Air force team in US for combat exercises

The Hercules and its crew are being tested in the US. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules and its crew are being tested on their ability to fly in combat conditions over Little Rock, Arkansas, in the RNZAF's first joint training exercise with the US Airforce in 25 years.

A No 40 Squadron detachment of one Hercules and approximately 45 aircrew and ground support personnel are now in the US conducting 24-hour flying operations in a "medium-threat" environment.

"Exercise Green Flag is very valuable in terms of preparing both our aircrew and our ground support crews for deployment into operational theatres," said Wing Commander Rob Shearer, who is leading the detachment.

No 40 Squadron would conduct tactical air transport operations.

Wing Commander Shearer said the type of training could not be done anywhere in NZ.

No 40 Squadron, which began the exercises on Sunday, will conduct a number of tasks including air drops, paratrooper jumps and airlift operations.

With No 40 Squadron are elements of the Parachute Training Support Unit, No 230 Squadron and members of 5 Movements Company, NZ Army.