RNZAF NH90s off to Australia

[madmark]

According to 3 news the RNZAF is sending 2 NH-90s to help with the bush fires.
Even more interesting is that we are sending C-17s as well lol.

Fast forward to the last 30 seconds or so of the report.

www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2020/01/australia-bushfires-kiwi-determined-to-stay-put-as-fire-closes-in.html

[saratoga]

It is widely known we have a fleet of stealth C-17's, Just have to keep it on the down low in case the Greens think they are combat war fighters.

[Dave Homewood]

I want to send best wishes to the aircrew members and the support groundcrew from No. 3 Squadron who are deploying to Australia to take part in the operations there, and to all the Kiwi firefighters who are there helping too. What a horrible and sad task it will be. Thank you!

[ErrolC]

Jan 4, 2020 18:53:15 GMT 12 madmark said:

According to 3 news the RNZAF is sending 2 NH-90s to help with the bush fires.
Even more interesting is that we are sending C-17s as well lol.

Fast forward to the last 30 seconds or so of the report.

www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2020/01/australia-bushfires-kiwi-determined-to-stay-put-as-fire-closes-in.html

So they've edited it to remove any reference to NZ aircraft? Not in that report, and not announced anywhere else that I've looked.

[ErrolC]

Took a while to actually announce
www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-defence-force-sends-support-australia

Minister of Defence Ron Mark today announced New Zealand is sending three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew, and two NZ Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a command element to support the Australian Defence Force efforts in tackling the Australian fires. 

The New Zealand Defence Force support will deploy by Australian Defence Force C-17 and New Zealand Defence Force C-130 from Ohakea Airforce Base on a number of flights from Monday to Wednesday.

“This latest NZDF support is being provided in addition to the latest rotation of five NZDF Firefighters deployed to bolster numbers of emergency responders on the ground,” says Ron Mark.

“We need to mention and thank those Defence Force spouses, partners and children whose holiday plans are being interrupted as their family members are being called back to assist our Australian cousins in their time of need,” says Mr Mark. 

“I am truly grateful, and I thank them for their understanding and support.“

The NZDF contingent will deploy to Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh, in Adelaide, South Australia, and will remain in Australia at least until the end of January. The NH90s will undertake transport tasks. 

[nighthawknz]

More support from New Zealand is being sent to Australia in a bid to help extinguish the deadly bushfires raging across the continent.

Nearly 4000 firefighters were on the ground in New South Wales, with more than 140 fires burning across the state.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said they were receiving reports of "significant damage and destruction" on Saturday night.

And more evacuation orders were issued to Victorians overnight as massive blazes continued to ravage the state's east.

Dozens of fires were burning in Victoria early on Sunday, 13 of which were subject to emergency warnings, the highest alert level. Six people are missing.

Nearly 4000 firefighters were on the ground in New South Wales, with more than 140 fires burning across the state.

Ron Mark, New Zealand's Minister of Defence, today announced additional support would be sent to help the Australian Defence Force:

Three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew;

Two NZ Army Combat Engineer Sections;

And a command element to support the ADF.

An ADF C-17 and NZDF C-130 would be deployed on a number of flights from Monday to Wednesday from Ohakea Air force Base.

The support was in addition to the latest rotation of five NZDF firefighters deployed to bolster numbers of responders on the ground.

Mark said he was grateful for their willingness to help their Australian counterparts and that of the personnel's family members.

"We need to mention and thank those Defence Force spouses, partners and children whose holiday plans are being interrupted as their family members are being called back to assist our Australian cousins in their time of need," he said.

"I am truly grateful, and I thank them for their understanding and support."

The effects of the many bushfires could be seen in the North Island this afternoon, with smoke from the blazes turning the sky orange.

Police were flooded with 111 calls about the phenomenon - to the point where a statement was released asking people not to call them.

They said the calls to the were either to report the haze is present or to ask why the sky has changed colour.

nighthawk.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2174:defence-force-troops-to-be-sent-to-australia-to-help-tackle-bushfires&catid=8&Itemid=108

Kia Kaha Australia... I wish we could send some rain...

[johnnyfalcon]

Yeah, that West to East flow is a bugger...

[ErrolC]

A @nzairforce No.3 Squadron NH-90 helicopter has been loaded onto a @ausairforce C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Ohakea, New Zealand, to assist with the #AustralianBushfires. #OpBushFireAssist #AustraliaFires pbs.twimg.com/media/ENk6V9xUcAA8oap.jpg

[ErrolC]

According to @scottmorrisonmp's address, @thersaf will commit two CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to #OpBushfireAssist #AustraliaFires recovery effort. These will likely come from the training det at Oakey, QLD where five are based.

[mcmaster]

Aussies appreciate the help from our Kiwi cousins on the ground and in the air ... and the RSAF also. Beyond the terrible human tragedy our south eastern landscape is being cooked along with masses of wildlife within it. Still lots of summer to go hope everyone can stay safe.

[Mustang51]

Thanks nighthawknz and all. It is very bad here and we certainly appreciate all the help that you guys and others overseas are providing. On Saturday at 2.30 in the afternoon in a number of the south coast NSW towns it was so dark with the smoke that the street lights illuminated. The tv coverage showed it was actually total darkness. It was 43 degrees on my front veranda and way hotter at 48.9 at Penrith on Sydney's western edge. Thank God we did not have any fires break out in the Sydney basin apart from some small spot fires. This fire season has been going since September which is unheard of. 2.1mm of rain last night at my place in southern Sydney but hardly enough to even dampen the now brown grass. I feel so much for those who have suffered through this, loosing family, friends, homes, businesses and the staggering amount of wildlife and domestic animals and herds. Its going to take years to recover from this and you too are now feeling its effects with the smoke and ash drifting over The Ditch. Thanks again collectively for your help.

[delticman]

Jan 7, 2020 8:05:34 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

Thanks nighthawknz and all. It is very bad here and we certainly appreciate all the help that you guys and others overseas are providing. On Saturday at 2.30 in the afternoon in a number of the south coast NSW towns it was so dark with the smoke that the street lights illuminated. The tv coverage showed it was actually total darkness. It was 43 degrees on my front veranda and way hotter at 48.9 at Penrith on Sydney's western edge. Thank God we did not have any fires break out in the Sydney basin apart from some small spot fires. This fire season has been going since September which is unheard of. 2.1mm of rain last night at my place in southern Sydney but hardly enough to even dampen the now brown grass. I feel so much for those who have suffered through this, loosing family, friends, homes, businesses and the staggering amount of wildlife and domestic animals and herds. Its going to take years to recover from this and you too are now feeling its effects with the smoke and ash drifting over The Ditch. Thanks again collectively for your help.

Fires were going on the North Coast in August, I saw six AT-802 at Grafton and two more at Casino working on 20th August.

Talking to my mate in Cootamundra the other night and he said there are two huge fires on the western side of the southern ranges, the northern one being near Tumut. He said they had lost two family farms and one house and all their stock of mostly fine wool marinos.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for the update Ando. I have checked with several other Aussie mates about how their situation is and I have been wondering if your place was safe.

I am guessing that in some parts the fires also must be destroying the electricity networks and leaving people in 43C to 48C temperatures without power to run air conditioning? I cannot imagine how bad it is there for so many people. And the poor animals

[Mustang51]

Dave, it is really bad. I do not think most people realise what is happening unless they are in it or close. It came far too close to my place in 1994 and 2001 so I know the consequences. Army estimates they will have to bury about 100,000 sheep and cattle, another person found dceased yesterday, still possibility of the northern Victoria and alpine NSW fires joining. Fires all the way to the Qld border, in South Australia and Western Australia. Electricity and comms have been out all over the place. The military doing a great job. If anyone thinks they have it easy take a look at the vision filmed from the cocpkit of a C.27 Spartan where the windscreen is completely red and you cannot see a thing. I am supposed to head off to Evans head on Friday for a show but Gai Taylor told me that if a fire starts in either of the two national parks to the north east it shall be cancelled to allow firebombing ops. Areas around there like Little Italy have already been burned to a cris and an airshow is not needed compared to all else in the region

[lesterpk]

Currently Western Australia is cut off by road from the rest of the country, all roads in/out in southern areas are affected by bushfires and up north by cyclone. Via the 2Sqn page I've seen the amount of the area around the Shoalhaven that has been burnt and it's just really hard to imagine.

[beaufighter4]

Late afternoon on Saturday we got a large amount of burnt leaf matter on the car, house and floating in the pool, so we spent the night sleeping in the car in the car park at Lakes Entrance Beach East Gippsland. We had 12 different fires bearing down on our town at one stage, several merged into larger or mega fires. The town was saved from further ember attack by 2.30am with a strong wind change. Returned to find all okay with house and promptly tried to sleep for the rest of the day. Got woken up an hour later by three Australian Army S70 flying low over the house due to the low cloud base. Followed 30 mins later by a Chinook. God the make a noise when you are not expecting it and half asleep. Our house is on a direct line between RAAF Sale and the fire front we have had a regular flow of Chinooks S70 and MRH90 also a couple of C27J.

[ErrolC]

With thanks to our friends in @nzdefenceforce the first of three @nzairforce NH-90 helicopters and crew has arrived at #RAAF #Richmond – ready to bolster #YourADF support to relief and recovery efforts on the NSW South Coast in this bushfire emergency. The #ANZAC spirit endures. pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/1214448811487027200/pu/img/PDjH65dEJOGnrgHX.jpg

[ErrolC]

@5avnregtausarmy: Thanks to the Republic of Singapore Air Force who are on their way to join our Multi-National Rotary Wing Task Group.

Both Singapore (Chinooks) and @nzairforce (NH-90s) joining #YourADF Rotary Wing team means a lot.

@cdf_Aust @lindareynoldswa @comdforcomd @australianarmy t.co/eM7SHdBB5u

[ErrolC]

Is there much in the way of extra equipment needed to deploy when we fly in a C-17 vs self-deploy or via ship? In this particular case, would the Aussie equipment be utilised?

Great shots of @nzairforce NH90 being prepared at RAAF Richmond after its trip across the Tasman on C17A. RNZAF is sending 3 NH90s to work with @australian_Navy MRH90s for relief/recovery efforts during #AustralianFires. Gallery: images.defence.gov.au/S20200119 pbs.twimg.com/media/ENtw5UwU8AAb4H9.jpg

[Dave Homewood]