The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) departed Samoan shores last week having successfully met all of the training objectives of Exercise TROPIC ASTRA 2009.

After a month of readiness training and experience operating in tropical conditions in Samoa, No 3 Squadron and the Expeditionary Support Squadron (ESS) RNZAF have returned to New Zealand and thank the people of Samoa for their support throughout the exercise.

TROPIC ASTRA 09 highlighted the RNZAF 's commitment to joint operations and provided a great opportunity to enhance the New Zealand Defence Force's (NZDF) interoperability working with a number of local and government agencies in Samoa.

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) amphibious support vessel HMNZS CANTERBURY deployed and redeployed four Iroquios helicopters, 21 vehicles, 15 containers and approximately 70 personnel to Samoa. 96 staff and trainees from the NZ Army Officer Cadet School (OCS) achieved their tropical training objectives in the O Le Pupu Pu'e National Park during the first two weeks of the exercise.

The Commanding Officer of No 3 Squadron, Wing Commander Russell Mardon said "The three Services came together extremely well to mount and conduct this Exercise.

Also pleasing was the great reception we received from the Samoan Government and the public during our time there. We conducted a wide range of mutually beneficial activities in support of multiple agencies, including the Police, Fire, Civil Defence, Transport and Tourism, Energy and Communications departments.

All in all, the Exercise was a tremendous success that not only reinforced capability, but also served to enhance it across a number of dimensions.'

The RNZAF provided over 300 flying hours in support of the Samoan Government including a successful search & rescue mission early in the Exercise. No 3 Squadron and the ESS personnel revelled in the challenges of operating in a tropical environment and gained vital skills and experience during the exercise.

This experience bodes well for an Air Force which is now better prepared to provide disaster relief and humanitarian aid throughout the pacific if called upon.