RNZAF Base Ohakea

RNZAF Base Ohakea is an operational military installation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), located near Bulls, 25 kilometers northwest of Palmerston North in the Manawatū region of New Zealand. The facility was established in 1939 as part of a military air service expansion plan developed by RAF Wing Commander Ralph Cochrane. Initial construction included two monolithic reinforced concrete hangars designed by Charles Turner. These were built to house Wellington bombers, though the aircraft were redirected to Britain at the onset of the Second World War. During the conflict, Ohakea operated as the RNZAF's main training base for operational conversion to fighters, observers, navigators, and air gunners. Following the war, it functioned as a strike base.

The installation is the second-largest RNZAF base, accommodating approximately 1,200 personnel. It hosts No. 3 Squadron, No. 5 Squadron, No. 14 Squadron, and No. 42 Squadron, alongside the Central Flying School and the Air Force Heritage Flight. No. 14 Squadron conducts initial pilot training, while No. 5 Squadron relocated its maritime patrol operations to Ohakea from RNZAF Base Whenuapai. Additional units stationed at the base include Base Operations Squadron Ohakea, RNZAF Police, Security Forces, Base Medical Flight, Air Refuellers, Rescue Fire Service, and Defence Logistics (Air).

Infrastructure at Ohakea supports both rotary and fixed-wing operations. Resident aircraft include AW109 and NH90 helicopters assigned to No. 3 Squadron, P-8 Poseidon aircraft operated by No. 5 Squadron, and T-6C Texan II trainers flown by No. 14 Squadron. The original 1939 arched concrete hangars, re-roofed in steel, remain in continuous use. Later infrastructure additions include a multi-purpose helicopter hangar constructed in 2012, a main gate duty center, and dedicated hangars, taxiways, and aprons built for the P-8 Poseidon fleet. The facility also encompasses the Sir Richard Bolt international air movements terminal. Completed in 2014, this passenger-processing terminal enables Ohakea to function as an alternate landing site for heavy civilian commercial aircraft when primary international airports in Auckland or Christchurch are unavailable.