File:New Zealand, US drop zone officers expand combined capabilities 131114-F-FB147-713.jpg

English: (Left to right) United States Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Paul Koester and Maj. Corey Akiyama demonstrate how to set up a heavy equipment point-of-impact marker for Royal New Zealand Air Force Pilot Officer Emma Taylor as the team prepare an aerial-cargo drop zone during Exercise Kiwi Flag Nov. 14 at the New Zealand Defence Force Raumai Drop Zone near Ohakea, New Zealand. Taylor is earning her certification as a United States Air Force drop zone control officer during the multilateral RNZAF-sponsored tactical airlift exercise comprising of air assets from the U.S. Air Force, RNZAF, Royal Australian Air Force, Republic Of Singapore Armed Forces and French Armed Forces of New Caledonia. Taylor's certification will enhance interoperability and unified responses when New Zealand and the United States both respond to a combined effort. Koester is deployed as the 517th EAS jumpmaster. He is the pararescue functional manager at home station, Pacific Air Forces Headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He hails from Colorado Springs, Colo. Akiyama is deployed as the 517th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron air mobility liaison officer. He is also an AMLO for the 615th Contingency Operations Support Group at home station, Camp Henry, Korea. He hails from University Place, Wash. Taylor, an air warfare officer, is assigned to 40 Squadron, RNZAF Base Auckland. Kiwi Flag personnel are supporting Exercise Southern Katipo - held in New Zealand's South Island - by managing air operations and providing cargo and passenger airlift including tactical air drops to SK participants. SK hosts nine countries involved in air, land and maritime operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson/Released)