New Zealand, US drop zone officers expand combined capabilities [Image 6 of 12]

OHAKEA, NEW ZEALAND

11.14.2013

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson 

Pacific Air Forces

United States Air Force Maj. Corey Akiyama checks wind velocity as (left to right) New Zealand Army Private Hamish Summers, Royal New Zealand Air Force Pilot Officer Emma Taylor and United States Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Paul Koester await the reading as the team prepare an aerial-cargo drop zone during Exercise Kiwi Flag Nov. 14 at the New Zealand Defence Force Raumai Drop Zone near Ohakea, New Zealand. The wind checks are a task which must be repeated regularly prior to the drop to ensure conditions don't exceed safety requirements for the crew and equipment. Taylor is earning her certification as a United States Air Force drop zone control officer during the multilateral RNZAF-sponsored tactical airlift exercise comprising of air assets from the U.S. Air Force, RNZAF, Royal Australian Air Force, Republic Of Singapore Armed Forces and French Armed Forces of New Caledonia. Taylor's certification will enhance interoperability and unified responses when New Zealand and the United States both respond to a combined effort. Summers is from 51st Aerial Delivery Platoon, 5th Movements Company, 2nd Combat Services Support Battalion out of Linton Military Camp in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Taylor, an air warfare officer, is assigned to 40 Squadron, RNZAF Base Auckland. Akiyama is deployed as the 517th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron air mobility liaison officer. He is also an AMLO for the 615th Contingency Operations Support Group at home station, Camp Henry, Korea. He hails from University Place, Wash. Koester is deployed as the 517th EAS jumpmaster. He is the pararescue functional manager at home station, Pacific Air Forces Headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He hails from Colorado Springs, Colo. Kiwi Flag personnel are supporting Exercise Southern Katipo - held in New Zealand's South Island -- by managing air operations and providing cargo and passenger airlift including tactical air drops to SK participants. SK hosts nine countries involved in air, land and maritime operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson/Released)

• Date Taken: 11.14.2013
• Date Posted: 11.21.2013 16:19
• Photo ID: 1057801
• VIRIN: 131114-F-FB147-707
• Resolution: 3216x2136
• Size: 1.58 MB
• Location: OHAKEA, NZ
• Hometown: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US
• Hometown: ORLANDO, FL, US
• Hometown: UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA, US