Exercise Triad 84

[Dave Homewood]

I vaguely recall the noise of jets flying over here at that time too and being told that it was the Triad exercise. My Nana told me that my cousin had been hanggliding somewhere, not certain where, and despite being fairly low two F-15's flew under him, giving him quite a fright I believe.

[mcmaster]

Feb 25, 2010 19:16:35 GMT 12 mumbles said:

Here it was back in early 2007 not long before the museum closed. Since being put on display it was zapped by some passing Swedes by the look of things

Thanks for that Mumbles. 66 was "reduced to scrap metal" in 1986 at Dubbo so some enterprising kiwi has picked it up. ...and good spotting on that Swedish zapp at first thought it was a Kfir but is indeed a Saab Viggen.

and on the topic of notable exercises of years past my main memory from the 80's is of a RNZAF A-4 making a attack run at Williamtown. The RAAF mirages were parked in the ORP near the runway and 2 A'4s made their attack runs. One flew above me at the domestic terminal viewing area at what i would have sworn was a few feet above the terminal building then jinking away after the "attack". Never heard it coming and was mighty loud and fast!

[camtech]

During Triad, I was in charge of a security detail at Harewood, guarding the US aircraft based there. I must have a look for some of the photos, but aircraft there were C5's and EC135 if I remeber correctly.

[Dave Homewood]

So what types of aircraft took part in the two earlier Triad exercises, and where were they held?

[skyhawkdon]

The first one was in 1976 and was quite small, with the only visiting aircraft being USAF F-4s.

[obiwan27]

In a recent search through my 'archives' I came across some newspaper clippings from 'The Press', the local paper in Christchurch. Apart from the obvious aircraft pics there are a couple in relation to the demise of the original Spitfire replica that Don mentions earlier. Hopefully you can read the 'blurb' that goes with these particular clippings. It gives an insight into the mindset of the 'peace' protestors (now why would you want to protest peace ;-) ) that I think is a candidate for the Tui "Yeah right" billboards. Also note the generosity of the visiting nation's aircrew.

[Dave Homewood]

I'll bet the F-111 was loud just above their heads like that!

[obiwan27]

Looking at the original, it's two separate photos. If it hadn't been, it would have been bloody loud alright!!!

[cribble]

I was working in the "red" Air Support Operations Centre (ASOC) for Triad 84 and had the excellent fortune to ride in the back of the two-seat Eagle that was a part of the Whenuapai-based Eagle squadron.

Two or three of us -designated "air umpires" :-) got rides. We refuelled east of Taupo and were escorts in the strike package. On return to the Whenuapai area we were assigned a cap station between Whenuapai and the west coast, where we intercepted an inbound F16 (and A4? my memory fails me on this poin) raid. The pilot engaged an F16 but did not see the trailing wingman and we got "shot". He was most embarassed, I thought it great sport.

[Dave Homewood]

Great story Cribble!

[crewchief580015]

Hi, all, I was a crew chief on the KC-135A based out of Christchurch, during Triad 84. I've been searching the internet periodically over the years to see if anyone remembered this event, with no luck until now!...I want to tell you all, of all the places I went in the world serving Uncle Sam, your country was the most beautiful, and the most friendly (except for the protesters and certain government types)!
The KC-135A was tail number 60-8885 if I remember correctly; not my airplane, #58-0015, which was back in California. We were based out of Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento, California, 320th Heavy Bombardment Wing, Strategic Air Command. We came to NZ via Hickam AFB, Hawaii, then Andersen AFB, Guam. Neither the base, nor SAC exist anymore (I feel old!), and I'm not sure where the airplane is now, either.
When we arrived at Christchurch Airport, there was no one there to provide any support (part of the exercise was creative self-reliance), until we found the US Navy folks who took care of missions to the South Pole, who loaned us a cargo flatbed for unloading our ground power unit and cargo. Eventually, we did get in touch with Wigram and things smoothed out nicely.
I recall the stink created by the E-3A AWACS crews when they refused to stay at Wigram due to "substandard conditions" and insisted to be put up at a swanky hotel somewhere downtown. We from the tanker were quite satisfied with the barracks and the food at the airman's club (I still have my Wigram airman's club hat) and were embarrassed at the rude behaviour of our countrymen. As I recall, the AWACS folks would come on base, eat all the food in the mess hall, and leave; and when we got back to the base, we would hit the airman's club for beer and whatever was edible there.
One aside, I bought a Fender Telecaster guitar downtown in Christchurch at a pawn shop, and it has served me well all these years. Oh, by the way, thanks to Sgt. Tony, and Diane, who gave me a beautiful photo book of your country for my birthday, which I celebrated there! If you're out there, hope you are well!
I have a few more pictures to post, but am unfamiliar as yet with the rules of the forum pertaining to pictures. Standby...
I see from the forum that the refueling F-15 picture was taken by a Sgt. Athol Corbett, RNZAF. When I scanned and annotated the picture back in the 1990's, I couldn't remember who handed me the prints, but I thought it was the newspaper reporter. I'm glad to be able to give the proper credit now!

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[mumbles]

Hi Crewchief, welcome aboard and thanks for the background

Photo posting rules are pretty standard, as long as you have copyright, or acknowledge copyright and have permission to post you can.

Looking forward to hearing more from you

[pilotpotters]

Hi crewchief
I was based at Whenuapai during Triad. Here a few snaps taked during one of the attacks on the base. I will try and find the others
Cheers Potters

[pilotpotters]

Our beloved Andovers in the background in two colour schemes. That dot is an F15 going vertical. My camera gear was not the best back then.

[jonesy]

Hey guys, these are great memories and photos. Well done! Looking at who was involved,was this the biggest exercise held here? Logistically - probably yes, but in terms of aircraft and manpower? Has there been any better?
Certainly looks like it was a great time to be in!

[pilotpotters]

One of the A4 that managed to slip through and attack the base. Came through at tree top level. At base ops there were many phone calls from people complaining about broken windows to scared horses

[pilotpotters]

I really enjoyed Triad. Lots of noise of such we dont often see down this way. Interesting that during Triad there was a sudden increase in the number of fishing boats just out of our teritorial waters.

[skyhawkdon]

I was at Wigram on course during Triad 84 and remember the AWACS guys moving off base into the most expensive hotel in town at the time - Noah's I think it was called. We were mere AC Mechanics under training, living in "The Stables" which were open dormitories. The accommodation the AWACS guys were put in at Wigram was far superior to what we had so we did wonder!

Yes I would say that TRIAD 84 was the largest post war exercise held in NZ, sadly it was also the last ANZUS exercise we participated in.

[corsair67]

Welcome aboard Crew Chief, great to read of your experiences. Would love to see your photos too.

I spent most of my free time along the fence at Christchurch airport, watching the comings and goings during the TRIAD exercise - at a time when I probably should have been at home studying for school exams!

Anyway, those days are some of my fondest memories - except for the protestors burning the Spitfire replica outside the airport, just to prove to everyone how stupid they really are.

By the way, TRIAD 84 was the first time I'd seen a KC-135 and the E-3, so that made it so much more special. I still recall being amazed by the location of the crew entry door to the KC-135, as I assumed it'd be in the same location as a regular 707 airliner.

The E-3 crew aren't the only foriegn vistors to refuse to stay at Wigram over the years, as I think some RAAF crews and early Deep Freeze personnel have been unimpressed by the accommodation too. ;D

[crewchief580015]

I assume that the AWACs guys have matured and their egos have levelled off since then...but I still carry a grudge. I'll try posting some more photos now.

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