No. 6 Squadron RNZAF

No. 6 Squadron RNZAF
A No. 6 Squadron SH-2G taking off from HMNZS Te Mana during a deployment to the Persian Gulf in 2008
Active	February 1942 – August 1957 October 2005 – present
Country	New Zealand
Branch	Royal New Zealand Air Force  Royal New Zealand Navy
Type	Naval Aviation
Role	ASW / maritime patrol
Garrison/HQ	RNZAF Base Auckland
Motto(s)	Vigilance with patience
Colors	Blue & Grey
Mascot(s)	Winged Sea Horse
Anniversaries	1 February 1942
Equipment	Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite
Engagements	World War II, East Timor, Persian Gulf
Commanders
Current commander	Commander Owen Rodger
Insignia
Squadron Badge	Maori God "Tane"

No. 6 Squadron RNZAF is a maritime squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It has a history going back to World War II, when it operated flying boats, has been disbanded and re-formed several times through changes in the country's military structure. The squadron motto is “Vigilance with Patience”.

Following Japan's entry into World War II in December 1941, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) had to switch from primarily training pilots to Europe into a combat force. No. 6 Squadron RNZAF was formed as an army co-operation unit at Milson in February 1942 flying Vickers Vildebeest and Hawker Hind aircraft. At the same time, No. 5 Squadron RNZAF moved to Fiji with Short Singapores and Vickers Vildebeest and Vincent biplanes.

Modern maritime patrol flying boats (and more Hudson light bombers) were requested under Lend Lease and when the first Consolidated Catalinas arrived a detachment of men from No. 5 Squadron was assigned to convert to these types as No. 6 Squadron. Before the squadron was formed these men completed their first air-sea rescue of a downed US aircrew. From May 1943 No. 6 squadron undertook action against the Japanese. The squadron also conducted search and rescue missions for allied aircrew and seamen, and undertook many open sea rescues. The squadron was disbanded overseas in August 1945. Squadron code letters were "XX".

After the war No. 6 Squadron was re-equipped with Short Sunderland flying boats as a Territorial Air Force unit and also operated float equipped Auster light aircraft. The squadron was disbanded in August 1957, with all Sunderlands transferring to No. 5 Squadron prior to their replacement by modern Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft.