Three RAAF P-8A Poseidons Operated from RMAF Base Butterworth

22 Januari 2026

Three P-8A Poseidon at RMAF Base Butterworth, Penang (photo ssv: Aus DoD)

Operation Gateway’s latest rotation in November and December 2025 witnessed a trio of RAAF P-8A Poseidons operating from Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth.

Working with counterparts in the Malaysian Armed Forces, Operation Gateway is Australia’s long-standing mission to provide maritime domain awareness in the North Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

The latest iteration involved approximately 90 RAAF aviators.

Squadron Leader Justin McCoy will take over as Officer Commanding 92 Wing Detachment Alpha at RMAF Butterworth in 2026.

The role is responsible for all personnel in upcoming Operation Gateway iterations, as well as serving as the conduit for P-8A operations between Australian and Malaysian counterparts.

“One of the main differences on this trip is the first full deployment of three P-8A Poseidons, which has afforded us a lot more flexibility for operational flying and created some great training opportunities,” Squadron Leader McCoy said.

“Another key difference is the deployment of personnel from 292 Squadron, which is our Operational Conversion Unit, allowing us to combine operational sorties with Operational Conversion training outcomes.”

'In 2026, Australia and Malaysia will be marking 45 years of Operation Gateway, run out of RMAF Butterworth.'

The significance of 292 Squadron’s involvement hails back to P-3 Orion days, when all Air Force maritime patrol units shared Operation Gateway deployments, allowing a distribution of experience across the platform operators.

RMAF Base Butterworth, Penang (image: GoogleMaps)

The year 2025 marks the 70th year of diplomatic relations between Australia and Malaysia. 

Next year, Squadron Leader McCoy will take command of 92 Wing Detachment Alpha in the 45th year of operations.

“In 2026, Australia and Malaysia will be marking 45 years of Operation Gateway, run out of RMAF Butterworth,” Squadron Leader McCoy said.

“I’m very fortunate to be selected for this posting, which will allow me to build upon the great relationship that Air Force has with our Malaysian partners and to drive P-8A operations forward for the mutual benefit of both Australia and Malaysia.”

This iteration of Operation Gateway involved approximately 90 personnel, who, in various roles, enabled three P-8A Poseidons to safely conduct maritime domain awareness patrols in the North Indian Ocean and the South China Sea for two weeks between November and December 2025.

(Aus DoD)