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AIRFORCENEWSAIRFORCENEWS
big lift for aNtarcticaaNd thE u.S.
WorkiNg dogSour k-9 crEW rEady for buSiNESS
rNzaf SportSSportSpErSoN of thE yEar
aucklaNd airShoWfuN iN thE SuN
T h r e e S e r v i c e S a S o n e f o r c e – b e i n g T h e b e S T i n e v e r y T h i n g w e d o
royal NEW zEalaNd air forcE // iSSuE #102 // april 2009 w w w . a i r f o r c e . M i L . n Z
wiseowl in wanaka
AIRFORCENEWS
c o N t E N t S
a f N 1 0 2 a p r i l 0 9 | w w w . a i r f o r c e . m i l . n z2
royal NEW zEalaNd air forcE // issue #102 // ApRIl 2009
OUR MISSIONTo carry out military air operations to advance New Zealand’s security interests, with professionalism, integrity and teamwork.
OUR VISIONWe will be an Air Force that is the best in all we do.He Tauarangi matou ko te pai rawa atu i to matou mahi katoa.
The official journal and forum of the Royal New Zealand Air Force established for the information, education and enjoyment of its personnel and other people interested in RNZAF and associated matters. Published byDefence Communications GroupHQ NZ Defence Force Wellington, New ZealandP: (04) 496 0289 F: (04) 496 0290
Editorial AuthorityIan Brunton
EditorGrant CarrEmail: [email protected]
Design and LayoutAmy TrlinEmail: [email protected]
ProofreaderKatrina Randerson
Printed byKeeling and Mundy LimitedPO Box 61, Palmerston North
DistributionMarianna RobatiEmail: [email protected]
Air Force News is the official magazine of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) – established to inform, educate and entertain its personnel and friends. Views expressed in Air Force News are not necessarily those of the RNZAF or the NZDF. Defence regulations over-ride all content in Air Force News. Editorial contributions and ideas are welcomed. They can be emailed direct to the Editor and do not need to be forwarded through normal command chains. Contributions need to include: writer’s name, rank and unit, photographer’s name, and photos provided separately from the text – at least 300dpi.
Reprinting of items is encouraged, if the Air Force News is acknowledged.
Contribution deadline for the May issue:Friday 17 April 2009 – 5PM
ISSN 1175-2327
03082022252728
30323435363843
april 2009 COVEr
10 12 14
AIRFORCENEWSAIRFORCENEWS
BIG LIFT FOR ANTARCTICAAND THE U.S.
WORKING DOGSOUR K9 CREW READY
FOR BUSINESS
RNZAF SPORTSSPORTSPERSON
OF THE YEARAUCKLAND AIRSHOWFUN IN THE SUN
T H R E E S E R V I C E S A S O N E F O R C E B E I N G T H E B E S T I N E V E R Y T H I N G W E D O
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE // ISSUE #102 // APRIL 2009 W W W . A I R F O R C E . M I L . N Z
WISEOWL IN WANAKA
COntEnts
PhOtO: by AC Amanda McErlich. OH 09-0090-72.
fIRSt wORD Is the Sky Falling?
PERS CORNER W/Os Step Up to Command
MENtORING One-on-One
AIR wORthINESS Retaining Our Readiness
CANE Of KNOwLEDGE Respect
BOMBER COMMAND Our Heritage
CttAG Elite Force - Real Life Experience
jUMPStARt 2009 Another Success
wORKING DOGS Our K-9 crew
PILOt GRADUAtION Proud Wings
RNzAf SPORtS Sportsperson of the Year
MOPED MANIA In Auckland and Woodbourne
CRICKEt Interbase and Interservice
REGULARS Farewells and Welcome Backs
wIsEOwl In wAnAkAAnother huge success.
BIG lIFT FOR AnTARC TICAWorking alongside the US.
AUCklAnD AIRsHOwFun in the sun.
Former RAF pilot GPCAPT Stephen Davies Howard used to fly Typhoons to intercept Russian surveillance aircraft. Now a Kiwi the indomitable GPCAPT still likes to keep his hand in. On a recent visit to the RNZAF’s Wiseowl 92 the new Commander Training Group flew an Air Trainer over the South Island’s picturesque countryside near Lake Wanaka. See page 12 for Wiseowl 92 coverage.
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f i r S t W o r d
Many of you know the story of Chicken Little. A chicken is convinced the sky is
falling because an acorn falls on her head. The chicken then whips those around her into a frenzy of anxiety based on wrong assumptions. While acknowledging the severity of the economic climate, we should also watch out for those who are emulating Chicken Little and her friends.
The world is still analysing the global recession’s impact, the magnitude of which is unparalleled in decades. Governments, financial institutions and experts are trying to gauge the impact on national economies, businesses and their people. The NZDF is not immune from either impact or scrutiny, nor should we be. It is abundantly clear that some organisations will be forced to make changes and some will fall by the wayside, unable to sustain the impact of the recession. Others will emerge more efficient, competitive and will set standards for others to emulate. Not because they are the biggest – we have seen some of the mighty fall already – but because they have invested in sound planning, are responsive and have good leadership at all levels. Government organisations, including the NZDF, must respond to the economic situation along with all New Zealanders.
So, how does the RNZAF shape up to the recession’s challenges? Are we ready to support the Government’s expectations to do things more cost effectively, provide better services, ensure value for money and cut expenditure where necessary? My assessment is that the RNZAF is well prepared for all that and more. We are a well motivated, professional team that has clear aims and confidence in ourselves. Our track record shows we are motivated to achieve and have the courage and skills to change with the times. We have the capability to deliver on the operational tasks that are our core business, but also on organisational and corporate demands justifiably placed on us by our Government and the New Zealand people.
2009 will present some significant challenges for the RNZAF. Finance is going to be tight and we
must expect to critically re-examine and justify all our expenditure, plans and programmes. We should not be surprised by this or resent it. Indeed, it is our duty to do this as a responsible arm of the Government, even more so in the current economic climate. Nor should we be disheartened if we see some of our aspirations or plans slip to the right, in order to stay within prescribed fiscal limitations. These are difficult financial times, but is the sky falling? I think not.
The RNZAF planning process is sound, well developed and transparent. Our programmes to deliver New Zealand’s next generation of air capability are comprehensive, professionally managed and geared to deliver what Government has identified as necessary for New Zealand’s continued security. We are a well led, professional and focused organisation that has the trust of the Government and the New Zealand public. CAF encourages us to think smarter, find simpler ways of doing things and be innovative. This we will continue to do. The Defence Transformation Programme is examining many aspects of the NZDF to see if there are better ways to conduct business and we should embrace these initiatives. But above all else, we have the ability of men and women of the RNZAF. Within our team is where we will, as we have always done, find the good ideas, commitment and initiatives. We are in good shape to tackle any challenge. Air Staff will shortly issue the 2009 revision to our Strategic Plan. There will be some fine tuning to reflect CAF’s Intent Statement of 2009 and the progress we have made over the past year. There are likely to be some non-radical changes to reflect the impact of the current financial climate, the Government’s announced decision to retain Base Auckland as a fully operational Base, and possibly the outcome of some reviews. The RNZAF strategic goals are in line with that of the NZDF and the Government. The RNZAF is on course, aligned and focused. There will be some turbulence. But the sky is definitely not about to fall.
GPCAPT Peter Guy is the Assistant Chief of Air Force Plans. In early 2009 he returned from Beijing where he had been the Defence Attaché in the PRC.
“think smartEr, find simplEr ways Of dOing things...”
is the sky falling?
GPCAPT PeTer GuyAssisTAnT CHief
Of Air fOrCe PLAns
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No life vests, and no radio. Unfortunately, they also had no idea where they were or where the sail was going to take them. they were lucky our P-3K Orion crew were their usual consummate professionals.
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“finding thE missing bOat and
its OCCupants within an hOur”
Probably the first time you saw this lovely couple was back in March 2004 when then CPL Gibbons was on the front cover of Air Force News.
He had returned to the waiting arms of Emily from a P-3K deployment to the Middle East (see inset). On Saturday 28 February No.5 Squadron's SGT Michael Gibbons married his long-time sweetheart Emily at Rotorua.
sgt wEds swEEthEart
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ON fRIDAy 20 MARCh AN AIR fORCE P-3K ORION CREw tOOK jUSt 52 MINUtES tO LOCAtE A VESSEL OVERDUE By twO DAyS wIth ALL PERSONNEL ON BOARD SAfE AND wELL.
The No. 5 Squadron P-3K Orion launched from
Whenuapai Air Force Base at 6:15am and took up
the search off the Tongan coast at 9:30am. The
stranded vessel, a 17-foot aluminium boat with
four people on board including the Governor of
Ha’apai and his staff, were found at 10:22am.
The Air Component Commander at NZDF
Joint Headquarters, AIRCDRE Gavin Howse
complimented the crew: ‘Once again Air Force
Orions of No.5 Squadron have reacted quickly to a
call for assistance, finding the missing boat and its
occupants within an hour of arriving in the Tongan
area. The Orion dropped radios and equipment
to the stricken vessel and landed in Tonga before
coordinating a rendezvous with a Tongan patrol
craft sailing to the aid of the survivors.
‘I’m sure the survivors were relieved to see the
P-3K Orion overhead, having been missing for over
48 hours,’ he said.
The vessel was located 200 kilometres north east
of Nuku’alofa and approximately 200km east of
where a volcano is erupting.
stranded Vessel
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b r i E f N E W S
no.3 squadron were involved in a search and rescue (sAr) exercise out near Auckland’s rangitoto island on friday 27 february. LAC Grant
Armishaw was on the spot to take these photos. One of the navy's Chico yachts was used as a simulated 'boat in distress' and the iroquois crew
practiced high-line crewman transfers. ‘Unfortunately we were not able to keep up with them in our small Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) on
the high seas when they performed the actual transfer,’ said LAC Armishaw.
saR eXeRCise
A No. 3 Squadron Iroquois takes part in a search and rescue exercise by completing a high-line crewman transfer.
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Ideal for NZDF representatives and speakers,
the new ANZAC Challenge coin is 45mm in
diameter and easy to pack and carry overseas.
Challenge coins can be presented in several
ways—on their own, in a velvet coin bag, or in a
wooden rimu box.
Challenge coins are an old American tradition
instituted into the NZDF in 2005 as an alternative
gift for dignitaries and others. To date the NZDF
has issued about 50 different coins; from five
generic coins – Navy, Army, Air Force, NZDF and
HQ JFNZ – to those for individual Service Chiefs
and senior staff. Other coins have been issued for
SAS, Ships Commissionings, Medical Corps, Army/
Air Force Bands and Commemorative events.
Order an ANZAC challenge coin now through JLSO:
e-mail [email protected]
These can be journalled to your
appropriate cost centres if
approved.
For individual orders, please
add GST to cheques which
should be made payable to NZDF.
new anzac challenge coin Available in: Excl GSt Inc GSt
Loose $15.00 $16.88
Velvet bag $17.00 $19.13
Black velvet box $25.00 $28.13
Rimu box engraved with poppy and year on outside of box, inscription inside lid $75.00 $84.38
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The firefighters are one of three crews returning
after three weeks assisting Australian
firefighters battle bushfires in Victoria.
Commander of Joint Forces New Zealand, MAJ
GEN Rhys Jones said he was pleased the NZDF
were able to be part of the wider New Zealand
response during what was a particularly difficult
time for our ANZAC neighbours.
‘The NZDF fire crew that headed to Victoria faced
a challenging situation, but their training and
teamwork saw them able to meet that challenge
and be a valuable part of the New Zealand
contingent.
‘With all the various agencies working together,
New Zealand was able to send professional crews
who provided much needed assistance and I
congratulate them on their efforts.’
A number of civilian fire crews from the first
contingent arrived in New Zealand on Thursday
5 March aboard a RNZAF C-130 Hercules.
PICtURED ABOVE: NzDf fire Crew at work in Victoria during february 2009.
LEFT: Like a scene from hell. The Victoria fires at their height. february 2009.
nzDF FiReFighteRs RETURn HOMEthE fIRSt fIRE CREw ASSEMBLED By thE NEw zEALAND DEfENCE fORCE tO ASSISt IN A MULtI-AGENCy RESPONSE tO thE VICtORIAN fIRES REtURNED hOME tO NEw zEALAND ON SAtURDAy 7 MARCh.
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aValon showcaseThe RNZAF’s invitation to attend this year’s
Avalon Airshow, from 10 to 15 March at
Geelong in Victoria, was a great opportunity to
showcase our upgraded B757 aircraft to a new
international audience. The biennial airshow and
aviation trade show is probably the largest long-
running show in the southern hemisphere and
a great meeting place for leading edge aviation
technology buyers and sellers alike.
As expected our aircraft performed effortlessly and
again highlighted the close relationship between
the NZDF and its Australian counterpart, the
Australian Defence Force.
A helicopter flyer himself, our Chief of Air Force
AVM Graham Lintott took the opportunity to check
out the controls of the Malaysian Air Force’s A109
helicopter on display at the show. The RNZAF has
ordered five A109 helicopters to replace its entire
fleet of Sioux training helicopters.
RIGht: CAf AVM Lintott (left) and Assistant Chief of Air force (Capability) GPCAPt tony Davies check out the Malaysian Air force’s impressive A109 helicopter.
“Our airCraft pErfOrmEd
EffOrtlEssly...”
PHOT
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Our
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PeT
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LAr
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ir n
eWs
On the afternoon of Wednesday 18 March the Brendon Deere Spitfire PV 270 finally soared into the skies above RNZAF Base Ohakea to become the only airworthy Spitfire in New Zealand. At the controls was pilot Keith Skilling taking the five year restoration project to completion. The aircraft will remain in Base Ohakea Historic Flight hangar until its first scheduled public exposure at the Omaka Classic Wings Air Show at Easter. If that is a success the aircraft will fly again
on ANzAC Day completing a circuit of Palmerston North, feilding, Marton, wanganui and Bulls.
Up SheGoes...
PHOT
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Our
Tesy
: GAv
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On
rOy
p E r S c o r N E r
8 a f N 1 0 2 a p r i l 0 9 | w w w . a i r f o r c e . m i l . n z
warrant officer appointments Board
peRsCoRneRGPCAPT KEVIN McEVOY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF AIR FORCE PERSONNEL
In November 2008 the inaugural Warrant Officer
Appointments Board (WOAB) convened to address
RNZAF Warrant Officer career management and
to select candidates for the newly established
Command Warrant Officer positions. While
Command Warrant Officer appointments were
the primary business of the Board, professional
military development and Warrant Officer
extensions were also addressed.
Until now only personnel in those ranks below
Warrant Officer have had the opportunity to be
considered annually for progression and formally
considered for subsequent developmental
courses. Warrant Officers—some of our most
experienced personnel within the RNZAF—have
not had that same opportunity. In November
last year the WOAB changed that, providing
a mechanism for a greater degree of career
management for all Warrant Officers. Considering
each Warrant Officer in the RNZAF individually was
a fundamental step in identifying our Command
Warrant Officers. That same measure was also
crucial to help recognise specialist skills, those
with potential in other areas, and those that will
be our future Command Warrant Officers.
By identifying personnel and their skills in this
manner, professional military development can
be much more effectively employed. The Warrant
Officer Advanced Course in particular, conducted
at the New Zealand Defence College, is something
that will be utilised for those currently appointed
to, or identified as future candidates for, the
Command Warrant Officer positions. The course
concentrates on developing those skills deemed
necessary to fill positions where leadership and
strategic understanding are key elements.
With a changing Air Force, an essential part of
the modern Warrant Officer now concentrates
more on aspects of leadership, stewardship
and the ability to influence change within large
groups in the RNZAF. While still important, trade
competencies now form a lesser part of that role,
particularly at the Command Warrant Officer level.
However, recognising the potential in personnel
is not solely about the Command Warrant Officer.
Many personnel at the rank of Warrant Officer
have a great deal to offer and not everyone will
be on a path as a Command Warrant Officer. A
key part of the Board was recognising the unique
skills that each of our Warrant Officers have as
individuals.
Ultimately, all Warrant Officers were considered
for extensions last November, irrespective of their
current engagements. This ensured that no one
was overlooked within the Warrant Officer rank
and that the value of all Warrant Officers could
be realised. Extensions were given in line with
the potential that each offered whilst still keeping
within the RNZAF extension criteria.
With the first of the Command Warrant Officers
already in their appointments, CAF recently
promulgated the eleven positions and the new
appointees.
>> wARRANt OffICER G.B. ChARD, CommandWarrantOfficerOSWAK
>> wARRANt OffICER D.R. ARNSt, CommandWarrantOfficerOSWOH
>> wARRANt OffICER K.L. MCMILLAN, CommandWarrantOfficerOSWWB
>> wARRANt OffICER j.K. BOyD-EwENS, CommandWarrantOfficerESS
>> wARRANt OffICER R.h. GELL, CommandWarrantOfficerMSW
>> wARRANt OffICER M.M. hARwOOD, CommandWarrantOfficerMWG
>> wARRANt OffICER B.L. LOOKER, CommandWarrantOfficer3SQN
>> wARRANt OffICER C.S. BLUNDELL, CommandWarrantOfficer40SQN
>> wARRANt OffICER D.G. LARK, CommandWarrantOfficer5SQN
>> wARRANt OffICER P.G. ROBERtSON, CommandWarrantOfficerDAC
>> wARRANt OffICER P.G. wEBLEy, CommandWarrantOfficerGTW
WGCDr sAMMy CLArk
rECOgnising thE uniquE skills that EaCh Of Our warrant OffiCErs haVE
as indiViduals...
Bearing in mind the demands on the
RNZAF over the next few years, CAF
recently summed up the role for the new
appointees:
“I would like to congratulate all of these Warrant Officers on their appointments. The Command Warrant Officer positions are all significant leadership roles that will play a crucial part in shaping the RNZAF to meet the challenges ahead.”
9w w w . a i r f o r c e . m i l . n z | a f N 1 0 2 a p r i l 0 9
thE AIR fORCE OftEN hAS GREAt NEwS tO ShOUt ABOUt. It APPEARS wE AREN’t ALONE. thE ARMy IS NOw USING tEChNICALLy ADVANCED tRAINING EqUIPMENt tO DEVELOP KEy MILItARy SKILLS.
Simulation in the military has come a long way
since dice, floor maps and terrain boards. Now
computer programmes allow a huge array of
Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) effects,
limited only by available computer hardware. It’s
possible to watch your simulated fellow soldier
blinking at you and hear the sound of yourself
crawling over the ground avoiding hostile fire. You
can fire a Steyr at a target on the screen, hear the
blast, and feel the recoil, all without using any
ammunition. What started as computer games for
kids has now become a vital tool for developing
and enhancing military skills around the world.
The Army Simulation Centres in Linton, Waiouru
and Burnham are commanded by Linton based
Major Peter Curran. The centres offer a mix
of different software and hardware options,
depending on what training is required at each
location. Similar weaponry is used in the Navy,
Army and Air Force. It is therefore possible that in
the future, all three Services may use the Weapon
Training System (WTS) to practice and maintain
their firing skills.
The Army has invested heavily in this technology,
and it seems to be paying off. For example, the
WTS in Waiouru has saved about $12 million
in live ammunition costs by replacing it with
the virtual kind. But the benefits of the Army
Simulation Centres are not just cost savings. ‘You
can play a whole scenario. In some countries it’s
normal for everyone to carry a gun – this doesn’t
mean they are a threat. Simulation can help
soldiers make better decisions faster in this kind
of environment,’ says MAJ Curran. The options
and opportunities are numerous. You can use
night time scenarios during day time or simulate
bad weather when the sun is shining. You can
visit places on the other side of the world that
are created so realistically, you would know your
way around when you got there in person. There
is the option to work as part of a team – taking
orders from your CO and protecting your fellow
soldiers, or independently. You can get killed or
injured without any physical consequence, apart
from perhaps a reprimand from your CO.
Just because in the simulated environment all
these things are possible, it doesn’t mean they
don’t need to be controlled. ‘We need user units
to provide the C2 element to supervise activities,
and scenarios must underpin the respective unit’s
mission essential tasks – otherwise the training is
pointless.’ Soldiers using guns at the WTS range
need to show the same consideration for safety
that they would normally. In real life, ammunition
and fuel is restricted and death and injuries
are permanent. It’s about giving soldiers and
commanders an understanding of their actions
by putting them into a range of challenging life
or death virtual situations that cannot otherwise
be replicated in the real world. ‘Training for
operations is not a game and if you come to the
Simulation Centre for training you’d better be
prepared to take it seriously,’ says Maj Curran.
At present, simulation training is optional and
not part of core training for Army personnel. The
ideal is for it to be integrated and combined with
classroom work and training in the field right from
the beginning of a soldier’s career. ‘The value of
simulation is exponential and the benefits of using
it are significant and cost effective, so it is sensible
for Army units to choose to use simulation tools
as part of their core business,’ says MAJ Curran.
‘We have been preoccupied with the technical
part – the software and hardware – but now need
to focus on the tactical application of simulation
and start including it in training, as well as in
instructor training.’ MAJ Curran is confident that
more integration of simulation tools into Army
training will occur, ‘I have a great team and
excellent support from my chain of command.
I am confident that the Army Simulation Centre
will grow along with the Army, although ongoing
investment will be needed as hardware and
software evolve. Simulation is like a Porsche,
which until now, has been kept in the garage;
we’re going to dust it off, take it out on the road
and see how fast we can make it go…’
Using advanced technology that is constantly
improving seems to be the way forward. With a
view to Services learning from each other, sharing
resources and merging some operations, this tool
could certainly provide great training opportunities
for Air Force personnel in the future.
or battlefield exercises?waR games
“hElp sOldiErs makE bEttEr
dECisiOns fastEr”
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Big lifTFoR a Big JoB
fLTLT vAuGHAn JOnes
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View of the cargo hold from the bubble in the C-17.
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The departure of the last USAF aircraft from Christchurch on 25 February 2009 marked
the end of the 2008/09 Harewood Terminal Team (HTT) season. OP Antarctica is the ongoing NZDF commitment providing air transport and logistical support on an annual basis to the NZ Antarctic programme and the NZDF contribution to the NZ/US logistic pool.
The HTT are responsible for: coordinating cargo, building freight into aircraft loads specific to the C17 or C130, load planning, loading and unloading the variety of aircraft as required. During the season the tri-Service team worked irregular times throughout the day and night, seven days a week to ensure the operation went smoothly.
During the 2008/09 season, the HTT facilitated
96 flights bound for Antarctica, made up of: 52 x
C17 flights, 6 x RNZAF C130, 24 x LC130 (USAF
ski Hercs), 6 x SAFAIR L100 and 8 x Airbus A319
flights. On these flights, 2,721 passengers were
moved with 20,1671lbs of baggage.
The HTT built over 500 aircraft pallets of freight
which amounted to 2,397,243lbs of freight and
81,894lbs of mail for the personnel stationed in
Antarctica over the summer season.
While there were no large singular projects that
required special handling, there were several items
that presented loading challenges for the HTT,
for example specialized drilling equipment and a
70,000lb bulldozer; this highlights the requirement
for a high levels of supervision and experience
to be maintained within the HTT. All personnel
involved in the HTT, whether permanently based
at Air Movements Christchurch or a tri-Service
augment to the team, have represented the NZDF
with credit and demonstrated the ability of the
three Services to work as one force.
The HTT is an annual operation in support of Op
Antarctica and nominations will once again be
called for in the middle of the year, so keep an
eye on the advertised vacancies and you too can
be part of this dynamic team involved with the
Antarctic season.
FoR a Big JoBhAREwOOD tERMINAL tEAM – OP ANtARCtICA 2008/09
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ASCS james Robertson assists CPL Sanet van Deventer in guiding SGt francis Luiz's placement of a palette onto the C-17 Globemaster. fLtLt Vaughn jones helps push cargo into place
prior to takeoff on the C-17 Globemaster.
CPL Sanet van Deventer loading cargo onto a trolley to be taken to a United States Air force C-17.
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sUCCessanother wiseowl
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thE AIR fORCE’S tRAINING ExERCISE wISEOwL 92 wAS hELD fROM 23 fEBRUARy tO 5 MARCh At wANAKA, IN thE SOUth ISLAND.
The exercise, held twice a year at a provincial airfield, sees senior course pilots flying in an unfamiliar airspace. On the open day members of the public were invited to the camp to view how an Air Force camp is set up for Wiseowl. Static displays included a No. 40 Squadron C-130 Hercules, a No. 3 Squadron Iroquois, Air Trainers, an Air Security display and a recruiting tent.
The Chief of Air Force AVM Graham Lintott greeted invited local dignitaries to the celebratory dinner on Saturday 28 February. A total of 11 senior pilot trainees attended the exercise for advanced training in unfamiliar airspace and formation flying. Over 100 personnel helped set up the camp in its initial stages with the Wiseowl village settling into a static population of around 90 for the remainder of the exercise. The Wanaka exercise started with overcast and rainy skies which soon cleared to blue skies and light winds for the remainder of the time.
For W/O Greg Backhouse, organising his sixth Wiseowl, the exercise ‘was the best I have been involved in. Everything came together with the transport, the local community, the location and the participants making it simply fantastic.’
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PLTOFF Brett Mann gives a local lad some flying tips.An Aeromotive Engineer maintaining an Air trainer at the camp.
AC Ken yap puts up tent frames at the start of wiseowl 92.
08/2 Pilots course group photo on the tarmac at wanaka Airport. (L-R): PLtOff fiona Riddler, PLtOff Brett Mann, PLtOff tom Corkery, PLtOff Shane huisman, PLtOff Peter Stiles, fGOff Angus johnston, PLtOff Kendall Dooley, PLtOff Izak Pivac, PLtOff Mat woodcock, fGOff Chris Ross, and PLtOff Nick hall.
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FoR a gReat DayRecoRD cRowD thIS yEAR’S RNzAf AIR ShOw AND OPEN DAy At BASE AUCKLAND ON
SAtURDAy 21 MARCh AttRACtED A RECORD CROwD, wIth jUSt OVER
50,000 AttENDING.
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‘The day turned out wonderfully with great weather,
fantastic crowds and some incredible flying,’ said
Commander of RNZAF Base Auckland, Operational
Support Wing, WGCDR Richard Marshall. ‘There
was a great atmosphere with the public being able
to get up close to the aircraft, meet one-on-one with
RNZAF personnel and gain a better understanding
of the activities, roles and benefits that the Air Force
provides New Zealand.
‘The day really did provide something for everyone
with displays by the various RNZAF trades, the
static aircraft displays and flying from a range of
aircraft from New Zealand and overseas,’ said
WGCDR Marshall.
The great family day out atmosphere was
underlined by free admission for children and
many Aucklanders took the opportunity to do
just that – reacquaint their kids with the aviation
experience. With Base Auckland’s future now
relatively secure the Open Day/Air Show took on
a carnival atmosphere of celebration. The next
Open Day/Air Show will be at Base Ohakea in
March 2010.
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OPPOSItE PAGE tOP: A ten-ship formation including the Roaring 40s harvard trainers and the RNzAf’s Red Checkers aerobatic team.
OPPOSItE PAGE BOttOM: RNzAf Base Auckland Air Show and Open Day on Saturday 21 March 2009. Crowds are on the flight line looking at the upgraded Boeing 757 and C-130 hercules. A USAf C-17 is taxing in the background.
ABOVE LEft: An Air force fan checks out an Air trainer’s controls.
ABOVE: PLtOff Kendall Dooley shows Monique Burrett the cockpit of an Air trainer.
BELOw: A young spectator makes good use of binoculars.
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the No. 40 Squadron hangar’s trade displays was a popular spot for young Aucklanders considering a career with the RNzAf.
the Red Checkers perform a ‘spaghetti break’.
what a day! GPCAPT POOT
Auckland has been inundated with positive
feedback from the recent Open Day held on
21 March. Messages have talked about our
professionalism, enthusiasm and confidence.
Some stated that it was the best event that
they had been to in Auckland while others
used the words sensational, well organised
and an impressive showcase of RNZAF
capability. Equally rewarding have been the
anecdotes and stories told by our people of
the exciting and energetic encounters they
have had with members of the public since.
In planning this year’s Open Day, Auckland
set about making it an RNZAF event. The
collective efforts up and down the RNZAF in
advance of the day came together to show
what we can achieve. The public loved it and
I hope we will see the benefits of this down
the track and a better understanding of the
RNZAF. As always, you, our people, were our
best ambassadors. We know how good you
are and the Open Day provided the chance
to let the public see you in action. On behalf
of those who did the hard work in pulling this
event together can I express the thanks of the
Planning Committee and my own to all who
got behind this great event. Watching people
in action and seeing the public’s response
made me really proud to be wearing an
RNZAF uniform.
Fantastic work team – lets see if we can
build on this for Ohakea’s Open Day 21
March 2010.
It was truly an amazing Air Show, and
probably the best I have witnessed
in my 36 years in the Air force. Not
only because of the flying and support
from our allies, but mainly from the
way our people engaged with the
community. A huge thanks goes to
GPCAPt Poot, wGCDR Marshall,
wGCDR hunt and everyone else at
Auckland and throughout the Air force
who contributed to the success of the
Air Show.
CAf, AVM Graham Lintott
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A crowd pleaser from the RAAf was this fA-18 hornet.
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Directorate of Air Force Safety and Health
(DASH) Advisor F/S Pete Healy loves his
job. But there’s one part he hopes will never
bear fruit – responding to a major air crash
or disaster at our annual airshow. He calls it
‘planning for the worst case scenario’ and while
it may be unthinkable it is definitely something
the Air Force must train for. Like much of the
behind-the-scenes work that goes into the Air
Force’s annual Open Day/Air Shows, preparing
for an emergency also requires meticulous and
long-term planning.
The most visible part of preparing an Emergency
Response Plan is, of course, the full dress
rehearsal known as a Crashex, co-ordinated by
SQNLDR Russell Kennedy and F/S Healy, where
a full simulation of an airshow crash scenario
– including made up casualties, pyrotechnics,
grieving relatives and gawking onlookers – is
acted out as realistically as possible on Base.
This year’s Crashex was called Exercise Choppers
Down and simulated a crash involving a Seasprite
and an Iroquois. But the build up to the Crashex
starts months before with a tabletop exercise
involving all the major players on Base from the
WGCDR down, the Instant Management Team
(IMT) plus outside agencies such as the Police,
Fire Service, Ambulance and others. F/S Healy,
former RAF Fireman and fast becoming the
RNZAF’s resident ‘expert’ emergency planner,
says that involving those outside agencies and
gathering a ‘community’ of like-minded contacts
is crucial to successful emergency response.
‘It’s important that everyone knows how they fit
into the scenario and who does what. Building
relationships is very important to that. And the
tabletop and Crashex activities give us the time
and opportunity to learn and to sharpen up our
responses.’
Participants at the tabletop exercise are handed
a range of scripts – increasing in seriousness
of ‘incidents to respond to – from a bystander
heart attack to a food stall fire to a full blown
crash. Part of that is also preparing to deal with
the distraught families of casualties by setting
up a Family Reconciliation Team. Observers at
the Crashex monitor responses and debrief after
the exercise so that learning is of a ‘progressive’
nature.
Fortunately there were no disasters at this year’s
airshow but preliminary planning for Emergency
Management at the next Ohakea airshow in 2010
will already start this month.
teamwork
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Plenty of room inside. Spectators line up to explore the hold and flight deck of the RNzAf’s C-130 hercules.
Emergency personnel come to the aid of a ‘casualty’ during Exercise Choppers Down on 5 March at Base Auckland. the realistic exercise simulated a crash involving a Seasprite and an Iroquois resulting in two crash sites.
“sEnsatiOnal, wEll OrganisEd and an
imprEssiVE shOwCasE Of rnZaf Capability...”
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I thought the day displayed the RNZAF's ethos and
standards admirably with enthusiastic, willing and
confident people. It looks great!
AVM(Rtd.),john hamilton
I have had nothing but outstanding feedback on
your open day yesterday – my kids were certainly
thoroughly entertained and buzzing. Congratulations
on a great success.
Rob fyfe, ChiefExecutiveOfficer,AirNewZealand
It was a real honour to be included and I came away with a heightened level of respect for the Air Force and all it does. The day was run in a very professional manner and you must have felt very proud of your people and the outcome.Geoff Lorigan,Director,InstituteforStrategicLeadership
It was an excellent event of which everyone can be very proud; it certainly received a lot of favourable comment from everyone that I have spoken to. It was great to hear Auckland ‘buzzing’ and talking so positively about the RNZAF.tony Gainsford,CEOMaropsLtd
SPECtAtORS AND INVItED GUEStS At thE 2009 BASE AUCKLAND OPEN DAy AND AIR ShOw hAD PLENty Of PRAISE fOR thE wAy It wAS ORGANISED. hERE IS A SELECtION Of SOME Of thE COMMENtS SENt IN tO ChIEf Of AIR fORCE AVM GRAhAM LINtOtt:
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the RNzAf’s heavy metal aircraft. A newly upgraded B757 is flanked by P-3K Orions and a C-130 hercules.
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young people get hands on experience attaching rivets to an aircraft’s skin.
We were both impressed by the variety and
individual enthusiasm on all the exhibitions.
Annette and her mother were particularly taken
by the ‘Cultutral Performance’ whilst I was
content to sit back and watch all the aerial antics,
and dream! I was impressed by the variety and
execution of all of the flying, it is not easy filling a
7 hour flying window especially without the help
of too much ‘heavy metal’.GPCAPt Graham Bond, RAF Defence Advisor
the sunny weather meant cold drinks and ice treats were popular refreshments.
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l o g i S t i c S
Ever wondered where that aircraft spare, bullet
or Comsec radio came from? Chances are
that it entered the NZDF inventory after being
purchased from the United States Government via
the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process.
FMS is the process through which eligible foreign
governments may purchase America’s defence
equipment against a specific government-to-
government agreement known as a FMS Case.
FMS forms part of the US security assistance
programme and was authorised by the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control
Act of 1968.
The FMS programme promotes partnerships and
coalitions with foreign governments and is an
important part of the United States national security
and military readiness. Foreign governments are
eligible to procure any item in the US defence
supply chain unless it is restricted, meaning there
is new technology involved or that nation is not
authorised to buy it.
Based at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington
DC, The Defence Procurement Office (DPO),
specifically the FMS Case Administrators, is
responsible for requesting and managing a
FMS Case - also known as a Letter of Offer and
Acceptance (LOA) - for defence articles and services
required by the NZDF and New Zealand Government
agencies. FMS purchases for the NZDF include
spare/repair parts for NZDF platforms, ARC-210
Radios for the RNZAF upgrades/modifications
and new acquisitions, excess US defence articles
such as the Seasprite helicopters, ammunition,
weapons, publications, and the Javelin Anti-Tank
weapon system for the New Zealand Army. In New
Zealand, the NZDF has the Coordinator Foreign
Military Sales (CFMS) who is Mr Steve Cuming.
Based within the NZDF’s Joint Logistics Support
Organisation (JLSO), the CFMS is your first point
of contact for any questions regarding the FMS
process, or initiating a FMS purchase request.
Once the requirement has been received at the
DPO, action is taken to send the Letter of Request
(LOR) to the relevant US military department
(MILDEP) who will consider the request and
generate the LOA. The LOA will include the cost
of the items/services, administration fee and any
other charges, such as transportation, packaging,
storage and handling, if required.
Once the LOA has been proffered and accepted by
the DPO on behalf of the New Zealand Government,
an Initial Deposit is paid and the requisitioning of
articles and services against the LOA can begin.
FMS Case Administrators will manage the life of
the LOA in terms of acceptance, delivery, payments,
reconciliation, and closure. The CFMS oversees the
financial management of FMS Cases, arranging,
as required, for funds to be wire-transferred to
the US Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) either for the
Initial Deposit or quarterly payments, as well as
the oversight on delivery and billing of all items
procured against an FMS Case.
An overview on the FMS process, links, information
and advice on the steps required to instigate
a Letter of Request for a Letter of Offer and
Acceptance are available in the ‘Guide to FMS
in the NZDF’ available in hard copy and on the
intranet (http://publications/rnzaf/Books.htm).
FMS Case Administrators in the DPO, or (CFMS),
Wellington, can provide further clarification or
expert advice on the FMS process.
an important source of supplyJennifer LuCAs, fMs ADMinisTrATOr, nZDs WAsHinGTOn
FoReign militaRy sales
NzDf fMS CONtACtS:
Washington DC
Mrs Jennifer Lucas 001 202 328 4862
Mr Terry MacKenzie 001 202 328 4882
Wellington
Mr Steven Cuming (349) 7587
“fms...prOmOtEs partnErships and
COalitiOns...”
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L-R: Andrew Kelly; joe Maoate; terry MacKenzie; jennifer Lucas; Sally Degeus; jason Dobson; Maree harrison and SqNLDR Stephen hall.
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The Air Force Leadership (AFLB) Board recently
approved the expansion of the RNZAF Base
Auckland Trial Mentoring Scheme to the wider
RNZAF. At the start of 2009 a Mentoring Scheme
started at Base Ohakea aimed at providing
professional and personal development for anyone
keen to be involved. This scheme was met with
great enthusiasm and high demand. FLTLT Carolyn
Freeman explains the new scheme.
What do you think is different about our
organisation? What sets us apart? I am not
going to answer those questions specifically for
you – just yet - but I would like you to think about
why you joined up and what motivates you to don
the blue every morning.
We now live in a world of options. In New Zealand
people are not wanting for choice of career or
training institutes. While the military used to appeal
to adventure seekers with a streak of patriotism,
now teenagers straight out of school can get a
loan and travel the world or get their adrenaline
fix from high risk sporting activities. The military is
losing an aspect of its niche market – so how do
we address that short fall?
Image is one area – we have a brilliant recruiting
team who have worked hard to re-establish the
identity of the RNZAF and make it appealing as a
place to work – STEP UP! Those seeking a challenge
in life (the people that we want) are turned on by
those words. However once we get them through
the door – then what? How do we maintain the
status of ‘an employer of choice’ to those within
our ranks? When the excitement of military life
has settled to become a familiar and comfortable
place, how do we challenge and retain our talented
individuals?
Have we not often said – we always seem to
lose the good people? Talented individuals are
easily frustrated and easily de-motivated in an
organisation that doesn’t recognise or grow their
natural abilities. Fortunately the RNZAF has a large
pool of passionate and committed individuals
whose mission involves supporting, encouraging
and growing the next generation of leaders within
the RNZAF.
One of these passionate people, F/S Colin Edie,
gathered a group of like-minded individuals around
him and formulated a plan for an RNZAF mentoring
scheme. This idea was based on the desire to
challenge individuals of Junior Rank to a higher
level of performance. The idea snowballed and soon
more individuals around the RNZAF were coming
out of the woodwork to support the programme in
its infancy. The AFLB was very receptive to the idea,
recognising a brilliant opportunity to support one
of the strategic goals of learning and growing our
workforce for future capability.
The programme began as a trial at RNZAF Base
Auckland, with a team of committed individuals led
by Colin and W/O Robyn Gell. The trial scheme was
thE RNzAf MENtORING SChEME
unlocking the potential for
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fGOff Daniel Pezaro (mentee) and SqNLDR Scott McKenzie (mentor) before a tiger Moth at Base Ohakea’s historic flight. SqNLDR McKenzie is a mentor to fGOff Pezaro as part of the RNzAf Mentoring Scheme. Photo: AC Amanda McErlich.
eXCellenCe
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aimed at providing development opportunities for
Junior ranks at Whenuapai. It started with 14 pairs
of mentors and mentees (a term we use instead of
protégé) from a range of different trades.
Not only were individuals offered training in how to
maintain a mentoring relationship, but also both
mentees and mentors were given the opportunity
for further professional development on a regular
basis. What did this consist of? Regular seminars/
workshops on a host of different topics that people
on the scheme had the option of attending. These
topics included learning how to increase team
performance and innovation, learning how to
effectively manage a project, and learning how
to prepare yourself for commissioning (to name
just a few!).
A year into the trial and those who have been
involved, both mentors and mentees, report
increased job satisfaction and commitment to
the organisation. The RNZAF now has a way of
encouraging its personnel to set regular personal
and professional goals, supporting them in
achieving these goals and providing general
development in a host of different areas along their
individual journeys to success.
As a result the AFLB agreed to expand the
programme to Ohakea and in January of this year
another 24 pairs of individuals kicked off their
mentoring relationships. A few weeks later another
group of Auckland mentoring pairs was set up and
as I write this article, I am preparing to present
the scheme to Woodbourne personnel, and the
following day I will be at Air Staff then Joint Force HQ
encouraging their involvement in the scheme.
So far, wherever the scheme is advertised it is met
with resounding enthusiasm and support. We have
a huge pool of experienced individuals from every
rank and trade keen to be mentors and keen to be
mentored! In Ohakea the scheme expanded to all
ranks including civilians and participants ranged
from AC to GRPCAPT.
It is the vision of Colin Edie and his team – the
Mentoring Advisory Team or MAT – to offer the
opportunity for mentoring and professional
development to all members of the RNZAF. Further,
we intend to make the RNZAF a leading organisation
in the area of mentoring. The final outcome of this is
that talented individuals will have a continual forum
for challenge and self-improvement and the RNZAF
will become the organisation of choice!
Through this scheme we are making an investment
in our personnel – and the message they hear? This
organisation cares. Some people will claim that
we do not need this scheme as there is already
informal mentoring occurring across the units. This
is true – but what the scheme adds to this existing
mentoring is that it provides training for mentors
to help facilitate mentees to achieve their goals
using a non-directive approach. This approach
encourages the mentee to take responsibility
for their own development and accountability for
their own success/failure. The scheme also offers
a framework, from which mentors can work, and
support for dealing with tough situations and
funding for professional development initiatives
we never had access to before. It attempts to
reward individuals for their input into the lives of
others, and acknowledges the contribution that
experienced personnel are making in the lives of
their mentees.
So is this something you should be involved in? The
answer is a definite yes! You may feel you don’t have
anything to offer, but you would be surprised. The
most effective mentors do not give advice at all, but
they ask the right questions that get their mentees
thinking about their own solutions. If you don’t want
to mentor – then be mentored! When was the last
time you pushed yourself or challenged yourself
or asked yourself the hard questions? If you are
interested in getting more out of your life and your
career then this is the scheme for you.
I asked you at the beginning of this article what is
different about the RNZAF; what sets us apart? I will
tell you now. We have a Chief and Senior Leaders
that are interested in you reaching your potential
within this organisation – and they are putting
their money where their mouths are! The RNZAF
is different because not only do we acknowledge
that our people are our greatest asset – but we are
now living this mantra by providing our people with
on-going support and development. The organisation
has done its part – the rest is up to you. The RNZAF
Mentoring Scheme is 100% voluntary so get involved
in your own development, reach your potential and …
strive for the stars – PER ARDUA AD ASTRA!
for more information contact:
AUCKLAND MAt: F/S Colin Edie; W/O Robyn Gell
OhAKEA MAt: FLTLT Caro Freeman; F/S Daz Horsely
wOODBOURNE MAt: SQNLDR Phill Bedford; FLTLT Jules Giligan
wELLINGtON MAt: FLTLT Caro Freeman.
MENtORING ISN’t A NEw IDEA IN thE RNzAf. GPCAPt CARL NIxON wROtE IN SUPPORt Of A SChEME AS ONE Of hIS PAPERS At StAff COLLEGE. hE CONCLUDED thAt:
Mentoring would build capacity for the RNZAF’s future success and should become part of its workforce strategy to sustain the momentum of career development. Research has shown that mentoring is likely to deliver positive outcomes for the RNZAF, mentees and mentors. Mentoring could be a valuable organisational asset as part of the RNZAF’s workforce development toolbox to foster a culture of continuous improvement, motivate young men and women to establish and meet longterm professional and personal objectives, develop talent, and retain personnel.
Mentoring can serve two broad development purposes: to enhance talent, or change behaviours either in terms of skill or attitude. Mentoring styles will depend on the relationship and objectives of the mentor and mentee, and may be directive or non-directive along with a focus on either stretching or nurturing the mentee.
There are many ways that we will achieve our goals in our working lives. One of them is mentoring. In a vibrant organisation full of young people, the opportunity to work together and learn from both inexperience and experience is an important way of achieving success.
A fuller copy GPCAPT Nixon’s excellent paper on this subject is available on the Air Force’s Intranet site.
a timely iDea
“a Vibrant OrganisatiOn full Of yOung
pEOplE...”
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These are not trick questions, but depending on
who you ask, the term Airworthiness will mean
different things to different people. So why don’t
we just say the aircraft is ’Safe for Flight’ rather
than Airworthy? Not another trick question, ‘Safe
for Flight’ is actually a tenet of Airworthiness but
there are other factors to consider when we talk
about Airworthiness. Rather than directly quote
the text book (DFO 92) definition of Airworthiness
(I will do that later in the article), I will explain
Airworthiness in a different way and then relate it
to how we do it in the RNZAF.
ROADwORthINESS
We all drive cars, motorbikes or trucks at some
stage in our lives so we all have a similar
understanding of what is safe and what is not
safe when it comes to motor vehicles, most of
which is common sense. This assessment of
vehicle and personal safety requires judgement,
however, this judgement is set against a series of
rules and regulations pertaining to driving. Let’s
call this Roadworthiness. To drive a motor vehicle
on a public road requires you to be in possession
of a drivers’ licence for the type of vehicle you
are driving. To get a drivers’ licence you will have
proved to an authority (Dept of Transport in
this case) that you have the requisite skills and
knowledge about driving a particular class of
vehicle. Further, those skills and knowledge have
been tested to a standard before you get your
licence to drive – in essence, a licence says you are
a competent vehicle operator. In aircraft terms,
the aircrew go through a very similar process. The
Authority in this case being 485 Wing. Turning
now to the vehicle itself, the authority (Dept of
Transport) through the registration scheme for
vehicles, ensures that the vehicle itself is safe to
operate on the road. The car must have indicators,
lights, brakes, seat belts etc. These critical systems
are examined and certified on a regular basis
through the WOF process. The WOF process is
driven by regulation which has been determined
by the authority. Further, as the operator of the
vehicle you also have a responsibility to ensure
that the vehicle complies with the standards
required of a vehicle to be used on the road. You
should maintain the vehicle in accordance with
the manufacturers’ instructions and the Dept of
Transport regulations; if you don’t the warranty
will be invalid and you could be breaking the law.
For example, try telling a policeman that the bald
tyres on the rear of your car passed the WOF eight
months ago and see if he will let you off! Or try
telling the car manufacturer Ford, that the reason
the car veered off the road was nothing to do with
your unauthorised nitrous oxide modification of the
engine of your XR8 and see if they will repair it under
warranty? On this latter point of modifications, all
road vehicles are designed and manufactured
by car makers to robust standards that ensure
the roadworthiness of the vehicle. To ensure that
standards are maintained throughout the life of
the vehicle, we have to follow the manufacturers
guidelines for the routine maintenance. Also,
any modifications we embody on the vehicle will
AIRwORthINESS IS A tERM MOSt PEOPLE USE tO StAtE thE CONDItION Of AN AIRCRAft thAt IS EIthER SAfE OR UNSAfE tO fLy. wOULD yOU wANt tO fLy IN AN AIRCRAft thAt wAS NOt AIRwORthy? I SUSPECt NOt… AND yOU wOULD BE RIGht – BUt DO yOU KNOw why? DO yOU ACtUALLy KNOw whAt
AIRwORthINESS MEANS IN thE NzDf? AND why IN thE NzDf AND NOt jUSt thE RNzAf?
aiRwoRThinesswhat’s that all aBout?
WGCDR NIGe SaINSBURySeasprite ground crew ensure the aircraft are airworthy prior to a five ship takeoff from Base Auckland. the concept of airworthiness applies across the wider NzDf, not just the RNZAF.
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need to be approved by the car manufacturer
themselves or underwritten by the manufacturer of
the modification who would have approval from the
car manufacturer or authority (Dept of Transport) to
produce the modification for such cars. If not, you
will undermine the roadworthiness of the vehicle
by operating it outside of what it was designed to
do. The car manufacturers design the car and you
as the operator have to maintain the car to the
manufacturers design. Aircraft are no different;
they are designed to a standard by an approved
manufacturer (Airbus, Boeing, Agusta Westland
etc) who themselves have been given approval
to design and build aircraft to rules directed by
their National regulatory making authority. The
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United
States are the regulatory authority for Boeing, and
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for
Airbus. These regulatory approvals ensure that as
a responsible aircraft manufacturer Boeing and
Airbus must produce a maintenance programme
for that aircraft. Just like the car, it then becomes
the responsibility of the operator of the aircraft to
ensure that it is always correctly maintained and
operated within its limits. As an Air Force we are the
operator and maintainer of the aircraft and whilst
aircraft are generally more complex than cars, we
employ different people to operate the aircraft to
those who maintain and support it.
tyPE CERtIfICAtION
So why and how do we do Airworthiness ...? To
answer why, the Defence Force Act 1990 charges
CDF with responsibility for the efficient, effective
and economical management of the activities and
resources of the Defence Force. Airworthiness is
included in this charge as the NZDF is excluded
from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Act 1990.
So the RNZAF is an Authority in its own right,
as an authority we have to put in place orders
and regulations that are at least equal to other
regulatory authorities like the Civil Aviation
Authority of NZ (CAANZ). The DFO 92 does this
for us. To answer the how?; the Type Certification
aspect is an internal process mapped out in
the DFO 92 that requires us to collect, examine
and verify all the data (evidence) that ensures
every aircraft of that particular type has been
designed and manufactured and can be operated
and maintained in service. All the supporting
documentary evidence (certification data) from
these four elements is packaged together and
when the OAA and TAA staffs are satisfied that
the aircraft is ready to be formally accepted into
NZDF service, it is presented to the Airworthiness
Board (AB) for approval. For new aircraft or major
modifications to existing aircraft, the MoD Resident
Project Teams, the Directorate of Logistics
Capability (DLC) and the Introduction into Service
Teams (IIS) are responsible for generating the
package of evidence to support certification. For
legacy aircraft yet to be certified, the Directorate
of Aeronautical Engineering (DAE) takes the lead.
To get to an AB requires significant effort by many
people spread across all the commands in the
RNZAF. All Airworthiness Boards are chaired by
CAF as the AA and this is the highest level of
Airworthiness process carried out in the RNZAF.
airCraft arE nO diffErEnt; thEy
arE dEsignEd tO a standard
by an apprOVEd manufaCturEr...
OH
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No. 3 Squadron maintenance personnel replace the main rotor on an Iroquois helicopter.
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CONtINUED AIRwORthINESS
Having certified the aircraft type, we also need to
make sure that we have the resources, equipment,
and infrastructure to support this aircraft type in
service. This requires the support of a wide range of
people across the RNZAF: in operating Squadrons,
Maintenance Wing (MW) and Materiel Support
Wing (MSW), DAE, and many more. However,
from a purely regulatory aspect, the Directorate
of Aeronautical Configuration (DAC), including
Technical Support Units and Maintenance Planning
Unit, and 485WG Headquarters, primarily regulate
the continued Airworthiness of all the fleets on a
daily basis. This is a difficult and unique challenge
for the RNZAF as its own Airworthiness authority,
since these units are not only responsible for
regulating flying activity, but also supporting its
delivery. It is a careful and critical balance. Further,
we must ensure that our usage and modification of
the type does not compromise the original design
of that aircraft. Once again, we have very strict
operating and technical processes and procedures
in place that are managed by very competent
people to ensure that this does not happen. These
processes and procedures are initially reviewed
at the Type Certification AB and then on a regular
basis as part of the Airworthiness and Capability
Management Boards (ACMBs) run by the DAE.
NzDf are:
Owner (1)Operator (1) & (2)Maintainer (1) & (2)Regulator (1) and,Designer (Mods) (1) & (2)
AIRwORthINESS fRAMEwORK
Airworthiness Certification (1)(Type Certification)
Formal recognition by the AA that:An aircraft design as documented, is safe to operate in its intended roles and, the design standards underpinning that recognition are accepted and will be adhered to.
Continuing in-service Airworthiness Management (2)(not compromising the certification basis)
Achieved through: T&E; ACMB (Airworthiness Boards); Compliance Assurance; NZDF Airworthiness Directives (NZSFI,NZSMI and ISSFP); SOI; Regulations (Ops & Tech).
Instruments
Type CertificateInterim Type Certificate
Supplemental Type CertificateSpecial Flight Permit
In-Service Special Flight Permit
technical and Operating Airworthiness Management & Regulation
technical and Operating Airworthiness Management & Regulation
Again, airworthiness is a cross-NzDf issue as illustrated by these Nz Army personnel working on a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
NzDf AIRwORthINESS fRAMEwORK
The NZDF Airworthiness framework is described in
DFO 92 and is shown diagrammatically in Fig 1.
(Note that orders for Airworthiness are documented
in a DFO and not an NZAP). It consists of only two
parts. Type Certification – which is acceptance of
the original design of the aircraft and its suitability
for our usage in the role we want to use it in and,
Continued Airworthiness – the internal processes
we have in place to ensure that we operate and
maintain the aircraft with competent people who
are following approved processes and procedures
ensuring that the aircraft is not operated outside
of its Type Design limitations. The Management
of the airworthiness framework is achieved
through our own airworthiness authority. The
CAF is appointed (through DFO 92) as the NZDF
Airworthiness Authority (AA) and coordinates his
AA activities through OC485WG as the Operating
Airworthiness Authority (OAA) and, CLG(F) as the
technical Airworthiness Authority (tAA). Note
the term ‘Operating’ as apposed to ‘Operational’.
Operating meaning the function of physically
operating the aircraft as apposed to Operational
meaning the utilization (tasking) of the aircraft.
These terms are explained further in DFO 92.
As promised the definition of Airworthiness straight from DfO 92:
‘Airworthinessisaconcept,theapplicationofwhichdefinestheconditionofanaircraftandsuppliesthebasis for judgementofthesuitabilityforflightofthataircraft,inthatithasbeendesigned, constructed, maintained and is expected to beoperated to approved standards and limitations, by competent and approved individuals, who are acting asmembers of an approved organisation and whose work is both certifiedascorrectandacceptedonbehalfoftheNewZealandDefenceForce’.
So…the term Airworthiness in the NZDF is much more detailed than just stating that an aircraft is safe for flight. It covers design, build, operating and maintenance aspects. Furthermore, the term recognises that judgement is exercised on each of these core elements by competent and approved individuals. If you hear that an Aircraft has an Airworthiness problem you know that it is likely to be something more than a flat tyre or a blown reading light in the cabin! Why do we do all this stuff….? Well, we do all this stuff so that when you climb aboard an NZDF aircraft YOU don’t have to think about Airworthiness. As an operator, or as a passenger, you can take that for granted because of what the RNZAF’s Airworthiness organisation does behind the scenes.
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A LIttLE KNOwN OR SEEN ARtEfACt Of SIGNIfICANCE wIthIN thE SUPPLy BRANCh IS thE ‘tOKUtOKU’ [tALKING StICK] OR CANE Of KNOwLEDGE.
The cane is a symbolic representation of the Supply
Trades ‘font of knowledge and wisdom’ and is held
by the most senior serving RNZAF Supply Warrant
Officer. It was first presented in 1987 by the late
W/O Brian Madden SSUPLR (H77655).
In the 70s and 80s W/O Madden was known
as ‘The Godfather’ and he was held in very high
esteem not only by his peers but also by RNZAF
Senior management. Back then, among his other
duties, W/O Madden was responsible for allocating
and recording the movement of RNZAF aircraft in
a purposely designed register, the first entry dated
1934! This historical living document was fiercely
guarded by W/O Madden and it rarely left his office.
The origin and fate of every aircraft ever flown by
the RNZAF, from Vilderbeeste to B757, is recorded
in this register including the original purchase date,
the movement between Squadron(s) and major
repair depots, war time service, serious crashes,
subsequent repair or write-off action and the
aircrafts’ ultimate disposal or sale. The original
document is now held in climate controlled storage
at the RNZAF Museum whilst the working copy
resides in DAE Wellington.
At W/O Madden’s retirement dinner at RNZAF
Shelly Bay in April 1987, the Cane of Knowledge
was produced and offered as a ‘gift’ to the Senior
W/O serving in the RNZAF Supply trade. He then
presented the cane to W/O Eddie McConnell
(A77211) and stated it was now his [Eddie’s]
responsibility to retain the tradition by passing the
cane to the next senior W/O upon his retirement,
and so on.
I actually worked with W/O Madden in the Defence
Building (ACDS SUP) which was located in Bunny St
Wellington on the site that is now the Wilson’s car
park, adjacent to the Waterloo Backpackers (then
known as the Waterloo Hotel, a favourite watering
hole at the time).
We are not sure where the cane was carved but
it may have been in Wellington because that’s
where W/O Madden spent his last years in the
RNZAF. W/O Madden passed away before I had a
chance to determine the origin of the cane so I’ve
been working with ex RNZAF Supply ‘elders’ and
Kaumatua in an attempt to identify the significance
of the distinctive carvings on the cane. So far, it
appears the two headed handle or ‘manaia’ could
signify a bird (representing Air Force) looking
into the past and toward the future. The shaft,
probably constructed from the trunk or root of a
tree, represents geneology. The carving on the
upper shaft could represent ripples on the water
or the beginning of life. The carving on the lower
shaft shows the strength, stability and ‘mana’ of
the Warrant Officer.
I was working at Wellington Air Movements when
I inherited the cane from W/O Monty Campbell
SSUPLR (R84494) in 2005. Soon afterwards I was
posted to HQ 1JMOVGP (Sydney) so didn’t get the
cane out and about much. Since recently arriving
back at RNZAF Base Auckland I’ve managed to
‘walk’ the cane to one or two RNZAF formal dinners,
to significant Supply events, to 08/2 Senior Supply
Specialist Course graduation and more recently to
the 9/01 Air Movements Course graduation where
I’ve been delighted to speak about the cane’s
origins and significance.
I will endeavour to ‘air’ the cane as often as I can
whilst continuing to determine and interpret it’s
origins. In the meantime, if any Suppliers or other
interested parties wish to view the cane, seek some
wisdom or hear more stories please give me a buzz
at ESS HQ, RNZAF Auckland on 399 x7731.
INIt/NAME jOIN REtIRE CANE PRESENtED StAtUS
D.A.J. (Davy) Brunt 03 MAY 60 22 SEP 92 12 APR 87 Civ WB
A.J. (Sam) Samuels 17 JUN 63 28 MAR 93 22 SEP 92 Retired
N.M. (Monty) Campbell 13 JAN 70 12 JAN 05 28 MAR 93 Retired
N.A. (Budgie) Baigent 18 APR 79 10 NOV 11 12 JAN 05 ESS
cane oF knowleDge – w/o supplyW/O NOel ‘BUDGIe’ BaIGeNt
ABOVE: w/O Baigent's cane.
RIGht: w/O Baigent and his cane.
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thE CANE wAS SUBSEqUENtLy PRESENtED tO:
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Air Force PR spokeswoman Anna Sussmilch, who accompanied the band on tour had this to say at the tour’s conclusion:
The last post. The band is now safely home, a
little tired and worse-for-wear, but nevertheless
all in one piece.
The last lot of concerts was in the very hot and
sunny Hawke’s Bay. On the Saturday afternoon a
small group of the band took a music workshop at
Napier Boys High School for local students, while
the rest had marching practice (woo hoo). It went
better than the first one – thank goodness!
Afterwards we headed to town to look at all the
Art Deco happenings – the dresses, the cars and
of course the jazz bands. Some of us managed
to squeeze costumes into our luggage, so were
able to dress up for the afternoon. Unfortunately,
we missed watching our Navy band compatriots
perform as we had our own band ‘End of Tour’
function to attend back in Hastings.
Sunday was our last concert at the Hawke’s Bay
Opera House. Given it was at 12.30 and during
Art Deco Weekend, there was still a very large
turnout of enthusiastic concert goers; and with
a number of the band hailing from Hawke’s Bay,
quite a few supporters too.
It is a beautiful theatre and is rumoured to have
its own ghost. With things going walk-about
during the concert, like Al’s bow for his double
bass and Dave’s dress for the Gumboot Song, it
seems the ghost was having a good time along
with the audience. Afterwards we bundled into
buses for the final trip home, with some robust
debate over whether it was quicker to go up and
over the Rimutakas or via Palmerston North.
The curtain has dropped on yet another successful annual tour from the Central Band of the RNZAF.
aiR FoRce BanD’s annual touR
the Central Band of the RNzAf kicking up a storm on parade.
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The 65 members of the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
wended their way through the heart of the North Island, presenting school
and public concerts, street parades and workshops during their annual tour
from 16 – 22 February.
Residents in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo and the Hawkes Bay got a
rare opportunity to see New Zealand’s largest professional symphonic band
in concert. The concerts, jam-packed with something for everyone, featured
musical variety ranging from the classics to modern hits, from Tchaikovsky to
ABBA. Guest vocalists included singers Bella Kalolo and Stephanie Paris.
‘Schools around the regions also had the chance to see the band perform
special concerts for them during the tour,’ said Royal New Zealand Air Force’s
Director of Music, SQNLDR Owen Clarke. ‘The children loved seeing and
hearing the different instruments, especially the saxophones and of course
the drums!’ he said.
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SOME 200 VEtERANS Of thE RAf’S World War II Bomber Command were joined by
almost as many relatives, friends and onlookers
to see the New Zealand Bomber Command
Association’s memorial to fallen comrades unveiled
in the Auckland War Memorial Museum on 1
March 2009.
The $100,000 memorial designed by Weta
Workshop, a freestanding bronze sculpture of a
Lancaster crew with a Lancaster coming out of
the marble background, was unveiled jointly by
the Chief of Air Force, AVM Graham Lintott, and
the driving force behind the project, the 85-year-old
president of the Bomber Command Association,
WGCDR (Rtd.) Bill Simpson, QSO, DFC.
In a short but moving dedication service, the
opening prayers and the final blessing were given
by the Air Force Chaplain, SQNLDR Anthony Hawes,
with a reading being given by a veteran-turned-
religious, Rev Brother Jack Ward, a former 75
Squadron navigator.
WGCDR Simpson and his association vice-
president, SQNLDR ‘Bunny’ Burrows, welcomed
everybody with the Mayor of Auckland, John Banks
QSM, saying how appropriate it was that such a
memorial should be housed in a museum that was
itself a war memorial.
AVM Lintott spoke of the huge contribution New
Zealand had made to Bomber Command and
the sacrifice – some 6,000 had served and of
these almost 2,000 had given their lives, by
far the highest proportion of any country in the
Commonwealth. And it should also be remembered
that overall Bomber Command had lost more than
55,000 aircrew and that the average age of those
men had been just 22. It was fitting that they should
be remembered and honoured.
BomBeR commanD MEMORIAlPeTer MCQuAiD
wGCDR (Rtd.) Bill Simpson, qSO, DfC. lays a wreath on behalf of the New zealand Bomber Command Association.
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Address by Chief of Air force AVM Graham Lintott ONzM.
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Veterans, families and members of the public admire the memorial.
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why BECOME AN OPERAtOR wIth thE COUNtER tERRORISt tACtICAL ASSAULt GROUP?
For me, the answer was simple: change!
As a SNCO I was becoming increasingly frustrated
at the amount of time spent behind a desk, and
that was definitely not how I wanted to spend my
last few years of service! What I wanted, was to be
part of a dynamic and professional team, whose
members possessed high levels of professionalism,
personal drive and self motivation.
SO hOw DID I GO ABOUt thIS ChANGE IN DIRECtION?
First up, I attended a recruiting road show,
presented by serving unit members. My mind was
now made up and the wheels were set in motion.
Next on the agenda: preparation of the mind and
body. The mind was easy, I wanted to do this and
my decision to commit had been made – no further
action required. Preparing my body was next. I
possessed reasonable levels of fitness; however,
I was under no illusion as to what was required.
Listed on the Intranet under the 1NZSAS Gp site
is a training programme specifically designed to
have you ready on day one of Assessment. A lot
of time and effort has gone into designing this
specific training programme. If proper preparation
is part of your strategy (and it should be!), follow
the training programme. Along the way I had the
odd niggle, which required slight modifications to
my training regime (I think they were age related
injuries as I’m not getting any younger!). Although
slight modifications were made, time and intensity
in training remained constant. Time spent training
is never wasted and if you don’t put in the time,
you will be found wanting.
Entry Assessment arrived and I was ready and
willing. I won’t go into what happens during the
assessment but I can tell you that time will whiz by.
I faced my own mini challenges along the way but at
the finish it was a feeling of satisfaction that all the
time and effort spent training was not wasted. Not
everyone was successful. It’s not designed to be
easy, but hey, it’s only one week out of your life.
EMPLOyMENt tRAINING
Employment Training is the course where you are
taught the basic core competencies to be employed
within the unit. The start date arrived and I was
both excited and anxious. The course is hard and
fast and we were constantly tested. You have to
pick things up or you will be removed. However,
despite the pressures, you will enjoy it. You will be
stimulated with new skills, you will be on the move
non stop, your adrenaline will be pumping and you
will meet and make some great mates. The wide
variety of job specific skills taught on Employment
Training was new to everyone. Don’t let this deter
you. You just have to bring the aptitude to learn
and willingness to succeed. The skills required
will be taught to you, from there we practised and
practised and practised.
Successfully completing Employment Training
and graduating into the unit was a proud day,
but tempered with the knowledge that I was now
standing at the ‘real’ start line and only possessed
the basic skill sets. The bar is set high by unit
members, but it’s set high for a reason and it’s up
to you to get yourself there.
So, are you up for a challenge?
Do you want something new and exciting?
Do you want to be part of a professional close-
knit team?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions,
then stop day dreaming and get to it! The challenge
is yours for the taking and the only person holding
you back is you! There will be hiccups along the way
and the road will not be easy, but, like me, you will
enjoy it. This is not a job, it’s a lifestyle.
So, how did you spend your day?
a liFe less oRDinaRycounter terrorist tactical assault group (cttag)
the roads to 1 NzSAS GP now has two Selection Paths – the Special Air Service (SAS) route (page 27), or through Counter terrorist tactical Assault Group (CttAG) pathway (this page, 26). Both directions are voluntary, each are achievable with grit, determination and the will to succeed.
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Selection. It’s something many in the military have thought about; a lot less have attempted
and even fewer have been successful. I do not intend to preach to you about what you need to do to get there, you can read that online. What I want to do is give you some of the course realities - the perceived hardships and myths - and go through some of my personal observations that will hopefully give you a better understanding of what you are up against. It is important to understand that I have both passed and failed selection and I give you this advice with no ego attached.
thE DECISION tO AttEND. It may sound obvious, but this is probably the most important first step. It is when you decide that you want to become part of this unit. Your reasoning must be sound. There’s no room for a ‘I’ll give it a go, or ‘people think I should so I will’ attitude. These people will not finish. If you are in a relationship that you want to keep, you will need to talk to your partner in detail and explain to her exactly what it is you want to do and why. If your foundation is not solid at this early stage, for whatever reason, it will surely crumble come selection. Once your decision is made, you can focus on the next step.
yOUR tRAINING will vary depending on your start state. Because the majority of selection is done with a pack on your back, so should your training. For myself, I walked a number of longer sessions to get my mind used to the boredom and fatigue. Ensure that you do not overtrain yourself. Take time off during training to relax and take it all in. At the end of the day, we are all in the military and can all carry a pack. It is really no different on selection other than the fact that it is you, not
your commander who decides when you get up to take that next step.
PRE-SELECtION must be a lot of fun for those who are in the position to observe it from the sides. People of all shapes and sizes turn up with just as many different attitudes and reasons for wanting to be there. It soon becomes apparent that those bristling with confidence and a desire to prove themselves during this phase will inevitably fail. Pre-selection does give you your first glimpse of the badged members though and I would be lying if I did not say that it was inspiring to see people wearing the beret and belt. Just concentrate on what you are there for and forget about the other distractions.
SELECtION PROPER is the time to show what you have got. Day One starts with the RFL, shortly followed by the BFT, Swim test and hares and hounds (webbing run). It is a hard slog of a day but if you break it down into its key elements, it is much simpler. As someone once said to me “the way to eat an elephant is by doing it one bite at a time”. Day’s Two to Four are open country pack walking. That’s it, simple; but for some reason it is the time when most people come off the course, not because they do not make the timings (which are not that difficult) but because they withdraw themselves from selection. For whatever reason, they have given themselves the excuse to depart. If you have your motivation squared away from the start, then this will not be you.
ExERCISE VON tEMPtSKy, the ‘dunes’ or the
‘Jerries’ as it is affectionately known. This is
probably the most talked about and anticipated
part of selection. I must admit that prior to starting
them I was also a little anxious about the next 20
hours until I had a realisation. That realisation was
that I am going to be here for the next 20 hours,
carrying jerry cans, so deal with it. And I did. Like
the others around me, I just knuckled down and
got on with it and to be perfectly honest found it
easier than I thought I would. If the task was not
achievable then no one would have passed, and
so many have. So my advice to you is to suck it up
and crack on. You have already made the decision
to be there so don’t cut yourself short.
thE fINAL DAyS Of SELECtION are occupied with
the close country navigation and the 60km pack
walk. Do not let yourself relax because you have
‘broken the back’ of the course by finishing the
‘jerries’, because it will only make the next few days
harder. The key, as with the rest of the selection,
is just to keep on going, and be prepared to go a
little further than that.
PASSING selection for me was an interesting
experience. For so long I had been looking at the
selection ‘door’ and all of a sudden it was open.
It’s a very satisfying feeling to know that you have
passed but the reality that it is only the beginning
also starts to set in.
I have a long way in my journey to go and I would
not presume to know the ‘in’s and out’s’ of this unit
and those that make up its numbers. All I know is
that I want to be part of it. I sincerely wish you all
the best for your journey.
1nzsas selection
“dOn’t Cut yOursElf shOrt”
“pEOplE Of all shapEs and siZEs turn up with just as many diffErEnt attitudEs and rEasOns fOr wanting tO bE thErE...”
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ON 15 MARCh 2009, jUMP StARt wAS COMPLEtED SUCCESSfULLy MARKING ItS thIRD yEAR SINCE INCEPtION.
Bad weather saw the event postponed from
Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 but this call proved ‘spot
on’ as Sunday’s weather was clear blue skies with
light winds, allowing us to fully complete the event
without a hitch.
Jump Start is a charity event that gives teenagers
from CanTeen and Project K the chance to complete
a tandem skydive from the ramp of the RNZAF C130
Hercules. The event was again hosted by RNZAF
Base Auckland and fifty courageous teenagers from
Project K and CanTeen took up the challenge.
Jump Start is fully support by the RNZAF who
have been involved since the first event over the
skies of Matamata in 2007. Such support involves
various sections of the RNZAF including: Parachute
Training Support Unit (PTSU), Base Medical, No. 40
Squadron, and Ground Support Squadron.
PTSU play a major role with support from RNZAF
parachutists. The primary role of PTSU is parachute
instruction for members of the New Zealand
Army and RNZAF, but PTSU CO SQNLDR Darryn
Pritchard says ‘it is great to also work with the
local community and support such a worthwhile
cause.’
‘These kids have faced a number of challenges and
it is great to give them the chance to do something
out of the ordinary.
‘Before the jump there are a few nerves, but
afterwards there are these wide smiles and the
kids get such a confidence boost,’ says SQNLDR
Pritchard.
Jump Start is very unique in its organization,
as it involves such a huge group of military and
civilian skydivers all working together as a ‘team’.
Jump Start effectively provides the participants
in the program with a sense of confidence and
achievement un-paralleled by any other activity.
‘In total we conducted 5 flights with 5 – 6 passes
on each. We dropped 40-50 jumpers on each flight
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jUMPStARt 09: A charity event at which civilian skydivers help raise money to sponsor teenagers from Canteen and Project K (children at risk) who then have the opportunity to complete a tandem skydive. the RNzAf supports the event by providing C-130, Parachute jump Instructor (PjI), administrative and logistical support along with the civilian tandem masters, camera flyers who also donate their time. this year the event will be hosted by PtSU at whenuapai Airfield, RNZAF Base Auckland, on Saturday 14 March. Note: for privacy reasons we have not identified individual Jump Start participants.
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totaling approximately 200 jumps for the day – an
outstanding achievement. The day for us started at
0800 and ended at approx 1900 with the last flight
landing about 1830, says SQNLDR Pritchard.
This year Jump Start awarded its key working
crews with the Anahera award. Key personnel were
awarded the Jump Start Anahera Wings, and all
earning high respect among their peers – Anahera
(Maori meaning ‘angel’)
Special thanks to all of those involved at every
level. Your support to this event is a fine example
of how individuals can make a difference in the
lives of others.
“jump start is a Charity EVEnt
that giVEs tEEnagErs frOm
CantEEn and prOjECt k
thE ChanCE tO COmplEtE a
tandEm skydiVE ...”
PtSU CO Darryn Pritchard gets ready to help another jump Start participant out the C-130’s back door.
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yOU MAy NOt BE AwARE thAt wE StILL hAVE wORKING DOGS wIthIN thE RNzAf AND OVER thE PASt yEAR, thE AIR SECURIty MILItARy wORKING DOG (MwD) UNIt hAS DOUBLED IN SIzE tO MEEt CURRENt OPERAtIONAL COMMItMENtS.
The Dog Unit was first established back in 1967
when the RNZAF first purchased the P3 Orion
Aircraft from the United States. Due to the sensitive
nature of the electronic equipment on board these
aircraft it was stipulated that additional security
measures had to be put in place to prevent
unauthorised access to the aircraft. Dogs were
chosen primarily for their vastly superior sense of
smell, sharpness of hearing and a visual ability to
detect even the smallest of movements. The dogs
could work in a variety of conditions and would
reduce the manpower required for this task. Thus
the RNZAF Police Dog Unit was established and
built at its current location adjacent to the main
gate at Base Auckland, Whenuapai airfield.
Over the years the Dog Unit has managed to survive
many changes in its role and focus, as well as
command and management. In 2003 the RNZAF
deployed dogs, in support of Operation Rata,
Solomon Islands. This was the first time RNZAF
MWDs were deployed overseas in an operational
role. Between 2003 and 2004 a total of three dog
teams were deployed on this operation, where
SGt Pete BaRRaSS snCO iC DOG uniT
woRking Dog unitBiTes BaCK
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LAC Drummond and MwD Ceasar at the New zealand Police Dog Section at trentham.
LAC Erin McKinney and MwD jedi on display duties at Manurewa in february 2009.
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they were to prove their worth as a force multiplier,
protecting our assets on the ground. Now under
the ESS umbrella the Dog Unit maintains a focus
on operational readiness to support the force
element groups. Through this is also the provision
of security at RNZAF Bases and deployments within
New Zealand.
Sweeping changes were to come to the MWD unit
in August 2008 when I arrived to become the new
MWD Unit IC (I was one of the latest UK imports).
My first mission was to prepare the team to provide
security support to Exercise MARU which was to
be held at RNZAF Base Auckland in September
2008. The team, comprising LAC McKinney; AC
Morrison and SGT Barrass maintained a continuous
security presence with their dogs throughout the
Exercise. This was no mean small feat considering
AC Morrison was still under training and the MWD
Unit’s two senior dog handlers LAC Matt Corkery
and LAC Jerry Drummond were attached away
on ANZAC Exchange and a NZ Police Dog Course
respectively.
LAC Corkery was deployed on ANZAC exchange from
16 August to 10 November 2008. This saw him
develop his skills as a dog trainer and also improve
ANZAC public relations. LAC Corkery‘s verdict on the
ANZAC Exchange;
‘While at Royal Australian Air Force’s Security and
Fire School (SFS) based in Amberley working with
the Military Working Dog Training Flight (MWDTF)
I worked with the Canine Breeding Cell, the foster
programme, juvenile and adult development, and
helped instruct on a basic course. This was a totally
different experience to me as working with 150
dogs was a step above working with three or four
as was the case when I left New Zealand. Although
there was plenty of banter given each way about
uniform differences and our total rugby domination,
I definitely felt welcome. An example of this was
being invited to the Police and Services Canine
Association of Queensland’s Annual Biathlon. It was
safe to say every man and his dog turned up which
made for a great day, topped off with a second
place for the Kiwi team. I made plenty of contacts,
and even more friends, which was a testament to
the hospitality I received. My MWD, Dax, seemed
to enjoy the trip as well. I mean with all that hot
weather and a constant stream of Australians to
bite, who wouldn’t!’
The past year has seen the Military Working Dog
Unit slowly expand from three to five Dog Teams
(a Dog team is the handler plus MWD). The latest
members of the Unit being AC Vicky Morrison, who
successfully completed her MWD Course in October
2008, and LAC Jerry Drummond who successfully
completed the NZ Police Dog Course in September
2008 with MWD Ceasar.
LAC Drummond’s thoughts on the NZ Police Dog
Course:
‘On 7 April 2008 I started training with the NZ Police
Dog Training Centre in Trentham. The General
Purpose (GP) course was made up of three one
month modules conducted in April, June and
September 2008.
‘The initial course covered an introduction to
grass tracking, basic bite work and obedience
control exercises such as heel work, distance
control, speak on command, send away and
formal retrieve.
‘The intermediate course built on the initial
exercises as well as introduced night training,
person search in building and open area (offender
hiding in building or yard) and article search (search
for item/evidence).
‘The final module was the ‘operational’ course and
focused on operational tracking and apprehension
of offenders. This included hard surface tracking,
stick and weapon attacks and crowd control. A
large portion of all three courses was devoted
to tracking as this is the “bread and butter” of a
police dog team.
‘Since completing the course, I have been
introduced to wind scenting (dog using airborne
scent) and the military components of training not
taught in the GP Police Dog Course such as working
with weapons and other security personnel.’
AC Morrison and LAC Drummond join the rest of the
small team that is dedicated to maintaining security
of RNZAF assets during the hours of darkness at
RNZAF Auckland. However, there is a lighter side to
the job highlighted by the team of LAC Erin McKinley
and MWD Jedi (pictured), who has been busy with
various public displays such as Base Auckland Kids
Christmas Party and the Kids Stand Tall Expo at
Manurewa, South Auckland.
The MWD Unit is looking forward to a busy schedule
in 2009 with the next major event being security
for Base Auckland Air Show and of course the fun
display during the day. The MWD Units motto ‘Cry
Havoc’ typifies the deterrent value of the MWD. So
remember, while you are asleep at night the MWD
Unit is out there protecting our assets.
“Vastly supEriOr sEnsE Of smEll, sharpnEss Of hEaring and a
Visual ability tO dEtECt EVEn thE smallEst Of mOVEmEnts”
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AC Vicky Morrison receives her certificate of completion for the Basic Dog Handlers' Course. L-R: AC Burt, fLtLt Crosswell, SqNLDR Shanley, AC Morrison and MwD Duke, f/S tubby, SGt Barrass.
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fGOff BEzUIDENhOUt was born in Durban,
South Africa. At the age of 12 he and his family sailed
to New Zealand and he began secondary education
at Takapuna Grammar School in 1999. In 2002 he
went to the University of Auckland and completed
a Bachelor of Commerce degree finishing in 2005.
FGOFF Bezuidenhout’s sporting interests include
kitesurfing and waterpolo. FGOFF Bezuidenhout was
posted to PTS in August 2007, to commence pilot
training with the 07/2 Wings course.
fGOff GRAhAM is the eldest of two children
and has a younger sister. He was born in Dunedin
and lived in Mosgiel, where he attended Taieri High
School. FGOFF Graham enlisted in the RNZAF in
January 2001 and was posted to Ohakea where
he served as an Aircraft Mechanic at the Rotary
Bay and spent just over a year at No. 3 Squadron
before commencing Aircraft Technician Course in
May 2004. FGOFF Graham spent a further two
and a half years at 3 Squadron, gaining promotion
to CPL before he remustered to pilot. He was
commissioned from the ranks in June 2007.
PLtOff ADAIR continues a family history of Air
Force pilots following in the footsteps of his father
and grandfather. He is the eldest of two children
and spent much of his childhood years in the
country south of Auckland. PLTOFF Adair attended
St Kentigern College as a boarder, where he studied
and enjoyed success in a wide range of academics
and sports. On graduation from Secondary School,
Pilot Officer Adair travelled through America and
Europe for two years, before returning to New
Zealand and basing himself out of Auckland. On
graduating from 07/1 Initial Officer Training, where
he was awarded the Karl Dobson Memorial Trophy,
PLTOFF Adair was posted to Pilot Training Squadron
at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
PLtOff BOOth was born in Nelson, the
youngest of three sons. Moving to Canterbury with
his parents he attended Geraldine High School
from 2000 to 2006. In his final year at high school
he was elected head student. PLTOFF Booth's
passion for flying and the Air Force developed over
the summers watching the Iroquois doing sweeps
up the local rivers. On successful application to the
RNZAF he was posted to RNZAF Base Woodbourne
in 2007, where he graduated from IOTC. Pilot
Officer Booth was then posted to Pilot Training
Squadron at RNZAF Base Ohakea to commence
pilot training on 07/2 Wings Course.
SLt MELVILLE grew up in the Hawkes Bay, the
younger of two boys. He attended Havelock North
High School from 2001-2005. During his final year,
he was accepted into the RNZN and began training
in Devonport, Auckland in January 2006. It was
during this time that he completed his Grade 3
Officer of the Watch navigation course. SLT Melville
was posted to Pilot Training Squadron to join the
07/1 Wings Course from which he successfully
completed the airtrainer phase, however, due to an
accident he was unable to complete the advanced
phase with 07/1 Course. In July 2008 he returned
to 42 Squadron and joined 07/2 pilots course to
complete the advanced phase of pilot training.
PLtOff ROUND grew up living predominantly
in rural Franklin District, Bombay, with interludes
of living with his family in the USA, Europe and
Tonga. He completed his secondary school years
at Rosehill College, Papakura. In 2001, he was
employed as an apprentice in the automotive
industry for two years. During the years of 2004-
2005 he completed and graduated with a Diploma
in Civil Engineering at UNITEC. PLTOFF Round
then spent a gap year travelling Europe and South
America. After graduating from Initial Officer
Training, PLTOFF Round was posted to Pilot Training
Squadron, at RNZAF Base Ohakea, to commence
the 07/2 Wings Course.
PLtOff StAPP comes from a family of two
children with one younger sister. He was born in
Christchurch, and grew up in Timaru. His secondary
school years commenced at Timaru Boys High
School before he moved back to Christchurch,
where he attended Burnside High School from
2002-2005. PLTOFF Stapp developed a strong
interest in aviation after completing a flying course
at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, with the Air Training
Corps. He began Initial Officer Training in January
2007 and was posted to Pilot Training Squadron
in August 2007.
PLtOff wOODhOUSE is from the peaceful
town of Richmond, Nelson and is twin brother
to Daniel and son to Mark and Ruth. PLTOFF
Woodhouse attended Waimea College from
2001-2005, where he represented his school in
1st XV rugby and volleyball. In the year prior to
commencing Initial Officer Training at RNZAF Base
Woodbourne he was employed as a landscaper.
ON whAt IS INVARIABLy ONE Of A MILItARy PILOt’S PROUDESt DAyS thE fOLLOwING SEVEN AIR fORCE AND ONE NAVy PERSONNEL SUCCESSfULLy GRADUAtED fROM thE 07/02 wINGS COURSE At A CEREMONy At BASE OhAKEA ON 10 MARCh 2009. thE REVIEwING OffICER wAS AIRCDRE StOCKLEy.
wings success
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wings Course graduates (L-R): PLtOff Nathan Round, PLtOff Michael Adair, fGOff Craig Graham, PLtOff Matthew Stapp, PLTOFF Benjamin Woodhouse, PLtOff Alex Booth, fGOff Derek Bezuidenhout and SLT Benjamin Melville.
RnzaF spoRtspeRson oF the yeaR
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S p o r t S p E r S o N o f t h E y E a r
2008 Winners in the eight aWard categories listed Were:
thE RNzAf CUPThe trophy is awarded annually to the Base, which,
by its overall performance in interbase competition
throughout the year, is adjudged by the RNZAF
Sports Committee to have promoted best the
objectives of RNZAF sport.
wINNER: RNzAf Base Auckland
thE USAf CUPThe Cup is awarded annually to the RNZAF Base
that gains the highest aggregate of points in all
interbase competition.
wINNER: RNzAf Base Auckland
RNzAf SPORtS tEAM Of thE yEARwINNER: RNzAf Men’s football
thE fLAG tROPhyThe trophy is awarded to the RNZAF Administrator
of the Year to recognise outstanding effort by
non-playing sports officials.
wINNER: f/S Peter Richardson
RNzAf SPORtS GOLD BADGEThe RNZAF Sports Gold Badge is the ultimate
recognition of consistent outstanding sporting
achievement and long-standing service to RNZAF
Sport
RECIPIENtS: w/O George Mana, w/O Ian Ditfort,
w/O Steven Schroder.
the 2008 sportsperson of the Year aWards (spotY) Were held at a ceremonY on 5 march at Base ohakea.
The RNZAF 141 FlighT
TRophy
The trophy is awarded annually for the
most outstanding achievement in sport
by an RNZAF sportsperson.
wINNER: AC Amy Ensor
The Nikki CARR MeMoRiAl TRophyThe trophy is awarded annually to the Under 23 member making the most outstanding contribution to sport during the year.
wINNER: AC Bryce hesselin
The les sMiTh MeMoRiAl TRophy
The trophy is awarded annually
to the member making the most
outstanding contribution to sport
during the year.
wINNER: AC Kahla tuffey
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RnzaF aucklanD mopeDathonaka the whenuapai 4000
Not to be outdone by Woodbourne (see article
bottom right) Base Auckland also held its
inaugural event on Sunday 15 February 2009. LAC
Joe D’Ath gives us the low-down on the highlights.
The sun rose on a bright Sunday morning, with
the barest hint in the air of the downpour that
postponed racing from the day before. Seven teams
of the most elite moped riders that the Air Force
could muster, gathered on Whenuapai airfield for
what would be the first ever Whenuapai 4000.
With the day warming and the last of the breakfast
being eaten, the not so thunderous sound of seven
powerful, 50cc engines trying to start filled the
surrounding area with anticipation and exhaust
fumes. The day was to be divided into four events
to test the all around abilities, with a possible
4000 points up for grabs. (Disclaimer: Points were
allocated in a random and frivolous fashion, much
the same way as you’d ride a moped!)
The first event was a drag race, with each team
given three chances to cover 150 metres out and
back as fast as their machines could go without
blowing up. Many tactics came to light even this
early in the day. Wheelies for acceleration and
extra passengers for traction were tried, with little
success. Old Guys Racing, on a souped-up racing
bucket, took the 1000 points with a time of 23
seconds. But how would they cope with the tight,
twisty track racing that was to come?
Next came the sprint racing, with the fastest 5
laps of the track getting the 1000 points. Here was
where the true masters of their machines shone
through. The first four teams went at it hammer
and tongs, though it was clear that team Death
Proof with their super scooter were going to do
well. Death Proof rider Swede showed everyone
where the tyre traction limits were … twice. In the
final sprint between Death Proof, Old Guys Racing,
Watson Team Racing, and the Crazy Mexicans, the
latter went on to win the 1000 points.
With two teams now tied, and the rest trailing by
little more than 700 points, no one was about to
hold back in the lunchtime event, Show And Shine.
Here was the turn of the French representatives,
the Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys, to strut
their stuff, thereby proving that a team uniform,
(no matter what others thought of you because
of it) was most important. With “la Marseillaise”
blaring away in the background they too gained
themselves 1000 points, taking them to within a
moustache whisker of the outright lead. If only their
French flag paint schemed moped went anywhere
near as well as their boom box!
Finally teams made their last minute adjustments,
and it was time for the 3 hour endurance race. This
event was the first opportunity for the athletes to
really race each other. With all teams testing the
limits some true rivalries came to light. The faster
teams really pushed each other to the edge of the
racing lines, and at times into the tyres.
The Crazy Mexicans made it clear they meant
business after missing the start. Quickly making
back the laps they missed, they pushed for the lead
along with teams Old Guys Racing and De-gloved
Nut. Deathproof were also up the top until a crash
at about the half way mark forced them to conduct
some on the fly maintenance. The French at this
point waved a white flag as their not so highly tuned
nifty 50 just gave up and slunk off the course.
The race continued and with an hour to go, the
lead four teams were still within three laps of each
other. Alas, a few of these bikes were beginning to
suffer, and the lower ranking teams were building
their points up with stylish riding bonuses. Team
Slow’n’Steady in particular got knees down on
more than one corner and threw the front wheel up
in the air at any opportune moment (mainly in front
of the judges). This took its toll as they had to pit to
have the entire front steering re-tightened.
Bits of moped were becoming deposited around
the track, with Marshallers recovering fuses, foot
pegs and metal chunks in-between mopping up
radiator fluid and oil leaks. More bodging erupted
in the pits, with Death Proof being awarded ten
bonus laps for assisting other teams.
The French then decided they had sat out enough
of the war, and after their hearty picnic lunch
complete with baguettes, pate and copious
amounts of Camembert & Brie, were now back in
the game. The racing became closer and closer due
to le grosse obstruction the French presented. After
an awesome three hours of hotly contested racing,
Death Proof claimed the Enduro victory with 311
laps, closely followed by Old Guys Racing, and the
Crazy Mexicans taking the final podium spot.
Once all of the points were tabulated, the overall
win also went to Crazy Mexicans. Well done! Thanks
to all of the organisers, helpers and competitors
for making the event a success. Bring on the next
one in 2010!
“pOints wErE allOCatEd
in a randOm and friVOlOus
fashiOn...”
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Auckland Mopedathon, aka the ‘whenuapai 4000’. Events included individual sprints, team races, and a 3-hour endurance race. teams were as follows: tEAM 1 ‘Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys’ Dave wills, Pat Davies, Nathan Mills. tEAM 2 ‘Death Proof’ Regan Denny, Brett Groves, Swede Smedley/johnny Kerten. tEAM 3 ‘De-Gloved Nut’ Glenn Russell, Graham Russell, tony Edmeads. tEAM 5 ‘Old Guys Racing’ Darran Goodwin, Shaun Clark, Gavin howse. tEAM 6 ‘watson Autos Racing LtC’ Nathan hodgkinson, tom Claffey, Greg Sheat. tEAM 7 ‘Crazy Mexicans’ Dave Matthews, Dave willetts, joshua white. tEAM 8 ‘Slow and Steady’ james Irving, Sam Greenhalgh, hamish Nicholson. Organisers: fLtLt Pete jackson (OIC Motorsports Club) and AC Catherine webster.
It StARtED Off A LIttLE LIGht ENtERtAINMENt BUt MOPED MANIA hAS tAKEN thE AIR fORCE By StORM. fLtLt jOhN hUMfREy REPORtS ON BASE wOODBOURNE’S INAUGURAL EVENt.
Some felt the need for speed, others the need for serviceability and some might say they all have a need for sanity, but on 22 February 2009, 22 riders took part in the inaugural RNZAF Woodbourne Mopedathon. Their aim was to complete as many laps of the track in six hours, riding a two wheeled vehicle, powered by an engine with no more than 50cc capacity.
Kiwi ingenuity was required in abundance to keep the ‘bikes’ on the track, as the eight teams suffered punctures, exhaust detachments and blown piston rings. It is testament to the skill and determination of the competitors that seven out of the eight bikes competing were still functioning at the end of the event. Unfortunately, the immaculately
presented Air Security vehicle, which won the ‘Best Presented Bike’ award, only managed nine laps before limping home, never to grace the track again, proving the old adage that you must never judge a book by its cover or a bike by its paint job. SGT Dean Jolley won the ‘stig’ award, for accomplished and impressive buttock transfer, whilst approaching corners.
Eventual Mopedathon winners were ‘Team Very Basic’ consisting of Mr Rolph Meltzer, SGT Ken Thompson and AC Daniel Stone, who managed an impressive 624 laps!
Special thanks to Mr Steve Wright, SGT Jeremy Ireland and Cpl James Bouwstra for organizing the event and to SGT Dave Turner for providing the BBQ and bar. All riders also appreciated the efforts of members of R1-09 Recruit Course, for their impartial and accurate lap counting.
Finally, for those people who did not take part, there may be another event around May/June 09 TBD. It’s all out there … just reach out and grab it!
they Felt the need…
winners ‘team Very Basic’. L-R are: Mr Rolf Meltzer, AC Daniel Stone, SGt Ken thompson and jennifer thompson (team mascot holding the trophy).
CPL Laurence Ransfield, sporting an intimidating look of determination, with LAC Daniel Melling on the smaller vehicle.
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Woodbourne hosted Interbase (IB) cricket
from 26 to 29 January 2009.
The men’s competition was highlighted by the
performance of Graham Burnnand who, besides
scoring the most runs, did a great impersonation
of Forrest Gump by doing at least the same
number of laps of Horton Park as part of his Taupo
Ironman training.
Ohakea’s (OH) impressive 287, Adrian West, 37,
Tom Redward, 45 and Burnnand, 74, was too
much for Woodbourne, 109, due to great bowling
by Chris Turkington’s 3-7 off 6 overs.
Auckland (AK), despite being in early trouble,
with Mark Chadwick, 40, and Richard O’Flaherty,
57*, ensured a comfortable 5 wicket win over
Wellington (WN) 176, Jason Trenberth, 27, and
Kyle Wealleans, 43. Top bowler was Aaron Taylor
4/21.
OH were again in the runs with 264, Burnand, 54,
West-66 and Hayden Madsen, 84, which proved
too much for AK, 157, with only Kim Bevins, 33,
providing resistance. Pick of the bowlers were
Hamish Overton, 3-37, and Gordon Schofield
2/32.
WN set Woodbourne (WB) a competitive 216,
Trenberth, 60, Greg Rawson, 27, and Pete Furjes,
and despite Mason Robinson, 36, were in trouble
and behind the run rate with rain falling. However,
by the time heavy rain stopped play, Dave Miles,
51*, just got Woodbourne (WB) to victory on
run rate.
WN’s top order was on fire, Trenberth, 47, Mark
Stevens, 38, and Rawson, 38, but top bowling
from Madsen, 4-23, limited them to a still very
good total of 241. OH, reversing the batting, were
in trouble at 5-77 until Forrest interrupted his laps
and joined West, 81, in a 98 run partnership.
Despite the loss of another wicket, he led OH
home with an over to spare with 82*.
This meant an OH/AK final. For once Forrest failed
(no prior laps), but a great captain’s knock by
Madsen, 81, with support by Turkington, 38, got
OH to a competitive 174. A wicket off the first ball
set the scene for AK’s reply, being all out in the
21st over for just 56 runs due to great bowling by
Schofield, 5-29, and Turkington, 3-14, and thus
confirmation they were the best team.
In the Twenty20 Plate game WN made 110, with
Stevens 47 and Miles 3/19 being the highlights of
that innings. Robinson, 41, & Miles, 26, ensured
WB were always in control for a deserved win.
The Women’s Twenty/20 competition was
dominated by Auckland this year with a well
rounded batting and bowling line up. The Ohakea
women fought hard to no avail and the WB team
offered little resistance to the AK onslaught.
GAME 1: wB VS Oh
Ohakea bowled well first up to restrict WB to 63/6
with Alice Forbes and Karen Peacock 3 – 13
each off their maximum 4 overs. Carmen Hollins
contributed with 13 and Jody Toa Toa 18. In reply
OH only managed 61 after miscounting overs,
believing they had one more over to score the 3
runs required to win.
GAME 2: AKL VS Oh
OH batted first making a competitive 86/5; Ange
Hockenhull 35, Alice Forbes 14 both performed
well with the bat given the tight bowling from AK;
Courtney Sefo 2 – 10 and Hayley Ireland 1 – 6.
AK in reply looked shaky losing their opening
batters early however the mid order combination
of H. Ireland 21* and Rachel James 19* secured
the win for AK.
DAy 2: Oh VS AKL
AK’s top four all batted well setting OH a total of
122/3; R. James 27*, Sanet Van Deventer 29,
best bowling by Cindy Hausman 1 – 15. OH in
reply could not match the batting performance
only making 48/8 given superb bowling by Ange
Dalton 3 – 8, S. Van Deventer 2 -10 and Rochelle
Blucher 0 – 4 all off 4 overs.
DAy 3: GAME 1: wB VS Oh
OH batted first making 79; best contributions by
C. Hausman 19 and Alison Wharewera 16. Pick
of the bowlers were R. James 2-8-3 and Maria
Captein earning a well deserved hat-trick with
3-4-3 off 3. In a close finish, WB reached 80 in the
20th over with a fine knock from Shoni Knowles
32*. Best bowling from Ohakea; A. Forbes 2 – 5
and Sharon Dobson 2 – 12.
GAME 2: AKL VS wB
It was a very short innings with AKL bowling WB all
out for 34. Grete Liua’ana who came to spectate
ended up playing for WB and top scored on 12.
Best bowling from AKL was R. Blucher 2 – 0 – 3
, H. Ireland 3 – 4 – 2. AK in reply lost 2 wickets
on their quest for another win, well bowled S.
Knowles 2 – 10.
GAME 3: Oh VS AKL
OH batted first hoping to set a competitive total
however were all out for 59. Again some great
tight bowling by AK; Ange Dalton 4 - 9 and M.
Captein 2-9-3. AK in reply reversed the batting
order and looked to be struggling however retired
a few players in order to secure the win in the final
over of the game.
fINALS DAy: AKL VS Oh
The format for finals day changed from Twenty/20
to a 40 over match. Unfortunately OH lost the
toss and were set a commanding total of 222/5
by AKL.
Spectators got to see some magnificent sixes by
H. Ireland who scored 71* and R. Blucher had OH
fielders defending the boundaries; she also scored
71 before being finally bowled by A. Forbes. Best
bowling figures came from C. Hausman who only
managed to give away 2-17-8 during the tirade
of batting.
OH started the chase well with an opening
partnership of 68; A. Hockenhull 34, Kim Small
32 and looked to have AK a little worried. However
the total proved too large as the overs ticked away
and OH eventually conceded defeat finishing
on 122/5. Once again some fine bowling by M.
Captein 1-3-4. AK, the well deserved interbase
winners!
inteRBase cricket ReportMr Merv PArr AnD f/s AnGe HOCkenHuLL
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women’s RnzaF touRThe selectors had no problems deciding on an
RNZAF Women’s team after some great cricket
played at interbase in Woodbourne. A tour of
Canterbury had been arranged for the ladies by
Merv Parr, in conjunction with Mr Kevin McGowan,
a professional coach for the Canterbury region.
Captained by SGT Rochelle Blucher the team
turned up at Burnham Camp for a training
weekend with Kevin, helped out by Maria Fahey
(White Ferns opening bat) and Emma Scarf (local
Premier wicketkeeper/bat).
Monday’s game against Marian College gave the
ladies an opportunity to put in to practice what
they had been working on over the weekend. After
losing the toss and being put in to bat, Richmond
Park’s soggy wicket kept the ball low but still
allowed RNZAF to put 152/5 after a rain reduced
35 overs. Rochelle hit a superb captain’s knock
of 55, Ange Hockenhull 30 and Alice Forbes 25. In
reply, Marian was bowled out for 71. Alice Forbes
3-8, Rochelle 2–6 and Courtney Sefo cleared out
the tail with 4–16.
Tuesday was a day off and a well deserved rest.
With a win under their belt, confidence was high
as we travelled to Ashburton on Wednesday to
play Ashburton College. Playing on Ashburton
Oval College won the toss and elected to bat.
Not a good choice as they were bowled out for
14. Alice was once again strong with the ball in
hand and finished with 4-3 off 5 overs. Sanet Van
Deventer, Rochelle, Ange Hockenhull and Rowena
Campbell all pitched in with a wicket a piece. Two
great pieces of fielding and accurate throws ran
out the other two College girls. It did not take
Rowena and Courtney long to reach the target,
with RNZAF only taking 5 overs to win the game.
A mixed, friendly Twenty 20 match followed which
allowed the girls to practice against each other and
the BBQ afterwards proved worthwhile with lots of
questions being asked about the Air Force. I guess
we’ll have to wait and see how many we managed
to attract to our organisation.
The final game on Thursday was against an Under
17 Canterbury selection. After winning the toss,
RNZAF were anticipating a tough match but were
surprised when they sent Canterbury in to bat and
they were bowled out for 64 after 33 overs. Hayley
Ireland was on-song and did the damage with 3-13
off her 8 overs including 3 maidens. Alice, Rochelle
and Sanet each took 2 wickets with accuracy being
the key, with all but 2 wickets being either bowled
or LBW. RNZAF only needed 24 overs to take the
win and a clean sweep for the tour. A well deserved
night out for the ladies followed and my advice to
other managers is, don’t be pressured in to riding
a mechanical bull. Enough said.
My thanks go out to Merv Parr and F/S Ange
Hockenhull for their work in organising the tour,
as well as to all the ladies who made the week an
enjoyable and successful one.
sGT POLLy Perkins
Air warmed up for its defence of the
Bill Morley Cup (IS Champs) against a
Marlborough selection with a comfortable
six-wicket win. Chasing Marlborough's
meagre 97 all out, Air coasted home in the
25th over led by 52 from Hayden Madsen.
Tim Ander was the top bowler with 3-21,
with 2 wickets each to Kim Bevins and
Dave Miles.
An unbeaten century from Bevins blasted
Air to a comprehensive 106-run win over
Navy in round two. The Air number three
was in formidable form, striking 13 fours
and eight sixes on his way to 142 not out
in just 93 balls as Air tallied 328 for seven
in their 50 overs. Other scores were Karl
Borck, 45, Graham Burnnand, 30, and
Glen Whitley, 27. Navy never threatened to
chase down the total, with 2 wickets each
to Madsen and Mike Jeffcoat.
Another classy knock from Bevins guided
Air to a 163-run win over Army and their
9th consecutive Bill Morley Cup. Bevins
stroked his way to 96 as Air posted 253 for
9 in their 50 overs. In reply, Army wickets fell
thick and fast with Madsen, 3-16, Gordon
Schofield, 3-30, & Chris Turkington, 2-12,
ensuring a resounding victory.
interservice (is) cricket
MaRlBOROUGH exPReSS & Merv PArr
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Auckland women versus Ohakea women.
Interservice cricket.
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The forecast for Marlborough on Saturday 28
February wasn’t good - heavy rain and 80km/hr
south-easterly winds. The local radio station was
recommending staying indoors and cancelling
any plans to go tramping or boating. So what
did my best friend and I do? An ultra marathon
of course!
We came up with the idea around Christmas, and
had decided on the Queen Charlotte track, a mere
71km. The general idea was to start at Ships Cove
as early as we could, and make our way to Anakiwa.
We estimated that given the short timeframe for
training, to complete it within daylight hours we
would aim to run the flats and gentle slopes and
walk the rest, taking 13 hours to complete the
track. We thought this would be achievable but
really had no idea how our bodies would hold up
over such a long distance. We planned two earlier
pick up points where the track crossed the road
take on the QueenwhAt DO yOU DO ON A COLD, RAINy DAy IN thE SOUth ISLAND? If yOU’RE ANythING LIKE fLtLt MAt RAffILLS AND RUNNING PARtNER MIChEAL hALE, yOU GO RUNNING Of COURSE. AND NOt jUSt A DASh tO thE DAIRy – thEy tROttED Off fOR AN ULtRA MARAthON ON thE qUEEN ChARLOttE tRACK.
just in case. My running partner Michael Hale, a
doctor from Auckland, flew in on the Friday night.
We were up the next morning at 0500 for a 0545
departure to Picton to be on the water by 0630.
CPL Michelle Novak and W/O Mike Hennessy
dropped us off at Ships Cove, and as we watched
the boat cruise out of the bay I couldn’t help but
feel a sense of hopelessness as the realisation of
what we were about to do hit home, 71km from
our destination. However armed with Camelbaks
loaded with water and electrolyte replacement
powder, and pockets stuffed with chocolate and
muesli bars, we hit the track at 0735.
The first 20km went faster than expected. We
walked up and down the steeper gradients, and
ran along the flats and gentle slopes as planned.
It took us just under three hours to do the first
20km, at which point the rain started and never
stopped! This proved to be a huge blessing to me,
as the rain and cooler temperatures kept me cool
and refreshed and helped prevent overheating
and dehydration. As any runners will know, the
rain can bring with it other problems, probably the
worst being nipple chafing! Armed with plasters
and 3B cream, we managed to keep it at bay. Mike
cracked up at one stage when during a short break
he caught me with my shirt up and rubbing the
white cream onto my nipples in a circular motion.
Sorry if that creates a horrible mental image for
anyone reading this! Luckily the rain also prevented
him from taking any photos capturing the moment,
but I think he’ll be emotionally scarred for life
regardless.
We knew the Kenepuru Saddle would be a
challenge, between the 50-30km to go mark,
and it was. The track had a small stream running
along it thanks to the rain, and it had become
very slippery. Going up the hills we would take a
MaRaThon Men
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FLTLT Raffills (left) and Dr Micheal Hale are fresh and full of confidence at the Ships Cove start. they are at the '71km to go' marker pole.
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step forward and slide half a step back. We were
looking forward to some amazing views along the
Saddle, but unfortunately we spent the majority of
the track in Instrument Meterological Conditions
(IMC i.e. flying blind)! We’d look down towards the
Marlborough Sounds but were above the cloud
base and couldn’t even see halfway down the hills
let alone the water. It was along this saddle that
we crossed the halfway point, and it was then that
the self belief started to kick in. We were both still
feeling pretty good and realised that there was no
reason why we couldn’t finish the whole track.
We got to Torea Bay around 1545, which was the
first pick up point if needed. We called the wives to
let them know that we were on track for Anakiwa;
at this point we knew we’d make it barring injury
or other unforeseen circumstance. Only 21km to
go! We were laughing as I tried to explain to Mike
how weird that sounded. I’d run a half marathon
less than a week ago and almost died! Now we’re
feeling pumped and excited about our 21km to go.
It sounded easy relative to the 50km we’d already
covered. My relative scale of distances was way
out of whack. The last stretch of track, funnily
enough, was the toughest. Our lungs and hearts
felt fine thanks to the rain and cool temperature,
but the muscles in the legs were starting to really
hurt. We discovered pain in parts of our bodies
that took us by surprise, like the biceps and our
forearms just below the elbows. Just the motion
of running caused shots of pain to those areas. All
we could do was laugh about it. I really hit the wall
with 11km to go. My legs were screaming at me to
stop, I was dreading any downhills as the effort to
“wE disCOVErEd pain in parts
Of Our bOdiEs that tOOk us by
surprisE...”slow yourself on the slippery track was almost too
much. I was worried that my legs would just give
out from under me. At the 6km to go marker pole
the pain had become like a familiar friend that I
had chosen to embrace, and again we laughed a
lot about it as there was nothing else we could do.
My running style had gone from an elegant efficient
style to something that looked like a crippled gorilla
looking for a place to die. A Grandma with a zimmer
frame could’ve overtaken me.
Bursting out of the bush and into the car park at
Anakiwa was like reaching the Promised Land.
The wives were waiting for us with dry towels and
blankets, and a nice warm car to take us back to
a cold beer and a Big Mac combo. We finished at
1922, giving us a total time of 11hrs 47mins from
Ships Cove to Anakiwa, the full 71km.
So why write about my own achievement? Maybe
because I’m darn proud of what we did, or maybe
to inspire others to work towards a crazy goal
and achieve it. The RNZAF is getting better at
celebrating success but I believe that as a nation
we do not do it enough. The natural tendency is
for an individual to belittle their own achievements
and successes and instead focus on the negatives.
Unfortunately this phenomena still flows into
parts of our organisation. I wonder how much
more the average New Zealander would achieve
in an environment where success is encouraged,
promoted and celebrated, and the tall poppy
syndrome is a thing of the past? I’d like to live in
that New Zealand.
On 4 December 2008 Auckland Physical Education and Recreational
Training (PE&RT) conducted a lunchtime circuit - the final
Hobsonville Gymnasium class in the history of the RNZAF. Forty-two
brave Base-siders and dependents filled the gym on a warm day with a
well received retro theme. At the completion of the circuit the gym was
stripped bare including ropes, wall bars, mirrors and all equipment which
is stored away for the time being.
The Gym has been used by the RNZAF for many years and has now been
taken over by the Hobsonville Land Company who are continuing with
their development of the Hobsonville Base site.
Lunchtime Circuits for Base Auckland are currently being run on the
Whenuapai fields which is proving to be hot work with the brilliant
summer we are having. With the Biggest Loser competition currently
running it is the norm to have 70 to 100 people out on the fields working
up a sweat. If you are looking for a challenging but rewarding way to spend
your lunch hour on a Tuesday or a Thursday we would love to see you out
there! Don’t forget your drink bottle! See you soon… Auckland PTIs!
last circuit for hobby gymsGT JAsOn PriCe, PHysiCAL fiTness insTruCTOr
Ak 0
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the ‘Last Ever’ Lunchtime Circuit held at hobsonville Gym and led by CPL Debbie Giddens.
Diehard gym supporters.
r E v i E W S
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I REALLy LIKE SIMON PEGG’S MOVIES (ShAUN Of thE DEAD, hOt fUzz, RUN fAtBOy RUN) BUt thIS OBVIOUS AttEMPt tO CRACK thE NOtORIOUSLy fICKLE US MARKEt wAS BOUND tO StRIKE DIffICULtIES.
Maybe it’s the translation thing of grafting British
humour onto a New York setting. Apparently it
bombed in the States but survived with so-so
reviews in Britain. The result is a romcom that’s
neither bad nor outstanding – just mediocre.
The plot – a British writer struggles to fit in at a high-
profile magazine in New York – is based on Toby
Young's memoir ‘How to Lose Friends & Alienate
People’. Basically a boy meets girl, boy loses girl
and sets up with wrong girl and then finds Ms Right.
I watched this with my partner on a rainy Friday
night and we had a good time snacking (food)
and watching Pegg’s brand of, mainly, slapstick
gags. We had more giggles than belly laughs. To
be fair maybe it’s a generation thing – my son and
his mate watched and thought it hilarious. If you
want a romcom that blokes can tolerate it’s worth
a watch. Guys, you’ll stomach this much better
than Sex And The City.
GrAnT CArr
how to lose Friends and alienate people
We have five (5) free copies of How to Lose
Friends and Alienate People to give away.
Email: [email protected] (with the
word DVD COMPETITION in the subject
line) the correct answer to the following
question and you could be watching your
own copy of the movie at home.
Which famous American actor plays
Sidney Young’s hard bitten boss Clayton
Harding at Sharps magazine?
On the face of it these two books – Service
Slang and Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat
– are very similar. But apart from being about the
same size (pocket note book) and both being about
Service slang (Air and Navy) there are a number
of key differences.
Service Slang is very much a product of its
publishing era – 1943. It is a great book if you are
researching the correct Air Force slang for this era
and no doubt producer Peter Jackson could do well
to have a copy handy for the script writers of his
proposed Dambusters movie. But its firm rooting
in 1943 is also the book’s limitation. It is a straight
reprint of a publication which, at the time had some
intrinsic humour for the lay reader, but in 2009
comes across as rather a dated curiosity.
Not Enough Room to Swing A Cat on the other
hand covers the whole historic gamut from ancient
times right up to present day Naval slang. And the
author, Martin Robson, has researched the subject
well – with enough obscure and amusing origins
of terms to make it genuinely entertaining. For a
start the title, as the illustration infers, refers to the
famous cat o’nine tails used to exact punishment
in the days of sail. The addition of an index and
the inclusion of a selection of up-to-date salty
terms makes this offering more entertaining than
FGOFF Morgan’s Service Slang (despite any of the
reviewer’s pre-conceived prejudices).
BothbooksareavailableforloanfromtheNZDF’sLibrary.
notes on the
lingoSERVICE SLANG
Edited by fGOff j.L. hunt
First published 1943,Faber and Faber.
NOt ENOUGh ROOM tO SwING A CAt
Martin Robson
2008, Conway Books.
jeff Bridges plays Sharp’s boss Clayton harding.
w w w . a i r f o r c e . m i l . n z | a f N 1 0 2 a p r i l 0 9 4 3
f a r E W E l l S a N d W E l c o m E b a c k S
the RNzAf bids a fond farewell to the following:
BASE AUCKLAND
SQNlDR D.a. BaCON
Enlist: 04-04-89 Terminate: 06-05-09 Specialisation: Air Engineer Officer
CPL M.C. Griffin Enlist: 13-01-04 Terminate: 28-02-09 Specialisation: Medic
LAC A.L. JOHnsOn Enlist: 13-01-04 Terminate: 29-03-09 Specialisation: Medic
fLTLT T.A. LAuCHLAn Enlist: 08-07-97 Terminate: 03-05-09 Specialisation: Pilot
sQnLDr r.J. MCMuLLAn Enlist: 30-09-93 Terminate: 27-03-09 Specialisation: Engineer
BASE OhAKEA
sGT T.J.L. WiLsOn Enlist: 03-11-08 Terminate: 20-04-09 Specialisation: Aircraft Technician
BASE wOODBOURNE
aC S.e.R. ROBINSON Enlist: 20-05-08 Terminate: 25-02-09 Specialisation: Armament Technician (UT)
AC J.M. WiLTOn Enlist: 20-05-08 Terminate: 12-03-09 Specialisation: Physical Training Instructor (UT)
wELLINGtON
a/SGt D.a. BURtON Enlist: 30-04-08 Terminate: 30-04-09 Specialisation: Intelligence
the RNzAf extends a warm welcome to the following skilled personnel who have joined us recently:
BASE AUCKLAND
sGT J. DiMOnD Enlist: 23-03-09 Specialisation: Air Security
SGt D.a. JOBlIN Enlist: 23-03-09 Specialisation: Armament Technician
CPL k. e. kerriGAn-CrAWfOrD Enlist: 16-03-09 Specialisation: Safety and Surface Technician
BASE wOODBOURNECPl P.a. BROWN Enlist: 06-04-09 Specialisation: Aircraft Technician
OCDt B.t. MORGaN Enlist: 23-03-09 Specialisation: Pilot (UT)
sGT C.e. MOrris Enlist: 30-03-09 Specialisation: Machine Tool Setter and Operator
wELLINGtONsQnLDr G. C. JOsePHs Enlist: 30-03-09 Specialisation: Supply Officer
faRewells anD welcome Backs
18 AvOn sQuADrOn WiGrAMIS CeleBRatING 50 yeaRS OF
SeRVICe tO CaNteRBURy yOUtH
17th & 18th jULy 2010CADeT HeADQuArTers WiGrAM
TO reGisTer yOur inTeresT:E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 03 337.2023
Post: 18 Sqn Reunion – P.O. Box 11-135 Sockburn
AIR tRAINING CORPS 50th ANNIVERSARy