PM visits Base Ohakea
Prime Minister John Key visited Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea on 4 March 2010 and saw first-hand the many aspects involved in the day-to-day running of an Air Base.
PM visits Base Ohakea
The Prime Minister met with maintainers and crew in the hangar of No 3 Squadron—the home of the Air Force’s Iroquois and Sioux helicopters—and got a glimpse of the excitement and challenges of life on a Squadron. After spending time on the ground, Mr Key took to the air for a flight in a Sioux helicopter, the Air Force’s training helicopter, which will soon be replaced by the A109 helicopter. Mr Key also visited the construction site that will house the Air Force’s new helicopters, and Historic Flight, to see the Air Force’s aircraft of yesterday—the Harvard and Tiger Moth.
Base Commander for Ohakea, Wing Commander Tim Walshe said the Base enjoyed being able to show the Prime Minister the commitment and professionalism of the men and women of the RNZAF. “It was a great opportunity to show a small part of the work the Air Force does everyday for the government and people of New Zealand,” he said.