International strength at Base Ohakea

The international visitors from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have been flying T-6C Texans at No. 14 Squadron over the past weeks, with some on a long-term exchange, training RNZAF pilots. Also joining the instructors is a Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) pilot. 

Commanding Officer Flying Training Wing, Wing Commander Hayden Sheard said he can’t remember a time at the squadron where there were four Commonwealth nations operating in the same squadron.

“It’s allowed us to share information and that’s the whole purpose of an exchange, to keep ties close with like-minded air forces. It allows us to look at the way we do things and compare them with bigger organisations.

“For the last two years we’ve had two Royal Air Force (RAF) officers posted to the Flying Training Wing. They conducted the flying instructor’s course and they’ve stayed on and instructed at No. 14 Squadron.”

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) instructor is also on a long-term exchange training pilots, and an officer from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has been in New Zealand for the past few weeks on a Canadian-New Zealand exchange.

“I can’t overstate the benefit of having these exchanges, particularly in the context of our flying training,” Wing Commander Sheard said.

Major Amanda Maki from RCAF said the three-week visit was to compare the two air forces’ best practices of flying T-6C Texans, training pilots and differences between them.

“The ultimate goal is to produce well-trained, ready and capable military pilots.”

Despite coming from Canada, Major Maki said flying the Texans here were a joy because “you’ve got us beat with the scenery”.

“It’s been great to see some of the training practises that are unique to the RNZAF – especially in regards to training around geography and mountain flying. Your culture around flight safety and reporting is also extremely strong.”

Flight Lieutenant Emily Renshaw from the RAAF is halfway through her two-year exchange as a flying instructor.

“I really wanted to see New Zealand and experience a different training system. I’ve enjoyed the development opportunities here that are harder to achieve in Australia, like formation flying that I had a taste of the other day. I love the diverse terrain too.

“I’ve been able to bring across mental skills coaching that we do at home, for the students here and trying to do mentoring as well.”

New Zealand pilots were given more autonomy than in Australia, she said.

“Which makes sense over here because things like the weather can change so quickly and terrain can be tricky so it’s important to be able to adapt quickly.”

RNZAF pilot Flight Lieutenant Tom McDowell said it was a privilege to be able to work with other instructors from other nations.

He is about to travel to Canada for three weeks on the same exchange programme as Major Maki.

“The Canadians are far more experienced operating the T-6C Texans, having introduced them about 15 years earlier than us, so I’m looking forward to learning from their experiences.”

He will also get to experience the Canadian winter, which can reach -35°C.

“It will be good to see what sort of challenges they face operating in those harsh environments.”

Lieutenant Stephen Knowles brings a Navy pilot perspective to the Air Force squadron.

He’s brought his experiences flying off the back of ships, around South Pacific Islands, South-East Asia and during disasters such as Whakaari/White Island to the trainee pilots. 

“I’ve really enjoyed being part of making the best trainee pilots that we can. It’s been great to work with instructors from other parts of the world. It would be great to go on exchange to some of those countries.”