Air Force crew join U.N. team

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 9

Air Force crew join U.N. team

By

DAVE WILSON

New Zealand is to more than double the size of its military observer group in Iran, adding an Air Force Andover and 18 flight crew and maintenance personnel to the United Nations ceasefire group.

The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, yesterday announced the extension to New Zealand’s role in the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (U.N.1.1.M.0.G.). “The Andover will be used to transport U.N.1.1.M.0.G. personnel and supplies between Bagdad, Teheran and seven ceasefire sector headquarters in Iran and Iraq. “Initially the aircraft will serve in the area for six months after which time the situation will be reviewed,” he said. The Andover, of 42 Squadron at Auckland, is now at the Wigram air base where it is being repainted in the white United Nations colours. New Zealand has 10 Army officers stationed with the ceasefire group and the 18 Air Force personnel will all be drawn from 42 Squadron at Auckland.

Flying Officer Peter Northcote, the R.N.A.Z.F. public relations officer, said the transfer of 18 squadron personnel would mean a short-term reduc-

tion in the transport squadron’s domestic tasks, but it was planned to fill the vacancies through posttings from other bases. The Andover and crews will fly to Iran in a fortnight and a spokesman for the Prime Minister, Mr Michael Wickstead, said any further extensions to New Zealand’s

involvement would depend on whether the United Nations asked for it. “In cases such as this the United Nations asks countries if they can supply certain types of assistance and the Government can then consider that request. Whether we send any more aircraft or troops would first depend on whether the United Nations asked for them.” The cost of the R.N.Z.A.F. deployment will be shared between the United Nations and New Zealand. The R.N.Z.A.F. detachment will be based in Iran for at least six months and possibly up to a year. With the exception of the U.N.1.1.M.0.G. commander’s jet, the R.N.Z.A.F. Andover will be the only fixed-wing aircraft operating with the multi-national observer force in Iran and Iraq.

The United States has offered 12 helicopters and four fixed-wing aircraft and is seeking crews for these aircraft.

Norway is supplying several helicopter crews and other countries in the 23-nation observer group which have supplied soldiers are also likely to contribute. The R.N.Z.A.F.’s last connection with a peacekeeping force was between 1982 and 1986 with a helicopter unit in the Sinai.