"We look forward to working alongside our Singaporean counterparts to further strengthen interoperability while enhancing our readiness to respond to contingencies," Commander Richard W. Prest said in the release.
The aircraft will fly out of Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore and take part in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise and other training activities with the country’s armed forces, the release noted.
The United States and Singapore have long worked together on bilateral and multilateral exercises such as CARAT, Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) and Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), according to the release.
The Poseidons are part of Patrol Squadron 5 based in Japan that aims to promote greater interoperability and maritime security initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region.
In June, warships and aircraft from the 7th Fleet’s Carrier Strike Group 3, led by the carrier Ronald Reagan, ramped up patrols in waters and skies above South China Sea in anticipation of Beijing’s response to a ruling on the legitimacy of China, Philippines dual claims over Fiery Cross and two other reefs. China ignored the ruling handed down in July in favor of the Philippines.
The P-8A Poseidon is a militarized version of the Boeing 737.