#1719 6 Sqn SH-2G(I) Seasprite print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1719 - NZ3616, SH-2G(I) Seasprite, 6 Squadron, RNZAF Base Auckland.
No. 6 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force was formed initially at Milson in February 1942 as am Army co-operation Squadron. It was disbanded in October 1942, but reformed in Fiji in May 1943 as No .6 Squadron, operating Catalina aircraft. At the conclusion of hostilities, the Squadron was again disbanded, but was reformed in April 1952 at Hobsonville as No.6 (Maritime) Squadron operating Catalinas, then Sunderlands from 1955. It was again disbanded in August 1957. On October 2005 the Naval Support Flight was re-designated as an independent RNZAF Squadron. This re-establishment had restored the maritime aviation heritage of the unit. The unit is authorised to use the No.6 Squadron badge approved in 1954 and the motto “Vigilance with Patience”. The SH-2G(I) Seasprite is based on the US Navy SH-2G Seasprite airframes developed during the 1980’s. Eight SH2G(I) Seasprite aircraft were purchased by the New Zealand Defence Force in 2015 to the replace the previous five SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite aircraft. The aircraft is embarked on RNZN aviation capable vessels for operations within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone, the South Pacific, the Southern Ocean, Australasia, and the South East Asia.