US NAVY Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40)'Fighting Marlins' began its first deployment with the P-8A Poseidon when the initial aircraft arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Italy, on April 28. Normally based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, the 'Fighting Marlins' were the last active-duty US Navy squadron to transition from the P-3C Orion to the P-8A. The squadron's transition to the Poseidon began in November 2019 after it concluded its final Orion deployment. Since arriving in theater, in addition to supporting operational missions from Sigonella under the US Sixth Fleet and Commander Task Force 67, VP-40 has already conducted detachments to Keflavik in Iceland and Rota, Spain. It is also tasked with supporting the US Fourth Fleet with operations conducted from Cooperative Security Location Comalapa, EI Salvador, and participated in the annual NATO Tiger Meet, hosted this year by 301 Squadron 'Jaguares' of the Portuguese Air Force.
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