No. 6 Squadron RNZAF

Royal New Zealand Navy

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No. 6 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force is the squadron operating New Zealand's navy's air arm.^[1] While historically having been disbanded several times through changes in the country's military structure, it has a history going back to before World War II, when it operated flying boats. The squadron motto is “Vigilance with Patience”.^[2] Squadron code letters were "XX".^[3]

History

A No. 6 Squadron SH-2G taking off from HMNZS Te Mana during a deployment to the Persian Gulf in 2008

Following Japan's entry into the war in December 1941, the RNZAF had to switch from primarily training pilots to Europe into a combat force. No. 6 Squadron RNZAF was formed as an army co-operation unit at Milson in February 1942 flying Vickers Vildebeest and Hawker Hind aircraft. At the same time, No. 5 Squadron RNZAF moved to Fiji with Short Singapores and Vickers Vildebeest and Vincent biplanes.

Modern maritime patrol flying boats (and more Hudson light bombers) were requested under Lend Lease and when the first Consolidated Catalinas arrived a detachment of men from No. 5 Squadron was assigned to convert to these types as No. 6 Squadron. Before the squadron was officially formed these men successfully completed their first air-sea rescue of a downed US aircrew. From May 1943 No. 6 squadron undertook action against the Japanese. The Squadron also conducted search and rescue missions for allied aircrew and seamen, and undertook many open sea rescues.

After the war No. 6 Squadron was re-equipped with Short Sunderland flying boats as a territorial unit and also operated float equipped Auster light aircraft. The Squadron was disbanded in August 1957, with all Sunderlands transferring to No. 5 squadron prior to their replacement by modern P-3 Orion aircraft.

No. 6 Squadron was reformed in 2005 to take over No.3 Squadron's role in operating the Royal New Zealand Navy's air element. No. 6 Squadron currently operates New Zealand's five SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite helicopters. The squadron was re-established on 31 October 2005 by separating the Naval Support Flight from No. 3 Squadron RNZAF. The Squadron is currently based at RNZAF Base Auckland.

6 Squadron is manned by Royal New Zealand Navy Observers. Pilots and Helicopter crewman are drawn from both the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The aircraft are maintained by RNZAF engineers, technicians and suppliers.

References

Notes

1. ^ No. 6 Squadron (from the Royal New Zealand Air Force website. Accessed 2008-06-16.)
2. ^ No 6 Squadron History (from the Royal New Zealand Air Force website. Accessed 2008-06-16.)
3. ^ Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 141.

Bibliography

• Darby, Charles. RNZAF: The First Decade, 1937-46. Dandenong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Kookaburra Technical Publications Pty Ltd., 1978. ISBN 0-85880-031-4.
• Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit COdes Since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.