LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. – Team Little Rock and Members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force commemorated Anzac Day, April 25, 2024, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
Team Little Rock, RNZAF commemorate Anzac Day
Members of Team Little Rock stand at attention for ‘The Last Post’ during Anzac Day at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., April 25, 2024. ANZAC Day is observed each year on April 25 across New Zealand and Australia as a national day of remembrance for service members during all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saisha Cornett)
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Team Little Rock, RNZAF commemorate Anzac Day
The American Flag hangs at half-staff during Anzac Day at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., April 25, 2024. ANZAC Day is observed each year on April 25 across New Zealand and Australia as a national day of remembrance for service members during all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saisha Cornett)
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Team Little Rock, RNZAF commemorate Anzac Day
Airman 1st Class Wyatt Losey, a Little Rock Air Force Base Honor Guardsman, performs ‘The Last Post’ during Anzac Day at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., April 25, 2024. Anzac Day specifically marks the anniversary of the landing of the first soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, also known as ANZACs, on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey in 1915. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saisha Cornett)
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Team Little Rock, RNZAF commemorate Anzac Day
A wreath is laid in honor of Anzac Day at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., April 25, 2024. ANZAC Day is observed each year on April 25 across New Zealand and Australia as a national day of remembrance for service members during all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saisha Cornett)
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Team Little Rock, RNZAF commemorate Anzac Day
Members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force stand at attention for New Zealand national anthem during Anzac Day at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., April 25, 2024. ANZAC Day is observed each year on April 25 across New Zealand and Australia as a national day of remembrance for service members during all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saisha Cornett)
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ANZAC Day is observed each year on April 25 across New Zealand and Australia as a national day of remembrance for service members during all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The day serves to acknowledge the sacrifices of those who served and died, past and present.
The day specifically marks the anniversary of the landing of the first soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, also known as ANZACs, on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey in 1915. This was the site of New Zealand’s first major battle of World War I with the tragic loss of over 8,700 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers’ lives.
Over time, Anzac Day has had many changes in the way it’s commemorated, reflecting the changing features and concerns of New Zealand society. Today, Anzac Day promotes a sense of unity and is a time for the nation to pay respects to the many thousands of New Zealand military members who are serving or have served, that have been called upon to support New Zealand in times of war, conflict, and disaster.
Since the beginning of 2023, RNZAF maintenance and aircrew personnel, along with their families, have been training and integrating with Little Rock AFB in preparation for the arrival of their five new C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft in 2024.