RNZAF Patch Unit Royal New Zealand Air Force Parachute Training and Support Unit

RNZAF Patch Royal New Zealand Air Force PTSU Parachute Training And Support Unit Ops Kiwi Blue 1990s RNZAF Base Aukland Embroidered on twill cut edge 76mm three inches diameter.

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History

New Zealand Special Air Service undertook parachute training in Singapore with British instructors and in 1960 relocated parachute training to Australia and to the Auckland Parachute Club.

RNZAF Parachute Training and Support Unit was established at RNZAF Base Aukland Whenuapai in March 1964 to provide parachute training for selected Army and SAS personnel. PTSU expanded to provide training to a wide range of personnel from the NZDF including Air Force and Navy personnel conducting basic instruction for initial parachute trainees progressing through to advanced free fall and HALO parachute training over land and water. In addition PTSU trains Loadmaster and Jump Master personnel for the operational preparation and despatch of airborne forces by parachute. PTSU was the first military unit to introduce Ram Air or square parachutes into service.

PTSU provides training to members of foreign forces for parachute jumpmaster and parachute jump instructor PJI qualifications under the NZDF Mutual Aid Program.

PTSU established the Kiwi Blue Parachute Display Team with its personnel performing at airshows open days and other events where the Air Force participates. The team has carried out displays overseas in Australia and the United Kingdom.

PTSU undertakes community projects including the Jump Start event first undertaken in 2006 where PTSU Parachute Jump Instructor administrative and logistical personnel along with the civilian tandem masters camera flyers and 40 Squadron C 130 aircraft to give teenagers from CanTeen and Project K the chance to complete a tandem skydive from the ramp of the RNZAF C130 Hercules giving the teenagers a sense of confidence and achievement.

This patch dates from the 1990s.