RNZAF building up for major combat exercise in Australia

In the build-up to the high-tempo international warfighting Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia next month the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters and crews have been working on live-firing and formation flight skills. 13 June, 2025 Priorities for No. 3 Squadron were to ensure its crews were qualified on gunnery skills and experiencedContinue reading “RNZAF building up for major combat exercise in Australia”

Kiwi sailor joins HMS Collingwood team for second shot at Navy’s field gun contest – includes video

13th June 2025 at 9:12am Petty Officer Taane Tapp from the Royal New Zealand Navy will once again compete in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) Field Gun competition later this month, representing HMS Collingwood in one of the service’s most gruelling ceremonial events. The 33-year-old instructor is part of the base’s WarfareContinue reading “Kiwi sailor joins HMS Collingwood team for second shot at Navy’s field gun contest – includes video”

Carrier Strike Group meets up with the Indian Navy in the western Arabian Sea

Jonathan Moyniha – 12th June 2025 at 1:45pm Carrier Strike Group 25 has joined the Indian Navy in the western Arabian Sea to conduct an exercise on its way down towards Australia. It comes after RFA Tidespring carried out its first replenishment at sea of the week, as it refuelled New Zealand warship HMNZS Te Kaha inContinue reading “Carrier Strike Group meets up with the Indian Navy in the western Arabian Sea”

History of HMNZS Takapu I (Q1188)(P3556) as far as I can find out.

Commissioned 22 May 1943 as Q1188Survey Equipment: Fitted to Q1188 when rebuilt 1946-50The USN supervised the construction and then took charge of the finished HDML for allocation to the Allied navy. Both Q1187(Tarapunga) & Q1188(Takapu) were shipped as deck cargo from Vancouver aboard SS Kootenay Park and arrived at Wellington on 30 April 1943. ThereContinue reading “History of HMNZS Takapu I (Q1188)(P3556) as far as I can find out.”

History of HMNZS Tarapunga (Q1187)(PP3566) as far as I can find out.

8 x depth charges ASDIC Complement: 10 officers and ratings Builder: Everett Marine Ways Inc near Seattle, Washington, United States – ordered 21 February 1942, completed January 1943 Key Dates: Commissioned 13 May 1943 as Q1187 [Tarapunga] Paid off 19 September 1945 [Tarapunga] sold privately but returned in 1950 to the RNZN Pennant No.: Q1187 as SDML Renamed: Tarapunga as Mako 1980Continue reading “History of HMNZS Tarapunga (Q1187)(PP3566) as far as I can find out.”