RNZAF Base Woodbourne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
 Tempered and Ready
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Military/Civilian | ||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | New Zealand Defence Force | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
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| Serves | Blenheim, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Blenheim, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Elevation AMSL | 109 ft / 33 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 41°31′06″S 173°52′13″E / 41.51833°S 173.87028°E | ||||||||||||||||||
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RNZAF Base Woodbourne is an important base for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). It is located about 8 kilometers west of the town of Blenheim in New Zealand. This base plays a key role in training and supporting the Air Force.
Contents
History of Woodbourne Base
Woodbourne Base was first set up in 1939. It started as a place where pilots learned to fly, called the No. 2 Service Flying Training School. During World War II, other training camps were also located nearby.
From 1942 to 1943, two squadrons, No. 16 and No. 18, used a nearby field called Fairhall. They flew Curtiss P-40 Warhawk planes.
After the war, in 1945, the flying school closed. Other important training units moved to Woodbourne. These included the RNZAF Central Flying School and the Officers' School of Instruction.
In 1949, the Aircraft Repair Depot RNZAF moved to Woodbourne. This was a place where aircraft were fixed and maintained. A school for young recruits, called the Boy Entrant School, also started at Woodbourne in 1951.
What Happens at Woodbourne Today?
Today, Woodbourne is the only support base for the New Zealand Air Force. This means it helps keep the Air Force running smoothly, but it does not have any active flying squadrons based there. The base shares its runways with the civilian Woodbourne Airport in Blenheim.
Training at Woodbourne
The Ground Training Wing was formed in 1995. It brought together different training units from Woodbourne and other places. This wing is in charge of several important training programs:
- It trains new recruits who join the Air Force.
- It provides initial training for officers.
- It offers special training for different jobs in the Air Force, except for aircrew, medical, and photography roles.
- It also provides training for leadership roles.
Aircraft Maintenance
Woodbourne used to be the only place where the Air Force did heavy maintenance on aircraft. This included fixing airframes (the main body of the plane), engines, and electronic systems. This unit was known as the Airframe Reconditioning Squadron RNZAF.
In 1998, this maintenance unit became a commercial company called SAFE Air Ltd. In 2015, a big company called Airbus bought SAFE Air Ltd. It still maintains military aircraft today, but now operates under the name Airbus Asia Pacific.
Airbus is currently finishing the last major repairs on the Air Force's C-130 Hercules transport planes. One of these planes, NZ7002, is the oldest and has flown the most hours. Thanks to this work, it will continue to fly for the Air Force.
Who Works at Woodbourne?
Around 800 people work at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. Many different units and groups are based there, including:
- RNZAF Police
- RNZAF Rescue Fire (fire and rescue services)
- NZDF Physical Training Instructors School (where fitness trainers are taught)
- RNZAF Security Forces (who protect the base)
- RNZAF Logistics (who manage supplies and equipment)
- Base Medical (healthcare services)
- Airbus (for aircraft maintenance)
- Directorate of Defence Security (who handle security matters)
- Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Aeronautical Engineering programme (a college program for aircraft engineering)
