The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is hosting several German Air Force (GAF) aircraft from later this week, with crews from both countries set to train together at RNZAF Base Woodbourne in Marlborough.
The visiting German contingent will operate Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft as part of a two-week training deployment. The RNZAF’s Operations Squadron will also head to Woodbourne to take part, exercising a range of skills that support combat operations, including security forces, rescue firefighters, aviation fuel specialists, and air movements operators.
In total, the GAF will deploy five aircraft to New Zealand — three A400Ms, an Airbus A330 used to transport personnel between Germany and New Zealand, and an Airbus A321.
Training will include low-level flying in various parts of the country, aerial delivery of equipment and supplies alongside the New Zealand Army at Waiouru, and parachuting operations from RNZAF Base Auckland at Whenuapai.
Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said the visit offered valuable training and a chance to strengthen ties with an important NATO partner.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome our international colleagues to New Zealand. We have worked with the GAF on exercises and in various other activities in the past, but hosting a deployment of this size is a first,” he said.
“Clearly New Zealand made such a good impression on their first visit last year they wanted to come back and this represents a fantastic opportunity for our teams to build closer working relationships.
“Our Operations Squadron’s personnel are looking forward to the opportunities the visit presents. They are accustomed to deploying in comparatively small groups overseas, but this is exercising remote operations on a large scale all close to home, adding significant value for us – for example, there have been training benefits in the extensive planning work in the past few months alone.”
Scott said there would likely be plenty of chances for people around the country to spot the German aircraft in the sky.
“I suggest keeping an eye on the New Zealand Defence Force website for daily updates on what’s going on,” he said.
