New Zealand air force in training exercises with S.Korea, Japan forces
Xinhua, September 15, 2015 Adjust font size:
A New Zealand air force contingent has left to carry out three weeks of training in S. Korea and Japan, the New Zealand Defense Force announced Tuesday.
The NZDF Airborne Surveillance and Response Force, comprising a P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft and mission support personnel, would take part in "readiness training activities," Air Commodore Kevin McEvoy said in a statement.
The first activity in the training program was Exercise ROKKIWI 15, an anti-submarine warfare exercise with the S. Korean and U.S. navies in the Yellow Sea.
Secretary of Defense Helene Quilter and the Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Mike Yardley, were scheduled to visit the airbase and exercise area at Jeju Island.
The air force unit would then train with the Japanese Maritime self-defense Force No 1 Squadron at Kanoya Air Base as part of Exercise Japan AFFIL 15.
The exercises with S. Korea and Japan were held regularly and the New Zealand crew would have opportunities to discuss surveillance procedures.
"We are excited about working again with the South Korean navy and the Japanese Maritime self-defense Force. This joint training is an excellent opportunity to engage with them and strengthen our defense cooperation," said McEvoy.
"These collaborations and interactions help deepen defense cooperation between our countries and enhance our ability to work with our partners. So when we operate in any part of the world, we are able to do so seamlessly alongside them." Endi