16 October 2008

Loading Up For Trans-Tasman Exercise

Click for big version

It was a rare sight as four Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopters were loaded onto an Australian Air Force C-17 as part of preparations for Exercise Swift Eagle 2008.

New Zealand Defence Force personnel, artillery guns and ammunition, Iroquois helicopters, an Orion and a Hercules will be deploying to Townsville, Australia to take part in the biennial exercise, hosted by the Australian Defence Force, which will run from 20 – 31 October. NZDF personnel, from all three services, will be practising tactical planning, deployment procedures and interoperability alongside their Australian Defence Force counterparts.

Contingent Commander for Exercise Swift Eagle, Wing Commander Russell Mardon said they were looking forward to heading across the Tasman for the exercise. “Swift Eagle is an excellent opportunity for us to train alongside the Aussies, and the results of these exercises can be seen in operational missions such as Timor Leste where there is greater interoperability.”

NZDF participation in Exercise Swift Eagle 2008 includes:

The Commanding Officer from HMNZS Canterbury training in amphibious landing preparation. Kapyong Battery from the Royal New Zealand Artillery’s 16 Field Regiment, participating in field training exercises and combined live firing missions. RNZAF Number 3 Squadron deploying four Iroquois and support crews to provide battlefield support and practise aircrews in tropical environment operations.

RNZAF Number 5 Squadron detachment including one P3-K Orion to conduct surveillance missions. RNZAF Number 40 Squadron C-130 Hercules to assist with the transport personnel and supplies.

The newly upgraded RNZAF Boeing 757 will be transporting supplies and personnel as part of its Operational Testing and Evaluation procedures.

ENDS

© Scoop Media