The Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) first C-130J-30, which landed at RNZAF Base Auckland last week, has been officially welcomed to New Zealand.
The aircraft, NZ7011, will begin certification and training flights this week to various airfields throughout New Zealand, so that it can be introduced to RNZAF Air Movements personnel. Once that phase of certification is complete, the RNZAF will deploy C-130J-30s to Antarctica for training there.
Five C-130J-30s are set to join the RNZAF's fleet this year, replacing three remaining C-130H(NZ) aircraft.
"The additional capabilities the new C-130J fleet brings will open up expanded roles for the aircraft to meet the needs of New Zealand and our partners," said the New Zealand Chief of Defence, Air Marshal Tony Davies.
"For this aircraft, that starts today, with its first task being to introduce the new Hercules to the air bases around the country by moving freight and providing familiarisation for our Air Movements staff. Soon, we will switch focus to Antarctic operations, repeating the pattern of the first C-130 ice flights in 1965, only a few months after their arrival in New Zealand."