Royal New Zealand Air Force undertakes advanced tactics training in the United States.

RNZAF No. 40 Squadron personnel are attending the Advanced Airlift Tactical Training Centre (AATTC), with a C-130 Hercules, to develop the crew’s proficiency to conduct tactical missions in austere environments.

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RNZAF no. 40 squadron flight crew are being put through their paces alongside their US counterparts in the skies above Missouri and Arizona  (Picture source: USAF)

“AATTC is an advanced tactics training course which allows our crews to practice advanced tactical flying in a simulated hostile environment. This includes low-level flying, airdrop, and threat reaction,” says Detachment Commander, Flight Lieutenant Adam Palmer.

High quality training activities are essential for NZDF personnel to be ready to respond, increasing emergency preparedness and enhancing response capabilities. Training with partner nations allows New Zealand to integrate capabilities, build interoperability and execute complex and realistic operations as a combined team.

The RNZAF has been participating in the annual joint training since 1996 and Flight Lieutenant Palmer said operating in a deployed environment with other militaries was a great way to train personnel so they had the skills to operate in any location in the world.

The training also provides consolidation and standardisation of RNZAF tactics with those of the United States Air National Guard and the USAF’s Air Mobility Command.

“This training is really significant as it provides an opportunity to operate with the USAF in a deployed environment. It also provides an opportunity to learn from, and build relationships with, USAF Air Mobility Command and Air National Guard crews,” Flight Lieutenant Palmer said.

RNZAF No. 40 Squadron is conducting the crew training in the vicinity of St Joseph, Missouri, and Sierra Vista, Arizona until 30 September 2022.