Not everyone irked by jets
Manawatu¯ residents have leapt to the defence of a proposed deal that would see Ohakea become a base for a squadron of Singaporean fighter jets.
The Singapore Air Force concluded a four-week flying exercise, involving six F16 fighter jets, at Ohakea Force Air Base on Monday, prompting a group of residents to raise concerns about the effect the noisy jets had in the those living in nearby towns of Sanson and Bulls.
Sanson resident Bill Tooley feared the howling pets and shaking homes caused by the exercise could become the new normal if a bill was passed to turn the base into a permanent training arena for 200 Singaporean military staff.
Should that happen, Defence Minister Mark Mitchell said a squadron of F15s would pierce the sky all year round.
A Neighbourly post by the Feilding-Rangitikei Herald showed not all residents were against the idea.
Following the initial shock, Marton resident Valerie Hicks said the jets were an ‘‘amazing experience’’ to see.
‘‘A friend and I were riding horses up in the hills back of Carterton one howling, southerly day when we came around a corner and, there in front of us, was a jet cruising past.
‘‘We caught a good look at the two in the cockpit, in camouflage, whilst calming unsettled horses. I was quite envious of the pilot zooming around up there, enjoying himself.’’
Bulls resident Pearl Te Rangi said the Singaporeans were a breath of fresh air and made Ohakea sound like an air force base again. Before Te Rangi moved from Levin, it gave her ’’great pleasure’’ to hear Iroquois fly over her home.
Instantly, she would think of the television show M*A*S*H.
‘‘I miss hearing and seeing them. So when the opportunity comes to have the RSAF visit it gives me great pleasure seeing and hearing the F16s fly over.’’
Despite the overwhelmingly positive reaction, Tooley maintained he was disappointed Singapore pilots flew low and directly over homes in Sanson.
‘‘We only had six pilots over the last few weeks. The Government has indicated 200 pilots are coming for 52 weeks of the year.
‘‘We love jets, but not over housing areas day and night.’’