RNZAF Proves Ability to Support Hi-tech Partners During F-35 Exercise

13 September 2026

RAAF F-35As and RNZAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft (photos: NZDF)

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and New Zealand Army have trained alongside the RAAF demonstrating agile combat employment, integrating RAAF F-35As, C-130J and RNZAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft, as well as Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) personnel in a series of training activities at RNZAF Base Ohakea and Waiouru Military Training Area this week.

The first Exercise Agile Tasman stemmed from a joint Chief of Air Force Vision Statement signed by the RNZAF and RAAF in 2025 and the desire to put its objectives into action. 

The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, said the exercise was an opportunity to practise with Australia to project capabilities in the Pacific.

“Our responsibility to enhance the security and prosperity of our region is best done by Australia and New Zealand and many other nations working together. And to do that effectively, it simply takes practice.”

Training objectives included exercising an RAAF Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) outside Australia for the first time, delivery of high explosive ordnance into the Waiouru Military Training Area and intercept training with the RNZAF P-8A. 

The Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron RAAF, Wing Commander Mark Biele, said it was wonderful to be in New Zealand and operating together, reinforcing the Anzac spirit, especially when the squadron was celebrating 110 years since its founding.

“It's our 110th birthday while we are here, and who would we want to spend that with other than our best mates across the Tasman?”

The main tasks of the exercises included the two F-35As flying from RAAF Base Williamstown to New Zealand, supported by a RAAF KC-30 air-to-air refueller, and then entering the Waiouru skies to execute a coordinated time-on-target strike employing two GBU-54 precision-guided bombs, which were GPS target designated into the training area under the control of JTAC’s.

After this the jets landed at Base Ohakea, where they were refuelled from the tanks of a C-130J and rearmed. The FARP demonstrated the ability to rapidly refuel and rearm aircraft, increasing operational reach, resilience and mission tempo in remote or austere environments.

On the third day of the exercise, RNZAF No. 5 Squadron and its P-8As got involved with the jets conducting intercept training. Intercept training is a practice where military fighter jets learn to find, approach, identify and escort other aircraft in flight.

 A team of 67 RAAF personnel, including aircrew, maintenance, security forces and refuellers travelled to Base Ohakea, working alongside about 32 RNZAF personnel including aviation rescue firefighters, security forces personnel, refuellers and aircrews from No. 40 and No. 5 Squadrons.

Led by the RAAF, and hosted by the RNZAF, the exercise has laid a platform for future training with enhanced interchangeability of personnel and aircraft between the New Zealand and Australia.

(NZDF)