Image: AeroNoticiasVE X @AeroNoticiasVE
By Open Chronicle Staff
FRESNO, CA — For the second time in a week, the skies over California’s Central Valley have been occupied by specialized military aircraft, fueling public anxiety as conflict in the Middle East spills over into domestic security concerns. On Tuesday night, March 10, 2026, a Boeing P-8 Poseidon, the Navy’s premier “submarine hunter,” was spotted performing low-altitude maneuvers over Fresno, just days after the infamous “Doomsday Plane” conducted similar drills.
The “Submarine Hunter” Spotted
The P-8 Poseidon, which took off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, spent approximately 30 minutes circling the city and performing “touch-and-go” landings at Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
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Capabilities: The P-8 is a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft designed for anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance. It carries a suite of high-tech sensors and can deploy torpedoes and Harpoon missiles.
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Why Fresno? While Fresno is inland, its airport is a frequent site for military training due to its long runways and advanced Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). However, the timing has led to intense speculation.
The Leaked FBI “Drone Memo”
The appearance of a maritime patrol plane, typically used to scout coastlines, follows a bombshell FBI memo leaked earlier this week. The bureau warned California law enforcement of “unverified but aspirational” intelligence suggesting Iran could launch drone strikes from unidentified vessels off the U.S. West Coast.
The memo, dated early February 2026, stated that Iran allegedly sought to conduct surprise attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the event of U.S. strikes. With the U.S.-Iran war now in its 13th day, the sighting of a plane specialized in hunting coastal threats has many residents wondering if the Navy is actively patrolling for “motherships” or launch vessels in the Pacific.
A “Doomsday” Week for California
Poseidon is the third major military asset seen over the state this week:
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The E-6B Mercury (March 8): Known as the “Doomsday Plane,” this Navy aircraft serves as a nuclear command post, capable of launching ICBMs and communicating with ballistic missile submarines during a nuclear exchange. It conducted two hours of landing drills in Fresno on Sunday.
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The B-21 Raider (March 10): California planespotters also captured footage of the next-generation stealth bomber, designed for nuclear and conventional strikes, flying over Death Valley while tethered to a refueler.
Official Response
Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the reports on Wednesday, stating he is in “constant coordination” with federal intelligence officials but emphasized there is no imminent threat to the state. “While we are aware of the aspirational information from Iran, California remains prepared for any emergency,” Newsom said.
The U.S. Navy has characterized the flights as “routine training,” though they have not provided specific details on why these high-value assets are being concentrated over the Central Valley at this time.