Latest news with #RoyalNewZealandAirForce
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Zealand eyes cargo planes, helicopters, Javelins in new budget
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand's 2025 Budget, released this week, is slated to bring defense spending to NZ$4.2 billion (US$2.4 bn), Defence Minister Judith Collins announced. 'To achieve this, the government has allocated $2.7 billion of capital and $563 million of operating funding for priority projects identified in the Defence Capability Plan we released last month,' she said. Spending priorities include replacing the Royal New Zealand Air Force's only strategic airlifters, two Boeing 757s-2K2, acquired second-hand in 2003 and updated in 2007. Replacing the fleet of eight Seasprite SH-2G(I) maritime helicopters is also on the docket. Operated since 2015, only five remain operational, with three now used for parts as they near the end of their service life, Collins recently stated. Also on the shopping list: New versions of the Javelin anti-armor missile, encrypted radios to provide deployed Army units with secure voice communication, and a counter-drone system. Officials also want to upgrade Devonport Naval Base, invest in homes for defense families, modernize the defense vehicle fleet and grow digital and information management projects. The Ministry of Defence, with roughly 200 staff, receives nearly $26 million. New Zealand's defense spending is scheduled to reach 2% of GDP by 2032/33. That level of military spending was last achieved in 1982.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
RNZAF NH90 Formation Flight: A Maintenance Success
Seven of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's fleet of eight NH90 helicopters have taken to the Manawatū skies in a rare large formation flight. Tuesday's flight was a testament to the hard work of No. 3 Squadron's maintainers at RNZAF Base Ohakea, who ensured the helicopters were available for the flight, NH90 Training Section commander Squadron Leader Andrew Stewart says. There was also an element of the stars aligning with all aircrew available and only one of the fleet undergoing scheduled maintenance, he said. 'It was planned a few days in advance. Duties were delegated and it all came together.' Contingency planning played an important role in the flight and on the day, low cloud meant a last-minute change of route away from the built-up areas of Palmerston North and Feilding. Instead, it was over rural areas where the aircraft could fly at a lower height. For many of the crew it was their first large formation flight and was valuable training for this year's Australian Exercise Talisman Sabre, where they will be flying in formation alongside different nations' aircraft. 'It's not often we have seven helicopters available, and the formation flight opportunity was due to the hard work by maintenance staff - you've got to take your hat off to them,' Squadron Leader Stewart said. The aircraft have recently been fitted with updated software with improved navigation and radio features. The NH90s are the first fleet in the world to have the upgrades installed and the maintainers completed it well before deadline. Avionics technicians Corporal Ben Crowley and Corporal Rory McLachlan were part of the team to install the new software, and it was gratifying to see it used, they said. They said it was great to see the fleet flying in formation – the first time in their memory that so many had taken to the sky at once. 'It's not very often we have so many serviceable aircraft flying at the same time,' Corporal Crowley said. It was a testament to their tight team that the flight was able to happen, he said. 'Everybody chipped in and to get all seven up is a big win for us.' 'We always try to have as many aircraft as possible serviceable, but we have to work around scheduled maintenance as well.' No. 3 Squadron maintainers have an enviable international reputation of having the highest NH90 serviceability rate in the world, with the fleet so far clocking up 18,250 flying hours and availability to fly sitting about 70 per cent. The next goal for the team was to get all eight helicopters flying at once, but 'the stars definitely need to align for that', Corporal McLachlan said. One of the roles for helicopter loadmaster Sergeant Evan McKenzie was keeping an eye on the distance between the aircraft in the formation. 'I was working with the pilots to make sure we were at a safe, but appropriate distance. 'It was pretty special; it's not often you get to fly in a seven-ship formation.' Co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Jason Anderson was also keeping a close eye on the gap between each helicopter, which was about 40-50m apart. 'The main outcome of the flight was a thank you to the hard work done by the maintenance team who made the fleet serviceable. To have them fly with us in the back while we worked on training outcomes in the front was epic.'
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Honouring unrecognised airmen
Preparing for a memorial wall which will be set up later this year at the South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre are Sally Crook and Jeremy Talbot. PHOTO: SHELLEY INON Long-forgotten heroes are being remembered by a local organisation. The South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre has begun a project aimed at recording and preserving all of the names of the South Canterbury men who lost their lives while serving New Zealand in the Air Force — the majority of who served in World War 2. Organiser and historian Sally Crook said over 230 men from South Canterbury had served in different roles in the war and in many different types of aircraft. Miss Crook said some of the men served in Bomber Command, which she had read had an average life expectancy of only two weeks. "For a long time the contributions of those who served in Bomber Command went unrecognised because bombing campaigns had high civilian losses too." She said there were many airmen with no known grave, and some families had lost more than one member. "I'm certain there are people I haven't found, so we will be leaving space on the board to add to." She said the people on the wall were the "quiet stories". She was hopeful people in the region could help her along with her task by providing more photographs of the men. Whether they had been born in the area, gone to school here or worked here, they would be included. Members from the centre had felt it was important to preserve the names now as it might be the last chance to find photographs before all of the information was lost. The children born to men who had died in World War 2 would now be at least 80. Photographs of relatives from South Canterbury who served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force or other Allied air forces and did not make it home, could be sent to aviationheritagecentre@ If someone had a photograph but were not able to send a copy she asked they got in touch with the group and they would see how they could help. She said the exhibition would be opened with a memorial service later in the year. An open day would be held this Sunday from 10am-4pm. Entry was $5 for adults and $2 for children, cash or bank transfer.
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Veteran pilot Derek Williams retires after decades of Anzac Day flyovers
Now he is retiring. Where it all started At the end of World War II, Williams saw the Americans build the Waharoa aerodrome close to his hometown of Matamata and a passion for flying was born. An 18-year-old Williams obtained his private licence in 1955, eventually acquiring enough hours in the cockpit to qualify for a commercial licence in 1960. He gained his licence in the de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth, he said. Despite having qualifications as a commercial pilot, he never entered the Royal New Zealand Air Force; instead, he enrolled in the New Zealand Army during the 20th Compulsory Military Training. 'It bugged me, I had my commercial licence and they did not even look at me.' Despite that, Williams said he enjoyed his time in the army as a radio operator and gunner in Valentine tanks. 'It taught you discipline, you learnt to behave yourself.' The New Zealand Government discontinued the programme in 1972. Williams served three months in the army before finding work as a top-dressing pilot in 1961. He amassed more than 592,000 take-offs and landings and sprayed 363,448 tonnes of fertiliser across 57,000ha. A top-dressing pilot is a specialised agricultural pilot who flies aircraft (usually small fixed-wing planes) to spread fertilisers, lime or sometimes seeds over farmland. He retired from top-dressing in 2014, after 53 years on the job. 'I was 77 when I retired, now at 87, I am an old b***tard.' During his career, Williams top-dressed in Malaysia and delivered and flew planes to Norfolk Island and the Solomon Islands. Advertise with NZME. All the while escaping the odd crash, he said. In 2000, he wrote off a Fletcher plane in Cambridge. 'The engine seemed to lose power, and I left the strip. I hit something, and it went all dark. When I stopped, I thought I must be dead. 'But I opened the canopy, the engine was ripped out, and I had gone through a trough, and the muck on the bottom had covered the aeroplane.' A second crash in 2001 in Northern Borneo resulted in his plane bursting into flames. 'It was on fire within about 20 minutes and was a heap of ashes.' The early years of top-dressing were a dangerous time; 100 pilots died during 1949-1980, he said. Anzac Day flyovers Williams flew over the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service for 35 years before becoming president of the Mount RSA in 2016. His first Anzac Day fly-by was in 1980. He did a handful more following his stint as Mount RSA president, but could not get behind the controls as his medical clearance was revoked this year. 'I had to get a mate to fly the aeroplane.' Williams wants to get his medical clearance back but is unsure how that conversation with the doctor will go. 'The doctor said to me. How many pilots at 87 are still flying?' Williams said. 'How the hell would I know?'
NZ Herald
07-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Kerikeri soldier spends summer in Antarctica at -30C with 24/7 sunlight
Laurie's days on the ice vary. Since the emergency crews rotate locations, he could be out on an ice shelf airfield, exploring with a day off, or at the station responding to fires, medical events or hazmat incidents. 'When I'm based out at Williams Airfield, our main role is aviation rescue fire fighting coverage for the United States Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft, which move people, cargo, and conduct scientific missions around the continent.' The biggest challenges are the 24-hour sunlight cycle and, unsurprisingly, the cold – especially during a -30C wind chill. What he found surprising were the conditions when the snow and ice melts. 'At the peak of summer, the melt left the whole area dusty and brown from the volcanic soil and rock which covers the region. Watching the speed of the sea ice breaking up around the station, bringing out the ocean, was also a cool experience. It's amazing watching the area change so rapidly,' he said. There's plenty on offer during downtime at McMurdo Station, meeting others and exploring. 'There are multiple hiking paths around the Station and Ross Island, which provide incredible views of the area. McMurdo Station also has recreation staff who plan events, ranging from science tours, to live entertainment by local talent, day trips, sports leagues, and more.' Laurie joined the New Zealand Army in 2023, aged 29, having always thought of a career in the military since being in the New Zealand Cadet Forces when he was younger. 'After finishing at Kerikeri High School I began travelling around the world and working a variety of jobs, including firefighting, which I am very passionate about. When I learnt about the emergency responder trade within the Army, I thought it sounded challenging, and an exciting experience to work as both a soldier and an emergency responder.'' His advice to anyone lucky enough to work on the continent is enjoy every moment. 'Work hard and go with an open mind. Learn about the environment, history and [Antarctic] treaty to prepare yourself. It is an amazing continent, rugged, unforgiving and different to anywhere on earth.'
