SH-2G Seasprite Helicopter.
SH-2G Seasprite Helicopter.
Naval Helicopter Forces (NHF) is provided by No. 6 Squadron RNZAF. The Squadron is equipped with a fleet of five Seasprite helicopters operated by the RNZN and maintained by the RNZAF.
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) replaced its Westland Wasps with four[20] interim SH-2F Seasprites (ex-US Navy), operated and maintained by a mix of Navy and Air Force personnel known as No. 3 Squadron RNZAF Naval Support Flight, to operate with ANZAC class frigates until the fleet of five new SH-2G Super Seasprites were delivered. The Navy air element was transferred to No. 6 Squadron RNZAF at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai in October 2005. RNZN Seasprites have seen service in East Timor. Six additional SH-2Fs were purchased and are now stationed at the RNZAF Ground Training Wing (GTW) at Woodbourne near Blenheim as training helicopters. An SH-2F (ex-RNZN, NZ3442) is preserved in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum, donated to the museum by Kaman Aircraft Corporation after an accident while in service with the RNZN. Original public domain image from Flickr