Joint Use Post-Consolidation
15. As the draft MED Cabinet paper notes, the NZDF may wish to retain some units at Whenuapai after the consolidation at Ohakea, providing it remains an airfield. Studies are underway to determine the possible and preferred locations for these units, namely the Naval Support Flight, the Northern Area Cadet Force, and an air movements capability. These units would have little impact on the operation of a commercial airfield.
Naval Support Flight (NSF)
16. The NSF (five naval helicopters and about 68 personnel) is based at Whenuapai. Whenuapai is currently the preferred operational location because of its proximity to the Devonport Naval base, and the helicopter capable ships, and because Whenuapai (as an RNZAF base) provides appropriate support facilities.
17. Basing arrangements for the NSF post-RNZAF consolidation at Ohakea remain under consideration. Remaining at Whenuapai - assuming it remains an airfield - is one of the options being assessed. The other options are elsewhere in Auckland or at Ohakea.
18. The results of the study into basing arrangements will be included in the March 2005 Cabinet paper. The requirement for a facility for the NSF, and any preference for it to remain at Whenuapai, is not sufficient to warrant influencing decision making on the future use for Whenuapai.
Northern Area Cadet Force
19. The Northern Area Cadet Force currently relies on facilities at Hobsonville for headquarters, accommodation, meals, and other services supporting Cadet Force training. Meeting these requirements after the disposal of Hobsonville is under review. The outcome of this review will not affect the availability of Base Auckland for non-military use post-consolidation.
Air Movements Capability in Auckland
20. A very small air movements capability will be required in the Auckland area to facilitate passenger and cargo movement following RNZAF consolidation. This capability could be readily located at Auckland International Airport, or remain at Whenuapai if it is retained as a civilian airport.
Current Uses of RNZAF Bases Auckland and Ohakea
21. Base Auckland is home for the six Orion maritime patrol aircraft, the five Hercules and the two Boeing 757 transport aircraft, the NSF, and the Operational Support Squadron. Other major units at Base Auckland include 485 Wing (commanding the deployable squadrons), logistics and maintenance units, the air standards and safety directorate, operational software support, aviation medicine, and parachute training. Base Auckland has a personnel strength of around 1,100. All of these units are based at Whenuapai. Hobsonville, which is still used in part, is under disposal action.
22. Located near Bulls, Ohakea is home for the 14 Iroquois utility and 4 Sioux training helicopters, flying training (5 King Airs and 13 Airtrainers), and logistics and maintenance units. Ohakea has a personnel strength of around 630. All units listed in paragraph 21 above, except possibly the NSF, will move to Ohakea.
23. The Special Air Service (SAS), formerly based at Hobsonville, is currently based at Papakura Military Camp in purpose-built facilities. The SAS's deployability and ability to undertake counter-terrorism tasks will not be affected by the RNZAF's consolidation at Ohakea, or the possible future uses of Whenuapai.
G C Fortune
Secretary of Defence
30 November 2004
B R Ferguson
Air Marshal
Chief of Defence Force
30 November 2004
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