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Summarised by Centrist
The German Air Force has spent the past fortnight flying low over New Zealand as part of Exercise Tūhono Rangi, a large joint operation designed to test how well German and Kiwi crews can operate together.
Three A400M Atlas transport aircraft, supported by an A330 and A321, trained with the Royal New Zealand Air Force from Whenuapai to Woodbourne. The exercise included parachute jumps, cargo drops with the New Zealand Army, low-level tactical flying, and interoperability drills between pilots, loadmasters and paratroopers.
RNZAF Squadron Leader Matt Williams said the deployment marks a significant upgrade in cooperation with a major NATO partner. “It allows the Royal New Zealand Air Force to exercise some of its capabilities alongside the German Air Force… helping to enhance interoperability,” he said. The A400M, which can carry more than 100 personnel, has recently been used in evacuations from Kabul and Sudan and for humanitarian airdrops into Gaza. German commanders said flying the aircraft to the South Pacific demonstrates the range and readiness of the platform.
Colonel Markus Knoll, who leads the German contingent, said New Zealand holds symbolic significance given the history of the two countries. “Over 100 years ago, we were on different sides. We were enemies. Now we are sharing the same values,” he said. He described the public response to the low-flying aircraft as “overwhelming” and said the welcome, which included a haka, exceeded expectations.
