Aussie Army Blackhawks in NZ Blenheim/Dip Flat Area

[HamiltonWest]

RNZAF Iroquois & Australian Army Blackhawk alpine flying exercise

No 3 Squadron (3 SQN) from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will hold its annual mountain flying exercise over the period 19 - 30 July 2010.

Known as Exercise BLACKBIRD 2010 (BB10), the annual mountain flying exercise will be supported by members of Expeditionary Support Squadron (ESS). The exercise is designed to familiarise Iroquois crews with high altitude flying and cold weather operations and will be held at RNZAF Camp Dip Flat.

BB10 will also be used as an opportunity to conduct night Search & Rescue (SAR) type continuation flying.

In addition, Exercise ANZAC ROTOR 2010 (AR10) will also be conducted by the 16th Aviation Brigade of the Australian Army. They will be operating four Blackhawk helicopters and conducting alpine flying training although they will be based at RNZAF Base Woodbourne near Blenheim over the period 19 - 23 July 2010.

A Media day is planned for 21 July 2010 and interested media are invited to attend.

Details are as follows:

What: BB10 & AR10 Media Day. The day will consist of Detachement Commander Briefings, interviews with aircrew and other support personnel as required and the opportunity to go flying subject to appropriate weather conditions and available aircraft.

Who: No 3 Squadron, RNZAF.
4 x Iroqouis helicopters, approx 143 personnel over two rotations. 6th Aviation Brigade, Australian Army. 4 x Blackhawk helicopters, approx 143 personnel.

When: Wednesday 21 July 2010 10am - 2pm.

Where: RNZAF Camp Dip Flat in the Marlborough, Molesworth, St Arnaud region. South Island.
Media are expected to make their own way to and from Dip Flat.
Interested media are requested to email Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki (kavae.tamariki@nzdf.mil.nz) prior to 12pm Tuesday 20 July to register your interest.

http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases...d21jriaabae.htm

[HamiltonWest]

Cold trip for Aussie helicopter pilots

Four Australian Blackhawk helicopters are due in New Zealand on Sunday to give their pilots a taste of alpine flying.

The Australian army helicopters would spend a fortnight at the air force's Dipflat camp near Blenheim and fly in and around the Southern Alps, said air force spokesman Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki.

Full item here:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/113314/...licopter-pilots

[HamiltonWest]

Photo's of Two of the Blackhawks at Christchurch Airport Are located here:
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/2010/07/bl...ristchurch.html