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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 0:31:39 GMT 12
Hi all, names Jason, just wrote an intro in the introductions area.
I was told today by a bloke who was connected enough to get into the tower at AKL Intl to see the RAAF F18F's and the C17 and tanker arrive a month or so ago, he claims he was able to speak to the Aussie pilots as well, anyway.
He was telling me today that for the Whenuapai open day next year, there are rumours that the USAF will have a slightly larger presence here then in 2009 because they will be playing in Nth Aussie with the RAAF at the same time and have said they'll bring some more toys over and possibly a flypast of a B52.
Before I wet myself with excitment and anticipation, has anyone heard anuthing along these lines or is it possible this bloke is talking BS?
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Post by yak2 on Jun 29, 2010 12:54:50 GMT 12
Jason, it is worth approaching the USAF re arranging a B52 fly over. They have B52's based in Guam and routinely conduct long range training flights across the region. Apart from Avalon, they have appeared at smaller community type airshows around Australia. I understand if enough notification is provided, a training mission can be scheduled if operational considerations allow. Tell your bloke with connections to contact the Defense wallah at the US embassy in NZ and see what happens.
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Post by ErrolC on Jun 29, 2010 13:07:36 GMT 12
He was telling me today that for the Whenuapai open day next year, there are rumours that the USAF will have a slightly larger presence here then in 2009 because they will be playing in Nth Aussie with the RAAF at the same time and have said they'll bring some more toys over and possibly a flypast of a B52. Before I wet myself with excitment and anticipation, has anyone heard anuthing along these lines or is it possible this bloke is talking BS? Isn't the official Yank position still that they won't play with us? The organisers are perhaps hoping that this will be more relaxed by then (for instance, we had a frigate visit the USA recently, although it was at a civil wharf etc). Antarctic support is an exception (eg LC-130 to Wanaka). |
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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 15:14:25 GMT 12
Well, in that case I'll request it, I'll give them a call and see what is required, ask if they can send some Eagles over and mayby an F22 or 2. they brought their C17 to officially participate in last years open day, so I don't see why they can't bring over some other USAF toys too.
I'm going to email our air force and the US people tonight, I'll also try my luck with the Red Arrows, they flew to South Africa in 1995 I don't see why they can't come here too, no harm in asking.
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Post by mumbles on Jun 29, 2010 15:41:49 GMT 12
Well, in that case I'll request it, I'll give them a call and see what is required, ask if they can send some Eagles over and mayby an F22 or 2. they brought their C17 to officially participate in last years open day, so I don't see why they can't bring over some other USAF toys too. I'm going to email our air force and the US people tonight, I'll also try my luck with the Red Arrows, they flew to South Africa in 1995 I don't see why they can't come here too, no harm in asking. Not wanting to dishearten you or anything, but I'd be amazed if an F-22 came out here. As far as I know the only show appearances outside the US have been in the UK, and not many at that. They would be far more likely to bring one to the Avalon show than anything here. Still worth asking though just in case! Been quietly wondering if an RAAF Rhino will be at the open day next year given their recent penchant for bringing shiny kit our way. |
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Post by ErrolC on Jun 29, 2010 15:46:18 GMT 12
Well, in that case I'll request it, I'll give them a call and see what is required, ask if they can send some Eagles over and mayby an F22 or 2. they brought their C17 to officially participate in last years open day, so I don't see why they can't bring over some other USAF toys too. I'm going to email our air force and the US people tonight, I'll also try my luck with the Red Arrows, they flew to South Africa in 1995 I don't see why they can't come here too, no harm in asking. Speaking of South Africa, a Grippen would be neat! |
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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 16:27:58 GMT 12
Sorry, meant to mention, this bloke siad while speaking with the Aussie pilots that he got the impression that the Rhino's would be here in place of F111's, I still don't know how much of what this bloke says I can beleive, I don't know him that well, more of an aquantance, but I do know for a fact he got to the airport and got into the tower, other people who I know were taken along with him.
Still, I hope like mad we at least get some currently serving fast jet out here again, will be a let down if we don't afer the legacy Hornets were here last year.
I've never seen the Grippen, geot out of SA before they arrived I think NZ would do well to get 12 Rafials, those little jets are faster, carry more and have greater range then the F18F does.
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Post by hairy on Jun 29, 2010 19:26:54 GMT 12
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Post by Naki on Jun 29, 2010 19:45:07 GMT 12
Well, in that case I'll request it, I'll give them a call and see what is required, ask if they can send some Eagles over and mayby an F22 or 2. they brought their C17 to officially participate in last years open day, so I don't see why they can't bring over some other USAF toys too. I'm going to email our air force and the US people tonight, I'll also try my luck with the Red Arrows, they flew to South Africa in 1995 I don't see why they can't come here too, no harm in asking. Not wanting to dishearten you or anything, but I'd be amazed if an F-22 came out here. As far as I know the only show appearances outside the US have been in the UK, and not many at that. They would be far more likely to bring one to the Avalon show than anything here. Still worth asking though just in case! Been quietly wondering if an RAAF Rhino will be at the open day next year given their recent penchant for bringing shiny kit our way. The F-22 was recently at the FIDAE air show in Chile..they have also made appearances in Japan (not sure about an airshow), and air shows in Dubai and Canada |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 29, 2010 20:11:00 GMT 12
The Red Arrows may have displayed as far away from home as Australia in the past but they will definately not be appearing in New Zealand, unless they change the type of aircraft they fly. The RAF will not fly the Hawk over a body of water like the Tasman as it has just one engine, for safety reasons. I know the Skyhawks only had one engine and did it regularly but then our Air Force do a lot of things differently from the RAF.
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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 21:40:54 GMT 12
Pitty about the Red arrows then, I know the USAF Thunderbirds were in Aussie not too long ago, maybe we can get them over.
Thanks for the links to the USAF forms, I'll fill one out and see what the reply is, I'll also try send an email to someone in the air force and might CC a local politition in, they might bite at the idea and you never know, all it might take is an informal " Hey mate, mind sending some toys over in March, we wouldn't be offended if you did" from one politisio to another.
Here to wishful thinking, you never know if you don't ask hey?
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Post by Ykato on Jun 30, 2010 12:08:39 GMT 12
May Be not: Marine Exercise 10 A major multi-lateral exercise climaxed in East Timor yesterday (25 June 10) when a multinational force raided Manatuto Prison. US Marines, Australian and New Zealand soldiers of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and the East Timor Defence Force (F-FDTL) concentrated on the prison in the country’s east for two raids that tested interoperability and operational planning. The prison raids culminated with an assault by F-FDTL, ISF and US Marines, including air support from the USS Peleliu and the Timor Leste Aviation Group (TLAG). More than 100 F-FDTL soldiers participated in the MARINE EXERCISE 10 (MAREX 10), also called EXERCISE CROCODILE. The Exercise focused on professional development and arms corps advice to the F-FDTL. It also included community support activities such as engineering, medical and community relations programs. The participating Marines landed from USS Peleliu and comprised the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15 MEU). The ISF personnel included Australian soldiers of 8/9 Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8/9 RAR) and 2/1 Battalion, the Royal New Zealand Regiment (2/1 RNZR). Photo's on Link www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Jun/20100630/index.htm |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 30, 2010 13:10:39 GMT 12
I should think that the NZ position on having a nuclear capable bomber in its airspace may not be so flexible however. This all sounds like wishful thinking to me, but I'd be pleased if you manage to pull off such a coup
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Post by mumbles on Jun 30, 2010 13:53:55 GMT 12
I should think that the NZ position on having a nuclear capable bomber in its airspace may not be so flexible however. This all sounds like wishful thinking to me, but I'd be pleased if you manage to pull off such a coup Technically speaking, the A-4 was also theoretically nuclear capable...... ;D That was its original design role anyway. I'm not sure it would be that big a deal, especially as it would be unlikely to land, and the chance of it having any nuclear weapons on board at the time would be vanishingly remote. |
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Post by ErrolC on Jun 30, 2010 14:27:45 GMT 12
I should think that the NZ position on having a nuclear capable bomber in its airspace may not be so flexible however. This all sounds like wishful thinking to me, but I'd be pleased if you manage to pull off such a coup I don't think that NZ would have a problem with the nuke aspect, assuming that it was going to say Aussie, as we "know" the US would not be taking nukes there. The NZ law doesn't require that visitors declare that they are nuke-free, it requires the NZ PM to determine that they are nuke-free. We know that the USAF C-17s going to Chch aren't transporting nukes, without them specifically saying so (e.g. lack of significant armed guards). Edit: I see that the law explicitly allows for right of innocent passage and transit, which may apply, although definitions of such things can be counter-intuitive! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 30, 2010 15:58:26 GMT 12
"Technically speaking, the A-4 was also theoretically nuclear capable" Ah yip, and we don't se many of them in our airspace these days, do we...  "I don't think that NZ would have a problem with the nuke aspect" Well considering a boat load of uranium docks in Auckland once a week without anyone caring, maybe you're right. Although I'm certain Keith Locke will find something to say about a B-52 visit. |
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Post by ErrolC on Jun 30, 2010 16:31:56 GMT 12
"I don't think that NZ would have a problem with the nuke aspect" Well considering a boat load of uranium docks in Auckland once a week without anyone caring, maybe you're right. Although I'm certain Keith Locke will find something to say about a B-52 visit. Yellowcake is to a "nuclear explosive device" as iron sand is to warship hull :-) |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 30, 2010 18:27:00 GMT 12
Mmmm, yellowcake!!!  |
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Post by baz62 on Jul 1, 2010 18:25:15 GMT 12
Ha ha good one Dave! ;D
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Post by bell407 on Jul 1, 2010 22:21:34 GMT 12
Well, not too much news at all, first I decided to call AFB Whenuapai to make sure there was indeed going to be an open day / air show, I ran out of time to so so at work, but I tried twice and each time the phone for the public relations officer rang to a stop with no answer.
My plan is to call the RNZAF to confirmthey are having a show and that they haven't already contacted the US in relation to said show, then, depending on what they say, I'll call the US Defence attache in WLG and see what I can do from there, see if he has any specific ways to request, I printed and filled out the request form posted earlier, but I might redo it once I speak to the guy.
I'll let you all know whay, if anything is said in both calls, hopefully tomorrow.
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