Middle East
Deployment of NZDF Aircraft and Support Staff to the Middle East
C-130 deployment
The NZDF has periodically deployed C-130 Hercules to provide air logistics support to the Middle East.
In order to support the deployment of RNZAF aircraft to the region, three staff officers are currently deployed to the US Air Force’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which coordinates air tasking in support of the Combined Maritime Forces, Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq).
Additionally, New Zealand maintains a small logistic contingent in the region to support all New Zealand Defence Force operations in the Middle East and Africa.
The mandate for these deployments expires in June 2022.
C-130 Loading at night
C-130 Waiting to unload at destination