The head of Defence says the Force operates outside normal civilian rules and will defend a case being taken against it, on that basis.
An airman injured in an helicopter crash on ANZAC Day two years ago is suing the Defence Force.
Sergeant Stevin Creeggan, who is still in the Air Force, suffered serious injuries when the Iroquois helicopter crashed on the Kapiti Coast.
Three of his colleagues were killed.
A Defence Force Court of Inquiry found that Air Force practices and supervision were not up to scratch.
Defence Force chief Lieutenant-General Rhys Jones says it operates outside of the bounds that normal civilian organisations do, such as during search and rescue operations.
