[1] This review followed the death of a member of the Red Checkers aerobatics team in a flying accident on 14 January 2010 and the crash of a No.

3 Squadron RNZAF Bell UH-1 Iroquois on 25 April 2010 which resulted in the death of three airmen.

The courts of inquiry into both accidents concluded that insufficient supervision of the units stationed at RNZAF Base Ohakea had contributed to unsafe flying practices.

488 Squadron RNZAF, a fighter unit which saw combat in the Pacific and Europe during World War II.

488 Wing headquarters issued directives aimed at addressing "urgent deficiencies" in the Defence Force Flying Orders.

[7] In addition to its work in improving flying standards, the wing has also overseen the process of introducing RNZAF's AgustaWestland AW109 and NHIndustries NH90 helicopters into service.