Royal New Zealand Air Force

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) (Maori: Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa, previously Te Hokowhitu o Kahurangi) is the air force component of the New Zealand Defence Force. It was formed from New Zealand elements of the British Royal Air Force, becoming an independent force in 1923, although many RNZAF aircrew continued to serve in the Royal Air Force until the end of the 1940s. The RNZAF fought in World War II, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Gulf War plus various United Nations peacekeeping missions. From a 1945 peak of over 1,000 combat aircraft the RNZAF has shrunk to a strength of around 350 aircraft in 2012, focusing on maritime patrol and transport duties in support of the Royal New Zealand Navy and the New Zealand Army, although the RNZAF does have a variety of fighter aircraft at its disposal including the F-16, Panavia Tornado, and Mirage 2000-5. The Air Force is led by an air chief-marshal who holds the appointment of Chief of Air Force. The RNZAF motto is the same as that of the Royal Air Force, Per ardua ad astra, meaning "Through adversity to the stars."

Active Squadrons

 * No. 485 Wing RNZAF
 * No. 3 Squadron RNZAF - (Bell UH-1Y Venom x 16)
 * No. 6 Squadron RNZAF - (NHIndustries NH90 x 16)
 * No. 8 Squadron RNZAF - (AgustaWestland AW109 Mako x 8)
 * No. 40 Squadron RNZAF - (Boeing 757-200 x 4)
 * No. 42 Squadron RNZAF - (Lockheed C-130H Hercules x 10)
 * No. 44 Squadron RNZAF - (Bombardier Challenger 600 x 6)
 * No. 486 Wing RNZAF
 * No. 1 Squadron RNZAF - (General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon x 14)
 * No. 2 Squadron RNZAF - (General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon x 14)
 * No. 4 Squadron RNZAF - (General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon x 14)
 * No. 14 Squadron RNZAF - (Dassault Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 x 14)
 * No. 75 Squadron RNZAF - (Dassault Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 x 14)
 * No. 487 Wing RNZAF
 * No. 5 Squadron RNZAF - (Lockheed P-3K Orion x 12)
 * No. 14 Squadron RNZAF - (Boeing CH-47F Chinook x 10)
 * No. 15 Squadron RNZAF - (Sikorsky SH-60F Oceanhawk x 12)
 * No. 16 Squadron RNZAF - (Sikorsky HH-60H Rescue Hawk x 14)
 * No. 17 Squadron RNZAF - (Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk x 12)
 * No. 25 Squadron RNZAF - (Panavia Tornado RN.4 x 12)
 * No. 26 Squadron RNZAF - (Panavia Tornado RN.4 x 12)
 * No. 488 Wing RNZAF
 * No. 30 Squadron RNZAF - (Beechcraft Super King Air x 12)
 * No. 31 Squadron RNZAF - (Bell 206 JetRanger x 12)
 * No. 32 Squadron RNZAF - (Pacific Aerospace CT-4E x 12)

Aircraft of the RNZAF

 * Fighters
 * 42 x F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (Multirole Fighter)
 * 24 x Panavia Tornado RN.4 (Maritime Strike Aircraft)
 * 28 x Dassault Mirage 2000-5 Mk2
 * Maritime Patrol Aircraft
 * 12 x Lockheed P-3K Orion (Maritime Patrol Aircraft)
 * Transport Aircraft
 * 6 x Bombardier Challenger 600 (VIP Transport)
 * 4 x Boeing 757-200 (Strategic Airlifter)
 * 10 x Lockheed C-130H Hercules (Tactical Airlifter)
 * Training Aircraft
 * 12 x Beechcraft Super King Air (Trainer)
 * 12 x Bell 206 JetRanger (Helicopter Trainer)
 * 12 x Pacific Aerospace CT-4E (Basic Trainer)
 * Helicopters
 * 8 x AgustaWestland AW109 Mako (Light Transport Helicopter)
 * 16 x Bell UH-1Y Venom (Utility Helicopter)
 * 10 x Boeing CH-47F Chinook (Heavy Lift Helicopter)
 * 16 x NHIndustries NH90 (Multirole Helicopter)
 * 12 x Sikorsky SH-60F Oceanhawk (ASW Helicopter)
 * 14 x Sikorsky HH-60H Rescue Hawk (SAR Helicopter)
 * 12 x Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk (Medium Lift Helicopter)