NZ Forces head to South East Asia

MEDIA ADVISORY
29 August 2002

NZ Forces head to South East Asia

The Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force are participating in a series of combined and joint maritime and air exercises, collectively known as Exercise Stardex, in Malaysia and Singapore from 2nd – 14th September 2002.

Elements of the Naval Combat Force, the RNZN Operational Dive Team and the RNZAF Maritime Patrol Force and Fixed Wing Transport Force will take part in the annual exercise that puts the skills of maritime, land and air forces from all nations of the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) to the test.

The ‘hostilities’ see New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Kingdom exercise in the defence of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. This develops the ability of participants to operate with each other and promotes regional security.

HMNZS Te Kaha departed Devonport Naval Base on 12 August 2002 and will take part in the exercise during its four-month deployment to Australia, South East and North Asia.

Orion and Boeing aircraft departed Whenuapai today carrying equipment and personnel, including those who will be based in the Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System (HQIADS) in Butterworth, Malaysia during the exercise.

Captioned photographs and ‘progress’ updates will be made available when received.

ENDS

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