RNZAF versus the Rastas

[Dave Homewood]

I'm just watching the excellent programme Line of Fire about the Armed Offender Squads in New Zealand. The work they do is bloody awesome and I think every one of them are heroes, especially their dogs who run full tit at armed nutters.

Tonight's episode had some great footage of No. 3 Squadron Iroquois helicopters supporting the anti terrorist squad in the bush near Ruatoria in the 1980's when they were hunting for four armed drug growers that kidnapped a policeman. Awesome footage of the helos down low in the busg and great aerial footage of the town and the squads and helicopters, probably from news choppers.

I didn't know this had even happened. It must be as close as you could get to going to war for these No. 3 Squadron crews I guess.

[phil]

There is also a part in that series about the hunt for the escaped prisoners in (I think) the Corromandel. 3 SQN provided aircraft for that operation as well.

[Dave Homewood]

And next weeks shorts showed an Iroquois from Wigram that took part in the Aromoana seige too by the looks of things.