Summarised by Centrist
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has completed a series of flights to support disaster relief efforts in Vanuatu following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake on 17 December.
The flights, carried out by the C-130H Hercules aircraft and Boeing 757-200s, come as the Hercules fleet nears retirement after nearly six decades of service.
Two round-trip Hercules flights on 27 and 28 December transported essential personnel and equipment to Vanuatu while bringing home those whose assignments had concluded, including many from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).
These missions brought the total number of Vanuatu relief flights by No. 40 Squadron to seven, with earlier flights evacuating New Zealanders and delivering disaster relief staff and equipment.
The flights are likely among the final missions for the C-130H Hercules, which will retire in 2025 after decades of service.
Operating alongside the new C-130J models, the Hercules has been instrumental in providing humanitarian aid, operating in extreme conditions, and representing New Zealand’s commitment to its Pacific neighbours.
“For nearly 60 years, they have served the people of New Zealand, our Pacific Islands friends and neighbours, and further afield,” said Air Commodore Scott. “They have been iconic for us all—and they’re still going strong.”
