Art Deco Weekend: Salute from air force | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

The Royal New Zealand Air Force was honoured to take part in the Geon Art Deco Weekend, said Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell.

The visit was part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the air force.

"We have exercises here infrequently but probably a bigger connection is through our Central Band out of Wellington. They come here on a regular basis and have been here this weekend providing quite a bit of entertainment," the air force chief said.

The Red Checkers, the air force's formation aerobatic team, sculpted the skies for visitors.

About 100 air force staff were involved but the band was missing on Sunday, having travelled to Wairoa.

He said the air force did not visit Hawke's Bay often, but their presence at the Veronica Bell Parade was appropriate.

HMS Veronica was the saviour of Napier after the Hawke's Bay earthquake in 1931, but other services were involved in the Hawke's Bay earthquake-relief effort as well.

"We were here in 1931. In those days, it was the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, before it became the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937," said Air Vice-Marshall Stockwell.

He said he expected the focus of commemorations to be with the navy.

"It was great that we have been recognised this year, but it really is a much closer relationship between Napier and the navy - that's important."