16 October 2008
Loading Up For Trans-Tasman Exercise
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Four RNZAF Iroquois helicopters are loaded onto an Australian Air Force C-17 at Base Ohakea for transportation to
Townsville to take part in Exercise Swift Eagle 08
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It was a rare sight as four Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopters were loaded onto an Australian Air Force
C-17 as part of preparations for Exercise Swift Eagle 2008.
New Zealand Defence Force personnel, artillery guns and ammunition, Iroquois helicopters, an Orion and a Hercules will
be deploying to Townsville, Australia to take part in the biennial exercise, hosted by the Australian Defence Force,
which will run from 20 – 31 October. NZDF personnel, from all three services, will be practising tactical planning,
deployment procedures and interoperability alongside their Australian Defence Force counterparts.
Contingent Commander for Exercise Swift Eagle, Wing Commander Russell Mardon said they were looking forward to heading
across the Tasman for the exercise. “Swift Eagle is an excellent opportunity for us to train alongside the Aussies, and
the results of these exercises can be seen in operational missions such as Timor Leste where there is greater
interoperability.”
NZDF participation in Exercise Swift Eagle 2008 includes:
The Commanding Officer from HMNZS Canterbury training in amphibious landing preparation. Kapyong Battery from the Royal
New Zealand Artillery’s 16 Field Regiment, participating in field training exercises and combined live firing missions.
RNZAF Number 3 Squadron deploying four Iroquois and support crews to provide battlefield support and practise aircrews
in tropical environment operations.
RNZAF Number 5 Squadron detachment including one P3-K Orion to conduct surveillance missions. RNZAF Number 40 Squadron
C-130 Hercules to assist with the transport personnel and supplies.
The newly upgraded RNZAF Boeing 757 will be transporting supplies and personnel as part of its Operational Testing and
Evaluation procedures.
ENDS