Latest news with #RoyalNewZealandAirForce
Scoop
14-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Exercise Talisman Sabre Gets Under Way
Fresh off a build-up exercise with their Australian counterparts, around 300 New Zealand Army personnel had a quick turnaround to prep their gear and vehicles for the biggest warfighting test of the year, while Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force assets and personnel have been in Australia prepping for the big show. The NZ Army Combat Team – made up of infantry, armour, artillery, engineers, signals and logistics personnel – finished its build-up Exercise Diamond Strike, where they fine-tuned their interoperability and battlefield connections with their Australian ally and other key partners, before turning to the much bigger Talisman Sabre 25, which involves 19 countries and more than 30,000 personnel. The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate Te Kaha and aircraft from both No 3 and No 5 Squadrons of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as well as other personnel and assets from both Services are also taking part in the exercise. A Royal New Zealand Navy mine countermeasures (MCM) team from HMNZS Matataua is already at sea off the coast of Queensland on a US naval vessel before returning to conduct an operational scenario with Australian and United States explosive ordnance team and MCM teams in the strategic port of Gladstone. RNZN frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, fresh from a deployment with the UK Carrier Strike Group, will be exercising with maritime units from other participating countries in the Coral Sea protecting and defending key sea lanes from opposing forces. Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) crews from both the P-8A Poseidon aircraft and NH90 helicopters have also spent time prepping their aircraft for the exercise, including NH90 crews integrating with the Australian Army. Both HMNZS Canterbury and the RNZAF's Boeing 757 have also played vital roles in getting NZDF personnel to the exercise, which also rehearsed and tested the NZDF's ability to project forces around the region. 'This exercise has felt a long time coming for a number of our deployed contingent and so to have everyone in-country and prepped to go is great. I know there's a lot of excitement at sinking our teeth into some high-quality exercises and scenarios alongside our ally and partners at a scale that we just can't replicate at home,' Lieutenant Colonel Tim Tuatini said. There will also be a significant NZDF presence in the Headquarters element of the exercise, which Lieutenant Colonel Tuatini said is testament to the leadership and expertise of our people. 'Comparatively speaking yes we may be a smaller force than some of our partners, but we certainly punch above our weight when it comes to contributing high-quality personnel to exercises like these. It shows that we can contribute effectively across all levels and across all domains in a complex multinational environment. We can't wait to get started,' he said. The exercise will be formally underway following an opening ceremony on Monday 14 July, before the NZDF contingent gets stuck in to a variety of tasks.
1News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- 1News
Tramper and dog rescued from Wellington's Tararua Ranges
A near-hypothermic tramper who was winched to safety alongside his dog says he is "really grateful" to have been rescued from freezing conditions in the ranges north of Wellington yesterday morning. The rescue in the Tararua Ranges took place in pre-dawn darkness early on Tuesday, with a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) helicopter crew negotiating low cloud and steep terrain. Wellington man David Graham, an experienced tramper, and his Kelpie, Winnie, were on the second night of a tramp heading towards the Mid-King Bivvy on Monday night when the weather closed in and they could not find the hut. Unable to find the shelter, he and Winnie settled under a large rock. But by 9pm the cloud lifted, bringing dew down and freezing his sleeping bag. In 0.5C temperatures with rain setting in, Graham called emergency services and set off his personal locator beacon to alert authorities to his whereabouts. ADVERTISEMENT The crew winched a near-hypothermic tramper and his dog to safety from freezing conditions in the Tararua Ranges north of Wellington. (Source: Supplied) While it was initially decided a Land Search and Rescue crew would walk in the following day, by 2am a shivering Graham contacted police again. An NH90 helicopter from RNZAF Base Ohakea left for the Tararua Ranges at 4am, reaching him 30 minutes later. "As soon as I got in the chopper I was given the best hot chocolate I've ever had in my life. They gave me a Crunchie bar and put a heated pack down my front." No.3 Squadron NH90 pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Stewart, said Graham had done the right thing by taking a personal locator beacon with him which meant they were able to fly almost directly to him. The terrain was steep with bluffs directly below Graham, so it was a potentially dangerous situation for him to have lost his bearings. The cloud was thick and low, sitting on the eastern side of the ranges, Stewart said. David Graham being winched to safety. (Source: NZDF) ADVERTISEMENT After landing at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome, he was assessed by medics who found early symptoms of hypothermia had begun to affect his feet. Graham said he was was "pretty happy" to be flown to safety, and would be able to see his wife and one-year-old baby. "I'm just really grateful. And I hope the medic keeps tight hold of whatever recipe he has for that hot chocolate."
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
RNZAF Helicopter Crew Rescues Tararua Tramper And His Dog
A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) helicopter crew has winched a near-hypothermic tramper and his dog to safety from freezing conditions in the Tararua Ranges north of Wellington. The rescue took place in pre-dawn darkness early on Tuesday, with the crew negotiating low cloud and steep terrain. Wellington man David Graham, an experienced tramper, and his Kelpie, Winnie, were on the second night of a tramp heading towards the Mid-King Bivvy, when the weather closed in with thick cloud reducing visibility to less than 20 metres. 'I've been told since then that it's a notoriously difficult hut to find because the track had overgrown,' Mr Graham said. Unable to find the shelter on Monday night, he and Winnie settled under a large rock, which had icicles hanging off it that would provide water if needed. However, by 9pm the cloud lifted, bringing dew down and freezing his sleeping bag. Mr Graham called emergency services and set off his personal locator beacon. It was initially decided a Land Search and Rescue team would walk in the next day, but at 2am, a shivering Mr Graham, concerned about his health should rain set in, contacted NZ Police again. An NH90 helicopter from RNZAF Base Ohakea left for the Tararua Ranges by 4am. 'The next thing I heard, it was about was about 4.30am, the chopper coming through. They took Winnie up first, which was lovely. They were very thoughtful and brought a specific bag for the dog. 'As soon as I got in the chopper I was given the best hot chocolate I've ever had in my life. They gave me a Crunchie bar and put a heated pack down my front.' After landing at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome, Mr Graham was assessed by medics who found early symptoms of hypothermia had begun to affect his feet. It was an emotional journey out of the ranges and Mr Graham was 'pretty happy' to be flown to safety. He said he was looking forward to seeing his wife and their one-year-old baby. No.3 Squadron NH90 pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Stewart, said Mr Graham had done the right thing by taking a personal locator beacon with him which meant they were able to fly almost directly to him. 'When we arrived he shone his torch so we could see him easily.' The terrain was steep with bluffs directly below Mr Graham, so it was a potentially dangerous situation for him to have lost his bearings. The cloud was thick and low, sitting on the eastern side of the ranges, Squadron Leader Stewart said. 'The temperature was pretty much on freezing – it was 0.5degC when we were up there where he was.' Mr Graham wanted to pass his thanks to the NH90 crew and Police who helped him in the early hours of the day. 'I was pretty tired, but I really appreciated all the expertise from everyone. I can't imagine all the complexities of pulling together something like that at 4am. 'I'm just really grateful. And I hope the medic keeps tight hold of whatever recipe he has for that hot chocolate.' The rescue was medic Corporal Sam Wardhaugh's first time winching in a search and rescue mission since gaining his qualification a week earlier.
NZ Herald
04-07-2025
- Science
- NZ Herald
Royal New Zealand Air Force establishes first dedicated space unit
By RNZ Gallery of RNZ The Royal New Zealand Air Force has established its first dedicated space unit, within a squadron that hasn't been active since World War II. The 62 Squadron, which originally supported Allied operations with radar technology during World War II, was reactivated
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
Royal New Zealand Air Force establishes first dedicated space unit
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Royal New Zealand Air Force has established its first dedicated space unit, within a squadron that hasn't been active since World War II. The No. 62 Squadron - which originally supported Allied operations with radar technology during World War II - was reactivated today at a formal ceremony at the RNZAF Base Auckland. Defence Minister Judith Collins said it reflected the government's commitment to protecting the country's interests and security in the "rapidly evolving space domain." "Space is vital for modern life. We rely on space-based infrastructure for a range of critical services, from weather observation to financial transactions. "This is an important signal that we're taking space security seriously." The unit's initial focus will be on monitoring, analysing, and understanding space activity to "safeguard national and international interests," she said. "Recent global developments have highlighted the need for resilient, advanced defence capabilities." Collins said this was part of the work the Defence Force is doing to maintain a "combat-capable, flexible" force. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
