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RNZAF Base Auckland is a base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, located near the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland. The base formerly comprised two separate airfields, Whenuapai and Hobsonville. Hobsonville was established as a sea-plane station in 1928 and was the RNZAF's primary flying boat base in New Zealand until 1967. Construction of Whenuapai as a base for Wellington bomber aircraft began in 1937, and from 1945-1965 Whenuapai was also Auckland's civil international airport. Post World War II Auckland became a centre for RNZAF transport and maritime squadrons. These two independent bases were integrated in 1965 to form RNZAF Base Auckland. Hobsonville has subsequently became a grass airfield base for No. 3 Squadron RNZAF, and a small army unit was closed down in 2003, with some controversy over its future intended use. Whenuapai was to close as well, with the Royal New Zealand Air Force being centralised at Ohakea, but as of 2005 its future is uncertain. Infrastructure company Infratil and Waitakere local body leaders have carried out feasibility studies to develop Whenuapai into a commercial airport if the RNZAF moves to Ohakea.
Personnel strength: around 1,100
[edit] Units based at Auckland:
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