24 April 2025
Fifty-three Aussies, a Canadian, a Kiwi and one P-8A Poseidon on a United States Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.
Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) deployed in April with the Royal Australian Air Force's 11 Squadron to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, on Operation Argos.
The P-8A Poseidon was deployed as a part of Australia’s contribution towards the enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
Captain Alexander Jacobi from the RCAF and Flight Lieutenant Philip Dunlop from the RNZAF were both pilots on the P-8A Poseidon.
Captain Jacobi moved to Australia with his family for the exchange posting with 11 Squadron in late 2021, and has become an integrated part of a RAAF team both at home and on deployment.
“Deploying with the Australian crew is very similar to deploying with Canadian crews. We do a very similar job, just in different parts of the world,” he said.
“Operation Argos has been great. Getting out there and helping the UN achieve its mission has been great. We’ve enjoyed our time here.”
For Captain Jacobi, one of the familiar similarities between serving in the Canadian and Australian Air Forces was the philosophy on service.
“For me, serving means you’re doing your piece for your country, whatever they may ask from you. You’re helping your country be better,” he said.
“Coming and working with the Australians, I think they have a similar philosophy on service. It has been great trying to achieve things together, with the Canadian flag on my shoulder.”
'For me, serving means you’re doing your piece for your country, whatever they may ask from you.'
Flight Lieutenant Dunlop started his exchange with 11 Squadron earlier this year, moving to Adelaide with his wife.
For Flight Lieutenant Dunlop, the opportunity to fly the P-8A Poseidon with a diverse crew has been a highlight of Operation Argos.
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to be on a crew with three different nations represented,” he said.
“For me personally, it’s been very easy to slot into the Australian Defence system – there’s a lot of similarities to how we do things in New Zealand.
“The P-8A Poseidon is a very capable aircraft. We’ve got a wide range of sensors that allows us to gather intelligence, and keep awareness of what’s happening in the area.”
With Anzac Day falling not long after Operation Argos, Flight Lieutenant Dunlop reflected on shared military history.
“It’s a great opportunity to be here representing New Zealand as part of an integrated force,” he said.
“With Anzac Day coming up, I’m always reminded of the deep level of military history that we have between our two countries, Australia and New Zealand.”
A crew consisting of three nations, operating from a United States Air Base located in the southernmost prefecture of Japan – Operation Argos was truly a unique experience.
