New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
22 July 2005
Air Force Exercise in Fiji
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is conducting its tropical training exercise from 23 July to 14 August in Fiji -
Exercise Tropic Astra.
Four Air Force Iroquois helicopters and about one hundred personnel will be taking part in the exercise.
The exercise provides the Air Force an excellent opportunity to assist with civil aid projects while undergoing training
in a tropical environment.
The Air Force will be working with Fijian authorities and New Zealand Aid on civil aid projects in a number of
locations.
During the last Tropic Astra exercise held in Fiji, civil aid assistance provided by the Air Force included building a
maternity and childcare clinic, building a school toilet block and erecting power pylons.
After six months in the planning, the Air Force personnel and equipment will start arriving in Fiji on 23 July through
to 26 July. The training exercise program will commence in full on 27 July.
ENDS