An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Oct. 24, 2017

Southern Katipo Underway in New Zealand

By Capt. Nathaniel Roester U.S. Pacific Air Forces

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE BASE OHAKEA, New Zealand -- U.S. Air Force aircraft took off for their first mission during Exercise Southern Katipo, here, Oct. 20.

A U.S. Air Force C-130H assigned to the 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard and a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 176th AW at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, kicked off the exercise with multi-leg missions transporting personnel and cargo throughout New Zealand. 

Southern Katipo is a biannual, multinational military training exercise conducted in New Zealand, designed to improve combat training, readiness and interoperability among allied and partner nations. U.S. Airmen participate with service members from New Zealand, Australia, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Brunei, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Canada, France and Britain. 

"We're really excited to work with our partners from New Zealand and other countries," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Austin Tally, 517th Airlift Squadron lead exercise planner. "Every time we conduct exercises like this with our allies and partners, we both learn from each other and get better at working together in the future." 

The U.S. Air Force aircraft will conduct air drops, cargo missions and troop movements on the south and north islands of New Zealand as part of the exercise. One of the unique preparations for the aircrew included familiarization flights with an air rider, a Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot who is assigned to instruct visiting aircrews on local the airspace procedures. 

"Having air riders observe and advise us on local flight procedures and radio calls ensures that we can safely do the sorties and get the mission done," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Benjamin Daw, 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard C-130H navigator. "This is a really unique experience to come here and practice our mission in a country we've never flown in before."
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,201
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

AUKUS Trilateral Statement
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense,...

U.S., India launch Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024
Courtesy Photo
March 21, 2024 - Indian and U.S. combined armed forces began Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024 with the arrival of amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), March 18 and an opening ceremony March 19.This is the third time U.S. and...

USACE: Ensuring Safety Every Step of the Way
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work in Japan for all military services and agencies. With over 60 years of experience in designing and constructing facilities in Japan, JED possesses the experience in Japanese standards and specifications, regulations, construction practices, maintenance requirements, and culture needed to ensure facilities are built with the utmost safety and professionalism. Photo by Charles Maib.
March 21, 2024 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work...

THAAD Battery in Guam Successfully Completes Table VIII Evaluation
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launcher used by E-3 Air Defense Artillery THAAD Battery as part of their Table VIII certification in Dededo, Guam, March 13, 2024. The THAAD battery, equipped with a state-of-the-art missile defense system, is tasked with defending Guam against ballistic missile threats. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Trevor Wild)
March 21, 2024 - In a testament to readiness and operational excellence, Task Force Talon's E-3 ADA THAAD Battery conducted a Table VIII evaluation for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system stationed in Guam, March 11-15,...