F-16 jets grounded by fuel leak

A month-long flying exercise by the Singapore Air Force was temporarily grounded by the Auckland fuel crisis.

The Singapore Air Force was carrying out an exercise using six F16 fighter jets at Ohakea Air Force Base last month.

The exercise was interrupted when a fuel pipeline in Auckland, which supplies virtually all fuel to the city, including jet fuel to Auckland Airport, sprung a leak.

‘‘The decision to suspend exercise flying until more information was known about the Wiri pipeline leak meant that the RSAF did not fly Tuesday, September 19 or Wednesday, September 20,’’ a Defence Force spokesman said.

He said after it was established stocks of aviation fuel at Ohakea would allow for limited training flights, the exercise resumed on September 21.

While the planes were grounded, the spokesman said the team undertook routine administrative, planning and maintenance.

The training exercise ended on September 22 and the air force members left on September 25.

Rangitı¯kei District Council councillor Graeme Platt said in a report to the council more than 100 Singaporean personnel at Ohakea were unable to fly. ‘‘They [were] all a little frustrated with the suspension of their flying.’’

Platt said he was told the pilots loved flying in New Zealand.

‘‘They have been experiencing some mountain flying and lowlevel exercises and overall, love the scenery and the flying activities that are possible in this country.’’

Talks are continuing over whether to allow the Singaporean Air Force to set up a permanent base in New Zealand, which would see an F15 squadron based at Ohakea.