Formed as a Territorial squadron in 1930 at Christchurch, it became the first RNZAF unit to engage the Japanese in WWII. The squadron returned to Christchurch and disbanded in 1957.  3 Squadron reformed as a rotary wing unit at RNZAF Hobsonville in 1965 with UH-1 Iroquois and the Sioux for training. In 1966 the unit received the Wasp HAS.1, which it operated and maintained on behalf of the RNZN until 1977, when the Naval Support Flight (still within 3 Squadron, RNZAF) was formed and this continued the Wasp operations. The SH-2F Seasprite replaced the Wasps of the Naval Support Flight between 1997 and 1998 as an interim measure, based at RNZAF Whenuapai from Jul 1998. The SH-2Fs began to be replaced by the SH-2G Seasprite in April 2001. The Utility Flight (with the UH-1) and the Training Flight (still with the Sioux) moved to RNZAF Ohakea in Jan 2002. The unit has deployed extensively in the Pacific and operated worldwide in support of the New Zealand Defence Forces. Part of the squadron's tasking is as a Force Element in response to the NZDF Rotary Wing Transport Force; another part is to maximise the effectiveness of the RNZN through its Naval Support Flight. |