Busy Week for NZDF in Search And Rescue Operations

New Zealand Defence Force aircraft have taken part in two major search and rescue operations this week rescuing two stranded tourists and helping in the search for three missing fishermen.

The missions mean the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is rapidly closing in on nearly 200 hours of search and rescue flying hours in a little over 12 months. The majority of the hours have been flown by crews from 5 Squadron at Whenuapai in P-3K2 Orions (175 hours), and more than 20 hours flown by 3 Squadron using the NH90 helicopters based at Ohakea.

In the first mission this week two tourists were winched to safety from a rock in Farewell Spit amid 100kph winds, rain squalls and low cloud. The conditions had prevented a civilian rescue helicopter from flying.

On Wednesday and Thursday an Orion flew for 22 hours – including more than seven hours searching – in the hunt for three missing fishermen near Tarawa, in the central Pacific island republic of Kiribati. The search for the fishermen’s small wooden boat covered more than 34,000 nautical miles.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Tony Davies said the Air Force’s search and rescue capability delivered a vital public service both in New Zealand and overseas.

“This is the latest demonstration of how our capabilities help the community here and in the South Pacific in what are often lifesaving situations,” he said.

The Air Force is currently recruiting for pilots and applications close on 26 June.

After initial pilot training, followed by advanced courses on either Kingairs or A109 helicopters, recruits undertake specialist training on the NH-90 helicopter, P-3K2 Orion, newly upgraded C-130 Hercules or Boeing 757.

ENDS

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