N.Z. Skyhawks to be based in Aust.

Press, 18 March 1989, Page 4

N.Z. Skyhawks to be based in Aust.

PA ' Auckland More than a quarter of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Skyhawks are likely to be based in Australia within six months. New Zealand and Australian Defence chiefs are negotiating to station six of the strike aircraft at the Royal Australian Navy’s air station at Nowra, south of Sydney, in a combined maritime training programme. The Skyhawks would fly simulated missile attacks to enable the Australians to fine-tune their modern

radar and defence systems, while R.N.Z.A.F. pilots would be flying with a different service and flying overseas for extended periods. An R.N.Z.A.F. team led by the director of air staff policy and plans, Wing Commander Bob Henderson, said Nowra was “fairly well set up” to support the proposal. "The Australians are enthusiastic about the idea of having a bunch of Kiwis there on a semipermanent basis,” Wing Commander Henderson

said. The two forces would share the cost, with the R.A.N. paying for part of the R.N.Z.A.F. flying costs and expenses. Wing Commander Henderson said there was no suggestion the R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft would become part of the Australian defence forces. He said they would be there only to help training. The R.N.Z.A.F. has 22 Skyhawks, 10 of which were bought from the R.A.N. in 1984.