USAF and RNZAF to participate in the Night Range exercise

The personnel and aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) are ready to participate in Night range of exercises.

Held later this month, Nocturnal Reach will include a series of day and night flying exercises.

The training will take place at RNZAF Auckland and RNZAF Base Woodbourne near Blenheim, New Zealand.

The annual exercise is a training activity of the New Zealand Defense Forces (NZDF).

Develops the skills of the participating crew to conduct day and night tactical missions to perform complex missions in adverse conditions.

During the exercise, USAF Special Operations Command (SOC) MC-130J Commando II aircraft will train with RNZAF’s C-130 Hercules aircraft.

The exercise will also involve employees of the US Air Force and the 40th Transport Squadron of RNZAF.

The training will include tactical flying, night vision training, free fall military jumps, equipment lowering and various low-level flight exercises that will improve interoperability between the two nations’ military and help keep the crew ready.

According to RNZAF, conducting high-quality exercises is important for NZDF staff, as the training improves their ability to respond during deployment.

Training with partner countries also allows New Zealand forces to integrate capabilities together as a team, together with improved execution of realistic and difficult operations.