Four Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) UH-1H helicopters were deployed to the Solomon Islands as part of Operation Rata, to provide transport, reconnaissance and medical evacuation support. The RNZAF helicopters were based with RAAF forces at Honiara International Airfield, formerly Henderson Field. It was from Henderson Field that, in November 1942, No. 3 Squadron became the first squadron of the RNZAF to engage in direct combat with the Japanese.

RNZAF helicopters deployed under Operation Rata, Australian War Memorial (AWM) photograph

Four RNZAF UH-1H helicopters were deployed to the Solomon Islands as part of Operation Rata, and worked closely with four Australian helicopters, deployed under Operation Anode, to provide transport, reconnaissance and medical evacuation support to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). 

RNZAF helicopters, Australian War Memorial (AWM) photograph

New Zealand UH-1H ‘Huey’ Iroquois helicopter in flight above the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal, seen from a second UH-1H. Four helicopters from No. 3 Squadron, RNZAF were deployed to the Solomon Islands under Operation Rata, New Zealand’s contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

See also:

Coalition forces – New Zealand