Air force practises operational air drops in southern skies
A low-flying C-130 Hercules has been a regular sight in southern skies as air force crews hone skills for real life deployment.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force and NZ Army have been based at Wānaka Airport for nine days during the air drop exercise, known as Exercise Skytrain.
The Hercules could be seen across Central Otago and as far away as Hokitika, Timaru and Invercargill as it practised delivering and picking up loads in scenarios where areas could be under threat.
The flying techniques practised were essential in keeping aircrews’ flying currency up-to-date, as well as the skills used on deployed operations.
The air force personnel included security forces, air movements, aircraft and safety and surface technicians, rescue fire service, aviation fuel, logistics, intelligence and communication and information systems specialists.
Wing Commander Brad Scott said the annual exercise helped build deployment resilience, so crews could operate effectively away from their home base.
The techniques were used in operations such as the Cyclone Gabrielle response or deployment on US Air Force-led Operation Christmas Drop out of Guam.
During the Guam operation, the air force delivered pallet loads of goods via a C-130 to people living on remote islands and atolls in the Pacific.
The training included air drop sorties in the Ida Valley and Maniototo Valley near Ranfurly.
During other missions, the aircraft landed and loaded or unloaded personnel or equipment with engines running. “The terrain around Wānaka is irreplaceable for low-level flying techniques,” Scott said.