NZDF Air Transport Team heads to the Middle East

The New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) air transport team is heading to the Middle East this week to support coalition operations over the next eight months.

The team will be operating with the Australian Defence Force air mobility task group to transport supplies and personnel required for New Zealand, Australian and coalition operations in the Middle East.

Deployed until December, the NZDF detachment includes aircraft technicians, logistics specialists, maintenance personnel, and an air movements load team that will support coalition aircraft in the region.

Major General Tim Gall, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said the deployment of a 32-strong detachment and a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H(NZ) Hercules aircraft formed part of the NZDF’s ongoing contribution to security operations in the Middle East.

“We do our fair share in maintaining security and stability in the Middle East. For years, the NZDF has been contributing ships, surveillance aircraft and personnel to various multinational operations in the region,” Major General Gall said.

In 2016, the air transport team deployed by the NZDF transported nearly 800 tonnes of supplies and about 3200 military personnel to Iraq and Afghanistan during a six-month mission.