RNZAF Rotary Wing Unit in the US

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Rotary Wing Task Unit consisting of personnel from No. 3 Squadron and other RNZAF units has deployed to Wheeler Army Airfield (WAAF) in Hawaii for a multinational exercise.

06 November, 2026

The contingent is there to take part in the US Army’s Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Centre (JPMRC) Exercise 27-01 along with contingents from Pacific partners.

JPMRC is the US Army's first regional combat training centre, designed to provide realistic, large-scale combined arms and multi-national training tailored to the Indo-Pacific and Arctic environments.

The detachment comprises two NH90 helicopters and crews, and maintenance and support personnel.

An aerial view looking across buildings and skyscrapers of a city with a NH90 helicopter flying above, far enough away to appear small.helicopter

A RNZAF NH90 helicopter, captured about 10 metres off the ground, comes into land on an airfield.

Two NH90 helicopters, crews and maintenance and support personnel take part in the US Army’s Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Centre (JPMRC) Exercise 27-01

The two NH90 helicopters were transported from New Zealand on two United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

The detachment commander, Squadron Leader Hamish Reichardt, said that the exercise, is a major opportunity to showcase the Squadron’s deployable capability and to develop interoperability, tactical air mobility, and mutual trust with US Army aviation forces.

“It’s the first time we’ve taken part in JPMRC and is a great opportunity to train for crisis and conflict operations and to support collective security alongside partners,” he said.

The multinational exercise runs until late November.

Read more about the NH90 helicopter aircraft.