Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 30, 2008 13:36:43 GMT 12
It was suggested by Shorty and I have also been considering it myself that a database could be compiled of all the RNZAF Exercises throughout history. Sort of in a similar way to me aerobatic teams database I guess.
I'm going to kick off a few here and I hope others will add in lots of details and new entries - we need exercise names, dates, aircraft participants, no. of personnel, venues and any stories or miscellaneous details. As new info is added below I'll update and add to this first post:
RNZAF Exercise Database
Exercise ANZUK
Exercise ANZUK 1972
3rd - 26th Oct 1972
Tengah, Singapore
8 x Skyhawks of No. 75 Sqn
Iroquois and Bristol Freighter from No. 41 Sqn.
Exercise ranged across Singapore and Malaysia with UK and Australian forces
Exercise ADEX
Stands for Air Defence Exercises.
Held anualy by the Integrated Air Defence System in Malaysia
ADEX 92
Followed STARFISH 92 - this exercise finished 25 Sept 1992
8 x No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
2 x No. 5 Squadron Orions
Exercise BATTLEAXE
Exercise BATTLEAXE 89
Waiouru - December 1989
An army exercise with involvement from
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters (fired CRV-7 rockets)
No. 75 Squadron Kahu Skyhawks x 2 (dropped bombs)
Exercise BEAVER
Bi-annual No. 3TTS Exercise, no aircraft, in support of Dunedin Festival
Exercise BEAVER 1- February 1983
Exercise BEAVER 2- February 1984
Exercise BEAVER 3- February 1986
Exercise BEAVER 4- February 1987
Exercise BEAVER 5- February 1990
Tahuna Park Motor Camp, Dunedin
26 3TTS Staff, 53 trainees and 14 other Wigram personnel
Exercise BEAVER 6- 6-16 February 1992
Jubilee Park, Dunedin
3TTS Staff, trainees and other Wigram personnel plus the RNZAF Te Rapa Pipe Band and RNZAF Base Wigram Brass Band
Also air pageant at Momona Airport
Exercise BLACKBIRD
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois winter mountain flying exercise
Exercise BLACKBIRD 1990
RNZAF Dip Flat 19-24 June 1990
Exercise BLACKBIRD 1991
RNZAF Dip Flat 13-23 August 1991
85 personnel
Five x Iroquois
Two x Wasp
One x Sioux
Exercise BLUNTEX
An exercise in which RNZAF Base Auckland personnel deploy to an airfield to erect a camp for the following Exercise Skytrain. Participants then take part in various outdoor activities such as evasion techniques, map and compass reading, bushcraft etc
Exercise BLUNTEX 1
Exercise BLUNTEX 2
Exercise BLUNTEX 3
Taupo - 10-17 Sept 1990
Exercise BLUNTEX
Dip Flat- 15-20 November 1992
For Admin Squadron, Whenuapai
Exercise BULLSEYE
BULLSEYE 92
CDF Trenton, Ontario - 1-10 May 1992
1 x No. 40 Squadron Hercules
Exercise DXM
Exercise FALCONS ROOST
No. 14 Squadron tented camp for pilot training at away field
FALCONS ROOST 10
Hamilton
April-May 1980
Seven No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
FALCONS ROOST 11
Queenstown
November 1980 (Public Open Day on 22 November 1980)
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
FALCONS ROOST ?
Hokitika
Eight Day Camp in Late April 1982
Ten No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
Camp Commander: Squadron Leader Jim Barclay
100 Personnel
FALCONS ROOST ?
Timaru
Ten days in Late-November-Early December 1983
Ten No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
Camp Commander: Squadron Leader G.S. Glendinning
FALCONS ROOST 27
Rotorua
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
No. 42 Squadron Andover x 1
No. 10 Transport Squadron, NZ Army, tanker
FALCONS ROOST ?
Westport
23 February to 3 March 1988
Ten No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
FALCONS ROOST
Tauranga - November 18-27 1991
Four MB-339 Aermacchis
Six Strikemasters
120 personnel
Flt Lt Craig 'Rosco' Tanner killed on 20 November in Strikemaster crash
FALCONS ROOST 30
Hokitika - 31 March - 8 april 1992
Six MB-339 Aermacchis
Four Strikemasters
120 personnel
Exercise Fleet Concetration Period 1/90
Three-nation naval exercise
18 warships and 26 aircraft from RNZAF, RAAF and RCAF
Bay of Plenty to Auckland Harbour - 7-16 February 1990
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters x 5
No. 5 Squadron Orion x 1
RCAF Aurora x 1
RAAF F-111's and F-18's
Learjet and Piper Aztec as target tugs
Exercise GOLDEN FLEECE
Mid January - mid-February 1989
Rangitaiki Airfield and Napier-Taupo region
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois x 8
No. 40 Squadron Hercules x 2 and 2 x Boeing 727's
No. 42 Squadron Andovers x 2
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
RNZAF Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
4 x AAAC Kiowa Light Observation Helicopters
7800 servicemen involved incl 200 from RNZAF
Operation HARDTACK
Operation HARDTACK 1952
Kaitaia - March 1952
No. 75 Squadron mosquitoes
Exercise JOSS STICK
Exercise JUMPEX
Parachute Training and Support Unit exercise
JUMPEX 90
RNZAF Base Whenuapai - approx June 1990
Exercise LAWMAN
CT exercise that includes:
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois
Exercise LONG TREK TWO
See here
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Airshow_Display_Teams_14Sqn.htm#LongTrek2
Exercise MODETRAIN/AIRTRAIN
Army exercise involving Iroquois
MODETRAIN/AIRTRAIN 92
Waiouru and Ohakea - 25 Jan-9 Feb 1992
No. 3 Squadron Iroquios
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
No. 42 Squadron Andovers
No. 40 Squadron Hercules
Exercise PEKA PEKA
No. 3 Squadron reverse cycle night vision exercise
Exercise REFLEX
RELFEX ONE
Ohakea, Napier and Waiouru
Combined Army and Air Force Exercise covering Ohakea to Napier to Waiouru area
13 - 26 Nov 1962
26 RNZAF aircraft took part, including 4 x Bristol Freighters, Dakotas, Canberras
150 troops of the 1st Infantry Brigade and over a dozen of their vehicles (Landrovers and trailers) and equipment were flown into Napier on 13th of November 1962 by the RNZAF Bristol Freighters of the Transport Support Unit and Dakotas of No. 42 Squadron, where a medium range transport Air Base was set up. This totaled 18 flights on the first day. The second day saw another 150 troops and more vehicles moved by the RNZAF aircraft, so that 300 infantry had been airlifted to Napier airport. The Freighters were recoded at making the flight from Ohakea to Napier in 33 minutes, and then just a 9 minute turnaround to unload and take off back for the next load.
As well as the 300 carried by air, a further 1100 soldiers traveled by road to Napier in trucks, scout cars and more Landrovers.
Phase II of the exercise was all the troops who had arrived in Napier now had to make their way by road to Waiouru under battle conditions over three days. This included an Infantry Battalion, a Battery of Field Artillery, and an Army Transport Platoon. The RNZAF Bristol Freighters air dropped food and ammo to the troops, and Canberras supported the troops with rocket air strikes and bombing attacks. The Army used the road but were subject to guerilla attacks and had to be aware of all civilians they encountered, most of whom were not part of the exercise. The Freighters were carrying around 10,000lb of supplies per day to Napier and two of them were air dropping around 6,000lb per day to the army in the field.
On the 19th of November there was a simulated riot at Waiouru Camp where 600 troops faced down the rioters, and two men were "shot" in the exercise. The two shot were the ring leaders of the unruly crowd of camp staff, their wives, and National Servicemen who simulated the riot, attacking the camp administration building.
Later 70 Sappers of the 6th Independent Field Squadron, Royal New Zealand Engineers, constructed a half-mile of new road in the Kaweka Ranges for the State Forest Service during part of the exercise.
This exercise was devised to prepare both services for similar operations should they be called on to head to South East Asia.
RELFEX TWO
3 - 16 October 1963
Christchurch, Ohakea, Waiouru, Raingataiki
Around 2000 Army and Air Force personnel took part in a 15-day field exercise in the Taupo-Waiouru area. Exercise “Reflex Two” was the largest combined operation held by the two services since the end of World War II.
On the first day men and vehicles of the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Regiment, were flown from Christchurch airport to Ohakea by two Hastings and four Bristol Freighters to take 630 members of the battalion and 13 loaded trucks and trailers. More flights were made next day. Read more here
Exercise RED OWL
RED OWL 1
6-12 July 1969
Nelson Airport
No. 52 Pilots’ Course
Six Harvards, One Devon, 42 personnel from Flying Training Wing
RED OWL 2
6-12 September 1969
Frankton Airport, Queenstown
No. 53 Pilots’ Course
Seven Harvards, Three Devons, 60 personnel from Flying Training Wing (PTS and NATS)
Navigational exercises as far south as Invercargill and landings at Waimate, Dunedin, Cromwell, Timaru, and Alexandra.
Exercise Commander: S/L J.M. Terry
RED OWL 3
RED OWL 4
September 1970
Nelson Airport
No. ?? Pilots’ Course
12 aircraft, 65 personnel from Flying Training Wing
Exercise Commander: S/L B.R. Cranston
RED OWL 5 (?)
2-8 April 1971
Westport Airport
No. 770 Pilots’ Course (11 students)
Seven Harvards, Four Devons, 60 personnel approximately from Flying Training Wing
RED OWL 6
RED OWL 7
RED OWL 8
24-2? September 1972
New Plymouth Airport
No. ?? Pilots’ Course (?? students)
Seven Harvards, Five Devons, 75 personnel from Flying Training Wing, (PTS and NATS) Wigram
Flying and navigational exercises ranging from Whangarei to Cape Palliser. Landings made at Hawera, Stratford and Waverley airfields.
RED OWL ?
March 1974
Kawatiri Airport, Westport
No. ?? Pilots’ Course (?? students)
? Harvards, ? Devons, ?? personnel from Flying Training Wing, (PTS and NATS) Wigram
One Harvard flown by exchange pilot S/L C. Biddell damaged slightly when it struck a telegraph wire on low level exercise at Te Kuha at the mouth of the Buller Gorge.
RED OWL ?
RED OWL 11
27 March-3 April 1974
Frankton Airport, Queenstown
No. ?? Pilots’ Course (12 students)
Seven Harvards, Four Devons, 75 personnel from Flying Training Wing, (PTS and NATS) Wigram
Flying and navigational exercises ranging from Wanaka to the north of Milford Sound, Dunedin and Invercargill, with landings at all airfields in the area.
RED OWL 12
RED OWL 13
RED OWL 14
RED OWL 15
May 26 to June 2, 1976
Tauranga Airport
Ten Harvards, three Devons, and three Airtourers, with about 90 airmen from Wigram
Navigational and flying exercises ranged from Ardmore to Taumarunui, and Taupo, and Whakatane, with landings at all airfields in the area.
RED OWL 16
RED OWL 17
NB: Scroll down to Wise Owl exercises for next of these, the name was changed with introduction of the Airtrainers replacing the Harvards.
Exercise RIMPAC
RIMPAC 78
Hawaii - USS Enterprise
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
Exercise ROTORHEAD
Helicopter exercise
ROTORHEAD 91
Ohakea - 25-30 November 1991
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois x 4 (six had been intended)
60 personnel
Intended as the first use of night vision goggles in an exercise however installation of the equipment into prototype NZ3812 was not completed. Sorties throughout Manawatu and Waiouru. Badly affected by weather
Exercise SHORTHAUL
Trans Tasman exercise with competition in low level navigation sorties combined with use of drop zones. Ran 1981-84 then 1989-?
SHORTHAUL 1991
Ohakea - 25-30 November 1991
2 x Andovers (three crews)
4 x RAAF Caribou (two each from 35 and 38 Sqns)
No. 38 Squadron won competition by two points
Exercise SKYTRAIN
No. 40 Squadron, No. 42 Squadron, visiting transport aircraft
Exercise SKYTRAIN 1989
Based at Whenuapai - ranged from Kaitaia to Palmerston North
May 1989
No. 40 Squadron Hercules
No. 5 Movements Squadron, RNZCT
Exercise SKYTRAIN 1990
Based at Taupo - from 17 Sept 1990
No. 40 Squadron Hercules
No. 42 Squadron Andovers
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois
Exercise SKYTRAIN 1992
Based at Woodbourne - last two weeks of March 1992
No. 40 Squadron Hercules x 2
No. 42 Squadron Andover x 1
No. 122 RSAF Hercules x 1
Exercise SKYTRAIN 1992
Based at Ohakea - October 1992
No. 40 Squadron Hercules x 2
No. 42 Squadron Andover x 2
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois x 1
Exercise STARFISH
Multi-national exercise involving Five Power Defence Agreemant countries (NZ, Australia, UK, Singapore and Malaysia)
Exercise STARFISH 92
33 ships, 47 aircraft and 3000+ personnel including:
8 x No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
2 x No. 5 Squadron Orions
Followed on from VANGUARD 92, and preceded ADEX 92
Exercise STEEL TALON
3 Squadron Iroquois Tactical exercise.
Exercise SWIFT EAGLE
Australian and NZ exercise where No. 3 Squadron Iroquois go to Australia
Exercise SWIFT EAGLE 1989
Near RAAF Townsville, Australia
80 RNZAF Personnel, 120 NZ Army personnel plus 100's of Australians
Exercise SWIFT EAGLE 2008
October 2008
Four Iroquois transported to Australia aboard an RAAF C-17
Exercise TACEX
A No. 14 Squadron exercise
TACEX 91 - 20-29 August 1991
Mackenzie Country and Tekapo region
5 x Strikemasters
3 x Aermacchi (their first exercise)
Exercise TASMAN CANOPY
An annual trans-Tasman parachute exercise from approx 1985 onwards
TASMAN CANOPY 1991
Based at Whenuapai - May 1991
PTSU personnel plus 45 Australain Army personnel from the Parachute Training School, Nowra
Exercise TROPIC
TROPIC 89
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomons - approx Sept 1989
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois
No. 42 Squadron Andover
TROPIC 92
Faleolo Airport, Western Samoa - June 1992
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois
Exercise TUTOR BOOM
An exercise primarily for students of the RNZAF Command and Staff College Course
Exercise TUTOR BOOM 90
Kaipara Firing Range early November 1990
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks firing air to ground weapons
Exercise VANGUARD
Exercise established 1964 and run annually:
Exercise VANGUARD 1989
RSAF Base Paya Lebar, Singapore
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks lead by Sqn Ldr John Bates
No. 40 Squadron Hercules (one broke down)
No. 6 Squadron RAAF F-111's
No. 3 Squadron RAAF f-18 Hornets
No. 144 and 149 Squadrons RSAF F-5's
No. 143 Squadron RSAF Skyhawks
No. 140 Squadron RSAF Hunters
RMAF Aermacchi 339's
No. 11 and 12 Squadrons RMAF F-5's
RAF VC-10 Tanker x 1
RAN HS-748 x 1
No. 203 Squadron RSAF
Exercise VANGUARD 1991
Malaysia - 15 April - 24 May 1991
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
No. 5 Squadron Orion x 1
Exercise VANGUARD 1992
Korat, Thailand - September 1992
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
RTAF F-16's and F-5 Tiger II's
100+ RNZAF personnel
Exercise WILLOH
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
Exercise WILLOH 89-1
RAAF Williamstown - April 1989
Exercise WISE OWL
Flying Training Wing, (PTS and NATTS) Wigram - Tented Camp
WISE OWL 18
November 1977
Timaru Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS (first Wise Owl with this type)
Two de Havilland Devons
Sioux
Strikemasters
100 personnel
WISE OWL 19
2 May 1978
Nelson Airport
Eight CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
Three de Havilland Devons
100 personnel
Flying exercises ranged throughout the Nelson, Marlborough, and northern Canterbury and Westland districts and landings are carried out at most airfields in these areas.
WISE OWL 21
17-24 January 1979
Oamaru Airport
Ten aircraft involved
80+ personnel
WISE OWL 22
circa 17 July 1979
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
WISE OWL 23?
? to 19 March 1980
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Six CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
Three de Havilland Devons
?? personnel
Flying exercises included flights to Hastings, Taumarunui, Dannevirke, and Waiouru.
This exercise was originally planned to be held in the Nelson-Marlborough area but was changed to Ohakea due to "quantity of aviation gas did not meet the right specifications in the South Island".
Exercise Commander S/Ldr Coles.
WISE OWL 27
circa 19 March 1981
Westport Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 28
July 1981
Napier Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 29
Oct-Nov 1981
Alexandra Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 30
circa 21-23 March 1982
Greymouth Airport
60 personnel
Flying exercises ranged from Nelson to Harihari.
Exercise Commander S/Ldr P.J. Garnett
WISE OWL 31
7 - ? July 1982
Whakatane Airport
Six CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
Two F-27 Friendships of NATTS
80 personnel
Exercise Commander S/Ldr D.E. Geddes
WISE OWL 32
Oct-Nov 1982
Invercargill Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
60 personnel
Exercise Commander S/Ldr D.E. Geddes
WISE OWL 33
March 1983
Queenstown Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 34
July 1983
Gisborne Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 35
October 1983
Taupo Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 36
March 1984
Hastings Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 37
July 1984
Tauranga Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 38
circa 10 October 1984
Oamaru Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 39
20-26 March 1985
New Plymouth Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 40
July 1985
Westport Airport
Ten CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
Two F-27 Friendships of NATTS
100 personnel
Exercise Commander S/Ldr Graham Lintott
Flying exercises ranged from the Portage in the Marlborough Sounds, south to Hokitika, and east to Springs Junction.
WISE OWL 41
1986
? Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 42
9 - 16 July 1986
Nelson Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 43
198?
? Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 44
198?
? Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 45
circa 28 October 1987
Queenstown Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 46
1-6 July 1988
New Plymouth Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
104 personnel
WISE OWL 47
1988
? Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 48
circa 29 March 1989
Wanaka Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 50
November 1989
Dannevirke Aerodrome
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
90 personnel including 18 trainee Chefs and Stewards for first time from 3TTS
Some SVAS aircraft visited from Masterton
WISE OWL 51
21 - 28 March 1990
Gisborne Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
Kiwi Red Skyhawks, plus a de Havilland Venom and a Fokker Triplane all displayed at the Open Day.
WISE OWL 52
circa 17 July 1990
Tauranga Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 53
07 - 15 November 1990
Gore Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 54
1990
Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 55
circa 17 July 1991
Oamaru Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 56
6-13 November 1991
Taieri Airport
Students from 1/91 pilots course (four students)
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
63 Personnel
WISE OWL 57
25 March-April 1992
Nelson
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 58
circa 8 July 1992
Westport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 60
April-May 1993
Luggate Airport, Wanaka
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
Skyhawks and Strikemasters visited
Exercise WORTEX
Wairarapa Outdoor Pursuits Centre - 16-19 November 1992
For Shelly Bay officers
I'm going to kick off a few here and I hope others will add in lots of details and new entries - we need exercise names, dates, aircraft participants, no. of personnel, venues and any stories or miscellaneous details. As new info is added below I'll update and add to this first post:
RNZAF Exercise Database
Exercise ANZUK
Exercise ANZUK 1972
3rd - 26th Oct 1972
Tengah, Singapore
8 x Skyhawks of No. 75 Sqn
Iroquois and Bristol Freighter from No. 41 Sqn.
Exercise ranged across Singapore and Malaysia with UK and Australian forces
Exercise ADEX
Stands for Air Defence Exercises.
Held anualy by the Integrated Air Defence System in Malaysia
ADEX 92
Followed STARFISH 92 - this exercise finished 25 Sept 1992
8 x No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
2 x No. 5 Squadron Orions
Exercise BATTLEAXE
Exercise BATTLEAXE 89
Waiouru - December 1989
An army exercise with involvement from
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters (fired CRV-7 rockets)
No. 75 Squadron Kahu Skyhawks x 2 (dropped bombs)
Exercise BEAVER
Bi-annual No. 3TTS Exercise, no aircraft, in support of Dunedin Festival
Exercise BEAVER 1- February 1983
Exercise BEAVER 2- February 1984
Exercise BEAVER 3- February 1986
Exercise BEAVER 4- February 1987
Exercise BEAVER 5- February 1990
Tahuna Park Motor Camp, Dunedin
26 3TTS Staff, 53 trainees and 14 other Wigram personnel
Exercise BEAVER 6- 6-16 February 1992
Jubilee Park, Dunedin
3TTS Staff, trainees and other Wigram personnel plus the RNZAF Te Rapa Pipe Band and RNZAF Base Wigram Brass Band
Also air pageant at Momona Airport
Exercise BLACKBIRD
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois winter mountain flying exercise
Exercise BLACKBIRD 1990
RNZAF Dip Flat 19-24 June 1990
Exercise BLACKBIRD 1991
RNZAF Dip Flat 13-23 August 1991
85 personnel
Five x Iroquois
Two x Wasp
One x Sioux
Exercise BLUNTEX
An exercise in which RNZAF Base Auckland personnel deploy to an airfield to erect a camp for the following Exercise Skytrain. Participants then take part in various outdoor activities such as evasion techniques, map and compass reading, bushcraft etc
Exercise BLUNTEX 1
Exercise BLUNTEX 2
Exercise BLUNTEX 3
Taupo - 10-17 Sept 1990
Exercise BLUNTEX
Dip Flat- 15-20 November 1992
For Admin Squadron, Whenuapai
Exercise BULLSEYE
BULLSEYE 92
CDF Trenton, Ontario - 1-10 May 1992
1 x No. 40 Squadron Hercules
Exercise DXM
Exercise FALCONS ROOST
No. 14 Squadron tented camp for pilot training at away field
FALCONS ROOST 10
Hamilton
April-May 1980
Seven No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
FALCONS ROOST 11
Queenstown
November 1980 (Public Open Day on 22 November 1980)
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
FALCONS ROOST ?
Hokitika
Eight Day Camp in Late April 1982
Ten No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
Camp Commander: Squadron Leader Jim Barclay
100 Personnel
FALCONS ROOST ?
Timaru
Ten days in Late-November-Early December 1983
Ten No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
Camp Commander: Squadron Leader G.S. Glendinning
FALCONS ROOST 27
Rotorua
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
No. 42 Squadron Andover x 1
No. 10 Transport Squadron, NZ Army, tanker
FALCONS ROOST ?
Westport
23 February to 3 March 1988
Ten No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
FALCONS ROOST
Tauranga - November 18-27 1991
Four MB-339 Aermacchis
Six Strikemasters
120 personnel
Flt Lt Craig 'Rosco' Tanner killed on 20 November in Strikemaster crash
FALCONS ROOST 30
Hokitika - 31 March - 8 april 1992
Six MB-339 Aermacchis
Four Strikemasters
120 personnel
Exercise Fleet Concetration Period 1/90
Three-nation naval exercise
18 warships and 26 aircraft from RNZAF, RAAF and RCAF
Bay of Plenty to Auckland Harbour - 7-16 February 1990
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters x 5
No. 5 Squadron Orion x 1
RCAF Aurora x 1
RAAF F-111's and F-18's
Learjet and Piper Aztec as target tugs
Exercise GOLDEN FLEECE
Mid January - mid-February 1989
Rangitaiki Airfield and Napier-Taupo region
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois x 8
No. 40 Squadron Hercules x 2 and 2 x Boeing 727's
No. 42 Squadron Andovers x 2
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
No. 14 Squadron Strikemasters
RNZAF Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
4 x AAAC Kiowa Light Observation Helicopters
7800 servicemen involved incl 200 from RNZAF
Operation HARDTACK
Operation HARDTACK 1952
Kaitaia - March 1952
No. 75 Squadron mosquitoes
Exercise JOSS STICK
Exercise JUMPEX
Parachute Training and Support Unit exercise
JUMPEX 90
RNZAF Base Whenuapai - approx June 1990
Exercise LAWMAN
CT exercise that includes:
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois
Exercise LONG TREK TWO
See here
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Airshow_Display_Teams_14Sqn.htm#LongTrek2
Exercise MODETRAIN/AIRTRAIN
Army exercise involving Iroquois
MODETRAIN/AIRTRAIN 92
Waiouru and Ohakea - 25 Jan-9 Feb 1992
No. 3 Squadron Iroquios
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
No. 42 Squadron Andovers
No. 40 Squadron Hercules
Exercise PEKA PEKA
No. 3 Squadron reverse cycle night vision exercise
Exercise REFLEX
RELFEX ONE
Ohakea, Napier and Waiouru
Combined Army and Air Force Exercise covering Ohakea to Napier to Waiouru area
13 - 26 Nov 1962
26 RNZAF aircraft took part, including 4 x Bristol Freighters, Dakotas, Canberras
150 troops of the 1st Infantry Brigade and over a dozen of their vehicles (Landrovers and trailers) and equipment were flown into Napier on 13th of November 1962 by the RNZAF Bristol Freighters of the Transport Support Unit and Dakotas of No. 42 Squadron, where a medium range transport Air Base was set up. This totaled 18 flights on the first day. The second day saw another 150 troops and more vehicles moved by the RNZAF aircraft, so that 300 infantry had been airlifted to Napier airport. The Freighters were recoded at making the flight from Ohakea to Napier in 33 minutes, and then just a 9 minute turnaround to unload and take off back for the next load.
As well as the 300 carried by air, a further 1100 soldiers traveled by road to Napier in trucks, scout cars and more Landrovers.
Phase II of the exercise was all the troops who had arrived in Napier now had to make their way by road to Waiouru under battle conditions over three days. This included an Infantry Battalion, a Battery of Field Artillery, and an Army Transport Platoon. The RNZAF Bristol Freighters air dropped food and ammo to the troops, and Canberras supported the troops with rocket air strikes and bombing attacks. The Army used the road but were subject to guerilla attacks and had to be aware of all civilians they encountered, most of whom were not part of the exercise. The Freighters were carrying around 10,000lb of supplies per day to Napier and two of them were air dropping around 6,000lb per day to the army in the field.
On the 19th of November there was a simulated riot at Waiouru Camp where 600 troops faced down the rioters, and two men were "shot" in the exercise. The two shot were the ring leaders of the unruly crowd of camp staff, their wives, and National Servicemen who simulated the riot, attacking the camp administration building.
Later 70 Sappers of the 6th Independent Field Squadron, Royal New Zealand Engineers, constructed a half-mile of new road in the Kaweka Ranges for the State Forest Service during part of the exercise.
This exercise was devised to prepare both services for similar operations should they be called on to head to South East Asia.
RELFEX TWO
3 - 16 October 1963
Christchurch, Ohakea, Waiouru, Raingataiki
Around 2000 Army and Air Force personnel took part in a 15-day field exercise in the Taupo-Waiouru area. Exercise “Reflex Two” was the largest combined operation held by the two services since the end of World War II.
On the first day men and vehicles of the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Regiment, were flown from Christchurch airport to Ohakea by two Hastings and four Bristol Freighters to take 630 members of the battalion and 13 loaded trucks and trailers. More flights were made next day. Read more here
Exercise RED OWL
RED OWL 1
6-12 July 1969
Nelson Airport
No. 52 Pilots’ Course
Six Harvards, One Devon, 42 personnel from Flying Training Wing
RED OWL 2
6-12 September 1969
Frankton Airport, Queenstown
No. 53 Pilots’ Course
Seven Harvards, Three Devons, 60 personnel from Flying Training Wing (PTS and NATS)
Navigational exercises as far south as Invercargill and landings at Waimate, Dunedin, Cromwell, Timaru, and Alexandra.
Exercise Commander: S/L J.M. Terry
RED OWL 3
RED OWL 4
September 1970
Nelson Airport
No. ?? Pilots’ Course
12 aircraft, 65 personnel from Flying Training Wing
Exercise Commander: S/L B.R. Cranston
RED OWL 5 (?)
2-8 April 1971
Westport Airport
No. 770 Pilots’ Course (11 students)
Seven Harvards, Four Devons, 60 personnel approximately from Flying Training Wing
RED OWL 6
RED OWL 7
RED OWL 8
24-2? September 1972
New Plymouth Airport
No. ?? Pilots’ Course (?? students)
Seven Harvards, Five Devons, 75 personnel from Flying Training Wing, (PTS and NATS) Wigram
Flying and navigational exercises ranging from Whangarei to Cape Palliser. Landings made at Hawera, Stratford and Waverley airfields.
RED OWL ?
March 1974
Kawatiri Airport, Westport
No. ?? Pilots’ Course (?? students)
? Harvards, ? Devons, ?? personnel from Flying Training Wing, (PTS and NATS) Wigram
One Harvard flown by exchange pilot S/L C. Biddell damaged slightly when it struck a telegraph wire on low level exercise at Te Kuha at the mouth of the Buller Gorge.
RED OWL ?
RED OWL 11
27 March-3 April 1974
Frankton Airport, Queenstown
No. ?? Pilots’ Course (12 students)
Seven Harvards, Four Devons, 75 personnel from Flying Training Wing, (PTS and NATS) Wigram
Flying and navigational exercises ranging from Wanaka to the north of Milford Sound, Dunedin and Invercargill, with landings at all airfields in the area.
RED OWL 12
RED OWL 13
RED OWL 14
RED OWL 15
May 26 to June 2, 1976
Tauranga Airport
Ten Harvards, three Devons, and three Airtourers, with about 90 airmen from Wigram
Navigational and flying exercises ranged from Ardmore to Taumarunui, and Taupo, and Whakatane, with landings at all airfields in the area.
RED OWL 16
RED OWL 17
NB: Scroll down to Wise Owl exercises for next of these, the name was changed with introduction of the Airtrainers replacing the Harvards.
Exercise RIMPAC
RIMPAC 78
Hawaii - USS Enterprise
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
Exercise ROTORHEAD
Helicopter exercise
ROTORHEAD 91
Ohakea - 25-30 November 1991
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois x 4 (six had been intended)
60 personnel
Intended as the first use of night vision goggles in an exercise however installation of the equipment into prototype NZ3812 was not completed. Sorties throughout Manawatu and Waiouru. Badly affected by weather
Exercise SHORTHAUL
Trans Tasman exercise with competition in low level navigation sorties combined with use of drop zones. Ran 1981-84 then 1989-?
SHORTHAUL 1991
Ohakea - 25-30 November 1991
2 x Andovers (three crews)
4 x RAAF Caribou (two each from 35 and 38 Sqns)
No. 38 Squadron won competition by two points
Exercise SKYTRAIN
No. 40 Squadron, No. 42 Squadron, visiting transport aircraft
Exercise SKYTRAIN 1989
Based at Whenuapai - ranged from Kaitaia to Palmerston North
May 1989
No. 40 Squadron Hercules
No. 5 Movements Squadron, RNZCT
Exercise SKYTRAIN 1990
Based at Taupo - from 17 Sept 1990
No. 40 Squadron Hercules
No. 42 Squadron Andovers
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois
Exercise SKYTRAIN 1992
Based at Woodbourne - last two weeks of March 1992
No. 40 Squadron Hercules x 2
No. 42 Squadron Andover x 1
No. 122 RSAF Hercules x 1
Exercise SKYTRAIN 1992
Based at Ohakea - October 1992
No. 40 Squadron Hercules x 2
No. 42 Squadron Andover x 2
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois x 1
Exercise STARFISH
Multi-national exercise involving Five Power Defence Agreemant countries (NZ, Australia, UK, Singapore and Malaysia)
Exercise STARFISH 92
33 ships, 47 aircraft and 3000+ personnel including:
8 x No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
2 x No. 5 Squadron Orions
Followed on from VANGUARD 92, and preceded ADEX 92
Exercise STEEL TALON
3 Squadron Iroquois Tactical exercise.
Exercise SWIFT EAGLE
Australian and NZ exercise where No. 3 Squadron Iroquois go to Australia
Exercise SWIFT EAGLE 1989
Near RAAF Townsville, Australia
80 RNZAF Personnel, 120 NZ Army personnel plus 100's of Australians
Exercise SWIFT EAGLE 2008
October 2008
Four Iroquois transported to Australia aboard an RAAF C-17
Exercise TACEX
A No. 14 Squadron exercise
TACEX 91 - 20-29 August 1991
Mackenzie Country and Tekapo region
5 x Strikemasters
3 x Aermacchi (their first exercise)
Exercise TASMAN CANOPY
An annual trans-Tasman parachute exercise from approx 1985 onwards
TASMAN CANOPY 1991
Based at Whenuapai - May 1991
PTSU personnel plus 45 Australain Army personnel from the Parachute Training School, Nowra
Exercise TROPIC
TROPIC 89
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomons - approx Sept 1989
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois
No. 42 Squadron Andover
TROPIC 92
Faleolo Airport, Western Samoa - June 1992
No. 3 Squadron Iroquois
Exercise TUTOR BOOM
An exercise primarily for students of the RNZAF Command and Staff College Course
Exercise TUTOR BOOM 90
Kaipara Firing Range early November 1990
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks firing air to ground weapons
Exercise VANGUARD
Exercise established 1964 and run annually:
Exercise VANGUARD 1989
RSAF Base Paya Lebar, Singapore
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks lead by Sqn Ldr John Bates
No. 40 Squadron Hercules (one broke down)
No. 6 Squadron RAAF F-111's
No. 3 Squadron RAAF f-18 Hornets
No. 144 and 149 Squadrons RSAF F-5's
No. 143 Squadron RSAF Skyhawks
No. 140 Squadron RSAF Hunters
RMAF Aermacchi 339's
No. 11 and 12 Squadrons RMAF F-5's
RAF VC-10 Tanker x 1
RAN HS-748 x 1
No. 203 Squadron RSAF
Exercise VANGUARD 1991
Malaysia - 15 April - 24 May 1991
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
No. 5 Squadron Orion x 1
Exercise VANGUARD 1992
Korat, Thailand - September 1992
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
RTAF F-16's and F-5 Tiger II's
100+ RNZAF personnel
Exercise WILLOH
No. 75 Squadron Skyhawks
Exercise WILLOH 89-1
RAAF Williamstown - April 1989
Exercise WISE OWL
Flying Training Wing, (PTS and NATTS) Wigram - Tented Camp
WISE OWL 18
November 1977
Timaru Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS (first Wise Owl with this type)
Two de Havilland Devons
Sioux
Strikemasters
100 personnel
WISE OWL 19
2 May 1978
Nelson Airport
Eight CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
Three de Havilland Devons
100 personnel
Flying exercises ranged throughout the Nelson, Marlborough, and northern Canterbury and Westland districts and landings are carried out at most airfields in these areas.
WISE OWL 21
17-24 January 1979
Oamaru Airport
Ten aircraft involved
80+ personnel
WISE OWL 22
circa 17 July 1979
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
WISE OWL 23?
? to 19 March 1980
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Six CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
Three de Havilland Devons
?? personnel
Flying exercises included flights to Hastings, Taumarunui, Dannevirke, and Waiouru.
This exercise was originally planned to be held in the Nelson-Marlborough area but was changed to Ohakea due to "quantity of aviation gas did not meet the right specifications in the South Island".
Exercise Commander S/Ldr Coles.
WISE OWL 27
circa 19 March 1981
Westport Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 28
July 1981
Napier Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 29
Oct-Nov 1981
Alexandra Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 30
circa 21-23 March 1982
Greymouth Airport
60 personnel
Flying exercises ranged from Nelson to Harihari.
Exercise Commander S/Ldr P.J. Garnett
WISE OWL 31
7 - ? July 1982
Whakatane Airport
Six CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
Two F-27 Friendships of NATTS
80 personnel
Exercise Commander S/Ldr D.E. Geddes
WISE OWL 32
Oct-Nov 1982
Invercargill Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
60 personnel
Exercise Commander S/Ldr D.E. Geddes
WISE OWL 33
March 1983
Queenstown Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 34
July 1983
Gisborne Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 35
October 1983
Taupo Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 36
March 1984
Hastings Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 37
July 1984
Tauranga Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 38
circa 10 October 1984
Oamaru Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 39
20-26 March 1985
New Plymouth Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 40
July 1985
Westport Airport
Ten CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
Two F-27 Friendships of NATTS
100 personnel
Exercise Commander S/Ldr Graham Lintott
Flying exercises ranged from the Portage in the Marlborough Sounds, south to Hokitika, and east to Springs Junction.
WISE OWL 41
1986
? Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 42
9 - 16 July 1986
Nelson Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 43
198?
? Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 44
198?
? Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 45
circa 28 October 1987
Queenstown Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 46
1-6 July 1988
New Plymouth Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
104 personnel
WISE OWL 47
1988
? Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 48
circa 29 March 1989
Wanaka Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27 Friendships of NATTS
WISE OWL 50
November 1989
Dannevirke Aerodrome
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
90 personnel including 18 trainee Chefs and Stewards for first time from 3TTS
Some SVAS aircraft visited from Masterton
WISE OWL 51
21 - 28 March 1990
Gisborne Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
Kiwi Red Skyhawks, plus a de Havilland Venom and a Fokker Triplane all displayed at the Open Day.
WISE OWL 52
circa 17 July 1990
Tauranga Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 53
07 - 15 November 1990
Gore Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 54
1990
Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 55
circa 17 July 1991
Oamaru Airport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 56
6-13 November 1991
Taieri Airport
Students from 1/91 pilots course (four students)
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
63 Personnel
WISE OWL 57
25 March-April 1992
Nelson
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 58
circa 8 July 1992
Westport
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
WISE OWL 60
April-May 1993
Luggate Airport, Wanaka
CT/4B Airtrainers of PTS
F-27's from NATTS
Skyhawks and Strikemasters visited
Exercise WORTEX
Wairarapa Outdoor Pursuits Centre - 16-19 November 1992
For Shelly Bay officers
so we stayed put.
