15 September 2015

MEDIA RELEASE

NZDF Airborne Surveillance Force to Train in Northeast Asia

The New Zealand Defence Force’s Airborne Surveillance and Response Force left today to carry out three weeks of training in Northeast Asia.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Kevin McEvoy said a P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) 5 Squadron and mission support personnel from 230 Squadron have been deployed for readiness training activities in South Korea and Japan.

“Opportunities to train, work and engage with other militaries are invaluable,” said AIRCDRE McEvoy.

“These collaborations and interactions help deepen defence cooperation between our countries and enhance our ability to work with our partners. So when we operate in any part of the world, we are able to do so seamlessly alongside them.”

The first activity in the training programme is Exercise ROKKIWI 15, an anti-submarine warfare exercise that the RNZAF is conducting in the Yellow Sea with the South Korean Navy and the US Navy. Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter and the Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Mike Yardley, are scheduled to visit the airbase and exercise area at Jeju Island.

Following the exercise with the South Korean Navy, the RNZAF personnel will train with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s No 1 Squadron at Kanoya Air Base as part of Exercise JAPAN AFFIL 15.

AIRCDRE McEvoy said that the exercises with South Korea and Japan are held regularly. During the exercise, the RNZAF crew will have opportunities to discuss surveillance procedures.

“We are excited about working again with the South Korean Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. This joint training is an excellent opportunity to engage with them and strengthen our defence cooperation,” he said.

ENDS

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