Two highly-advanced Australian stealth fighter jets have marked their first visit to New Zealand with a flyover at RNZAF Base Ohakea near Palmerston North.
The F-35A jets are in New Zealand for joint training exercises, which included mock bombing runs and trial interceptions involving the New Zealand Defence Force.
Mark Biele, Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, said the planes are single-engined but very powerful.
“So the amount of thrust we have during take off is still quite overwhelming, still quite a treat to put the power up and take off.”
Australia has 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft, which are fifth generation stealth jets and among the most sophisticated planes in operation.
They are multi-role fighters that can perform air-to-air and air-to-surface roles.
“There are 16 other nations that fly these planes as well, when we collaborate and use those together, the roles can support our maritime efforts, our overland efforts like we saw here on the range to the north, and they can operate in an air policing role as well.
“It’s our 110th year, and who would we want to spend that with but our best mates across the Tasman.”
Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, said the Pacific is a vast place and the responsibility of enhancing the security and prosperity of the region was best done by Australia and New Zealand and other nations working together.
“It’s about bringing the two nations together, working side-by-side in these training environments so if, for whatever reason, in the future if we need to do it for real, we know how to do that.”
The two F-35As arrived yesterday and practiced jet attacks in the Waiouru military area, co-ordinated on the ground by New Zealand soldiers.
They have also rehearsed interceptions of an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The F35s will return to Australia tomorrow.
Biele said they’ll be hanging around until tomorrow afternoon for some more low-level navigation activity.
“We’ll be having a look at areas around the South Island and to the south of the North Island as well, so you’ll see us at low level around New Zealand before we go back to Australia.”
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