>>135841
I think them working is working, training to work and staying proficient to the best of abilities. Seeing more P-8 should also equate to the loss of the P-3s. If you don't correlate the two, you get a false sense of increase.
As for the retrieval, it would be nice, some of them are pricey too, like cars in the 80s, they are built to be disposable though. Heavy as well.
I am not saying they are not looking for stuff. that is their job. But looking for something specific? there would be other indicators, and I just don't want people getting stressed out over nine in the air on any given day. The Military works 24/7, often with little fanfare, to keep people safe.