Story: Armed forces

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Skyhawk fighter jet flies low over the Whenuapai air base in December 2001 to mark the disestablishment of the air force's Air Combat Force. From this point onwards, the air force did not have any air combat capability and instead concentrated on marine patrols and transport. The government unsuccessfully attempted to sell the Skyhawks. In 2011 some were given to museums and others offered for sale – these were likely to end up being used for parts.