Highway becomes battlefield grandstand
The usual bustle of State Highway 1 rolled to a stop as travellers watched in awe as a military spectacle at a central North Island airfield unfurled before them.
Army and air force teamed up to tackle battlefield exercise ‘‘Steel Talon’’ which took flight yesterday.
Two scout A109 helicopters O¯from hakea Air Force base’s Three Squadron led the way to Flat Hills Airfield, about 70 kilometres north of Palmerston North, followed by three NH90 medium utility choppers.
Their goal was to strop a L105 Howitzer gun – weighing in at 1990 kilograms – to the NH90S, allowing 15 minutes from touchdown to complete the task.
Soldiers from 16th Field Regiment prepped the heavy artillery for transport, earning toots and stares from travellers.
But as the metal birds touched down, motorists slowed to a halt to watch the training.
Standing by her car, Andrea Henderson’s hair shot in all directions from the downwash of the NH90’S blades.
The 35-year-old had been driving from Wellington to Auckland to see family, and hadn’t expected such an engaging distraction.
‘‘This is mean. I didn’t know New Zealand had this many helicopters in the army.’’
Vicki Griggs, 58, and husband Evan, were parked in their camper, two of about 20 motorists who had stopped to see what the commotion was about.
It’s big boys and their toys, she said. ‘‘It was too good not to stop, but it’s causing a bit of traffic.’’
The planned 15-minute touchdown and takeoff took longer than expected, but that’s what the training was for, Lieutenant Callum Streeter said.
‘‘It’s awesome when we can come together like this for a bit of training.’’
He was happy motorists stopped for a peek at the soldiers and aircrew.
One of the guns was not lifted due to safety concerns, but the other two were flown around the site before they were detached and driven to Waiouru Military Camp for the next phase.
Exercise Steel Talon will continue until June 19.