Luftwaffe training visit to New Zealand

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will host several German air force (Luftwaffe) aircraft, working alongside the visitors as they conduct flying training in Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft from RNZAF Base Woodbourne in Marlborough.

FILE PHOTO: A400m Atlas. Luftwaffe photo supplied.

RNZAF’s Operations Squadron will deploy to Woodbourne to exercise a range of key capabilities that support combat operations, such as security forces (including patrol dogs), rescue firefighters, aviation-fuel specialists and air-movements operators.

Altogether, the Luftwaffe will deploy five aircraft to New Zealand – three A400Ms, an Airbus A330 transporting personnel involved in the exercise between Germany and New Zealand, and an Airbus A321.

Planned training activities with the A400M include low-level flying in various areas, aerial delivery of kit and supplies (to be exercised working with the New Zealand Army at Waiouru), and parachuting, from RNZAF Base Auckland at Whenuapai.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said that the Luftwaffe visit was a unique training opportunity for the trades involved, developing interoperability and building the RNZAF’s relationship with a significant NATO country.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome our international colleagues to New Zealand,” Air Commodore Andy Scott said.

“We have worked with the Germans on exercises and in various other activities in the past, but hosting a deployment of this size is a first.

“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.

“There have already been training benefits in the extensive planning work in the past few months alone.”

Air Commodore Scott said there would be plenty of opportunities for people in many parts of the country to see the Luftwaffe aircraft overhead.

“I suggest keeping an eye on the New Zealand Defence Force website for daily updates on what’s going on,” he said.

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