page_title: No. 75 Squadron RNZAF
section_title: Disbandment
hierarchical_section_title: No. 75 Squadron RNZAF / History / Disbandment
caption_attribution_description: English: The Draken International team at Lakeland, FL headquarters. Photo by Erik Hildenbrandt.
context_page_description: No. 75 Squadron RNZAF was an air combat squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It was formed from the RAF's World War II bomber squadron, No. 75 Squadron, which had been initially equipped by the New Zealand government and was largely manned by New Zealanders. The squadron was created when, in a unique gesture, the squadron number, colours and battle honours were transferred to the RNZAF in 1946. It had flown more sorties and suffered more casualties than any other in the European theatre.
  The squadron ceased to exist on 13 December 2001, when the RNZAF Air Combat Force, comprising Nos 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons, was officially disbanded.
context_section_description: The RNZAF Air Combat Force, comprising Nos 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons, was officially disbanded on 13 December 2001.  The disbandment day parade marched the three squadron standards to the Base Ohakea chapel of St Mark and were laid up there to hang from the rafters, until such time as the squadron/s are reinstated.
  A political group of concerned civilians and ex-serviceman, called "Save Our Squadrons (SOS)" was formed to protest the move, and took high court action in an attempt to prevent its loss.  The court action was not successful. The New Zealand National Party at the time had promised to re-establish an air combat force if it was re-elected, however in later years statements from their defence spokesperson suggested the cost to do so might be prohibitive.  In November 2008, the Labour Government was defeated by the National Party led by John Key.  Reinstatement of the air combat capability is very unlikely, although it has been discussed in the media from time to time.
  In 2011 eight former RNZAF A-4K and TA-4K Skyhawks were sold to Draken International. The Skyhawks are preserved in their RNZAF colour schemes and are used as an adversary squadron against USAF and US Navy fighter aircraft. Draken International also bought 8 former RNZAF Aermacchi MB-339 training jets.
caption: Draken International team with former RNZAF A-4K Skyhawks
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