Choppers piggyback to Samoa

Navy amphibious support ship HMNZS Canterbury has turned "aircraft carrier".

Fresh from a successful humanitarian aid mission in the Cook Islands, the Canterbury sailed from Devonport Naval Base to Apia. The deployment is primarily to transport No 3 Squadron RNZAF to conduct a tropical flying exercise - Tropic Astra 09.

The Canterbury is carrying four Iroquois helicopters, 70 personnel, 15 containers, support vehicles and equipment from the squadron. The ship also carries its own Seasprite helicopter, which will be used to re-supply the Department of Conservation station on Raoul Island en route.

Tropic Astra 09 runs from July 29 to September 1. The Air Force will also carry out missions in support of the Samoan Government as directed through the New Zealand High Commission.

- NZPA