The Navy has deployed five Brunswick-based P-3 Orions and their crews to tsunami-devastated Asia.

The squadron of long-range surveillance aircraft was already in Japan on temporary assignment, according to a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. The Maine Republican is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Pentagon announced earlier that five P-3 Orions would take part in search, rescue and survey operations, but hadn’t specified that the planes were based at the Maine naval air station. The base has a complement of five P-3s on active duty and two on standby.

Some of the Tigers of Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 8, as the crew is called, were already on the ground in Thailand by Wednesday afternoon.

Collins issued a statement commending the air station for its involvement in disaster recovery and relief efforts.

“The tragic loss of life and massive destruction from the tsunamis in Asia are truly sad and horrifying. It is important for the U.S. to continue to do everything we can to help the millions of individuals and the many nations that are suffering,” Collins said.

“I am proud that Brunswick Naval Air Station is playing a key role in what could be the largest humanitarian effort in history. BNAS has a long tradition of being an integral part of America’s national security as well as supporting humanitarian efforts such as this one,” she continued.

“My thoughts will be with the BNAS-based crews and all Americans who are in Asia to help those who lost so much in last weekend’s disaster.”

The P-3s are often used in such nonmilitary missions to assist with search and rescue operations, said Jen Burita, the senator’s spokeswoman.

The Pentagon deployed the P-3s to Utapoa Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand to assist in search and rescue efforts and to help in surveying damage.

Burita said the number of personnel sent with the aircraft depends on the length of time the planes are expected to assist in Asia. That wasn’t known Wednesday.

The P-3 squadrons all have flight surgeons, but it wasn’t clear if they would be assigned to help with treatment of people who were injured when the giant waves swept over the Asian coastlines.

The Navy was also sending an aircraft carrier and smaller ships to the region to assist in relief efforts. Several of the ships were capable to producing tens of thousands of gallons of drinking water daily, something in critical demand after Sunday’s tsunami.