RNZAF Base Ohakea
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| RNZAF Base Ohakea | |||
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| IATA: ZOH - ICAO: NZOH | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military | ||
| Operator | RNZAF | ||
| Serves | Bulls, New Zealand | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 164 ft (50 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 09/27 | 8,021 | 2,445 | Asphalt |
| 09L/27R | 1,887 | 575 | Grass |
| 15/33 | 6,998 | 2,133 | Asphalt |
RNZAF Base Ohakea is a base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, located 22km West of Palmerston North near Bulls in the Manawatu.
Ohakea opened in September 1939 as one of two bases for the Wellington bomber aircraft on order for the RNZAF. During World War II, Ohakea was the Air Force's main training base for aircrew undergoing operational conversion on fighters, observers/navigators for medium bombers and air gunners. After World War II, 14, No. 42 Squadron RNZAF & 75 were reformed at Ohakea, and the Repair Depot relocated from Hamilton. Since WWII Ohakea was the RNZAF's Strike base with 14 and 75 resident. A long time resident, No. 42 Squadron RNZAF was relocated to Whenuapai in 1984 to allow the reformation of No.2 Squadron to Nowra (NSW Australia) in 1991.
In 1993 RNZAF flying training previously carried out at Wigram by the Pilot Training Squadron and the RNZAF's Central Flying School was moved to Ohakea. Also in 1993 a new aviation wing of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum was opened at Ohakea. Including students undergoing various courses. 14 & 75 disbanded in November 2001, and No. 42 Squadron RNZAF relocated back to RNZAF Base Ohakea in January 2002
Ohakea is secondary diversion for civilian Boeing 747s. If both Auckland and Christchurch airports are temporarily closed, then civilian jumbo jets can land at Ohakea. Ohakea does not have the facilities to process that number of passengers, so the planes must park and wait for either Auckland or Christchurch to reopen.
Personnel strength: around 630.
Squadrons based at Ohakea:
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