Significant flying milestone for Feilding Air Force helicopter loadmaster

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) helicopter loadmaster Flight Sergeant Britney Perkins was on a tactical flight in Papua New Guinea (PNG), ferrying troops in an NH90 helicopter around the country, when she reached her 2000 hours flying milestone.

13 May, 2026

The achievement is equivalent to more than a full year of working eight-hour days.

“When we landed I was very spoilt by my team. They presented me with a trophy and that night we celebrated with cake,” Flight Sergeant Perkins said.

“Reaching that number of flying hours – that's pretty special to me. I've got a three-year-old son, Tom, so being able to achieve this while raising this little young man has been pretty rewarding.”

The Feilding aviator is on a four-week rotary wing deployment to PNG with No.3 Squadron flying operations in multiple locations, exercising deployment capabilities and enhancing cooperation with the PNG and Australian Defence Forces.

With two NH90s, the squadron completed troop movement and air sniper training with the 1st Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment and 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.

The mission included transporting New Zealand Defence Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal personnel and equipment to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to destroy two 1000lb and 500lb WWII-era bombs, at the request of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Helicopter loadmaster Flight Sergeant Britney Perkins on exercise with No.3 Squadron in Papua New Guinea

The squadron also delivered much-needed aid and essential supplies to areas damaged by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

Now a helicopter loadmaster instructor, Flight Sergeant Perkins said one of the most rewarding moments of her deployment was working alongside three crew members who she had trained.

“Watching them go from a new student to someone I can trust next to me while we're out there delivering aid is pretty special.”

Growing up, Flight Sergeant Perkins always wanted to join the Air Force and in 2013, when she was 19 years old, she enlisted as a logistics operator – trade-changing a few years later, to a helicopter loadmaster.

“With logistics, you're supporting from behind the scenes, but I wanted to be out front, and with the change to loadmaster, I’m experiencing more job satisfaction.

“Some of the best moments have been getting out to countries like PNG. I’ve also deployed to Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

“Getting out there and integrating with communities that live a different lifestyle to us, makes you appreciate what we have in New Zealand.”