RNZAF Base Auckland
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Royal New Zealand Air Force, located near the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland. The base formerly comprised two separate airfields, Whenuapai and Hobsonville. Hobsonville, was established as a sea-plane station in 1928 and was the RNZAF's primary flying boat base in New Zealand until 1967. Construction of Whenuapai as a base for Wellington bomber aircraft began in 1937, and from 1945-1965 Whenuapai was also Auckland's civil international airport. Post World War II Auckland became a centre for RNZAF transport and maritime squadrons. These two independent bases were integrated in 1965 to form RNZAF Base Auckland. Hobsonville has subsquently became a grass airfield base for No. 3 Squadron RNZAF, and a small army unit was closed down in 2003, with some controversy over its future intended use. Whenuapai was to close as well, with the Royal New Zealand Air Force being centralised at Ohakea, but as of 2005 it's future is uncertain.
Personnel strength: around 1,100
Squadrons based at Whenuapai:
These squadrons provide the RNZAF with a transport (C-130 Hercules and Boeing 757), maritime surveillance (P-3 Orion) and naval aviation capability (Kaman SH-2G Seasprite)Also based at RNZAF Auckland:
- RNZAF Parachute Training and Support Unit
- Air Force police dog training school
- RNZAF Aviation Medicine Unit
External link:
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