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Post by Chris F on Aug 25, 2011 6:45:50 GMT 12
RNZAF 40 Sqn have taken out the top prize at exercise Green Flag East at Little Rock in the USA.
It's fantastic to see some good media for the RNZAF and just goes to show that our aircrew and ground crew and the old and tired aircraft themselfs can put it with the best on offer from around the World.
Well Well done to all involved.
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Post by jonesy on Aug 25, 2011 7:21:44 GMT 12
Fantastic news. They've done us proud. Once again, we show our can-do attitude keeps us up there with the best.
Tell me does 5 Sqn still do that international challenge that we used to do previously? Fincastle was it called? Another good example of Kiwis kickin ass...
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Post by beagle on Aug 25, 2011 7:25:10 GMT 12
The 2 main exercises were 5 Sqn with Fincastle and 40 Sqn with Bullseye.
i have been on both and are great occassions, esp when you win as we did when I was part of the 40 Sqn team back in94 i think
This Green Flag, was it with one of the upgraded models.
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Post by beagle on Aug 25, 2011 7:26:48 GMT 12
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) from No.40 Squadron flying a C -130 Hercules aircraft completed their missions as part of Exercise Green Flag East in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA winning the top prize. The squadron has been flying two missions per day in 40�C plus with three other competing crews.
Exercise Green Flag East supports the Joint Readiness Training Centre (JRTC), based in Fort Polk Louisiana which conducts preparedness training for US Army Units on a rotational basis. The 34th Combat Training Squadron provides tactical air transport for JRTC rotation from Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB). The No.40 Sqn detachment from RNZAF Base Auckland has been flying a variety of tactical air-land and air drop missions as well as aeromedical evacuations flights, paratroop insertions and escape and evasion exercises.
Squadron Leader Andy Scott is a C130 Hercules pilot and the Hercules Flight Commander for No.40 Squadron. "For the guys that haven't been before, it's a really good eye opener for the type of mission they will fly in a combat environment. A lot of the tasks run to the real time that you have to cope with when you are flying. It's some of the best training that we can get anywhere in the world, to be honest".
This is the fourth time No.40 Squadron has been involved in this activity but the first time under the name Exercise Green Flag East.
C130 Hercules Loadmaster Sergeant Destry Tumataiki has flown five missions since he arrived. "It's the best flying I have ever done in terms of tempo. It's like real time operations," he said.
US Exercise Green Flag East Director, Lieutenant Colonel Derek Waterman said, "The 317th Airlift Group who are also participating are preparing for deployed operations just like the Kiwis are. It's a great opportunity to integrate and exercise deploying the whole package, including maintenance crews".
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Post by Ykato on Aug 25, 2011 9:34:03 GMT 12
The 2 main exercises were 5 Sqn with Fincastle and 40 Sqn with Bullseye. i have been on both and are great occassions, esp when you win as we did when I was part of the 40 Sqn team back in94 i think This Green Flag, was it with one of the upgraded models. When did the Skytrain excercise's end? |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 25, 2011 10:19:41 GMT 12
I didn't realise Skytrain had ended?
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Post by Ykato on Aug 25, 2011 10:26:54 GMT 12
I didn't realise Skytrain had ended? Hadn't heard of one in a while so wasn't particularly sure if they had or not - cheers. |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 25, 2011 10:30:11 GMT 12
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Post by Ykato on Aug 25, 2011 10:31:51 GMT 12
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Post by beagle on Aug 25, 2011 10:56:43 GMT 12
The 2 main exercises were 5 Sqn with Fincastle and 40 Sqn with Bullseye. i have been on both and are great occassions, esp when you win as we did when I was part of the 40 Sqn team back in94 i think This Green Flag, was it with one of the upgraded models. When did the Skytrain excercise's end? I was just mentioning a couple of well known annual exercises. skytrain was usually twice a year and a touch up on skills for Bullseye. |
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Post by Ykato on Aug 25, 2011 11:36:15 GMT 12
NZ Defence Force Video
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 25, 2011 11:42:22 GMT 12
Well done to the No. 40 Squadron crew and support team. We're proud of you all.
Does No. 3 Squadron still attend international competitions? They used to go to one called Helimeet from memory and won several prizes, one was for the longest distance travelled as it was held in the UK, and in 1991 they won the Concours de Elegance for best kept helicopter.
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Post by Chris F on Aug 25, 2011 12:20:57 GMT 12
Whats impressive is that we acheive so much with so little.
And I bet ours Hercs were the oldest aircraft there....just goes to show what can be done.
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Post by baz62 on Aug 25, 2011 17:12:57 GMT 12
Well done lads!
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Aug 25, 2011 19:48:08 GMT 12
Yip, awesome result.  |
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Post by obiwan27 on Aug 25, 2011 20:20:36 GMT 12
Something for the whole nation to be proud of. A great result, well done!!
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 25, 2011 20:45:58 GMT 12
Agree entirely, a truly amazing and well deserved win for the RNZAF  |
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Post by alanw on Aug 25, 2011 22:05:51 GMT 12
Well Done 40 Squadron!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D I think this photo typifies the feeling of how our people did.  |
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Post by sqwark2k on Aug 25, 2011 22:40:27 GMT 12
Don't get it.
Skytrain is a in-house exercise, and doesn't really compare to international competition/exercises like Fincastle or Green Flag. I remember 40Sqn based in chch recently on low level navigation exercises which I assumed was another Skytrain deployment.
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Post by fyl on Aug 25, 2011 22:44:28 GMT 12
Awesome stuff #40!!
Was there much/anything in the mainstream media about this?? Didn't see anything...and this is the sort of thing the RNZAF should be making big noises about....
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