Former air force personnel from all over the country will gather in Christchurch in October to mark the end of World War Two and the formation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Association (RNZAFA).
Registrations are now open for the anniversary celebrations to mark eight decades of companionship and fellowship for veterans on the weekend of 18/19 October at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.
The association was formed at the end of World War Two in 1945 to provide support for the more than 40,000 veterans adjusting to life after the war.
President Ian Mower said the anniversary would be the first chance since COVID for association members from around the country to gather in one place for an annual meeting and reunion.
Most importantly, it was a chance to commemorate the end of the war and the birth of the association.
“We were formed at the end of the war and it seems fitting to commemorate the end of the conflict that forged the RNZAF, and the start of our story.
“Over the past 80 years the association has provided support, fellowship and connection for thousands of New Zealanders.
“We’ve had really strong interest and we hope the numbers will grow even more as word spreads. It will not only be a chance for people to reconnect and rekindle those old friendships – they’ll also be able to reconnect with their former aircraft in the museum and with Wigram – where many have trained and served.’’
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand stands on the site of the former RNZAF Base Wigram and is the birthplace of military aviation in New Zealand.
The collection includes examples of former RNZAF stalwarts of recent years, including the Skyhawk, Hercules, Orion, Andover, Iroquois and Sioux.
Anyone interested can register by contacting rnzafanatsec@gmail.com
