Paratrooper exercise

CENTRAL OTAGO: Paratroopers will be descending from the skies in Central Otago next month, but no need to panic, it is not a raid.

The New Zealand Defence Force is conducting parachute training exercises from the start of February for about three weeks.

An NZDF spokeswoman said the exercises would be based at the Alexandra Airport and would involve training on military parachute jumps both from commercial aircraft and from a Royal New Zealand Air Force Lockheed C130 Hercules.

People might see military personnel parachuting from aircraft and the Hercules in the vicinity of Alexandra, Omakau, Wanaka and Dunedin.

‘‘They will have various drop zones,’’ she said.

About 30 personnel would be taking part in the exercise, including aircraft crew and about half a dozen safety and surface technicians, who pack the parachutes.