Peacekeeping Role
In 1988 an Andover joined the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observers Group (UNIMOG). The detachment of 17 personnel and aircraft were based at Tehran until withdrawn in December 1990. In 1993 three 42 Squadron Andovers went to Somalia to join the U.S.-led Unified Task Force (UNTAF). Based at Mogadishu, they flew air transport support missions for the force.
Four Andovers were withdrawn from service in 1997 and the remainder in 1998. They were replaced by Beechcraft Model B200 Super King Airs leased from Pacific Aeromotive. This was a new venture for the RNZAF, with a commercial contractor providing maintenance support to the aircraft on site. The workload for the aircraft is multi-engine conversion training of pilots qualified to fly single engine aircraft, continuation training for multi-engine qualified pilots and a limited VIP transport role around New Zealand. These aircraft are in the government's long-term plan for replacement.
The squadron returned to Ohakea in January 2002 where it now operates five King Airs as part of the flying training wing.
Read more about this topic: No. 42 Squadron RNZAF
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