News | NZDF

Royal New Zealand Air Force Band set to tour the South

5 February, 2021

The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band is about to wing its way around the South Island on its annual summer tour this February.

Wingmen from same school on matching career coordinates

5 February, 2021

Three men from the same school on Auckland’s North Shore had a high school reunion when they found themselves on the same military flying training course to become new Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) pilots.

Young women try out Air Force life

4 February, 2021

Forty female secondary school students will get a taste of life in the Royal New Zealand Air Force these April school holidays.

Scud Missile memories amid scars of Gulf War

15 January, 2021

Flight Sergeant Mike Cotton was 19 years old when he deployed to the Gulf as part of the Royal Air Force’s 9 Squadron RAF (Tornado bombers) ground crew.

Air Force Veteran thrown into Gulf War in first few months of service

15 January, 2021

Wing Commander Paul Cockerton was 18 years old when he deployed to Saudi Arabia with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Massive effort to keep RNZAF Hercules flying during Gulf War

15 January, 2021

Warrant Officer Mark Harwood was the flight sergeant in charge of the maintenance team for the Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules aircraft during the New Zealand Defence Force’s deployment to the Gulf.

Flying into the smoke of the Gulf War

15 January, 2021

Tom Tuke was a 23-year-old flying officer captaining a C-130 Hercules when he deployed as part of 40 Squadron to the Gulf War. 40 Squadron originally deployed with three crews but this increased to four later on due to the high tempo of flying.

Flying high, above and through the water

16 December, 2020

Leading Aircraftman Patrick Haybittle is keen to get to sea to help his helicopters fly, but as well as being a high-flyer above the waves, he may also be winging his way towards the Olympics in an emerging sport.

Third deployment enforcing sanctions against North Korea successfully completed

14 December, 2020

Crew on a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion have successfully completed maritime patrols in support of international efforts to monitor sanctions against North Korea, reporting vessels of interest and illicit ship-to-ship transfers to authorities.