Keith D (there is another keith T here at MW),
I think the new MB-339 are ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force now undergoing refurbishment by Aermacchi. Actually, I'm confused as to why RMAF have two but different fleet of fighter trainer, namely the Hawk 100 and the MB-339. RMAF bought 10 BAe Hawk 100 in the 1990s but some have crashed.
Dec 2004 to March 2005 was one of the most interesting time at PEN and WMKB (RMAF B'worth) in terms of traffic due to the Indian Ocean Tsunami relief effort. PEN and WMKB was the chosen cargo hub by military and civil airliner worldwide to ease the congestion at the smaller Banda Acheh airport.
Sir,the Aermacchis are not exRNZAF but brand new ones.The deal for the KIWI birds fell through last year.Current streaming,pilots coming off from Basic Flying (PLTB 1),those destined to fly Mig29s and F5s go to MB339A and those selected for Hawk 208,F/A18D and future SU30MKM fly the Hawk 108.When they bought the Hawk 108/208,it was in lieu of the projected Tornado MRCA,cost too high and small number so went for Hawks.Repalced the A4PTM at Nos 6 and 9 Sqn and formed a new training unit,sort of Operational Conversion Unit for Fighter or fast jet aircraft.So the RMAF disbanded PLTB 1 and formed instead No.15 Sqn.Lately the No.9 Sqn was amalgamated with No.6 Sqn.Likewise No.17 Sqn is the OCU for Mig29 and No.19 Sqn is the operational Sqn,heard latest No.19 Sqn also amalgamated with No.17 Sqn.
As for Helis,after Basic Flying with PLTB 1, they will go to PLTB 2 for rotary wing qualifications,and after that off to No.3 Sqn which is the Heli OCU.
For Fixed wing,after completion of Basic Flying ,pilots are posted to No.4/20 (C402B/C130H) Sqn or No.21(CN235) Sqn for conversion.After that they will either go to:
No.2 Sqn VIP (BD700,F28,BBJ,DA90),No.4/20 Sqn (C402B,C130H/-30H,KC130H),No.16 Sqn (B200T),No.21 Sqn (CN235)