Once airborne and cruising, the reason for the offering became obvious. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was shocked,\u201d said Craig.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking out the window, I thought I was looking down on clouds but then realised it was water. We were skimming across the ocean in these huge planes\u201d.<\/p>\n
A German Airforce A400M transport plane flying low over the ocean near the North Island coast. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
Operation T\u016bhono Rangi 25 is a two-week exercise between the New Zealand Defence Force and the Luftwaffe, which has five visiting transport planes, including the huge A400Ms.<\/p>\n
The operation\u2019s goal is to test the interoperability of the two countries\u2019 military forces through various exercises, including low-level flying in New Zealand\u2019s varied terrain, aerial delivery to ground troops and parachute drops.<\/p>\n
Colonel Markus Knoll (left), who is leading the German Airforce contingent, talks with Squadron Leader Matt Williams from the RNZAF. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
Seeing aircraft emblazoned with the Luftwaffe insignia flying in Kiwi skies is an odd sight, especially for those with long memories \u2013 a fact Colonel Markus Knoll, the leader of the German contingent, acknowledged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had the honour to attend the Armistice ceremony here in Blenheim. It was the first time I realised how many New Zealand men and women were sent over to Europe during the First World War.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo over 100 years ago, we were on different sides, we were enemies, and now we are sharing the same values.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we owe it to all these innocent victims back then \u2013 World War I, World War II \u2013 that both of our nations, together with our allies, are defending democracy all around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
On landing at Woodbourne, there is a scurry of action ending with armed New Zealand soldiers clambering aboard for the return journey to Auckland. <\/p>\n
NZDF soldiers get ready to disembark the German A400M transport plane. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
A question on many observers\u2019 minds is, \u201cWhy would the German Air Force fly across the globe to exercise with the New Zealand military?\u201d<\/p>\n
Knoll said while Germany\u2019s defence focus was to its east \u2013 an obvious nod to Russia\u2019s expansionist actions, most notably the invasion of Ukraine that has Nato countries on edge \u2013 it maintains a global perspective on defence operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Government also has an Indo-Pacific strategy. We\u2019re not focusing on one spot of the world, but we have all the other spots also in mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecondly, as a Wing Commander, if we could project our technical capabilities down here, we could project them everywhere in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Luftwaffe A400M prepares for take off from the RNZAF Woodbourne base near Blenheim. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
The T\u016bhono Rangi exercise comes as Germany is going through its greatest defence force expansion since reunification. It is a historic shift in focus.<\/p>\n
Until recently, the Bundeswehr (the German Defence Forces) had been ridiculed for its low morale and old equipment, but it is now arming itself with cutting-edge war machinery<\/a>.<\/p>\n German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced spending of more than \u20ac600 billion ($1200b) over the next five years<\/a>, hoping to reach a military budget that takes in 3.5% of the GDP of Europe\u2019s largest economy by 2029.<\/p>\nThe Luftwaffe is conducting a two-week training exercise, Operation T\u016bhono Rangi, with the Royal New Zealand Air Force to enhance interoperability. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n