NZ aircrews experience advanced tactical flying in US

The Royal New Zealand Air Force has undertaken advanced tactics training with the United States Air Force in Missouri and Arizona.

CAPTION: Members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 40 Squadron, conduct a sortie over St. Joseph, Missouri, while attending the Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course at the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. US Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Patrick Evenson.

RNZAF No. 40 Squadron personnel are attending the Advanced Airlift Tactical Training Centre (AATTC), with a C-130 Hercules, to develop the crew’s proficiency to conduct tactical missions in austere environments.

Detachment Commander Flight Lieutenant Adam Palmer said AATTC was an advanced tactics-training course which allowed crews to practice advanced tactical flying in a simulated hostile environment, including low-level flying, airdrops, and threat reactions.

“This training is really significant as it provides an opportunity to operate with the USAF in a deployed environment,” Flight Lieutenant Palmer said.

“It also provides an opportunity to learn from, and build relationships with, USAF Air Mobility Command and Air National Guard crews.”

High quality training activities are essential for NZDF personnel to be ready to respond, increasing emergency preparedness and enhancing response capabilities.

Training with partner nations allows New Zealand to integrate capabilities, build interoperability and execute complex and realistic operations as a combined team.

The RNZAF has been participating in the annual joint training since 1996 and Flight Lieutenant Palmer said operating in a deployed environment with other militaries was a great way to train personnel so they had the skills to operate in any location in the world.

The training also provides consolidation and standardisation of RNZAF tactics with those of the United States Air National Guard and the USAF’s Air Mobility Command.

RNZAF No. 40 Squadron is conducting the crew training in the vicinity of St Joseph, Missouri, and Sierra Vista, Arizona until 30 September 2022.

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