RNZAF Base Woodbourne
Encyclopedia
RNZAF Base Woodbourne is a base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
, located 8 km west of Blenheim
.
Woodbourne was established in 1939 as the base for No. 2 Service Flying Training School (No.2 SFTS). Also located nearby during WWII were the ground training camps of the Delta. In 1942-43, Nos 16
and 18 Squadrons flying Curtiss Kittyhawks used the satellite Fairhall field. In 1945 No.2 SFTS was closed and the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Central Flying School
and some ground training units, including the Officers' School of Instruction were relocated to Woodbourne. In 1949, The Aircraft Repair Depot RNZAF was relocated from Ohakea, and in 1951 the Boy Entrant School was established at Woodbourne.
Today, Woodbourne is the Air Force's only support base and has no operational squadrons based there. It shares its runways with the Blenheim civil airport, Woodbourne Airport
.
The Ground Training Wing was created in 1995 from existing units at Woodbourne and those relocated from Wigram
and Hobsonville
, and is responsible for the training of recruits (General Service Training School
), initial officer training (Command Training School
), trade training (except aircrew, medical and photography training) and command training.
Also at Woodbourne is the Air Force's only heavy maintenance facility for the repair of aircraft airframes, engines and avionics systems. This squadron
was responsible for reconditioning airframe
s of RNZAF aircraft. Formally the Airframe Reconditioning Squadron RNZAF, the unit was commercialised in 1998 and is now managed by SAFE Air Ltd. No. 1 Repair Depot was also active at the base for a number of years, though during the war it appears to have been stationed at Hamilton.
Personnel stationed at the base number around 1,250, of which 450 are SAFE Air Ltd employees.
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
, located 8 km west of Blenheim
Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim is the most populous town in the region of Marlborough, in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the regional council. It has a population of The area which surrounds the town is well known as a centre of New Zealand's wine industry...
.
Woodbourne was established in 1939 as the base for No. 2 Service Flying Training School (No.2 SFTS). Also located nearby during WWII were the ground training camps of the Delta. In 1942-43, Nos 16
No. 16 Squadron RNZAF
16 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force was formed on 1 July 1942 at RNZAF Base Woodbourne , commanded by Squadron Leader A. Jones. The squadron served in Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Bougainville, Green Island and Jacquinot Bay. The squadron was equipped with Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks...
and 18 Squadrons flying Curtiss Kittyhawks used the satellite Fairhall field. In 1945 No.2 SFTS was closed and the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
and some ground training units, including the Officers' School of Instruction were relocated to Woodbourne. In 1949, The Aircraft Repair Depot RNZAF was relocated from Ohakea, and in 1951 the Boy Entrant School was established at Woodbourne.
Today, Woodbourne is the Air Force's only support base and has no operational squadrons based there. It shares its runways with the Blenheim civil airport, Woodbourne Airport
Woodbourne Airport
Woodbourne Aerodrome is a small, controlled aerodrome located 3NM west of Blenheim in the South Island of New Zealand, on State Highway Six, Middle Renwick Road.-History:Woodbourne was one of the first airports in New Zealand...
.
The Ground Training Wing was created in 1995 from existing units at Woodbourne and those relocated from Wigram
Wigram
Wigram is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. Technically called Wigram Park, the second half of its name is rarely if ever heard. The suburb lies close to the industrial estates of Sockburn and the satellite retail and residential zone of Hornby...
and Hobsonville
Hobsonville
Hobsonville is a former Royal New Zealand Air Force airfield which are currently being redeveloped as a new suburb of Auckland, in the area of the former Waitakere City, New Zealand...
, and is responsible for the training of recruits (General Service Training School
General Service Training School
Command and Recruit Training Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force is the principal training facility for RNZAF recruits. Located at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, it takes recruits through a thirteen-week training program designed to produce airmen and airwomen for the...
), initial officer training (Command Training School
Command Training School
Command Training School of the Royal New Zealand Air Force is the unit responsible for training officer cadets. Graduates are then commissioned as Officers on the completion of their Initial Officer Training Course....
), trade training (except aircrew, medical and photography training) and command training.
Also at Woodbourne is the Air Force's only heavy maintenance facility for the repair of aircraft airframes, engines and avionics systems. This squadron
Squadron
Squadron has different meanings:*Squadron , a cavalry or other unit that consists of a number of troops.*Squadron , a unit of aircraft that consists of three or four "flights", with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on aircraft type and air force.*Squadron , a unit of 3-4 major naval vessels...
was responsible for reconditioning airframe
Airframe
The airframe of an aircraft is its mechanical structure. It is typically considered to include fuselage, wings and undercarriage and exclude the propulsion system...
s of RNZAF aircraft. Formally the Airframe Reconditioning Squadron RNZAF, the unit was commercialised in 1998 and is now managed by SAFE Air Ltd. No. 1 Repair Depot was also active at the base for a number of years, though during the war it appears to have been stationed at Hamilton.
Personnel stationed at the base number around 1,250, of which 450 are SAFE Air Ltd employees.