TORY Southern landscapes have been the training grounds for No.40 Squadron during a nine-day air drop exercise aimed at honing skills for the real thing.
A C-130 Hercules was a regular sight in Central Otago and Lake Districts during Exercise Skytrain, which focussed on tactical low-level flying and delivering and picking up loads in scenarios where areas could be under threat.
The flying techniques practised are essential in keeping our aircrews’ flying currency up-to-date, as well as the skills used on deployed operations.
The Hercules and our personnel from Bases Auckland, Ohakea and Woodbourne deployed to Wānaka Airport, alongside personnel from the New Zealand Army.
Photo: Marc Weakley. Wanaka, 03 April 2024.Photo: Marc Weakley. Wanaka, 03 April 2024.Photo: Marc Weakley. Wanaka, 03 April 2024.Photo: Marc Weakley. Wanaka, 03 April 2024.Photo: Marc Weakley. Wanaka, 03 April 2024.
Kiwi roundel complete The first of our Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J-30 Hercules to come off the Lockheed Martin production line in Georgia, United States has received its official livery – featuring the RNZAF Kiwi Roundel and No. 40 Squadron’s mariner’s compass.
Five new aircraft are on track for delivery starting from late this year to replace the C-130H (NZ) Hercules aircraft, which were purchased in 1965.
The new aircraft can carry a greater number of pallets, due to their additional 4.5 metre length and payload capacity of 21 tonnes.
The second Hercules in the fleet is not far behind, ready for its full-body paint job.
2024; Lockheed Martin Photography by David L. Key
New Zealand 5978 Paint Rollout
January 29, 20242024; Lockheed Martin Photography by David L. Key
New Zealand 5978 Paint Rollout
January 29, 20242024; Lockheed Martin Photography by David L. Key
New Zealand 5978 Paint Rollout
January 29, 2024
New Zealand’s first C-30J Hercules aircraft has been painted, marking a significant milestone in the project to replace the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) Hercules fleet.
08 DECEMBER, 2023
Five new aircraft are on track for delivery from next year to replace the C-30H (NZ) Hercules, which were purchased in 1965.
“It took 14 painters two days to apply 238 litres of paint on the 11.85 metre high aircraft, using ladders and scaffolding. RNZAF markings will be applied in the coming months, including the RNZAF Kiwi roundel and No. 40 Squadron’s mariner’s compass,” says Andrew Rooney, Project Team Lead at the Ministry of Defence.
The second C-130J aircraft is currently having its engines fitted and will shortly head to the paint shop at Lockheed Martin’s factory in Georgia, US.
The new aircraft will be able carry more cargo, due to their additional 4.5 metre length and payload capacity of 21 tonnes. With a 15 tonne payload, they will also be able to travel 2400 nautical miles, compared to the current 1800 nautical miles.
The fleet will be used by New Zealand Defence Force as a first response option, for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and deployment of personnel and equipment both within New Zealand and overseas.
The first three crews of No. 40 Squadron are now fully-trained and certified to fly the C-130J aircraft. A number of the aviators and maintenance personnel have just completed an exercise in Hawaii, where they were embedded with the US Air Force 19th Airlift Wing.
The construction of the full motion flight simulator continues in the United States, with testing now underway. Back home in New Zealand at RNZAF Base Auckland, work on the building that will house the simulator is well underway, with the roof to be added early next year.
NEWS No. 40 Squadron onboard a Hercules aircraft have delivered two power generators to Niue, after a breakdown of the island nation’s main power generator.
The Government of Niue made a request to the New Zealand Government for replacement generators, and because the generators are so large, the first was delivered on 7 August, with the second arriving today.
Niue’s power network services a population of around 1900 people, and the arrival of two generators will secure the supply of power.
Southern landscapes have been the training grounds for No.40 Squadron during a nine-day air drop exercise aimed at honing skills for the real thing.
nzdf.mil.nz/ex-skytrain-24
The first of our 
No. 40 Squadron onboard a Hercules aircraft have delivered two power generators to Niue, after a breakdown of the island nation’s main power generator.
