In a combined effort between the New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force a light operational vehicle (LOV) was dropped from a C130H Hercules aircraft at 750 feet at Ohakea Air Base.
The drop was part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 40 Squadron tactical airlift and airdrop training conducted over the past few days which has been focusing on air drop missions and air-to-land resupply operations.
Army Lieutenant Jonathan Steele told stuff.co.nz the drop had been three weeks in the making.
“We had to go through a series of steps to make sure we researched every aspect of the drop.
“It’s been about three weeks and it’s been tested twice and re-rigged twice over that period.”
It was essential the two forces worked closely on these kinds of operations to enhance their ability to deliver aid, says Steele.
“For example, if there is damage to the local infrastructure then air deliveries are a real possibility because it’s fly over once, drop in the aid and it is straight to where it needs to be.”
Air force flight lieutenant Alex Tredrea, told stuff.co.nz the drop was a first for the RNZAF.
“The load today was a LOV [light operation vehicle], I believe it was the first time we have dropped one.
“It was pretty heavy and you definitely feel it go out the back of the aircraft when the chutes inflate.
“It was satisfying to see the load come out safely and hit the target,” says Tredrea.
Steele says he had been apprehensive watching the massive load float gently to the ground.
“[I was hoping] that it would stay as it was looking, looking like it was all going to plan and [it] came down perfectly.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better result.”
