Ohakea Open Day
Clear skies and sunshine saw a record number of people attend the Ohakea Open Day and Air Show on Sunday 16 March.
No.3 Squadron personnel demonstrate their skills. OH-08-0166-89-tn.jpg.
It was ‘huge’ said Base Commander WGCDR Russell Mardon, who estimated the crowd to be about 30,000. The Air Force open days are held on alternate years at Base Ohakea or Base Auckland.
‘From Friday there was a buzz across the whole Base which lasted all weekend. People were excited about showcasing the event.’
Visitors were treated to numerous static displays and non-stop flying activity that included military aircraft from the older style Harvard and Mustang to the sleek and modern F-111, courtesy of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Other crowd-pleasers included the RNZAF’s own Red Checkers aerobatic team and parachutists from Kiwi Blue, while the Iroquois display set the eardrums abuzz as they whirred overhead.
Father and son watch the air displays. OH-08-0164-19-tn.jpg.
SCHLDR (School Leader) and Air Force News reader Timothy Dobbyn of Tongariro School, Turangi wrote in to say: ‘It was an awesome day and my family and I enjoyed ourselves. Everyone at the Base was so friendly and it was fantastic seeing all the past and present aircraft in action. I was surprised by the crowd turnout there at Ohakea and it was cool saying to Dad, 'I‘ll meet you at the communications tent at 1100 hours’.
‘It was nice to see the RNZAF displaying their aircraft whether it be by flying them around or having them parked on the tarmac so people could get up close to them.
‘Highlights of the day for me would be the Kiwi Blue Parachute team, the UH-1H Iroquois and of course the F-111 which was the mark of a brilliant and successful Airshow.