Navy P-8A Poseidon Pulled from Bay in Hawaii

The P-8A Poseidon made the water landing November 20 while attempting an approach at Marine Corps Base Hawaii during rainy conditions. The Boeing 737-based Poseidon is used by the Navy for submarine hunting, as well as anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

No injuries were reported among the three pilots and six crewmembers on board the P-8A, which was assigned to Whidbey Island, Washington-based Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 "Skinny Dragons." The detachment was operating in support of maritime homeland defense, according to the Navy.

Earlier last week, the Navy retrieved a flight data recorder from the aircraft. At the time, Navy officials said environmental protection measures had been deployed, including deploying primary and secondary containment booms, encircling the aircraft to protect the surrounding marine environment, as well as hydrophobic absorbent material to help soak up any potential pollutants, such as petroleum. A skimmer was also on standby to remove pollutants from the water surface.

On Sunday, a multidisciplinary team of military and civilian salvage experts moved the P-8A onto the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay.

During the operation, Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, worked alongside the military and civilian salvage experts, repositioning inflatable salvage roller bags.

The roller bags were used to roll the aircraft off the coral reef it landed on, the Associated Press reported. The salvage operation, which included an earlier removal of about 2,000 gallons of fuel from the aircraft, is estimated to cost $1.5 million.