Canadian aircrews use New Zealand training as stepping stone for upgraded fleet

In a first for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), four international aircrew have graduated from the P-8A Poseidon operational training course at RNZAF Base Ohakea this week.

10 November, 2026

And in another first, the course was fully delivered by No. 5 Squadron using its new high technology, full mobility P-8A simulator, housed in the purpose-built facility Te Whare Toroa.

The four Canadian aircrew graduated alongside 10 RNZAF aircrew as pilots, air warfare officers and air warfare specialists.

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Deputy Commander Major General Denis O’Reilly attended the ceremony and said it marked an important step in preparing the RCAF when they replace the CP-140 Aurora with the P-8A.

“Through their operational conversion training with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, our aircrews are developing the skills and experience needed to help build Canada’s future maritime patrol capability.

“Training alongside our Five Eyes partners allows us to share expertise, strengthen professional relationships and prepare to operate effectively together. We are grateful to our New Zealand partners for their commitment to this training and to the enduring collaboration between our air forces,” Major General O’Reilly said.

RNZAF Training Flight Commander Squadron Leader Johnny Maiava said the four international crew arrived in New Zealand earlier this year to complete the conversion course and after graduation would remain here for a further three years, gaining operational experience.

“While they’re now proficient and safe to operate the P-8A, the ‘gold standard’ is working alongside our crew responding to a range of tasks,” Squadron Leader Maiava said.

“These include maritime surveillance and resource protection, supporting government agencies, undertaking anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and performing search and rescue and disaster relief.”

Training together strengthens the connections between our countries helping our air forces work together in future deployments – but the learning is mutual, he said.

“We learn how they operate as a crew, how they intend to operate the P-8A when they return home, their techniques, practices and procedures – in effect we are building each other’s capability.

Captain Jaques Robicheau from 14 Wing Greenwood relocated from the Novia Scotia base along with his young family – and dog – to Manawatū.

Flying the P-8A with its advanced technology was a big leap from the CP-140 Aurora but the standard operating procedures were very similar in both countries, he said.

“With operational missions, the main difference between New Zealand and Canada is the number of search and rescues the P-8A is called to. However, I’m enjoying the training and was fortunate enough to recently visit Fiji and Samoa as part of a northern fisheries monitoring patrol,” said Captain Robicheau.

He said he loved living and working in New Zealand and was looking forward to celebrating Christmas in the Coromandel – without having to shovel snow – and travelling around the country.