No. 6 Squadron RNZAF

Last updated

{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2024}

No. 6 Squadron RNZAF
NZ Seasprite 2008.jpg
A No. 6 Squadron SH-2G taking off from HMNZS Te Mana during a deployment to the Persian Gulf in 2008
ActiveFebruary 1942 – August 1957
October 2005 – present
CountryFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Branch Air Force Ensign of New Zealand.svg Royal New Zealand Air Force
TypeNaval aviation
Role ASW / maritime patrol
Garrison/HQ RNZAF Base Auckland
Motto(s)Vigilance with patience
ColorsBlue and grey
Mascot(s) Hippocamp
Anniversaries1 February 1942
Equipment Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite
Engagements World War II, East Timor, Persian Gulf
Commanders
Current
commander
Commander Alex Trotter
Insignia
Squadron badge Maori God "Tane"

No. 6 Squadron RNZAF is a maritime squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It has a history going back to World War II, when it operated flying boats, and has been disbanded and re-formed several times through changes in the country's military structure. The squadron motto, originally "Fortitudine et Diligentia", is now “Vigilance with Patience”. [1]

Contents

History

World War II

No. 6 Squadron personnel on a PBY-5 Catalina, 1944 No. 6 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Airforce personnel on a PBY-5 Catalina.jpg
No. 6 Squadron personnel on a PBY-5 Catalina, 1944

Following Japan's entry into World War II in December 1941, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (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 after the first Consolidated Catalinas arrived in April 1943 [2] a detachment of men from No. 5 Squadron was assigned to convert to these types as No. 6 Squadron. After the squadron became fully operational a detachment was sent to Tonga in mid-August 1943, where its main task was the protection of shipping. [3] Later in the year the squadron moved west and north to be closer to the front line: first to the Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo on 1 October, and then, on 24 December, to Halavo Bay (on Florida Island, just north of Guadalcanal), which was to be its base for the rest of the war. [4] Fed by a constant trickle of recruits from New Zealand, and Catalinas from San Diego (a total of twenty-two PBY5's and seven PB2B-1's [2] ), the squadron grew continuously during the war reaching a complement of 457 men in April 1944. [4]

The Catalinas' endurance (12-hour flights were routine; some, with extra fuel, exceeded 17 hours), load capacity (more than 6 t), and ability to land on, and take off from, the open sea made them ideal for a wide range of tasks. Regular minor tasks included servicing remote radar stations (RNZAF Units 53 and 58), [5] Coastwatchers, and a Mission Station on Malaita, [3] but the two major tasks were maritime reconnaissance patrols (which turned out to be fruitless in terms of sightings of enemy ships and submarines [6] ), and air-sea rescues (codenamed Dumbo missions), with which the squadron made a substantial contribution, rescuing a total of 79 servicemen (68 US and 2 New Zealand airmen, plus 9 people from two US ships) in 25 separate missions. [4] Two squadron pilots (Flying Officers W.B. Mackley and D.S. Beauchamp) were awarded DFCs for their skill and courage in carrying out open-sea landings and takeoffs in dangerously rough seas during Dumbo missions. [4] When the merchant freighter USS Cape San Juan was torpedoed and sunk 300 miles south-east of Suva on 11 November 1943 the sea was too rough for landing but the Catalinas were able to aid rescue ships by dropping smoke flares to guide them to survivors. 1180 men were rescued over a 2-day period. [7] The most intense period of the squadron's Dumbo activity occurred during the two months (early February to early April 1944) that a detachment from No. 6 Squadron was based at the US seaplane tender USS Coos Bay at the Treasury Islands, just south of Bougainville Island. The squadron's Catalinas accompanied allied bombers and fighters taking part in air strikes on Rabaul and rescued a total of 29 airmen from planes that were either shot down or forced down by equipment failure. [4]

Two squadron members who later achieved prominence in other fields were Edmund Hillary, one of the first two men to climb Mt Everest, and Eric Heath, who became an artist, illustrator and editorial cartoonist. Sixteen men died on active service with No. 6 Squadron, all as a result of accidents rather than enemy activities. [4] The squadron was disbanded overseas in August 1945. [8] Squadron code letters were "XX". [9]

After the war No. 6 Squadron was re-equipped with Short Sunderland flying boats as a Territorial Air Force 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 Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft.

Present

HMNZS Canterbury in 2007 with a SH-2G of No. 6 Sqn. HMNZS Canterbury 20070701.jpg
HMNZS Canterbury in 2007 with a SH-2G of No. 6 Sqn.

No. 6 Squadron was re-formed in 2005 to take over No.3 Squadron's role in operating the Royal New Zealand Navy's air element. No. 6 Squadron operates New Zealand's eight SH-2G(I) 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 based at RNZAF Base Auckland.

6 Squadron is manned by Royal New Zealand Navy observers, pilots and helicopter loadmasters. Navy aircrew are trained by the RNZAF. The aircraft are maintained by RNZAF engineers, technicians and suppliers. RNZAF aircrew can also sometimes be posted to the squadron if required.

Future

The Royal New Zealand Navy acquired ten SH-2G(I) Seasprites that replaced the existing SH-2G(NZ) aircraft in April 2015. [10] Eight of the helicopters have entered active service representing a marked increase in capability while the other two are kept as spares.

The Seasprites are due to be replaced by 2027 as part of the 2015 Defence White Paper review. Helicopters such as the NFH-90, MH-60R Seahawk, AgustaWestland AW101, and the Agusta Westland Wildcat are being considered to replace the Seasprites.

A pair of Seasprites operate from HMNZS Canterbury near the Puka-Puka Atoll OH 09-0252-015 - Flickr - NZ Defence Force (5).jpg
A pair of Seasprites operate from HMNZS Canterbury near the Puka-Puka Atoll

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaman SH-2 Seasprite</span> 1959 anti-submarine helicopter family by Kaman

The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter originally developed and produced by American manufacturer Kaman Aircraft Corporation. It has been typically used as a compact and fast-moving rotorcraft for utility and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. Early on it was modest sized single-engined naval utility helicopter, and progressed to twin-engine ASW and SAR, and the latest model served well into the 21st century, with G model in active service in the 2020s with Egypt, New Zealand, Peru, and Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal New Zealand Air Force</span> Air force component of the New Zealand Defence Force

The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the aerial service branch of the New Zealand Defence Force. It was formed initially in 1923 as a branch of the New Zealand Army, being known as the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, becoming an independent air force on 1 April 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 3 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

No. 3 Squadron RNZAF is a unit of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). It currently operates NHIndustries NH90 and Agusta A109 helicopters. The squadron was initially formed as a territorial unit of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force in Christchurch in 1930. During World War II, the squadron served in the Pacific, undertaking patrol operations. In the early post war period, the squadron was converted to a Territorial formation flying fixed wing aircraft, but later converted to rotary wing aircraft, and returning to permanent status. Since then, personnel from the squadron have served in the Vietnam War, East Timor, Singapore, the Sinai, and the Solomon Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 5 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

No. 5 Squadron RNZAF is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It operates the Boeing P-8 Poseidon from RNZAF Base Ohakea. The squadron was formed during the Second World War and has since been in continuous operation. A number of maritime patrol aircraft have been operated by the squadron over the course of its existence including the Short Singapore, Consolidated PBY Catalina, Short Sunderland and the Lockheed P-3 Orion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 40 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

No. 40 Squadron RNZAF is a transport squadron in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). Established in June 1943, it remains on active duty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 2 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

No. 2 Squadron RNZAF was a squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). It was formed in 1930 as part of the Territorial Air Force with the main headquarters at Wellington and shadow flights at New Plymouth and Wanganui. Squadron personnel conducted their annual flying at RNZAF Base Wigram. In 1937 the Territorial Squadrons were re-organised and No. 2 Squadron became the Wellington Territorial Squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 14 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

14 Squadron RNZAF is a squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. In 2015 the squadron was re-raised and equipped with 11 Beechcraft T-6 Texan II. A new aerobatic display team called the Black Falcons was also formed using the new aircraft. They replaced the RNZAF display team known as the Red Checkers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 488 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

No. 488 Squadron was the name given to two distinct Royal New Zealand Air Force squadrons during the Second World War. Both were formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme and served under the operational command of the Royal Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Museum of New Zealand</span> Military and Aviation Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand

The Air Force Museum of New Zealand, formerly called The Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum, is located at Wigram, the RNZAF's first operational base, in Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand. It opened on 1 April 1987 as part of the celebrations for the RNZAF's 50th anniversary, and is primarily a museum of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, its predecessor, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force and New Zealand squadrons of the Royal Air Force. The Air Force Museum of New Zealand's mission is to preserve and present the history of New Zealand military aviation for commemoration, learning, inspiration and enjoyment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Vildebeest</span> Type of aircraft

The Vickers Vildebeest and the similar Vickers Vincent were two very large two- to three-seat single-engined British biplanes designed and built by Vickers and used as light bombers, torpedo bombers and in army cooperation roles. First flown in 1928, it remained in service at the start of the Second World War, with the last Vildebeests flying against Japanese forces over Singapore and Java in 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 490 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

No. 490 (NZ) Squadron was an anti-submarine and maritime reconnaissance squadron of Coastal Command established for service during the Second World War. It was a New Zealand squadron formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Plan. Although many of its flying personnel were drawn from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the squadron served under the operational and administrative command of the Royal Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleet Air Arm (RAN)</span> Naval aviation arm of the Royal Australian Navy

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA), known formerly as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy. FAA personnel fought in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and participated in later conflicts and operations from host warships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">563rd Rescue Group</span> US Air Force unit

The 563rd Rescue Group is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The group also controls the rescue squadrons at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. It is assigned to the 355th Wing. The group directs flying operations dedicated to personnel recovery and is part of Air Combat Command. The group was activated under its current designation at Davis-Monthan in 2003 to command rescue units in the western United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite</span> Type of aircraft

The Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite is an American ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types, surface ships, and patrol craft that may be armed with anti-ship missiles. It was originally developed for the United States Navy in the 1980s as a reengined and updated version of the older Kaman SH-2 Seasprite which had been serving since the 1960s in a variety of versions. The G model was an evolution of the SH-2F, which was an important ASW aircraft for naval vessels that could not manage a larger helicopter. The SH-2G entered service in the 1980s and served until 2001 with the U.S. Navy. It went on to serve in several other Naval forces into the 21st Century and is still in active service in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the Royal New Zealand Air Force</span>

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is organised into a small number of flying squadrons and ground-based units. Most of the RNZAF's operational and training units are stationed at RNZAF Base Auckland and RNZAF Base Ohakea in the North Island. Several training and maintenance units are located at RNZAF Base Woodbourne in the South Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 41 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

No. 41 Squadron was a transport unit of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The squadron was formed in 1944, and conducted transport flights in the south Pacific during World War II. It remained active after the war, and flew supplies to the New Zealand occupation force in Japan. Three crews from the squadron participated in the Berlin Airlift during 1948 and 1949, and one of its flights was temporarily based in Singapore from 1949 to 1951. From 1955 the entire squadron was stationed at Singapore, from where it participated in the Malayan Emergency, Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and Vietnam War. Detachments of No. 41 Squadron were also based in Thailand from 1962 to 1965. The squadron was disbanded in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 18 Squadron RNZAF</span> Military unit

No. 18 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Formed in June 1943 at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, the squadron was initially equipped with Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks, before converting to F4U-1 Corsair fighter bombers in 1944. The squadron fought in the Pacific theatre during World War II, flying combat operations against Japanese forces until it was disbanded in late 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Consolidated PBY Catalina in New Zealand service</span>

Developed as a maritime patrol aircraft, the Consolidated PBY Catalina was a flying boat and amphibious aircraft that was widely used during the Second World War. It first entered service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in 1943, equipping No. 6 Squadron and used for patrolling and search and rescue missions in the South Pacific. Once the RNZAF received sufficient quantities of the aircraft, a second squadron, No. 5 Squadron was formed in 1944 to operate the type. A total of 56 Catalinas saw service with the RNZAF and the type remained in use during the postwar period until 1954. They were replaced with the Short Sunderland flying boat.

References

Notes
  1. 6 Squadron Badges (from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand website. Accessed 2022-06-25.)
  2. 1 2 Harrison, Paul; Lockstone, Brian; Anderson, Andy (1997). The Golden Age of New Zealand Flying Boats. Auckland, New Zealand: Random House. ISBN   1869412990.
  3. 1 2 Agar, John. Unofficial History of No. 6 Squadron by Wing Commander Agar. ADQA 17330 R17389474, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scott, Jenny (2012). Dumbo Diary: Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 6 (Flying Boat) Squadron, 1943-1945. Mitchell Park, S. Australia: J. Scott.
  5. Ross 1955, pp. 232-233
  6. Ross 1955, p. 256
  7. Ross 1955, p. 225
  8. Ross 1955, p. 314
  9. Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 141.
  10. https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/our-equipment/aircraft/sh-2gi-seasprite-helicopter/ [ bare URL ]
Bibliography