9 July 2007
High school students from Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Palmerston North will fly in military aircraft and have their fitness tested this week as part of an Air Force experience at Ohakea Air Force Base.
The event is organised by the Royal New Zealand Air Force and involves 70 students from Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Palmerston North high schools.
The students have given up the second week of their school holidays, July 9 – 13, to take part in the experience and talk with airmen and airwomen about what a career in the Air Force may hold.
RNZAF Palmerston North recruiting officer, Flying Officer Jared Small, said the students had expressed interest in an Air Force career through their school careers advisers.
“The Air Force Challenge allows the students to experience what Air Force life is really like. It’s more than just guns, aircraft and parade drills. The experience allows students to view equipment and talk to personnel they may one day be working alongside.”
Last week RNZAF Base Whenuapai held the first leg of the Air Force Challenge for high school students from the upper North Island.
ENDS
For further information or to organise an interview/photo opportunity please contact James Heffield, Defence Public Relations, on 04 496 0286 or 021 676 338.