Ohakea
Information about Ohakea
Ohakea is a district to the east of the Rangitikei River near Bulls, Manawatu, New Zealand. It is the location of RNZAF Base Ohakea.Located 22km West of Palmerston North, RNZAF Base Ohakea is one of the three Air Force bases. Ohakea opened in September 1939 as one of two bases for the Wellington bomber aircraft on order for the RNZAF.
Since WWII Ohakea was the RNZAF's Strike base with Nos 14 and 75 Squadrons resident. A long time resident, No.42 Squadron was relocated to Whenuapai in 1984 to allow the reformation of No.2 Squadron to Nowra (NSW Australia) in 1991.
In 1993 RNZAF flying training previously carried out at Wigram by the Pilot Training Squadron and the RNZAF's Central Flying School was moved to Ohakea. Also in 1993 a new aviation wing of the RNZAF Museum was opened at Ohakea. Including students undergoing various courses, Ohakea has personnel strength of around 630.
Earlier proposals
The Ohakea district had originally been proposed for an air base well before 1939. In 1927 Ohakea was selected as the most suitable New Zealand site for a mooring mast for airships of the British Imperial Airship service. It was proposed to build one mast for a demonstration flight, with the potential for expansion to a full airship base with three mooring towers, airship sheds and hydrogen production. However there was no point in going ahead with the development of the site without a commitment from the Australian Government to build masts to provide bases in that country. When the Australian Government declined to commit to building masts in Perth and/or Sydney and Melbourne, the New Zealand Government likewise declined to commit to the proposed airship base development at Ohakea.World War II and later developments
During World War II, Ohakea was the Air Force's main training base for aircrew undergoing operational conversion on fighters, observers/navigators for medium bombers and air gunners. After World War II, Nos 14, 42 and 75 Squadrons were reformed at Ohakea, and the Repair Depot relocated from Hamilton.Since WWII Ohakea was the RNZAF's Strike base with Nos 14 and 75 Squadrons resident. A long time resident, No.42 Squadron was relocated to Whenuapai in 1984 to allow the reformation of No.2 Squadron to Nowra (NSW Australia) in 1991.
In 1993 RNZAF flying training previously carried out at Wigram by the Pilot Training Squadron and the RNZAF's Central Flying School was moved to Ohakea. Also in 1993 a new aviation wing of the RNZAF Museum was opened at Ohakea. Including students undergoing various courses, Ohakea has personnel strength of around 630.
References
[1] (re airship base) Rangitikei River is one of New Zealand's longest rivers. Its headwaters are to the southeast of Lake Taupo in the Kaimanawa Ranges and its outflow is into the Tasman Sea 40 kilometres southeast of Wanganui.
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Bulls is a small town near the South Taranaki Bight of the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated in a thriving farming area in the Rangitikei District at the junction of State Highways 1 and 3 about 160 kilometres north of Wellington.
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Manawatu is a district in the Manawatu-Wanganui region in the North Island of New Zealand.
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Location
"The Manawatu", as it is usually called, is located in the southwest of the island, close to the river which shares its name...... Click the link for more information.
Anthem
"God Defend New Zealand"
"God Save the Queen" 1
Capital Wellington
Largest city Auckland
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"God Defend New Zealand"
"God Save the Queen" 1
Capital Wellington
Largest city Auckland
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RNZAF Base Ohakea is a base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, located 22km west of Palmerston North near Bulls in the Manawatu.
Ohakea opened in September 1939 as one of two bases for the Wellington bomber on order for the RNZAF.
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Ohakea opened in September 1939 as one of two bases for the Wellington bomber on order for the RNZAF.
..... Click the link for more information.
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