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, opened in 1939, located 22km west of Palmerston North near Bulls in the Manawatu.
The Ohakea district had originally been proposed for an air base well before 1939.[1] In 1927 Ohakea was selected as the most suitable New Zealand site for a mooring mast for airships of the British Imperial Airship service. It was proposed to build one mast for a demonstration flight, with the potential for expansion to a full airship base with three mooring towers, airship sheds and hydrogen production. However there was no point in going ahead with the development of the site without a commitment from the Australian Government to build masts to provide bases in that country. When the Australian Government declined to commit to building masts in Perth and/or Sydney and Melbourne, the New Zealand Government likewise declined to commit to the proposed airship base development at Ohakea.
Ohakea opened in September 1939 as one of two bases for the Wellington bomber 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, No 14, No 42 and No 75 squadrons were re-formed at Ohakea, and No.1 Repair Depot relocated from Hamilton.
Since the end of World War II, Ohakea has been the RNZAF's strike base with Nos 14 and 75 Squadrons resident. A long time resident, No.42 Squadron was relocated to Whenuapai in 1984 to allow the reformation of No.2 Squadron to HMAS Albatross (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.
No 14 and No 75 squadrons disbanded in November 2001, and No 42 squadron relocated back to RNZAF Base Ohakea in January 2002
Ohakea is a secondary diversion airport 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 aircraft must park and wait for either Auckland or Christchurch to reopen.
At about 02:00 on the morning of Thursday, May 3, 2007, more than 100 passengers including several Members of Parliament endured a nervous time when smoke in the cockpit of their Air New Zealand Boeing 737 forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing at Ohakea. Later that day a Boeing 747 landed after being diverted from a foggy Auckland International Airport.
Ohakea has also been the subject of a feasibility study into mixed-use military and civilian freight capability, which has included lengthening the main runway to accommodate the B747. [1]
Personnel strength: around 630.
[edit] Units based at Ohakea:
- HQ Flying Training Wing
- No. 42 Squadron RNZAF (King Airs)
- No. 3 Squadron RNZAF (Iroquois and Bell-47 Sioux)
- Pilot Training School
- Central Flying School
[edit] External links
- ^ http://www.aht.ndirect.co.uk/sheds/New_Zealand.htm (re airship base)
