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The 707 tanker’s aircrew keeps a close eye on approaching fighters.
Exercise Willoh 95 — Aus/NZ Refuelling Inaugurated
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Exercise Willoh 95-1 Inaugurates Trans Tasman Air Refuelling
The trans Tasman defence environment in recent years has been characterised by a growing closeness between the Australian and New Zealand defence forces. Under the blanket theme of Close Defence Relations, the two governments have signed numerous agreements to define cooperation in areas as diverse as navigation training, joint strike exercises, and most recently, air refuelling. The list continues to grow. Inter-operability was the major theme of Exercise Willoh 95-1. This regular cooperative training exercise between the RAAF and RNZAF was recently held at RNZAF Base Ohakea for the first time in five years — for various reasons it’s more commonly held at RAAF Williamtown. Ten F/A-18 Hornets of the RAAF’s No 77 Squadron, and a Boeing 707 tanker of No 33 Squadron, joined 17 Skyhawks of No 75 Squadron at Ohakea for the two week exercise that began on February 20.
Willoh — short for ‘Williamtown-Ohakea’ to reflect its trans Tasman nature — normally involves the two forces in work ranging from air defence to close air support and ground attack. This time the tanker added a new dimension — air refuelling. Although the RAAF has operated Boeing 707 tankers out of RAAF Base Richmond since 1991, the two governments did not sign an agreement to permit cooperative fuelling until the annual joint defence ministers’ meeting in August 1994. Thanks to this arrangement, not only can the New Zealanders refuel from the Australian tankers, but the Australians can refuel from the TA-4Ks used by the New Zealanders for ‘buddy refuelling’. It represents a very significant step forward in the ability of the two air forces to work and train together.
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