No. 3 Squadron RNZAF
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No. 3 Squadron RNZAF formed as a Territorial unit of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force based at Christchurch in 1930.
Pilots attached to the squadron used NZPAF aircraft based at Wigram until No.3 Squadron got its first aircraft Blackburn Baffin torpedo bombers, in 1938.
Following the outbreak of war the unit was equipped with Vickers Vincent and Vickers Vildebeest torpedo/patrol bombers and was tasked with protecting shipping entering Lyttelton harbour.
The squadron received modern aircraft in the form of Lockheed Hudsons converting to the patrol bomber role and in November 1942 became the first RNZAF squadron deployed forward in full strength to engage the Japanese, operating from Henderson Field at Guadalcanal in the South Pacific.
The Squadron subsequently re-equpped with Lockheed Venturas and saw service from Espiritu Santo, Bougainville, Emirau, Green Island and New Britain.
From 1948 to 1957 No.3 Squadron reverted to being a territorial squadron, based at Wigram with de Havilland Tiger Moths, North American Harvards and P-51 Mustangs. It subsequently operated transport types such the Bristol Freighter and Army co-operation types such as the Auster AOP, before becoming a dedicated helicopter squadron in 1965, based at Hobsonville,Auckland, and equipped with Bell 47s, and from the end of the year Bell UH-1 Iroquois, a type it still operates, while the naval air wing of Westland Wasps and later SH-2 Seasprites was attached to the squadron from 1966 to 2005.
Pilots from No. 3 Squadron served in Vietnam and in UN peace keeping in the Sinai. The Squadron served in East Timor. For many years a detachment was based in Singapore, to support the New Zealand Army presence there, and combat Indonesian insurgents. Detachments have recently served in the Solomon Islands and Antarctica.
The squadron has a total personnel strength of approximately 135, and operates the following aircraft:
- Utility Flight of 14 UH-1H Iroquois based at RNZAF Base Ohakea
- Training Flight of 5 Bell-47 Sioux based at RNZAF Base Ohakea
3 Squadron's Naval Support Flight (which operates New Zealand's 5 SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite helicopters) was established as a separate unit (6 Squadron) in October 2005. Today, No. 3 Squadron provides tactical air transport for the army.
The Ministry of Defense has a helicopter replacement program to replace the UH-1H Iroquois with NH90 Medium Utility Helicopters and the Bell-47 Sioux with new light helicopters.
An Auster AOP operated by the squadron is at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum, together with an Iroqouis in 3 Squadron colours, and a Westland Wasp and an early F model Kaman SH-2 Seasprite formerly operated by the squadron's naval flight. Another Wasp is preserved in the Museum of Transport and Technology. A number of ex 3 squadron Bristol Freighters have survived.
