US Air Force Flight Returns to New Zealand After Missile Warning
A US Air Force resupply flight returned to Christchurch after New Zealand authorities issued warnings about a planned Russian missile launch.
A United States Air Force C-17A Globemaster III resupply flight returned to Christchurch, New Zealand, on Tuesday after receiving warnings of potentially hazardous space activity. The aircraft, call sign ICE28, had departed at 9 a.m. local time but landed back at the airport around 11:30 a.m.
The diversion occurred after the Russian State Air Traffic Management Corporation notified the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand of a planned missile launch. This activity posed a risk to international airspace within New Zealand's Oceanic Flight Information Region. In response, the Civil Aviation Authority established a danger area and issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to alert operators to the potential hazard.
The United States Pacific Air Forces confirmed the flight was a routine resupply mission conducted during the annual Winter Fly-in period. This operation supports the National Science Foundation's U.S. Antarctic Program through Operation Deep Freeze.
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