New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
August 19 2008
Air Force Boeing 757 Returns To New Zealand Skies
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B7571, the RNZAF's upgraded and modified 757 arrives in Wellington
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In what is a major milestone for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing 757
modification and upgrade programme, the first of two aircraft (NZ7571) has returned to New Zealand from Mobile Aerospace
Engineering in Mobile, Alabama.
After 16 months of extensive airframe and avionics (navigation/communication) modifications the 757 touched down at the
RNZAF's Airmovements Terminal in Wellington this afternoon for its official welcome. On hand to greet the aircraft and
crew were the Minister of Defence, the Honorable Phil Goff, Secretary of Defence, John McKinnon, Chief of Defence Force,
Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott, invited dignitaries and
regional Defence personnel.
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Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott, Minister of Defence, Mr Phil Goff and RNZAF 757 captain, Squadron
Leader Craig Abela stand in the new cargo door of the modified RNZAF 757
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"To see the first Boeing arrive back in New Zealand is a reward to all those involved in this project. The increased
capability of this aircraft will provide a significant boost to the Air Force's airlift options. We will have the
ability to rapidly change the role of the aircraft to any given task, converting from standard passenger configuration
to a combination freight/passenger, full freight, Aero Medical Evacuation (AME) and VIP set up," Air Vice-Marshal
Lintott said.
The aircraft will conduct Introduction into Service activities over the coming months including training, operational
testing and evaluation of the upgraded B757 air transport system as a whole. It is expected to be ready for operational
tasking before the end of the year.
The second of the RNZAF's Boeing 757 aircraft will complete its upgrade programme at Mobile Aerospace Engineering and
Boeing Integrated Defence Systems in Wichita, Kansas towards the end of the year. Both modified 757 aircraft will be
fully operational and available from early 2009 after completing Operational Testing and Evaluation in New Zealand.
The $221 million dollar acquisition and modification project commenced in May 2003 when the RNZAF replaced its aging
Boeing 727 aircraft.
ENDS