Senior pupils from King’s High School and some junior classes witnessed the twin-engine medium-utility NH90 helicopter land on their field yesterday morning.
New Zealand Defence Force recruiter Sergeant Lachie Haddon said the recruiting run was an exciting opportunity for southern schools to learn about New Zealand’s defence forces.
"We don’t see many air force assets this far down the country, being no military bases, so it’s good to be able to get some assets down here and pop in to some schools," he said.
Reserve soldiers based in Dunedin talked to the pupils about their jobs and the opportunities they had had working in the defence force.
They helped the defence force respond to a range of callouts, including during Cyclone Gabrielle that devastated parts of the North Island last year.
Sgt Haddon said the NH90 helicopters were operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for a range of purposes.
Their central role was to provide tactical air-mobility operations for the defence force, including support for special operations, casualty evacuation and movement of troops and equipment.
The NH90s also provided a range of support services to government agencies including search and rescue, police operations, disaster relief and counter-terrorism response.
Acting rector Darin Smith said the armed services demonstrated a core value of the school, which was giving back to the community.
"It’s great to see so many of the guys keen to be involved there," he said.
There were about 20 senior boys at King’s who were looking into a career in the defence force after graduating from secondary school.
The crew went on to visit St Kevin’s College and Waitaki Boys’ High School after King’s yesterday and were planning on visiting Southland schools Maruawai College, Southland Boys’ High School and Central Southland High School today .
They are set to fly to Central Otago schools Wakatipu High School, Te Kura O Tititea Mount Aspiring College and Cromwell College tomorrow.
