Two USAF C-17 Globemasters will conduct low-level flights across NZ this week
On Monday this week, two USAF C-17 Globemaster III’s arrived at RNZAF Base Auckland (Whenuapai) from Hawaii with the callsign ‘Lava’. On arrival in Auckland, the two jets conducted a buzz and break, and formation landings and a missed approach.
This evening the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) posted an alert on its NZDF Community Alerts Facebook page detailing the five days of flying sorties across New Zealand.
While here, they will fly low-level (500-1000ft) across both the North and South Island between 9.00am and 3.00pm.
One of the two USAF C-17s at Whenuapai after landing yesterday afternoon | Photo: Archie Ward (@aviator.archie on Instagram)
The timetable of flights provided by the RNZAF:
Wed 7 Oct | Two USAF C-17s and one RNZAF C-130J
Fly the North Island, departing Base Auckland along the east coast and then into Base Ohakea, completing air drops at Raumai.
Departing Base Ohakea, transit to the west coast of the North Island and back to Base Auckland.
Thu 8 Oct | Two USAF C-17s
Fly the North Island, departing Base Auckland along the east coast and then into Base Ohakea, completing air drops at Raumai.
Departing Base Ohakea, transit to the west coast of the North Island and back to Base Auckland.
Fri 9 Oct | One USAF C-17
Fly high altitude along the west coast, through Milford Sound, Lake Te Anau and then over Queenstown.
Back north via the Southern Alps before heading west at Nelson and back to Base Auckland via the west coast again.
Sat 10 Oct | One USAF C-17
Fly high altitude along the west coast, through Milford Sound, Lake Te Anau and then over Queenstown.
Back north via the Southern Alps before heading west at Nelson and back to Base Auckland via the west coast again.
Sun 11 Oct | Two USAF C-17
Depart Base Auckland to Base Ohakea.