Atlas flies down to New Zealand

A Royal Air Force A400M Atlas flew to the other side of the world in late February to take part in the Ohakea Air Tattoo in New Zealand. Chief of the Air Staff, ACM Sir Stephen Hillier was aboard and met with AVM Tony Davies, Chief of the RNZAF. This visit was the RAF’s contribution to the celebrations that marked the 80^th Anniversary of the formation of the RNZAF, and was an opportunity to continue the long and strong links that exist between the two air forces. The RNZAF was originally formed as part of the RAF and its personnel and aircraft played an important role in the Second World War and during various other post-war regional conflicts. Both are members of the Five Power Defence Arrangement between the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia. This is the second time in less than six months that the UK has chosen to send RAF aircraft to the region, underlining its commitment to a wider global defence stance.