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| Royal New Zealand Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa (Māori) | |
 Badge of the Royal New Zealand Air Force | |
| Founded |
|
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Type | Air Force |
| Size | 2,409 active personnel 463 reserve personnel 44 aircraft |
| Part of | New Zealand Defence Force |
| Headquarters | Wellington |
| Motto | Per Ardua ad Astra |
| March | Royal New Zealand Air Force March Past |
| Anniversaries | 1 April 1937 |
| Engagements | |
| Website | airforce |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Governor-GeneralDame Cindy Kiro[1] |
| Chief of the Defence Force | Air Marshal Tony Davies |
| Chief of the Air Force | Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb[2] |
| Deputy Chief of the Air Force | Air Commodore Daniel (DJ) Hunt |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |   |
| Fin flash |  |
| Ensign |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | AgustaWestland A109,SH-2G,NH90 |
| Patrol | Boeing P-8 |
| Trainer | T-6 Texan II |
| Transport | Super King Air,Boeing 757,C-130J Super Hercules |
TheRoyal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF;Māori:Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa) is theaerialservice branch of theNew Zealand Defence Force. It was formed initially in 1923 as a branch of theNew Zealand Army, being known as the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, becoming an independent air force on 1 April 1937.
The RNZAF fought inWorld War II,Malaya, theKorean War,Vietnam and theGulf War and has undertakenUnited Nations peacekeeping missions. From a peak of over 1,000 combat aircraft in 1945, the RNZAF has shrunk to a strength of around 48 aircraft in 2022. It focuses on maritime patrol and transport duties in support of theRoyal New Zealand Navy and the New Zealand Army. Its air combat capability ended in 2001, with the disbanding of theA-4 Skyhawk andAermacchi MB-339 equipped squadrons.
The Air Force is led by anAir Vice-Marshal who holds the appointment ofChief of Air Force. The RNZAF motto is the same as that of theRoyal Air Force,Per Ardua ad Astra, meaning "Through Adversity to the Stars".[3] The Māori language nameTe Tauaarangi o Aotearoa, meaning "New Zealand Warriors of the Sky" or more literally "The New Zealand War Party of the Sky", was adopted in 2009; the name had beenTe Hokowhitu o Kahurangi ("War Party of the Blue") for the previous 12 years.[4]
New Zealand's military aviation began in 1913 when the New Zealand Army was presented with twoBlériotmonoplanes by the United Kingdom.[5] Both aircraft were handed back after war broke out.[5]
In theGreat War, New Zealand aircrew flew as part of theRoyal Flying Corps (British Army), BritishRoyal Naval Air Service, and theAustralian Flying Corps. New Zealand pilots serving with British Empire forces saw service in all theatres.
The government assisted two private schools to train pilots for the conflict. The Walsh brothers flying school atAuckland was founded by Leo andVivian Walsh—pioneers who had made the first controlled flight in New Zealand.[6] From 1915 pilots trained on theWalsh Brothers Flying Boats includingCurtiss machines, aircraft of their own design and, later in the war, the first two aircraft made byBoeing.[citation needed]
In 1916, SirHenry Wigram established the Canterbury Aviation Company at Sockburn,Christchurch, and purchasedCaudron biplanes from Britain for pilot training. He gave the aerodrome, laterWigram Aerodrome, to the government for defence purposes.[7]
At the end of the war many New Zealand pilots stayed with the newRoyal Air Force (RAF)[citation needed] and several had attained high rank by the outbreak ofWorld War II. Others returned to New Zealand and, serving part-time, provided the nucleus of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF).
At the close of hostilities Great Britain offered anImperial Gift to each of theDominions of a hundred war-surplus combat aircraft.[8] New Zealand was the last to respond and least enthusiastic.[9] When the 33 total aircraft,Avro 504s,Bristol F.2 Fighters and,De Havilland designed,Airco DH.4s andAirco DH.9s, did reach New Zealand they were either placed in storage or loaned to the flying schools,barnstormers and commercial operators.
The importance of aviation in warfare was belatedly recognised, largely thanks to the efforts of visionary parliamentarian Sir Henry Wigram. On 14 June 1923 the New Zealand Permanent Air Force was gazetted: a part of the Army initially staffed by a total of four officers and two other ranks as full-time staff, plus the New Zealand Air Force with 102 officers on the Reserve lists.[10] It was initially equipped with the surviving Avro 504K, the DH.4s, DH.9s and Bristol Fighters. These operated from an airfield outside Christchurch at Sockburn. In 1926 Wigram donated £2,500 for the purchase of modern fighters andGloster Grebes were acquired. Sockburn was later renamedRNZAF Station Wigram, a name adopted by the suburb which grew up around the airfield. It is the site of the presentRoyal New Zealand Air Force Museum.A trickle of new-build Bristol Fighters and other new types joined the NZPAF in the late 1920s and early 1930s. ALewis gun-equippedDe Havilland Gipsy Moth floatplane took part in naval operations against rebels inSamoa.[10] The NZPAF's first action came in 1930 when the Moth dropped an improvised bomb made out of a treacle tin on to a ship suspected of gun-running. The bomb did no damage, and the target turned out to be a local missionary vessel. Aterritorial wing of the New Zealand Air Force was raised in 1930 with three squadrons atRNZAF Station Hobsonville (with flights at Hamilton and Napier),[11] Wellington and Christchurch though without equipment. A fourth squadron planned for Dunedin had still not been raised by July 1939.[12]Fairey IIIFs were involved in a maritime rescue,[citation needed] and in the aftermath of theNapier earthquake the NZPAF flew in urgently needed supplies and medical equipment.[citation needed]
Like other western air arms a major expansion began from the mid-1930s. The NZPAF ordered twelveVickers Vildebeests in 1933–34 to form two bomber-reconnaissance flights at Hobsonville and Wigram.[13] In 1937 29Blackburn Baffins were purchased specifically to equip the Territorial Air Force for coastal reconnaissance work. An initial shipment of 16Vickers Vincent bomber-reconnaissance biplanes arrived in July 1939. The NZPAF was renamed the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1934 and became an independent service in 1937.[citation needed]
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At the outbreak of World War II the primary equipment of the RNZAF was to be 30Vickers Wellington bombers ordered in 1938. The aircraft were completed, and RNZAF crews were training on them in the UK in 1939; but with the outbreak of war in Europe increasingly likely, the New Zealand government offered the aircraft with their crews to the United Kingdom in August 1939.[14] They becameNo. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF within No 3 Group. Many other New Zealanders were serving in the RAF.[citation needed]
The primary role of the RNZAF was to take advantage of New Zealand's distance from the conflict by training aircrew as part of theEmpire Air Training Scheme[citation needed], alongside the other major former British colonies, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
New Zealanders serving with the RAF
The majority of RNZAF personnel served with RAF units, six RNZAFArticle XV squadrons, which were RNZAF units attached to RAF formations, and the Royal Navy'sFleet Air Arm (FAA). They served in Europe, the Mediterranean, South East Asia and other theatres. Commonwealth personnel under RAF operational control were pooled for operational practicality and many RNZAF airmen also served withRoyal Australian Air Force orRoyal Canadian Air Force Article XV squadrons.[citation needed] New Zealanders in the RAF itself included pilots, such as the first RAF ace of the war, Flying OfficerCobber Kain andAlan Deere (whose bookNine Lives was one of the early post-war accounts of combat); and leaders such as the World War I ace, Air Chief Marshal SirKeith Park, who commandedNo. 11 Group RAF in theBattle of Britain and went on to theair defence of Malta (and, in the closing stages of the war, Commonwealth air units underSouth East Asia Command) and Air Marshal SirArthur Coningham Air Tactical Commander during theNormandy landings in June 1944 (Coningham and Park had remained with the RAF after WWI).Three RNZAF pilots were awarded theVictoria Cross while serving with the RAF.[15]James Allen Ward, a Sergeant Pilot with75 Squadron, was first, when he climbed out onto the wing of his Vickers Wellington bomber to smother an engine fire in flight on 7 July 1941. In 1943 then Wing CommanderLeonard Trent continued to lead an extremely hazardous, but vital, attack at the head of487 Squadron until every aircraft was shot down. The same year, Flying OfficerLloyd Trigg, serving withNo. 200 Squadron RAF was piloting aConsolidated B-24 Liberator bomber when it encountered aU-boat on the surface off the African coast. He attackedU-468 but as he did so, the aircraft was hit by the U-boat's anti-aircraft fire and burst into flames.[citation needed] The aircraft continued the attack and sank the U-boat but crashed shortly afterwards, with all the crew being killed. The crew's actions were reported by the U-boat's survivors, and the Victoria Cross was awarded as a result.[citation needed]
The first NZ squadron to serve with the RAF was not strictly an Article XV squadron. No. 75 Squadron RAF was formed by RNZAF aircrews and Vickers Wellington bombers in August 1939. The squadron later flewShort Stirlings,Avro Lancasters andAvro Lincolns. Through accident or design, other RAF units came to be mostly manned by RNZAF pilots, includingNo. 67 Squadron RAF (which aceGeoffrey Fisken served with) andNo. 243 Squadron RAF in Singapore,No. 258 Squadron RAF in the UK. SeveralGrumman Martlet andGrumman Hellcat units of the FAA also had New Zealanders in their ranks, leading some texts to claim these types were used by the RNZAF.
New Zealand Article XV Squadrons includedNo. 485, which flewSupermarine Spitfires throughout the war;No. 486 (Hawker Hurricanes,Hawker Typhoons andHawker Tempests); No. 487, (Lockheed Venturas andde Havilland Mosquitoes);No. 488, (Brewster Buffaloes, Hurricanes,Bristol Beaufighters and Mosquitoes);No. 489, (Bristol Blenheims,Bristol Beauforts,Handley Page Hampdens, Beaufighters and Mosquitoes); andNo. 490, equipped withConsolidated Catalinas andShort Sunderlands.
Lockheed Hudsons were obtained early in 1941 to take over this role. No. 5 Squadron with Vickers Vincents andShort Singapores was sent to protect Fiji. In December 1941 Japan attacked and rapidly conquered much of the area to the north of New Zealand. With the apparent threat of imminent invasion New Zealand was forced to look to her own defence, as well as to help the United Kingdom. Trainers and airliners in New Zealand were camouflaged and armed and various types, such as the North American Harvard,Hawker Hind, Airspeed Oxford and even the de Havilland Tiger Moth, formed shadow bomber, army co-operation and fighter squadrons for use in the event of invasion.[16] Hudsons moved forward into the South Pacific while No. 5 Squadron, atRNZAF Station Laucala Bay in Fiji, commenced operations against the Japanese despite its obsolete equipment. In New Zealand, preparations intensified and in 1942 three Groups were established to direct air and, if necessary, air defence operations.[citation needed]
The vulnerability of New Zealand toAxis naval activity was demonstrated when a submarine-launched Japanese float plane overflewWellington and Auckland, where it was chased ineffectually by aTiger Moth.[citation needed] Gradually at first, America was able to supply New Zealand with aircraft for use in the Pacific Theatre— initially, in 1942,Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks and additional Harvards and Hudsons. Thefall of Singapore led to some evacuated RNZAF pilots, that had been serving in the RAF there, becoming available in New Zealand. These men provided an experienced nucleus around which new fighter squadrons, the first beingNo. 14 Squadron RNZAF formed at Masterton, were established.[citation needed]
From mid-1943, atGuadalcanal, starting withNo. 15 and No. 14 Squadrons, several RNZAF Kittyhawk units fought with distinction.[citation needed] Several pilots became aces against the Japanese, includingGeoff Fisken, the Commonwealth's leading ace in the Pacific war. Other squadrons flew the elderly but effectiveDouglas Dauntless and, later, the modernGrumman Avenger torpedo bomber. From 12 October 1943, as part ofOperation Cartwheel, RNZAF aircraft joined anallied air campaign against Japanese held airfields and the port ofRabaul.[citation needed]
The RNZAF took on a significant part of the maritime reconnaissance task with Catalina (and later Sunderland) flying boats and Hudson bombers.[citation needed]
The role of the RNZAF changed as the allies moved onto the offensive. The Americans, leaders of the Allied nations in the Pacific, planned tobypass major Japanese strongholds, instead capturing a handful of island bases to provide a supply chain for an eventual attack on Japan itself. The Allied advance started from the South Pacific. The RNZAF was part of the force tasked with securing the line of advance by incapacitating bypassed Japanese strongholds, for example, Rabaul.[citation needed]
As the war progressed the older types were replaced with more powerful modern aircraft; Kittyhawks gave way toVought F4U Corsairs, while Hudsons were replaced by Venturas. At the close of war the RNZAF was planning to bring 320North American P-51 Mustangs into service as part replacement for the F4U.
At its peak, in the Pacific, the RNZAF had 34 squadrons – 25 of which were based outside New Zealand and in action against Japanese forces.[citation needed] Thirteen of these squadrons were equipped with Corsairs, six with Venturas, two with Catalinas, two with Avengers and two withDouglas Dakota transport aircraft. The RNZAF also had a squadron of Dauntless dive bombers, several mixed transport and communications squadrons, a flight of Short Sunderlands and almost 1,000 training machines.[citation needed] To administer units in the South Pacific,No. 1 (Islands) Group RNZAF was formed, with Air CommodoreSidney Wallingford as its commander, on 10 March 1943.[17] In addition to this, several hundred RNZAF personnel saw action with RAF squadrons or the FAA in Burma, Singapore and the South Pacific.
By 1945 the RNZAF had over 41,000 personnel, including just over 10,000 aircrew who served with the RAF in Europe and Africa.[citation needed]
In the post war period the RNZAF dealt progressively with demobilisation and disposal of its large obsolete fleet, rearmament to support theCold War, some loss of training opportunities with the American suspension ofANZUS Treaty obligations in protest at New Zealand becoming a nuclear free zone, social changes which saw women become combat pilots, and the loss of combat capability.[citation needed]
Following the Second World War, No. 14 Squadron was sent toJapan as part of the occupationJ Force.[18] The rest of the air force rapidly divested itself of aircraft and manpower and settled mainly into training and transport mode before the advent of the rejuvenated No. 14 and No. 75 Squadrons.[citation needed]
From 1949,Compulsory Military Training reinvigorated the reserve component of the Air Force. The four Territorial squadrons,No. 1 Squadron RNZAF (Auckland), Wellington, Canterbury andNo. 4 Squadron, Territorial Air Force, atTaieri Aerodrome, were equipped with the 30 Mustangs re-activated from storage, along with a few Tiger Moths and Harvards for each squadron. No. 4 Squadron TAF was active from at least 1951–55. From 1952 to 1957No. 6 Flying Boat Squadron operated as a Territorial unit at Hobsonville, flying Catalinas and later Sunderlands.
AGloster Meteor arrived in 1945, introducing the jet age.[citation needed] The force was equipped from 1946 with the de Havilland Mosquito before the arrival ofde Havilland Vampires. Initially used in peacekeeping in Cyprus andSingapore the Vampires were supplemented by loanedde Havilland Venoms and, later,English Electric Canberras, both of which saw action in theMalayan Emergency and subsequent confrontation withIndonesia.[citation needed] Internal communications and transport and other services were maintained byNo. 42 Squadron RNZAF. It supported the Army and Navy using Grumman TBM-1 Avengers, the Territorial Air Force'sNorth American P-51D Mustangs andNorth American Harvards, theVIPs withDe Havilland Devons, also used for support, communications and multi-engine conversion training, and Douglas C-47,Douglas DC-6, andHandley Page Hastings for VIP and communications support. Nos.5 and6 Squadrons traded theirlend-lease Catalinas for Short Sunderland MR5s operating in maritime patrol and search and rescue roles from Hobsonville and Laucala Bay,Fiji.[19] 6 Squadron was disbanded while 5 Squadron receivedP-3B Orions in 1965.
A research flight helped developAerial Topdressing.[citation needed]
In 1957, the Territorial Air Force (TAF) was formally disbanded following a review of New Zealand's local defences.[citation needed]
The Malayan Emergency was declared by the British government on 18 June 1948 after several rubber plantation workers were killed in a revenge attack over the deaths of labour activists killed in police charges. This led to the creation of theMalayan National Liberation Army (MNLA), a communist guerrilla organisation. New Zealand's first contribution came in 1949, whenC-47 Dakotas ofRNZAF No. 41 Squadron were attached to the RAF'sFar East Air Force.[20] The C-47s were used to airdrop supplies to British and Malay forces fighting the MNLA, away from their usual station location inHong Kong. By the time the aircraft were withdrawn in late 1951, 211 sorties had been carried out, dropping 284,000 kg of supplies.[citation needed]
Although no RNZAF units were sent to Korea, a number of New Zealanders flew with other air forces in the conflict. Two men flew Gloster Meteor jets withNo. 77 Squadron RAAF; one,Vance Drummond, was shot down and captured. A New Zealand Army artillery lieutenant was attached to a USAF tactical control unit as an observer in light aircraft. New Zealand bornAlan Boxer, later a British air marshal, flewB-29 Superfortress missions on USAF attachment. One New Zealander flying in Korea as a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy fromHMSOcean, Cedric Macpherson, was killed on 11 February 1953 when hisHawker Sea Fury was shot down by ground fire. Five New Zealanders took part in Royal Australian Navy missions over Korea from the Australian carrierHMASSydney. Some of these pilots were former RNZAF members, others joining directly the British and Australian forces.[21]
In 1955, the RNZAF established bases in Singapore and Malaysia. No. 41 Squadron moved toChangi, while No. 14 Squadron relocated toTengah. These two squadrons represented New Zealand's air contributions to the newly createdFar East Strategic Reserve.
On 1 May 1955, the air force carried out its first strike mission since the end of World War II, and its first withjet aircraft, using de Havilland Vampires of No. 14 Squadron.[22] In 1955, the squadron was re-equipped with de Havilland Venoms and carried out 115 strike missions.[23] The squadron was replaced in 1958 by No. 75 Squadron flying English Electric Canberras from their operational station in Tengah.[24] In July 1955 No. 41 Squadron returned toMalaya and resumed supply dropping operations in support of anti-guerrilla forces, this time using theBristol Freighter. Bristol Freighter serial NZ5901 crashed in theCameron Highlands during supply drop operations on 10 December 1956. The aircraft flew into a valley and collided with a 4000-footfog shroudedridge. SQNLDR Alexander Tie, FLTOFF William Devescovi, FLTOFF Douglas Nelson and 5 passengers were killed, while a single passenger survived and was later rescued.[citation needed]
The RNZAF Antarctic Flight was formed in 1956 to assist theCommonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, equipped with anAuster Mk.7c purchased from theUK Air Ministry (NZ1707),De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter (NZ6081), and aDe Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver (NZ6001, changed to NZ6010 to remove overlapping numbers with an RNZAF Gloster Meteor), with hardened and equipped withskis.[25][26][27] It helped transport men, dog teams and supplies, and carried out geological mapping over the summers of 1956, 1957 and 1958 before disbanding in 1960. Operations in Antarctica resumed in 1965 when a Hercules flew the first of what have become annual summer flights from Christchurch to the continent. To the present day, the RNZAF operates bothBoeing 757 andLockheed C-130 Hercules toPhoenix Airfield.[citation needed]
The Chief of Air Staff appointed in June 1962 was Air Vice-MarshalIan G. Morrison, who was to oversee the modernisation of the RNZAF.[28] Greener stated that Morrison '..saw the three elements of the Air Force—strike capability, transport, and maritime patrol—as being of equal value, and sought improvements in aircraft in each area. The following aircraft were purchased or put on order.
Morrisons modernisation programme saw the RNZAF switch primarily from British to American aircraft, reflecting the strategic alliances at the time. The arrival of the Bell 47 introduced the helicopter to the RNZAF.[citation needed]
In 1964 New Zealand began helping Malaysia to fight Indonesia's attempt to wrest control of the North Borneo territories in what was known asConfrontation. This role, which continued until 1966, saw New Zealand soldiers from 1RNZIR and NZ SAS mount covert cross-border raids into Indonesia. RNZAF flew continuous missions from the RAF base at Changi, Singapore resupplying the Commonwealth forces at the firebases and outposts located on the borders.[29]
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From 1962, the primary RNZAF contribution to the Vietnam War wasNo. 40 Squadron RNZAF and No. 41 Squadron RNZAF providing troop transport for military and non-military personnel and resupply runs. 40 Sqn flew from New Zealand or from the RAF base in Singapore, usually via Australia, toSouth Vietnam and elsewhere in South East Asia using Lockheed C-130 Hercules. 41 Sqn flew from Singapore to Hong Kong via South East Asia using Handley Page Hastings, Bristol Freighters. When the1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) was established atNui Dat an airfield was built to accommodate the RNZAF freighters so that personnel and supplies could be delivered more directly.[30]
Canberra bombers were deployed in a non combat role, with crew observing American operations, and deploying to South Vietnam to conduct joint training with the USAF.[citation needed]
As 1ATF expanded, in June 1966,No. 9 Squadron RAAF had gone to South Vietnam and based itself atVung Tau Air Base, equipped withBell UH-1 Iroquois aircraft. Politically and operationally, it was advantageous for the RNZAF to assist the RAAF, who were facing a shortage of available pilots.[citation needed] In all, 16 RNZAF officers would serve in operational service in Vietnam with No. 9 Squadron RAAF. Flight Lieutenant Bill Waterhouse, the RNZAF's only Māori helicopter pilot at the time was killed in January 1969 flying an Iroquois inCanberra while preparing for service in South Vietnam.[citation needed]
The RNZAF additionally provided assistance in aForward Air Control role in Vietnam flying with the USAF20th Tactical Air Support Squadron atDa Nang Air Base, and USAF19th Tactical Air Support Squadron atBien Hoa Air Base[31][32][33] withO-1,O-2 andOV-10 aircraft.
A small detachment of RNZAF ground crew from No. 75 Squadron RNZAF were also attached to aU.S Marine CorpsVMA-311 A-4 Skyhawk unit atChu Lai.[citation needed]
RNZAF personnel were numerous in the New Zealand Services Medical Team (NZSMT) and one went on to be part of the subsequent New Zealand Army Training Team (NZATTV.) RNZAF personnel were also posted to HQ V Force and worked primarily in Saigon in a range of liaison duties. One RNZAF member of the NZSMT, Sgt Gordon Watt, was killed by an improvised trap in 1970, the RNZAF's only casualty of the war. A memorial to Watt is on display at theOhakea Base Medical flight, and there is also the "Gordon Watt Memorial Award" for the RNZAF's top medic award, named in his honour.[citation needed]
Flights to support the medical team atQui Nhon and the New Zealand embassy inSaigon continued after the withdrawal of New Zealand ground forces in 1971.[citation needed]
In early April 1975 the squadron established a detachment atTan Son Nhat International Airport near Saigon to evacuate New Zealand personnel from the country as North Vietnamese forcesrapidly advanced. The last No. 41 Squadron flight out of the country departed on 21 April carrying 38 embassy staff (including the New Zealand Ambassador) and refugees, just prior to thefall of Saigon.[34][35]
Following the end of the Vietnam War, the RNZAF adopted a stronger maritime focus. Long range surveillance patrols became more frequent in the waters around New Zealand as P-3 Orion crews and Navy Westland Wasp Helicopters hunted for Soviet and Chinese vessels in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone. At the same time, aircrews adopted closer ties with the United States and Australia through theANZUS alliance. The first overseas deployment of the newA-4 Skyhawks occurred in 1971 toRAAF Base Williamtown andHMAS Albatross in Australia. Skyhawk crews would be supported by Hercules,Andover, and laterBoeing 727 aircraft to provide ground support crew and allow the setup of mobileTACAN stations. Additionally eight single seater Skyhawks were sent to Singapore to participate in Exercise Vanguard.[36] Deployments occurred on a regular basis to Singapore,Malaysia and Indonesia.
No. 14 Squadron took up the role of advanced training. It briefly operated a small number (up to four) of two-seat A-4 Skyhawks and two-seat T.11 Vampires before re-equipping with 16BAC Strikemaster light attack aircraft in 1972. Bristol Freighters, Douglas Dakotas and De Havilland Devons were replaced by Hawker Siddeley Andovers and second handFokker F-27 Frendships. Additionally, three Boeing 727 aircraft were purchased in 1981 for use as air transport.Cessna 421C Golden Eagle aircraft were also used for transport and VIP duties.[citation needed]
Another major change during this decade was the integration of theWomen's Auxiliary Air Force into the Air Force in 1977, removing most restrictions on their employment and career opportunities, with the exception of some aircrew branches.[citation needed]
Throughout the 1970s,RNZAF Ohakea would also see significant visits from the RAF, USAF and RAAF. The RNZAF additionally participated in a number of ANZUS joint exercises in this period.[citation needed]
The Kin Nan Incident occurred in March 1976. TheKin Nan was a Taiwanese squid fishing boat operating illegally withinNew Zealand waters. Following a failure to reply to warning shots and messages from two RNZN Patrol boats, several Skyhawks were sent to intercept the ship, armed withZuni rockets and20mm rounds.[37][38] A Skyhawk operated by Jim Jennings (NZ6206) fired a 53-round burst at the boat, causing it to stop and allow the Navy to board it.[36] The Skyhawk involved is preserved at theMuseum of Transport & Technology in Auckland.[39]
Following the end of the US friendlyMuldoon government, and the subsequent election ofDavid Lange and theFourth Labour Government, the RNZAF severed overt military ties with the United States and United Kingdom, with the New Zealand military reoriented towards moreglobalist and international roles such asUnited Nations peacekeeping. Under theNew Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987,[40] territorial sea, land and airspace of New Zealand becamenuclear-free zones. This had a dramatic effect on the efficiencies of the Air Force's combat squadrons. With the lack of opportunities to practice operations skills, it became extremely difficult to maintain pace with the Air Forces New Zealand had traditionally worked with.[41] By the late 1980s, the RNZAF held an active role in United Nations operations in the Sinai Peninsula and Iran. This time period also saw the end of involvement in Singapore. No. 1 Squadron was deactivated in December 1984, and its Andovers were transferred to No. 42 Squadron.[42]
Project Kahu
By the 1980s, the Skyhawks were reaching the end of their effective use. A comprehensive upgrade to the Skyhawk began, along with the purchase of used A-4G Skyhawks from theRoyal Australian Navy. The Skyhawk upgrade included a new radar,HOTAS controls,glass cockpit withHUD and newinertial navigation system. The aircraft also received armament upgrades including the capability to fireAIM-9L Sidewinders,AGM-65 Mavericks andGBU-16 Paveway IIlaser-guided bombs. The cost of the project was NZ$140 million and gave the RNZAF Skyhawks the electronic "eyes and ears" of a modern fighter aircraft such as theF-16 Fighting Falcon orF/A-18 Hornet.[43] To complement these upgrades, 18 newAermacchi MB-339 were introduced as an advanced jet trainer, replacing the BAC Strikemaster.
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The 50th anniversary of the RNZAF was celebrated with a gold painted Skyhawk and large-scale formations with Skyhawks and Strikemasters. An airshow at RNZAF Ohakea was held, with visiting aircraft from the RAF and RAAF.
In February 1991No. 2 Squadron was reformed, then relocated to HMASAlbatross in Australia with the updated Kahu Skyhawks to provide theAustralian Defence Force (ADF), particularly the Royal Australian Navy, with Air Defence Support, participating in exercises with RAN warships. The squadron was equipped with two A-4K and four TA-4K aircraft supported by 50 to 60 personnel. No. 2 Squadron continued to provide air defence training to the ADF until November 2001.
The end of the Cold War saw dramatic changes in the composition of the RNZAF. With government policies from the Fourth Labour Government urging to reduce public spending, the RNZAF began to consolidate its facilities, led by Minister of DefenceBob Tizard. The Air Force Stores Depot atTe Rapa was closed in 1992, with redevelopment intoThe Base Shopping Centre.[41][44] On 14 September 1995, the closing parade was held for the first RNZAF airfield, RNZAF Station Wigram in Christchurch.[45] The support baseRNZAF Shelly Bay, located on Wellington's Miramar peninsula, also closed. The helicopter and former seaplane baseRNZAF Hobsonville was sold toHousing New Zealand, and is being redeveloped as a residential area by the Hobsonville Land Company.[46] Both Wigram andHobsonville have been redeveloped into housing areas, while Shelly Bay remains abandoned. Following the neoliberal ideology of the 1990s, non-core activities such as maintenance and food catering have been privatised and contracted out. Despite the reduction in budget and manpower, international deployments by the Air Force were expanded.[41] During theGulf War, two Hercules and personnel of No. 40 Squadron were deployed to the Gulf War, where they operated as part of a RAF Hercules Squadron.[47] No. 2 Squadron continued service at Nowra, Australia, providing training for the Royal Australian Navy and conversion for RNZAF Skyhawk pilots. No. 42 Squadron spent five months deployed in Somalia, with three Andover transport planes. Humanitarian airlifts were conducted by Hercules and Boeing aircraft of No. 40 Squadron in the Middle East andRwanda. No. 40 Squadron also provided air transport support to the NZ Army contingent inBosnia.
The RNZAF had a sizeable involvement in theBougainville conflict, involving C-130 transport aircraft UH-1 Iroquois, and Westland Wasp helicopters. Aircraft also supported several UN missions such asUNTAET while carrying out peacetime tasks for governmental and civilian purposes.
Westland Wasp helicopters were replaced with KamanSH-2 Seasprite helicopters, awaiting further orders ofSH-2G Super Seasprites.
In 1999, theNational Government selected an order of 28F-16A/B aircraft to replace the fleet of A-4 Skyhawks but this procurement was cancelled in 2001 following election by the incomingLabour Government underHelen Clark. This was followed by the disbanding of No. 2 and No. 75 Skyhawk squadrons and No. 14 Aermacchi squadron, removing the RNZAF's air combat capability.[48] Subsequently, most of the RNZAF's fighter pilots left New Zealand to serve in the RAAF and the RAF.[49] By 2003 the RNZAF was reduced to a total of 53 aircraft and 2,523 personnel (including civilian employees).
In 2005 the Ministry of Defence selected theNH90helicopter to replace the RNZAF's ageing fleet of 14 UH-1H Iroquois. The NZ government allocated NZ$550 million to replace the Iroquois and Bell 47 (Sioux) training helicopters.[citation needed] In November 2011, a private defence contractor in the United States,Draken International, purchased eight of the stored RNZAF A-4K Skyhawks and nine of the Aermacchi MB-339s.[citation needed] The aircraft are utilised for commercial air services as an adversary squadron.
New Zealand took an option to purchase C-130J Hercules from Lockheed Martin as a part of an Australian purchase in the late 1990s but following the 1999 election the new Labour government decided not to proceed with the purchase. Instead a NZD$226m service life extension programme (LEP) was arranged with L3Spar Aerospace ofCanada in 2004.[50] The LEP will see the C-130 Hercules with the most flying hours in the world remain in use until about 2025.
Since 2001, RNZAF P-3K Orions and C-130 Hercules have made periodic deployments in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom and theInternational Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
The Naval Support Flight was separated from 3 Squadron to re-form 6 Squadron in October 2005.[citation needed]In October 2007 the government announced it had selected theAgusta A109 as the preferred replacement for the Sioux helicopters.[51] Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-MarshalGraham Lintott, said the A109 "will provide an effective platform to train aircrew in basic helicopter operations plus the advanced skills required to operate both the SH-2 Seasprite and the NH90 helicopter that will come into service in 2010."[52]
In 2008 the Defence Minister expressed the desire to return to service all 17 Aermacchi trainers to supplement Army and Navy operations.[53] Prime MinisterJohn Key said at the time that it was extremely unlikely that any jet training would be restored in 2010.[54]
_Lockheed_C-130H_Hercules_flying_display_at_last_day_of_the_2019_Australian_International_Airshow_(4).jpg)
In recent years the RNZAF has been involved in a number of domestic incidents, especially natural disasters that have hit the region.
On 21 August 2025, Defence Minister Collins and Foreign Minister Peters announced that the Government would replace the RNZAF's two Boeing 757s with two newAirbus A321XLRs. These Airbus jets are expected to be delivered in 2028.[63] These aircraft have a range of up to 8,700 km and would be acquired under a six-year lease-to-buy arrangement worth NZ$700 million. The Airbus jets will be used for transporting military personnel, equipment, humanitarian aid, evacuating civilians, and ferrying government and diplomatic delegations.[64] That same day, anUSAFC-5M Super Galaxy delivered components for a newC-130J Hercules simulator toRNZAF Base Auckland. These flight simulators will allow Hercules pilots to train in New Zealand instead of travelling to the United States.[65]
The RNZAF's force operates in conjunction with the rest of the New Zealand Defence Force. The chain of command runs from Defence Force headquarters in central Wellington toHeadquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (HQ JFNZ) atTrentham inUpper Hutt. Under the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (a rear admiral, air vice-marshal, or major general, depending on rotation) is the Air Component Commander, anAir Commodore.[66] The RNZAF is divided into three commands:
Responsible for command, training and generation of all flying training and all Air Force organisations, assigned to enable New Zealand's following capabilities:
RNZAF Base Auckland
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Provides advice and staff support to the Chief of Air Force, enabling them to command the RNZAF, and fulfil prescribed responsibilities to the Chief of Defence Force for the implementation of approved policy and plans. Air Staff comprises
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
Defence Logistics Command personnel are spread across the three air force bases. They provide a range of services needed to sustain aircraft on deployment. Defence Logistics Command is organised into the following areas:
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| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maritime patrol | |||||
| Boeing P-8 | United States | ASW /Patrol | P-8A | 4[67][68] | Aircraft delivered in 2023.[67] |
| Transport | |||||
| Boeing 757 | United States | Transport | 757-2K2 | 2[68] | Due to be replaced in 2028 with twoAirbus A321XLR's. |
| C-130J Super Hercules | United States | Tactical airlifter | C-130J-30 | 5[69] | Aircraft delivered in 2024.[69] |
| Helicopters | |||||
| NHIndustries NH90 | France /Italy | Transport /Utility | NH90 TTH | 8[68] | Aircraft delivered in 2014. |
| SH-2G Super Seasprite | United States | ASW / Patrol | SH-2G(I) | 5[68] | Due to be replaced in 2027 with 5MH-60R Seahawks. |
| AgustaWestland AW109 | Italy | Light utility | A109LUH | 5[68] | Aircraft delivered in 2011.[70] |
| Trainer aircraft | |||||
| T-6 Texan II | United States | Trainer | T-6C | 11[68] | Aircraft delivered in 2015.[71] |
| Super King Air | United States | Multi-engine trainer / Patrol | KA350 | 4[72][68] | 2 aircraft converted for the maritime patrol mission.[73] KA350s delivered by mid-2020.[74] |
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Expected | On Order | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | |||||
| MH-60R Seahawk | United States | ASW /Patrol | 2027 | 5 | To be operated by the RNZAF for theRNZN. Replaces the 8 (5 working) SH-2G Super Seasprites. To be armed withHellfire air-to-surface missiles andAPKWS missiles, also capable of carryingMk 54 anti-submarine torpedoes and crew-served machine guns. Interoperable with Australia.[75][76] |
| Transport | |||||
| Airbus A321XLR | France | Transport | 2028 | 2 | Replacement for two Boeing 757s. The RNZAF intends to keep the aircraft as standard or "off-the-shelf" and not modify them at all (or at least bare minimum). Maintenance to be conducted in partial collaboration withAir New Zealand.[75][76] |
Among previous aircraft operated were A-4K Skyhawk, P-3K Orion, MB-339CB Aermacchi, BAC Strikemaster,CT-4 Airtrainer, C-130H Hercules, Bell UH-1H, Boeing 727, Westland Wasp and Bell 47G.[77][78][79] For full list see articleList of aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal New Zealand Navy.
The Black Falcons are the current aerobatic display team of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, replacing their predecessor "The Red Checkers". They fly theBeechcraft T-6 Texan II.
In January 2016, theCentral Flying School (CFS) began flying 11 T-6 Texan II, sharing the aircraft with No. 14 Squadron. The team is made up of Qualified Flying Instructors of the Central Flying School and No.14 Squadron. The bulk of the team generally come from CFS, with the Team Leader (Falcon 1) normally also holding the post of Officer Commanding Central Flying School. The new team's first display was scheduled for the 2017Wings over Wairarapa airshow, but bad weather caused the displays to be cancelled. Instead, the first display was held at the RNZAF 80th Anniversary Air Tattoo at the team's home base, RNZAF Base Ohakea, the following week.
TheAir Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand is a collaborative partnership between the RNZAF and a number of civil organisations created in 2022. Its purpose is to operate heritage aircraft that are relevant to the history and traditions of the air force. Replacing the RNZAF Historic Flight, the air force provides pilots to fly a number of aircraft for the purposes of conducting flypasts and displays around New Zealand.
TheRNZAF ensign was approved in 1939, based on the ensign of the Royal Air Force, with the letters "NZ" inserted within the roundel. Until the 1950s NZPAF and RNZAF aircraft flew withRoyal Air Force roundels; sometimes only the "NZ" prefix to theserial number revealed its nationality within theCommonwealth. A whitekiwi orsilver fern on a black background or aNew Zealand flag frequently appeared on RNZAF aircraft, and also on RAF aircraft with NZ aircrew. Map outlines of New Zealand with a Kiwi superimposed appeared on the tails of Canberras flown from Singapore in the Malayan Emergency; Venoms used in the conflict had a white kiwi on a black tail.
From the mid-1950s RNZAF roundels were modified by a fern frond within the inner red circle. Several colours were tried, including green, gold and finally white. The first two were too difficult to spot and the last looked too much like awhite feather that further attempts with ferns were dropped and the Kiwi bird was adopted at the end of the 1960s. To assist camouflage in the 1980s the white was sometimes eliminated, giving a red kiwi within a blue circle (e.g. on Hercules, Aermacchis and Skyhawks).
Since the early 2000’s, the kiwi roundel is now a black circle around a black kiwi (C-130J Super Hercules, NH-90, Augusta 109) or two-tone grey for maritime aircraft, (P-8 Poseidon, SH-2G Seasprite). The nose is always forward and on wings the legs are inwards, towards to the fuselage. Training aircraft such as the T-6 Texan II retain the traditional blue, red and white kiwi roundel.
The use of the kiwi, a flightless bird, on the roundel has been the source of some amusement both in New Zealand[80] and overseas.[81]
RNZAF rank titles and uniform remain similar to the Royal Air Force. The rank structure of the RNZAF was established within the context of the desire to ensure that the service remained separate from both the Army and Navy. The rank structure came to be:
The service dress uniform is deep blue in colour with light blue coloured rank worn on the sleeves of the uniform. There are many variations of the uniform that personnel wear during the course of their duties. Since 2010 the shoulder identifier says "ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE"; this was to correct a perceived confusion with the uniform of the New Zealand Police, despite many other more obvious differences.
In 2022 the RNZAF selected the multi terrain pattern (NZMTP) uniform for all ground trades. The uniform was selected to replace the General Purpose Uniform (GPU) that had been in service since 2015. GPU was deemed ineffective for a number of reasons, one that it was not suitable for overseas operations due to having no camouflage pattern, and secondly due to its heat retention in warmer climates.
In 2016 as part of the Air Warrior project, aircrew began triallingMultiCam uniform to replace the DPM variant they have been using since the late 1980s. Trials for the uniform will be completed in 2016. For all flying duties aircrew wear a Nomex flame retardant green coloured one or two piece flight suit. Operations to a desert environment see aircrew wear a sand coloured version of the green uniform.
RNZAF badges closely follow the style inherited from the Royal Air Force, with a badge worn on the left breast. A key difference is that pilot's wings bear the lettersNZ rather thanRAF, and that the single wing of other aircrew still have the letters of the trade they represent.
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| Crew designation | Details | Active | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot | NZ lettering | 1923 | |
| Air Warfare Officer Air Warfare Specialist | AW lettering | 2007 | |
| Engineer | E lettering | 1942 | 2025 |
| Loadmaster | LM lettering | 1970 | |
| Air Ordnanceman | AO lettering | 1966 | 2023 |
| Helicopter Loadmaster | HL lettering | 2016 | |
| Flight Steward | FS lettering | 1980 | |
| Parachute Jump Instructor | Parachute patch | 1963 | |
| Helicopter Crewman | HC lettering | 1966 | 2016 |
| Navigator | N lettering | 1942 | 2007 |
| Air Bomber | B lettering | 1941 | 1953 |
| Electronics Operator | AE lettering | 1966 | 2007 |
| Air Quartermaster | QM lettering | 1965 | 1970 |
| Air Signaller | S lettering | 1948 | 1977 |
| Air Gunner | AG lettering | 1939 | 1953 |
| Observer | O letter outline | 1934 | 1942 |
The rank insignia ofcommissioned officers.
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Royal New Zealand Air Force[82] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
| Marshal of the RNZAF | Air marshal | Air vice-marshal | Air commodore | Group captain | Wing commander | Squadron leader | Flight lieutenant | Flying officer | Pilot officer | |||||||||||||||
The rank insignia ofnon-commissioned officers andenlisted personnel.
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal New Zealand Air Force[82] |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant Officer | Flight Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Leading Aircraftman | Aircraftman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Following the successful modernisation of its maritime patrol and tactical airlift fleets with P-8 Poseidon and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, the Royal New Zealand Air Force continues to prepare further re-capitalisation projects as set forth in the 2019 Defence Capability Plan and the Major Projects Report 2020.[83]
Foremost amongst these projects are the replacement of the Super Seasprite naval helicopters and the ageing Boeing 757s. Following a series of breakdowns in 2024, the NZ Government announced in December 2024 its search for an off-the-shelf replacement for the Boeing 757s.[84][85] TheBoeing 737 MAX 8 andAirbus A321neo were shortlisted for consideration, subject to final Cabinet approval.[86][87]
Although discussed in the media and defence circles from time to time, there are no current plans to re-instate the RNZAF's air combat capability. The strike wing was disbanded under theLabour Government in 2001 without replacement of theA-4 Skyhawk andAermacchi MB-339 aircraft.
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| Units and squadrons | | |
|---|---|---|
| Bases and facilities | ||
| Associated civil organisations | ||
| Equipment | ||
| Appointments | ||
| Symbols and uniform | ||
Civilian administration and oversight:Ministry of Defence (New Zealand) |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
