The RNZAF displayed their bombing exercises today, after they sparked a series of mysterious booms that were heard across the Auckland region last week.

Defence bosses face a criminal charge over a fatal Anzac Day helicopter crash in 2010 after the sole survivor took out a private prosecution.

A 20ha block of land at Hobsonville set aside for the marine industry will now be used for housing after a vote by Auckland councillors today.

A routine air force exercise went wrong yesterday when a drop of supplies on large pallets - delivered by parachutes - landed in a nearby vineyard.

A Singapore-based Kiwi couple were among 950 NZers selected from a ballot to attend the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landing in Gallipoli next year.

Air Commodore Mike Yardley will be the new Chief of Air Force, when Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell leaves the Defence Force next month after a distinguished 41-year career.

A coroner has recommended that authorities consider strengthening drug testing regimes after an Air Force member died during a training exercise after consuming steroids.

NZ will send an air force Hercules to help in the storm-hit Philippines, but Prime Minister John Key's official visit to Manila next week has been postponed.

Farmers, shopkeepers, police officers and a mayor have volunteered to play "bad guys" in a large-scale realistic war game.

The sole survivor of the Anzac Day helicopter crash has been allowed to lay health and safety charges against the Defence Force.

A final report on the illegal shipment of pyrotechnic canisters which endangered the lives of hundreds of passengers on a 2009 Air New Zealand flight has recommended a review of air force safety.

A new twin-engined air force helicopter will need all its rotors repaired or replaced, at a cost of millions of dollars, after being hit by lightning.

The Defence Force has paid out half a million dollars to other claimants during the 16 years that two badly injured brothers have been fighting for compensation.

Auckland-born student Diana Drysdale has only ever wanted to be in the airforce. But the 15-year-old will not be able to fulfil that dream in Australia.

Two brothers who suffered horrific injuries in army training accidents could be nearing the end of their long battle for compensation. (WARNING: Graphic image)

Images of a wrecked engine brought memories flooding back to pilot Aubrey Bills, 60 years after he survived the crash that killed his mate.

The last surviving pilot of the Dambusters raid in World War II, Tauranga resident Les Munro, will be a guest of honour at England's 70th anniversary of the raid on May 16.

With bullets kicking up dust in front of him and insurgent rounds pinging off his helicopter cockpit, every fibre in Flight Lieutenant Ben Pryor's body told him to flee

A relieved Air Force flight lieutenant says he is still "haunted'' by a helicopter crash on Anzac Day 2010 that killed three crewmen and seriously injured a fourth.

A military tribunal has heard from more than a dozen pilots that the actions of a lead pilot on the morning of a fatal air crash were reasonable.

A military tribunal has been told an Air Force helicopter squadron treated standard orders like guidelines that gave good "generic guidance" rather than absolute orders to obey before a fatal crash three years ago.

A co-pilot in a formation involved in the fatal crash of an Iroquois helicopter three years ago has a case to answer, a military tribunal has decided.

A co-pilot in a formation involved in the Anzac Day crash says a "good proportion" of 3 Squadron pilots were outside standard orders when flying into rough weather.

An Air Force squadron was warned before a fatal helicopter crash on Anzac Day three years ago that the practice of flying under low cloud contravened Air Force rules, a tribunal was told today.

A pilot leading a formation of Air Force helicopters during the Anzac Day tragedy was following his training in flying below low hanging cloud, a tribunal has been told.