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Post by kiwiredley on Feb 25, 2016 7:24:29 GMT 12
I see that Australia is sending 4 MRH90 Helicopters to aid Fiji and are transporting them with their C17 aircraft with the first already arrived. Now if we were to send 3 SQN NH90's how long will it take to get them there?, a week by sea, at least is my guess. To me this showcases the shortfall in our airlift. As soon as we purchased the NH90 the ability to Air Transport them quickly to the sort disaster happening in Fiji should of been of the highest proirity. I guess if we end up having to send them to Fiji we will need to go cap in hand to the RAAF for a helping hand in the form of some C17 flights. I am sure Australia would oblige us but what a deplorable state of affairs.
In previous times I am certain there would be at least 1 Huey up there by now and maybe even an Andover.
Sad its comes to this, a close neigbour needing help and lack of suitable Airlift holding us back.
I see 40 SQN and 5 SQN have already had aircraft up there and I don't mean in any way to deminish there involvement but only are pointing out my observation of the holes in our Airlift, We IMO need to address this issue sooner than later and I hope somebody raises with our Pollies just why Australia can get assets quickly to a disaster zone in our area and we can't. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2016 9:05:12 GMT 12
We could always request an RAAF aircraft transport our helicopters.
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Post by Bruce on Feb 25, 2016 9:28:50 GMT 12
the NH90 has the range to self - deploy to Fiji from NZ. Fly them there...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2016 9:35:20 GMT 12
I assume they need extra tanks fitted to achieve that Bruce?
HMNZS Canterbury is heading up there soon, perhaps they'll deploy some helos on the ship?
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Post by atea on Feb 25, 2016 9:53:40 GMT 12
This was a good reason for considering atleast 2 C17's.
Sadly that won't be happening. We are now left with expensive air assets that are unable to be quickly deployed. I'm sure that we could ask Australia and they would oblige but having to do so shows what a poor state our defense planning is in.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2016 10:48:25 GMT 12
We've known for years our defence planning is in a poor state. It's in a better state in terms of assets right now than it was ten years ago. Plus we have better relations with Allies now so that inter-service co-operation is not an embarrassment to NZ in my opinion.
Also, has anyone in Fiji actually asked for NZ to send any helicopters?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 16:22:15 GMT 12
Self deployment isn't a good option yet. Flying there with chew through alot of flying hours bringing them alot closer to 25 and 50 hour servicings, which means you lose available flying hours for taskings once there and spend a half a day to a day on the ground when those servicings are due.
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Post by Bruce on Feb 25, 2016 19:22:40 GMT 12
RNZN post on Facebook says HMNZS Canterbury will take 2x Seasprites and 2x NH90 when it heads up in a few days time to join HMNZS Wellington which left this morning. I wouldnt say that's a slow deployment...
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Post by isc on Feb 25, 2016 19:30:54 GMT 12
HMNZS Canterbury due to depart for Fiji on Sunday, RNZ News. isc
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 25, 2016 19:49:51 GMT 12
@shivaroor: India sends 40 tons of relief to cyclone-hit Fiji in an IAF C-17 today. pic.twitter.com/pLsoHwJ6p4 news.navy.gov.au/en/Feb2016/Operations/2719#.Vs6yvVmYbqBTwo Royal Australian Navy MRH-90 helicopters will depart HMAS Albatross today to assist the Australian Defence Force’s humanitarian assistance mission to Fiji in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston. The helicopters will travel north today to join another MRH-90 from 808 Squadron onboard HMAS Canberra in Brisbane before the ship and embarked personnel sail to Fiji in the coming days |
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Post by kiwiredley on Feb 25, 2016 20:35:30 GMT 12
The first MRH90 was loaded onto a RAAF C17 2 days ago in Townsville, theres a video clip on msn showing it being loaded. I guess the Aussies decided it was desirable to get 1 Helo into operation quickly and back it up with the rest arriving by ship. At least they have that option unlike us
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Post by 30sqnatc on Feb 27, 2016 13:49:13 GMT 12
In previous times I am certain there would be at least 1 Huey up there by now and maybe even an Andover.
Sad its comes to this, a close neigbour needing help and lack of suitable Airlift holding us back.
.
I'm sure the first time we had a civil defence or SAR requirement in the Pacific after the Sunderlands were withdrawn someone wrote a Letter to The Editor 'if only we still had flying boats...' We are a small defence force so we can't afford everything. I would have thought of all the air capabilities we would like, strategic air transport is the easiest to beg/pay civilian firms to undertake on an as required basis. Bring back Sunderlands. They were patrol, SAR, transports and bombers all in one. See page 33 of this link covering employment of RAF Sunderlands in Malay Emergency. www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/Research/RAF-Historical-Society-Journals/Journal-21-Seminar-Malaya-Korea-Kuwait-1961.pdfP.S. Also covers RNZAF involvement in Operation Firedog.. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 28, 2016 13:39:28 GMT 12
HMNZS Canterbury is currently transporting three helicopters to Fiji
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2016 15:52:15 GMT 12
Indeed, the two NH90's and crews left yesterday morning for Auckland.
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Post by noooby on Mar 3, 2016 4:42:32 GMT 12
They still could have self deployed one NH-90. 25 and 50 hour servicings are minor. Visual inspections only. Done by a couple of people in a few hours.
Would have been good to have one asset on the ground in country, even if just to fly the flag, so to speak (Don't mention the flag!!!!!)
Auckland to Norfolk would be 4 hours and Norfolk to Nandi would be 5 hours. So a 9-10 hour ferry. Leaves plenty of hours left if the 25/50 is done just before departure at Whenuapai.
When I deployed with the Huey's to Fiji for cyclone relief back in 1992, it took a few hours at Whenuapai to prep and load the Huey, and then the same at the other end. If you added up the hours of disassembly, packing, flying in the Herc, reassembly and test flight, you'd already be there in the NH-90!
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Post by isc on Mar 3, 2016 19:20:02 GMT 12
A look at the helicopters on arrival Fiji, and preparing to head off on Canterbury to outer islands tonight on TV1. isc
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chis73
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 87
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Post by chis73 on Mar 4, 2016 7:21:57 GMT 12
Am I correct in interpreting that the NH90s are disembarking from the Canterbury at Suva, and will be operating from the nearby Nausori airport, as this Flightglobal article ( link) suggests? So they will be some 300km from where the Canterbury will be operating, in the Northern Lau island group (with just a single Seasprite)? Is the intention for the NH90s to conduct operations independently of Canterbury, or will they be operating together? Presumably there will be a forward refueling point set up somewhere - if not using the Canterbury herself, presuming a suitable place for her to park up can be found. Everyone is doing a great job, but I can't help thinking that we need to make a priority of getting the NH90s operable from the Canterbury. Chis73 Postscript: here's a press release from NZDF which neatly summarizes who is doing what and where ( link). The NH90s would appear to be operating independently from Canterbury. |
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Post by Calum on Mar 7, 2016 13:54:26 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 12, 2016 15:19:41 GMT 12
Ben's back in FijiSiteri Sauvakacolo Thursday, March 10, 2016  Squadron leader Ben Pryor on board HMNZS Canterbury. Picutre: JONA KONATACI+ Enlarge this image BEN Pryor still has fond memories of Fiji although his first and only visit was 18 years ago. However, this time around, the Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 Helicopter Detachment squadron leader is in Fiji to assist in rebuilding the lives of Fijians affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston which hit Fiji three weeks ago. Leaving his family behind in New Zealand has not been easy for Ben but the severity of the damage in Fiji is what brought him to assist affected Fijians. "Our key focus is that we have to take supplies to remote locations and this is our first operation here," Ben said. "I think everyone is very confident in this process and everyone is looking forward to the challenge in this operation. "The weather as well plays a very important part in this operation and our operation will be determined by the needs of the Fijian people." While New Zealand's key attention is the Lau Group as outlined to them by the NDMO (National Disaster Management Office), Ben said they fully understood where the greatest need was. Ben and his team are based at the Nausori International Airport and will work with their counterpart on Vanuabalavu on where they may need to distribute relief supplies. Now going in his 20th year in the RNZAF, Ben shared he was quite excited about the opportunity of coming over to Fiji. He first came to Fiji in 1998 for a tropical exercise during his early years in the force and had the opportunity to visit some remote places in Fiji, though he has forgotten the names. "I was based in Nadi and I have very fond memories of Fiji and flying out to remote places. "We spent most of our time in Viti Levu and it was quite an exciting experience. "I was quite excited about the opportunity to come here and I understand that Fiji has gone through a really traumatic time so I'm very keen along with my team to come and offer our assistance and support." www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=344906
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 20, 2016 20:05:57 GMT 12
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