Five Australian and New Zealand UH-1H ‘Huey’ Iroquois helicopters on landing pads at Honiara ...

Five Australian and New Zealand UH-1H ‘Huey’ Iroquois helicopters on landing pads at Honiara International Airport, formerly Henderson Field. The helicopter closest to the camera is Australian helicopter A2-279. The Australian helicopters, belonging to 171 Squadron, 1st Aviation Regiment, Australian Army Aviation (AAAvn), were deployed under Operation Anode; the New Zealand helicopters, belonging to No. 3 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), were deployed under Operation Rata. Both operations were military and policing contributions to the multi-national Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Behind the helicopters is the airport terminal building, and the tents of the RAMSI Air Point of Departure, used as a base by AAAvn and RNZAF forces, a rifle company from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, and combat support forces. The former Henderson Field, which was originally a Second World War air base that played an important role in the battle of Guadalcanal, was renamed Honiara International Airport in September 2003. In November 1942, No. 3 Squadron RNZAF, flying from Henderson Field, became the first New Zealand squadron to engage in direct combat with the Japanese.