Multiple Air Forces carry out international flying exercise in New Zealand’s South Island
Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren
Last week, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) posted a community alert telling the public they will be conducting multiple exercises alongside aircraft from other nations. The RNZAF said this would include low level and tactical flying.
The training exercise will involve around 50 take-offs and landings at several airports around NZ.
The aircraft involved in the exercise are RNZAF C-130J Super Hercules aircraft alongside international aircraft believed to be similar C-130Js from the United States Air Force (USAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as well as a uniquely painted camouflage KC-130H from the Royal Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
The exercise will be held across the South Island specifically the Marlborough, Tasman, Buller, Grey and Westland regions.
Flying will take place over the period March 23 through April 2, between 10 am and 6 pm each day.
The RNZAF noted that there may be Security Forces personnel forming security perimeters around the military aircraft while they are on the ground. And that during this exercise members of the public should not be concerned.
Westport Airport Operations and Safety Manager Christian Mclay says preparing for the visits supports the airport’s emergency readiness objectives.
“Coordination with the RNZAF No. 40 Squadron is underway, and tasks at our end include runway sweeping for debris, wildlife management, and general operational readiness. This exercise provides an excellent opportunity for the airport to monitor, assess and improve runway safety when handling overweight aircraft that may need to utilise Westport Airport for emergencies, Civil Defence responses, or other critical situations,” he says.
The multinational exercise helps to boost international interoperability and comes after a recent RNZAF and RAAF exercise in Australia that saw No. 40 Squadron aircraft, crew and supporting detachment deployed to RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales to conduct Exercise Trojan Compass. Enhancing interoperability and interchangeability between the Anzac Air Forces.
Following Exercise Trojan Compass, Flight Lieutenant Kennedy said interoperability was the key outcome of the exercise, “Working with a foreign nation has been excellent and we have learnt a lot from each other along the way.”