Article Posted on : - Feb 16, 2011

The C-130 Hercules of Royal New Zealand Air Force. An official photo

CHRISTCHURCH, NZ (BNS): The aircrew of Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 40 Squadron has kicked off the combat qualification exercise (TACEX) around the South Island involving the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The 12-day exercise, which began Monday, will train the aircrew in C-130 tactical operations and will include mountain flying, live airdrop operations involving heavy equipment and container delivery systems and combat off-load procedures.

Based out of the Air Force’s Air Movements terminal in Christchurch, flights will take place around the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains, Wanaka and along the West Coast, the NZAF said.

The Air Force had received the first of its five upgraded C-130 Hercules aircraft last October.

The aircraft underwent a life extension programme with upgrades involving a new glass cockpit, navigational capability, advanced communication suite, centre wing refurbishment, new self protection suite and replacement of 98 percent of its original wiring.

The No. 40 Squadron of the air force operates all the five C-130s.