glycol
Squadron Leader
Posts: 103
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Post by glycol on Nov 21, 2009 21:24:13 GMT 12
Could this be true? There's a rumour out there that the Singaporean Air Force will base 32 F16s at Ohakea within two years. Choppers will move to Woodbourne & Waiouru. I thought they had F15s
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Post by phil on Nov 21, 2009 21:34:10 GMT 12
Given that the largest building ever built by for the NZDF is currently under construction at Ohakea, specifically designed for the needs of the NH90 and A109s, I can say with some confidence that the Helicopters are not moving away from Ohakea.
Especially since the new 3SQN hangar will only hold the record as the largest building for a couple of years, until the new Maintenance Support SQN building next to it is opened. That one is 12000 square meters, and is designed to meet the ILM maintenance requirements for the next 60 odd years.
Oh, and the sim building going up next to that building might be another clue that the helicopters are staying at Ohakea.
Given the infrastructure requirements needed for the NH90s and the costs involved, J shed just wont cut it.
As for what goes into the current and soon to be empty 3 SQN hangar.... who knows.
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Post by nige on Nov 21, 2009 21:38:13 GMT 12
Given that the largest building ever built by for the NZDF is currently under construction at Ohakea, specifically designed for the needs of teh NH90 and A109s, I can say with some confidence that the Helicopters are not moveing away from Ohakea. Here here! Plenty of room for the choppers AND F16's! Wow, to the uninitiated like me, can you explain that a little more as to who will be using it?If not the Singaporians then how about a reformed 75 Sqn! ;D
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Post by phil on Nov 21, 2009 21:48:19 GMT 12
No, the hangar is designed pretty much for the number of frames we are getting, plus role store, class room etc and includes a phase bay for each type. It's dimensions are cunningly designed to match the requirements for the types.
The Maintenance Support SQN building will be used by...Maintenance Support SQN, who else? It will have rotary bay, skin bay, accessory bay, hydraulic bay, probably the duel rail bay, para bay, life raft bay, machine shop, metal shop, hook and hoist bay, guided weapons bay, MSS forward support section (flight store) and no doubt a fair number that escape me right now. It will also have the HQ section and orderly room, joe room, locker rooms etc etc.
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Post by nige on Nov 21, 2009 23:05:28 GMT 12
Thanks! Is the Maintenance Support Sqn building only for the new helos ... or for everything on base/anything that comes its way eg 42 Sqn King Airs, perhaps even servicing of a visiting C130 that might have broken down etc?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 21, 2009 23:31:22 GMT 12
This rumour about a Singaporean squadron coming to New Zealand has been discussed before on the forum. Maybe that's where the rumour originated from and it's done the rounds and bounced back...
Phil, what exactly gets maintained in a Rotary Bay? I remember seeing a Rotary Bay on various bases, but never went in one. And what is dual rail?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 21, 2009 23:32:23 GMT 12
That must also be encouraging to know they are planning to still have an Air Force in 60 year time...
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Post by beagle on Nov 22, 2009 7:58:33 GMT 12
This rumour about a Singaporean squadron coming to New Zealand has been discussed before on the forum. Maybe that's where the rumour originated from and it's done the rounds and bounced back... Phil, what exactly gets maintained in a Rotary Bay? I remember seeing a Rotary Bay on various bases, but never went in one. And what is dual rail? Dave, dual rail is the long rails that the pallets slide along inside the Herk. Big meaty ones on the sides with all the locks etc that are fitted 24/7 and the thinner ones that run parallel that clip into the floor when needed.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 22, 2009 8:36:19 GMT 12
Ah ha, thanks Beagle. For a minute I though the RNZAF was getting its own trains again. ;D
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Post by phil on Nov 22, 2009 8:42:03 GMT 12
Rotary bay is helicopter things.
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Post by sqwark2k on Nov 22, 2009 9:07:05 GMT 12
I too have just last week heard a continuation of the Singapore deal, though it was for 20 F16's....
If they required 2 hangars for that amount of frames, is there space for for 42 to relocate their 5 B200's to the PTS hangar etc?
It certainly would be handy to have a fast jet training capability in NZ..... over time there could be many exchange postings to build up some skills and experience with a view of re-introducing Fast Jet capability to the RNZAF.... Those ex-Pakistan F16A's should still be properly latexed up in the Arizona desert aren't they ;-)
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Post by beagle on Nov 22, 2009 9:41:32 GMT 12
I too have just last week heard a continuation of the Singapore deal, though it was for 20 F16's.... If they required 2 hangars for that amount of frames, is there space for for 42 to relocate their 5 B200's to the PTS hangar etc? It certainly would be handy to have a fast jet training capability in NZ..... over time there could be many exchange postings to build up some skills and experience with a view of re-introducing Fast Jet capability to the RNZAF.... Those ex-Pakistan F16A's should still be properly latexed up in the Arizona desert aren't they ;-) Those ex Pakistan ones have now been activated and are being used as aggressers at Top Gun , I think, pretty sure.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 22, 2009 9:43:57 GMT 12
They should invite an overseas transport squadron to come and live here too, so they can help out when times are tough transport wise for the RNZAF, like now.
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Post by beagle on Nov 22, 2009 9:53:23 GMT 12
Well, if the rumour comes to fruition, they had better get the rest of the plans they had to enlarge other base facilities up again. Acommodation for single people of different ranks, New married Quarters, mess facilities etc etc etc 20 F-16s would require quite a bit of support behind the scenes and is OH ready for it. I was there living on base at RAAF Pearce when they arrived there. The food at the mess went from roo pies and mushy peas to some of my fav asian cuisine. well actually no mushy peas, as I can recall in the 3 months, only once did we have peas for dinner. don't think they are on their stable diet there. And the Indian Singaporean girls are beautiful.. I am sure everyone, well maintenance was on 6 month rotations
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Post by phil82 on Nov 22, 2009 10:41:25 GMT 12
This rumour about a Singaporean squadron coming to New Zealand has been discussed before on the forum. Maybe that's where the rumour originated from and it's done the rounds and bounced back... It's also true that Santa's sleigh really can travel at supersonic speed; that Elvis is alive and well and living in Upper Hutt!
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Post by beagle on Nov 22, 2009 11:36:43 GMT 12
Thats not true, I just saw Elvis in Greymouth on Friday
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Post by phil82 on Nov 22, 2009 12:05:54 GMT 12
Thats not true, I just saw Elvis in Greymouth on Friday He wasn't driving an F16 by any chance? The rumour on Singapore undertaking training in NZ is actually full of holes. You would have to ask yourself: Why? Why would they want to do it? They have better bases at home in the form of the former RAF Tengah, and the SAF Base at Paya Lebar which was the Singapore Airport before Changi was redeveloped. There would be no opportunity to train with like-equipped forces, as they do in the US, and yes, the SAF does have F15s. Singapore lacks air space, but guess what, just down the road, literally, there is a country full of empty air space, called Australia, which has air space to burn. So why would they want to train in NZ?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 22, 2009 14:06:58 GMT 12
Perhaps because it's cheap?
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Post by beagle on Nov 22, 2009 16:24:42 GMT 12
Thats not true, I just saw Elvis in Greymouth on Friday He wasn't driving an F16 by any chance? The rumour on Singapore undertaking training in NZ is actually full of holes. You would have to ask yourself: Why? Why would they want to do it? They have better bases at home in the form of the former RAF Tengah, and the SAF Base at Paya Lebar which was the Singapore Airport before Changi was redeveloped. There would be no opportunity to train with like-equipped forces, as they do in the US, and yes, the SAF does have F15s. Singapore lacks air space, but guess what, just down the road, literally, there is a country full of empty air space, called Australia, which has air space to burn. So why would they want to train in NZ? Yes Australia has lots of airspace to burn in the middle, but what about a Base to operate from. amberly is doubling in size with C-17's and A330's, Wedgetails etc Willytown has civilian presence and the RAAF have stopped further development with regards other airlines coming in to set up there. Pearce, pretty busy with all the PC-9's, Hawks, and singaporeans already. Edinborough maybe as the Orions will be reduced from the 18 down to just 8-10 Posideons So maybe Ohakea is an option with only a handfull of toys floating around there now
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Post by skyhawkdon on Nov 22, 2009 16:57:48 GMT 12
I know at a political level this is more than a rumour... I doubt there will be any more than one Squadron of jets here at any one time (20 aircraft would be too many, more likely around 12). The Singaporeans will pay NZ handsomely to base themselves here (money which can be used by Defence for other purposes). They will also be unlikely to live on base. In Darwin they bought a hotel in town and turned it into their own accommodation. Once the new helicopter hangar is built there will be ample hangar and tarmac space at Ohakea for them. 42 Sqn won't need to relocate, but Ohakea's airspace will get a lot busier (and noisier!). Personally I think this is great for NZ and if we can't afford our own jets this is a good alternative. Once they are based here you wait - I bet you will see a lot more RAAF fast jets coming here as well!
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