NOAA's N42RF Returns

NOAA has deployed N42RF back to JRF for research flights into Tropical Depression 2-C. The weather system is forecasted to turn into Tropical Storm Moke (pronounced Moh-kay) within the next 12-24 hours. This WP-3D is arriving from LGB this afternoon as NOAA42.

The above photo was taken today, on short final for JRF's Runway 22L, on its arrival from LGB.

21 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Depression 2-C has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Moke today.

Tropical Invest 93C

To get a handle of the storm systems southeast of Hawai‘i, NOAA has dispatched its G-IV, N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246), and one of its WP-3Ds, N42RF "Kermit" (msn 285A-5266) to the islands to monitor the storm. N49RF arrived yesterday as NOAA49, and N42RF will arrive later today as NOAA42. Both aircraft will be based out of JRF for this deployment.

The US Air Force is sending 97-5305 (msn 382-5475) from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. This WC-130J Weatherbird is flying from MHR to KOA as TEAL83. 

The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Invest 93C, a system southeast of the Hawaiian Islands. Invest is the NHC term for Investigating for potential tropical development, 93C is the location designator, and would be named Lala in the event of it developing into a tropical depression.

National coverage with this Fox Weather report; and local coverage with this KHON2 report.

12 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Invest 93C has been upgraded to Tropical Cyclone 1C. Two more WC-130Js arrived, 96-5302 (msn 382-5453) and 97-5303 (msn 382-5473) to fly into the storm.

13 August 2026 UPDATE
Tropical Cyclone 1C has now been upgraded to Tropical Storm Lala.

Follow updates on the National Hurricane Center advisory.

15 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Storm Lala has been upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane.

Both N42RF and N49RF departed JRF this morning for SDM [Brown Field, San Diego, CA]. 

Royal Canadian Air Force's 140108

A CP-140M Aurora from the 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron / 19 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force made a stop at HNL before returning to YQQ [CFB Comox, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada]. 140108 (msn  285B-5709) arrived as CFC475, and departed for YQQ with the same flight number.

On a related note, the RCAF has ordered 14 P-8A Poseidons to replace the aging CP-140Ms, with deliveries slated to begin in 2026. The RCAF also has options for two more P-8As. Nothing was mentioned as to the possibility of having its own Canadian designation.

US Navy's 160770 PlaneTags

When MotoArt came down to the Kalaeloa Airport, the second former Naval Air Museum at Barbers Point aircraft they dismantled, was the former US Navy Lockheed P-3C Orion, BuNo 160770 (msn 285A-5679). MotoArt released the PlaneTags for 160770 today.

160770's history is noted in this blog piece on the PlaneTags website.

NOAA Selects The C-130J To Replace The WP-3Ds

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced today that they have awarded a contract to Lockheed-Martin for two C-130Js to replace their aging WP-3D Orion Hurricane Hunters. NOAA is expected to take delivery of the C-130Js in 2030, and will have the options for more aircraft.

NOAA's N43RF

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is sending N43RF "Miss Piggy" (msn 5633) to HNL. This WP-3D Orion will be doing test flights out HNL for an unknown period of time.

Aloha ‘Oe KBay P-3C Orions

The last three Lockheed P-3C Orions of VP-9 departed Marine Corps Air Station Kāne‘ohe Bay for the last time, as the unit will upgrade to the P-8A Poseidon, and relocated to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA.

Further details in this Stripes.com article.

Aloha ʻOe Skinny Dragons

MCAF Kāne‘ohe Bayʻs Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4) "Skinny Dragons" P-3C Orions have begun their "Aloha Deployment". Upon return form their deployment, they will transition to the P-8A Poseidon, and relocate to NAS Whidbey Island, WA. The "Skinny Dragons" are the first of three P-3C squadrons based at MCAF Kāne‘ohe Bay to make the transition and the move, and ends a 50-year run being based on O‘ahu. US Navy anti-submarine aircraft were once based at the now-closed NAS Barbers Point (now the Kalaeloa Airport). 

Further details in this Navy.mil article.

Navy Research Labatory's 357

Arriving this afternoon, this NP-3D from the Navy's Research Laboratory taxies to Hickam. 153442/357 belongs to VX-30 "Bloodhounds" out of NAS Point Mugu, California.

NASAʻs N426NA

One of NASAʻs P-3B Orions, N426NA (c/n 185-5175), arrived at HIK from NTD yesterday, and departed for PPG this morning.

RoK Navy's 090910

The Republic of Korea Navy's Lockheed P-3C "Orion" 090910 was in town this morning. It overnighted on HNL's south ramp, before departing in the morning.

This "Orion" may be part of a second batch that the Korean Navy had ordered, since the s/n begins with 09, and the existing P-3Cs in the fleet begin with 95.