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The 374th Airlift Wing from Yokota Air Base, Japan, joined Royal New Zealand and Royal Australian Air Force units at RNZAF Base Woodbourne for the 10-day air mobility exercise, Mobility Astra 2026, March 23.
Hosted by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the exercise brings together the three air forces to conduct scenario-based training emphasizing tactical coordination, low-level navigation and precision airdrops. This exercise comes after the RNZAF’s transition to the C-130J Super Hercules, replacing its legacy C-130H fleet in late 2024.
“Mobility Astra underscores the importance of shared expertise across mission planning, maintenance and sustainment operations,” said Capt. Sarah Riggs, 374th Airlift Wing mission commander. “It’s about understanding how each other operates - from air-to-land operations to airdrop missions - so that in the future, we can integrate and execute just as quickly.”
During multinational training events like MA26, subject matter expert exchanges become key in operational readiness, as well as strengthening relations with allies and partner nations. Throughout the training, participants were comparing methods for ground support, aircraft maintenance, and rigging of various cargo drops. The differing procedures among nations create opportunities to refine techniques.
“Validating those differences through SME exchanges is exactly what we’re here for,” Riggs added. “We all plan the same way for flying, but our mission planning tools, procedures and operational requirements differ - sharing these helps us all improve and synchronize for the future.”
As training progressed, participants expanded into more complex flight profiles, including terrain-based scenarios and advanced coordination requirements.
RNZAF Base Woodbourne provides a unique training environment, combining mountainous terrain with coastal airspace. Unlike Japan’s primarily inland terrain, New Zealand’s geography requires crews to operate across rapidly changing elevations and maritime conditions.
“As a small country, it’s important for New Zealand to work closely with our partners,” said RNZAF Flying Officer Nicholas Ryan, 42 Squadron pilot. “We spend much of our time in the Pacific supporting humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, fisheries patrols and other missions, so it’s valuable to work with partners who routinely operate farther overseas.”
“Working alongside foreign nations in a live flying environment has been great as we learn how we do things differently and teach each other our own approaches,” he added. “This shows just how important maintaining those international friendships and connections are.”
Exercise Mobility Astra 2026 continues through early April, serving as a demonstration of the U.S., New Zealand and Australia’s shared commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Through combined training and mutual trust, training events like MA26 ensures allied and partner air forces remain ready to respond, together.
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2026 06:15 |
| Story ID: | 561706 |
| Location: | MARLBOROUGH, NZ |
| Web Views: | 4 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 374 AW joins regional partners for exercise Mobility Astra 2026, by SSgt Tristan Truesdell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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