orion at rimpac - Royal New Zealand Air Force

ORION
AT RIMPAC
Hercules
Project Milestone
The biggest building
–mss Ohakea
Issue 140
September 2012 | Royal New Zealand Air Force
Air Force News
1
Contents
Our mission
To carry out military air operations to advance
New Zealand’s security interests with professionalism,
integrity and teamwork.
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.
Published by
Defence Communications Group
HQ NZ Defence Force
Wellington, New Zealand
Editor
Richard Jackson
Pn 04-496-0289
Fax 04-496-0290
Email; [email protected]
Design and Layout
Defence Communications Group
Printed by
Bluestar
Private Bag 39996, Wellington
10 Last of the legacy Hercules
Distribution
Email: [email protected]
Air Force News is governed by an Editorial Board. Views
expressed in the Air Force News are not necessarily
those of the RNZAF or the New Zealand Defence
Force. Defence regulations over-ride all content in the
Air Force News. Editorial contributions and ideas are
welcomed. They can be emailed directly to the Editor
and do not need to be forwarded through normal
command chains.
26 Pacific Partnership
30 Flying the Avro Anson
04 CDF Seminar
20 Bomber Command Reflections
06 Orion Crew at RIMPAC
24 Humanitarian Mission to Samoa
08 NH90 Trial on CANTERBURY
28 World Skills—The NZ Nationals
12 Interview: ACM Sir Stephen
Dalton, RAF
32 The Missing Wingman Trust
15 The Institute of Leader
35 Diplomas in Management
Development
36 Sport
16 MSS Building, Ohakea
38 Notices
19 A Day in the Life of HQJFNZ
2
Air Force News
Contributions need to include
• writer’s name, rank and unit
• photos provided separate from the text – at least 300dpi.
Contribution deadline for the October Issue
Monday 03 September 2012
Contribution deadline for the November Issue
Monday 01 October 2012
Contribution deadline for the December Issue
Thursday 01 November 2012
Air Force News will hold the copyright for submitted articles
or photographs it publishes. Articles and photographs
published in Air Force News cannot be published elsewhere
without permission.
ISSN 1175-2327
Cover image
The P-3K Orion from No. 5 Sqn arrives at Marine
Corps Base Hawaii (at Kaneohe Bay) on 03 July
for Exercise RIMPAC. The world’s largest
international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provided
a unique training opportunity for the NZDF.
See story on page 4.
Photo by: LAC Amanda McErlich, Defence
Communications Group.
First Word
CALL OF DUTY
The ‘Ramp Ceremony’
for Lance Corporals Pralli
Durrer and Rory Malone
at RNZAF Air Movements,
Christchurch Airport on 10
August. They had returned
to NZ in a USAF C-17.
By Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell
Chief of Air Force
I write this First Word following the news of the tragic death
of three more NZDF personnel serving in Afghanistan with
the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). Their deaths follow
hard on the heals of the loss of LCPLs Rory Malone and Pralli
Durrer just over two weeks ago in the same area. These losses,
and the other casualties suffered in the 4 August incident,
together with the loss of a further five servicemen over the
past two years in Afghanistan, remind us of the potential price
that servicemen and women can be called on to pay for the
‘Call of Duty’. This duty is the reason that we in the military are
different to every other job or profession, and why we must
understand that the ‘Call’ applies to all of us in uniform.
In the 4 August incident in Bamyan, an Air Force serviceman
was one of the casualties. His presence as part of one of the
patrols emphasises that our Air Force people are deployed in
support of a number of the NZDF’s overseas commitments.
So everything we do is not necessarily directly related to
the conduct of military air operations; our people have skill
sets that are valuable in joint operations and in the other
environments, as well. I am pleased to report that our Air
Force comrade has returned home, is in good shape and will
make a full recovery from his injury.
The loss of personnel in combat is a heavy burden for any
military, but especially so for one as small and as familiar as the
NZDF. The Army in particular will be hurting and we really feel
for them at this very difficult time, especially as we are all part
of the wider NZDF family. But we still have a duty to conduct
The ‘Ramp Ceremony’ held on 23 August, when one of our
Hercules brought CPL Tamatea, LCPL Baker and PTE Harris home
the mission in Afghanistan as directed by the Government and
we must continue to do it as professionally and safely as we
can. Air Force support for the mission will continue with the
provision of air support and specialist personnel as necessary.
It is at times like these that some may question why they
joined the military. But it is at times like these that the reasons
why people like us are in the military also become clear. We
care for our nation and we have a sense of duty to uphold its
values and ideals. This ‘Call of Duty’ is what differentiates us
in what we do, how we do it, and why we do it.
Reflect on our calling, as we mourn the loss of some very
gallant New Zealanders lost in combat in the service of our
nation.
Air Force News
3
The Deputy Chief of Air Force,
AIRCDRE Kevin Short, leads discussion
with his syndicate at CDF’s Seminar (L to R):
CAPT John Campbell, Grant Hockings,
GPCAPT Steve Goodman, AIRCDRE Short,
GPCAPT Mark Brunton & BRIG Charles Lott.
Our future
and what does
it look like?
A
t CDF’s Seminar at Trentham19–20 July, LTGEN Rhys
Jones encouraged discussion around the challenges
and opportunities which exist for our leaders in
the future. He reinforced to the 200 officers, NCOs and
civilians that they were needed to help create a more agile,
operationally focussed and joined-up Defence Force.
CDF’s ‘Future 35’ vision for the NZDF was first launched in
March [see AF News 135 April and 138 July] and this seminar
was used as a forum to bring that vision into a more cohesive
shape. In addition to our own people, partner agencies and
some international representatives also participated.
Discussion around our organisation’s culture was
encouraged, with participants identifying that there were
many sub-cultures but, equally, many common threads and
themes across our organisation. They recognised we needed
to identify the extent to which the current NZDF culture is
aligned with the desired future state, and the strategy for
NZDF to be successful in the future.
4
Air Force News
It was a challenging two-day interactive seminar where
participants worked in groups to capture their ideas, comments,
and recommendations in workbooks. Presentations set the
scene, while the use of syndicates encouraged discussion. The
workbooks were collected and their rich content will be used to
refine our strategy.
CDF spoke several times during the Seminar, outlining
the challenges we face and his expectations for engaged
leadership. The Strategic Leadership team presented on
our new capability, organisational reform, our people, joint
enablers, and operations.
The Minister of Defence, Jonathan Coleman, described
the current political environment and explained what the
government priorities are for Defence.
The CDF and GPCAPT Greg Elliot also launched the Institute
of Leadership Development and the Leadership Development
Framework at the seminar [see also page 15]. Reinforcing the
leadership theme, Mr John Allen, Chief Executive of MFAT,
spoke on the challenge of leading through change.
CDF’s Seminar
The Economic Setting
Three of the Seminar participants look at the ‘trade show’ exhibits,
which illustrated some of the organisational initiatives within the
NZDF (L to R): John Dennerhy, BRIG Tim Gall & Julia Milsom.
A background briefing was presented by Mr Stephen
Toplis, Head of Research for the Bank of New Zealand’s
Wellington Markets Division. (Stephen is also a member
of the RNZAF Band.)
Weaker economic growth and the impact of the Global
Financial Crisis is placing New Zealand worryingly close
to the same financial predicament of Greece and other
endangered European economies. As well, New Zealand
has to rebuild Christchurch, which is forecast to cost
some 20 billion dollars.
The government is requiring all of the public sector
to make big savings. Defence has made a start with
‘Value for Money’ and related initiatives. But, the cost
pressures on Defence are forecast to continue—there is
a significant funding/capability imbalance as far ahead as
FY21/22, which will affect Defence decisions.
Defence Experiment 2012
Another syndicate in discussion: Jason Peters, Ms Lou Hunt,
Ministry of Primary Industries, LT Alex Hansen, LTCDR Rob McCaw
& LT Sarah Smith
Underlying all discussions was our country’s economic
performance—and the funds available to the government over
the next decade [see sidebar]. It was clear that simply tinkering
with the organisation, processes, and activities won’t solve
the challenges ahead. Only a fundamental re-engineering will
achieve the level of change required.
CDF recognises that “There is a lot of good work
underway towards becoming a more joined up, agile and
effective Defence Force. Success will also require engaged
leadership [at all levels] to help prioritise the work that is most
important.”
What did the seminar achieve? Two hundred NZDF leaders
got the opportunity for interactive dialogue with senior
leaders for two days, to discuss NZDF’s future and the vision
out to 2035. They discussed the barriers we may face, what the
Defence Force will be in the future and how to connect with the
Future 35 Strategy.
Following the Seminar, CDF stated that “The power to
deliver Future 35 rests with all of us in leadership roles across
the Defence Force.” He wants all teams [and units] to start
thinking and acting about how their part of the NZDF will
support the move towards the concepts in Future 35.
CDF has laid down the challenge: “You have my intent - what
are you going to start doing differently on Monday?”
Defence Experiment 2012 (DE12)
was hosted by the Directorate
of Future Force Development at
Trentham in the days ahead of the
CDF Seminar, 16-18 July. The focus
of DE12 was Future 35, the strategy to shape the NZDF
as a strong and capable Defence Force out to 2035. DE12
examined the three strategic priorities or themes that
will shape the development of the NZDF:
•
Situational Awareness;
•
Presence, Shaping and Influence; and
•
Response.
More than 50 personnel participated, including
representatives of The Treasury, New Zealand Police,
New Zealand Fire Service, New Zealand Customs
Service, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Civil Defence
and Emergency Management and Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade. There were also international military
representatives from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom
and the United States.
The three days’ saw intense discussion, debate and
analysis to determine ‘what next’ in terms of the practical
action steps and interventions needed to implement
Future 35. The experiment highlighted the benefits and
value to the NZDF of hosting a future-focused Joint,
Inter-agency and multi-national discussion.
An initial Quick Look Report will be published, followed
by a more detailed Analysis Report. The reports will
provide a record of the discussions that took place, as
well as provide a repository of the resultant practical
action steps and ideas.
Further reading:
NZDF ILP: Office of Strategy Management: Document
Library: Shared Documents: Future 35 Documentation.
Air Force News
5
Multi-national Exercises
The air crew from No. 5 Sqn with the P-3K Orion during Exercise RIMPAC 12.
RIMPAC photos by LAC Amanda McErlich, Defence Communications Group.
A Kiwi Orion Crew
at RIMPAC
By CPL Reece Tamariki, Air Warfare Specialist
I
n the early hours of Saturday 04 July Orion NZ4202
departed Whenuapai for Hawaii, where our maintenance
team and contingent of augmentees were already in sunny
Hawaii. The flight there required our Engineers to carefully
balance weights to ensure the aircraft could take the required
amount of sonobuoys but still have sufficient food for our
11 hour transit!
The window seats were sought after during the approach
and landing at ‘K-Bay’, the US Marine Corps Air Station
Kaneohe Bay. We witnessed a mini-air show; aircraft present
included C-17s, F-18s, P-8 Poseidons, and P-3s of every flavour.
This was the base we would call ‘homeplate’ for the next five
weeks.
We landed the day before America’s Independence Day,
so our crew was lucky enough to spread to the four winds
and experience celebrations on multiple bases, Pearl Harbor,
Hickam, K-Bay and fireworks in Honolulu!
We kicked straight into it with multiple RIMPAC briefing days
and a familiarisation flight of the local airfields in preparation
for the exercise. Our host Squadron from the US Navy, VP-4,
also an Orion squadron, ensured that our maintenance
6
Air Force News
technicians had everything they needed to keep the aircraft
running smoothly. The maintenance team’s job wasn’t over
until all of the aircraft’s systems were fully operational before
each sortie.
Sitting at the mass air brief there was no doubt that this was
a massive event—at least 600 aircrew filled the seats and lined
the walls of the K-Bay movie theatre which was the briefing
room for the day. Airmen and women from many countries; I
certainly ticked all the boxes for ‘rank bingo’ that day!
The flying was broken into 3 phases, each one more
complicated than the last. As a ‘Dry Operator’ (radar, radio and
Electronic Support Measures) I found the pace helped me to
cope with what started as simple evolutions, but by the end
were complex tactical scenarios. Being one of the more junior
crews on No.5 Squadron, the pace gave us a good chance to
hone our skills as the complexity increased.
The crew became more cohesive throughout the exercise;
actions became more automatic and chatter on the intercom
system dropped off as we began to operate as a team. The
crew had to juggle a large number of radios and channels. Every
flight was different, the briefs were similar, but once we got out
The RIMPAC fleet at sea, led by the aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ
CPL Heather Lennox in the Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K Orion
in the exercise area it seemed like a free-for-all! There were
helicopters sharing our airspace, limited English speaking skills
from some of our controlling units, and non-playing warships
steaming through our operating area. The crew quickly
became aware we needed to be on our game and keep a sharp
lookout.
The training benefits were massive for the junior crew
members like me, and I’m sure even the more experienced
crew were tested at times. The Dry Operators got stuck into
the ever-changing radar picture and ship radar environment,
while the highlights for the Wet Operators (Acoustic
operators) were tracking the submarines.
After three weeks of exciting and challenging flying the
exercise had its wash-up in the form of a multi-national beach
party in which each country in our task group (US, Canada,
Japan, South Korea and Australia) brought a little bit of home
cooking for us all to sample. The South Korean tent was by far
the best with their Korean BBQ and a hilarious crew!
I’m very proud of the way No.5 Squadron performed
throughout the exercise. Aircraft serviceability was excellent;
a testament to our hardworking ground crew. We dropped only
one flight, due to a crew member going sick. And even though
we may not have had the best equipment, we took part with a
P-3K, we got the job done every time and definitely held our
own (and next time we aim to bring an upgraded P-3K2!)
F/S Stephen Graham at the communications station in the Orion
RIMPAC
By AVM Peter Stockwell, CAF
F
or the first time in nearly 30 years, the NZDF deployed
significant elements from all three Services to
participate in Exercise RIMPAC—a multi-national, large
scale maritime exercise that took place in Hawaiian waters.
RIMPAC provided a tremendous training ground for our people
with more than 40 ships and six submarines, 200 aircraft and
25,000 personnel from 22 countries participating.
Our Air Force Strategy ‘Air 2015 and Beyond’ has been
developed to neatly align with the NZDF’s broader ’Future 35’
strategy. A Joint Amphibious Task Force (JATF) will be created
to operate in New Zealand’s area of interest to support our
regional interests. For the Air Force, our role is to produce
Air elements capable of operating in a joint, interagency
and multi-national environment as part of the JATF. RIMPAC
proved to be an excellent vehicle through which to learn more
about integration into this type of force structure. I have no
doubt that the exercise will prove invaluable as we set about
the establishment of the JATF.
And for No.5 Sqn in particular, RIMPAC was a welcome
return to an exercise that has in the past been a key factor
in development of the unit’s reputation as one of the most
capable and professional airborne maritime surveillance
squadrons in the world.
More on RIMPAC, No. 6 Sqn’s part and what our people experienced, next month.
Air Force News
7
Joint Capability
The NH90 about to land on CANTERBURY at Napier
SUCCESSFUL NH90
TRIAL ONBOARD
HMNZS CANTERBURY
In late July, our newest helicopter, the
NH90, successfully landed on HMNZS
CANTERBURY to begin an Interface Trial
with the Navy’s multi-role vessel. SQNLDR
Peter Richardson said that the trial was
a success, providing invaluable data and
experience for Helicopter Transition Unit
personnel.
The trial was the first phase in developing the capability
to operate the NH90 from CANTERBURY, a step towards
the Defence Force’s goal of establishing a Joint Amphibious
Task Force by 2015. While the JATF will be structured for the
deployment of combat forces, it will also be used for disaster
relief, or exercises in our region in support of nation building.
The first consideration for the Interface Trial was whether
or not the helicopter can actually fit into the ship. This is a
function of deck strength (which is determined by engineering
8
Air Force News
analysis) and the physical dimensions of the flight deck and
hangar. In the case of CANTERBURY, the hangar was designed
from the outset with new generation helicopters such as the
NH90 in mind.
The trial also checked the ability of the ship’s aviation
facilities to supply the ground electrical power, fuel, and
maintenance support facilities (including stowage space for
spares, tools and ground equipment) for the helicopter. Finally
the required space and tie down points to allow the helicopter
to be fully lashed down while in the hangar, were tested and
checked.
SQNLDR Richardson explained that CANTERBURY will be
able to fit four NH90s within her hangar spaces.
“The NH90 is designed with manually folding main rotor
blades and the tail pylon, to enable stowage in the hangar. A
mechanical handler (SHH Mantis) is used to move the aircraft
between the deck and the hangar—this is an updated version
of one already used on CANTERBURY by No.6 Sqn for the
Seasprite. The Mantis provides excellent controllability,
Tight fit! The NH90 being eased into CANTERBURY’s hangar
The NH90 air crew (L to R): F/S Chris Mitchell (HCM) FLTLT Will Neill
(Captain) FLTLT Mike Garrett (Co-pilot) & F/S Matt Beaven (HCM)
The NH90 after being manoeuvred into the hangar tail first
HTU staff fold the NH90 rotor blades (L to R): CPL Shane Kissell,
LAC Hamish Ward & SGT Isaac Hastings. On top of the aircraft are
LAC Bryce Hesselin & CPL Patrick Power.
allowing the aircraft to be accurately manouevred within the
tight confines of the hangar spaces.
“After three days of activity alongside in Napier, the aircraft
was secured in the hangar using 18 nylon strops and the ship
sailed for Devonport. During the passage the strains on the
lashings (caused by the aircraft responding to the ship’s pitch
and roll) were compared in real time to a computer simulation.
This allowed us to validate the scheme to secure the aircraft
in rough conditions; the lashing scheme behaved well in
conditions up to Sea State 5 and the computer simulation was
confirmed as well.
“CANTERBURY’s hangar spaces are divided into two areas:
the storage hangar (for three NH90s) which has limited
facilities; and the maintenance hangar (one NH90). The
maintenance hangar has power and crane facilities to support
limited engineering activity.”
As a result of this first trial, any alterations required to
the ship’s aviation facilities to support NH90 operations
will be identified and adjusted during the ship’s scheduled
maintenance programme.
As well, the voyage to Devonport allowed the HTU trial crew
to assess life on board. “Accommodation is relatively austere,
with 12-berth cabins; however, they are warmer and drier than
a tent! There are ample hot showers and excellent catering—
which is only useful if you take your sea legs with you!”
The next stage for the NH90 will be a First of Class Flight
Trial, which will provide the aircraft and ship with an operating
envelope. First of Class Flight Trials are conducted in each new
class of aviation-capable warship and/or with each new type
of helicopter. Each ship and aircraft type behave differently;
the unique air dynamics around superstructure, ship motion
characteristics, and aircraft performance must be examined
during the introduction into service phase, to determine the
safe operating limits for each aircraft type when operating
from a particular ship. The FOCFT is planned for mid-late next
year.
Once that is achieved, the HTU will begin the complicated
task of training aircrew and engineers to operate NH90s from
the RNZN’s multi-role vessel.
The Interface trial was of direct interest to the
Chief of Air Force and the Chief of Navy.
“The NH90 is a complex helicopter with
significant capability and sophisticated systems
and it will form an important part of the Defence
Force’s new Joint Amphibious Task Force,” said Air
Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell.
Rear-Admiral Tony Parr said the aim of the trial
is to begin proving the Defence Force’s ability to
land, stow and then re-launch the helicopter from
the CANTERBURY. “It’s no easy task to safely land
a large helicopter on a ship,” he says. “Once we’ve
established this capability the Navy will be able
to transport the NH90s around New Zealand, the
Pacific and further afield as necessary for military,
disaster relief or other operational taskings.”
Photos: SGT Nancy Cox, Auckland Photo Flight
Air Force News
9
Operational Capability
NZ7002, the final legacy C-130, about to depart for
Woodbourne to be upgraded in the Life Extension Project
LAST OF THE
LEGACY HERCULES
By FLTLT Brendon Walter
No.40 Squadron
The last ‘Legacy’ C-130 Hercules—NZ7002—was flown to
Woodbourne on 31 July to be inducted into the Life Extension
Project (LEP). This marked a milestone in the LEP project and
the end of an era for our fleet of five aircraft that have given
sterling service to the RNZAF, and New Zealand, since 1965.
NZ7002 will now go through LEP upgrade and, as with the other
Hercules, it will be returned to No.40 Sqn as an essentially new
aircraft.
‘Herc 02’ first arrived at Wellington, to an official reception
from many including the Prime Minister, on 14 April 1965. Since
being introduced into RNZAF service, 02 has seen service in
nearly every corner of the world and been involved in almost
every operation that the NZDF has undertaken.
02 has flown missions in combat zones: the Vietnam War,
the 1991 Gulf War, East Timor (1999) and, more recently,
Afghanistan. It has also supported many peacekeeping
missions such as Somalia, Iran and Kosovo, and humanitarian
airlifts in Indonesia and Rwanda. Other tasks have taken 02 to
Moscow, Beijing, Burma and Bangladesh and it frequently flew
to the Antarctic most summers since first flying to the Ice in
1965/66.
Recent taskings have taken 02 on a freight run to the Middle
East, and to Hawaii for Exercise RIMPAC. As well, it conducted
the low flypast over downtown Auckland for the Charter
Parade on 28 April.
10
Air Force News
My crew for the last flight to Woodbourne—FLTLT’s Brad
Scott, Peter Barron, Greg Hopkins, Matt Tristram and SGT
Destry Tumataiki, and myself as aircraft captain—were
fortunate enough to catch a break in the recent bad weather
so we were able to conduct the flight at 1500 feet, and flew 02
over several towns on the way south, including a fly past over
HQJFNZ at Trentham.
NZ7002 will now take its turn in the LEP project. When the
aircraft arrived at Woodbourne it had 29,703.5 hours under her
belt, and had conducted 23041 take-offs and landings. Based
on an average airspeed of 240 knots over all those hours gives
a distance flown of over 7 million nautical miles, or 15 times to
the moon and back!
The first two LEP Hercules, now designated C-130H(NZ),
were upgraded in Canada and Texas and are now undergoing
Operational Test and Evaluation at RNZAF Base Auckland;
Exercise MAPLE FLAG was one of the opportunities to prove
the new systems aboard the modernised aircraft. C-130H(NZ)
have also flown on missions to the Antarctic and Afghanistan.
Operational Capability
Images of the Life Extension Project underway.
Top: reskinning a wing section. Middle: Rewiring!
Lower: The airframe of NZ7005 as it was in April.
The aircraft crew (L to R): SGT Karen Adams, FLTLT Peter Barron,
FLTLT Bradley Scott, FLTLT Brendon Walter (Captain), SGT Destry
Tumataiki, FLTLT Matt Tristram, FGOFF Mel Axelrad & FLTLT
Gregory Hopkins
A Personal Aircraft!
The flight to Woodbourne was a sad day for the aircraft
captain, FLTLT Brendon Walter, as 02’s induction into the
LEP will see his name removed from the side of the aircraft.
As the last C-130 Legacy qualified captain at No.40 Sqn for
the past few months, he was the only pilot available to fly 02.
Crew members wrote to CAF to get approval to have FLTLT
Walter’s name written below the pilot’s window, and in a first
for the C-130 fleet, approval was given.
The C-130H (NZ)
The Chief of Air Force, in his capacity as Airworthiness
Authority for the NZDF, has approved the Interim
Supplemental Type Certification of the C-130H Life
Extension Project aircraft, formally certifying the aircraft
in its designation as C-130H (NZ), as being technically and
operationally airworthy to conduct a wide range of roles.
There are two upgraded aircraft currently in service with a
third expected to be in RNZAF use by the turn of the year.
The Secretary of Defence and Chief of Air Force together
conveyed their sincere appreciation to all personnel from the
NZDF and the MoD who have been involved in achieving this
significant milestone.
“Collectively you have delivered an excellent result thanks
to your professionalism, teamwork, and sheer hard work.
Despite many challenges along the way, you can be very proud
of your efforts and the aircraft you have delivered, which will
provide continued outstanding air transport support to meet
New Zealand’s security interests into the future,” the Chief of
Air Force said.
The Ministry of Defence continues managing the prime
contractor L-3 (Waco, Texas) and Honeywell International
(sub-contractor for software) to deliver the final design
standard permitting final certification by the NZDF. Three
aircraft are [as at this month] being progressively upgraded at
RNZAF Woodbourne in Blenheim. The photographs give some
indication of the extent the aircraft are dismantled, rewired
and rebuilt.
Air Force News
11
Interview
AIR CHIEF MARSHAL
SIR STEPHEN DALTON,
CHIEF OF AIR STAFF, RAF
The RAF in the 21st Century has fought in Afghanistan
(ongoing), Iraq, and Libya. What lessons for Air Power do
these campaigns underline?
Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell, Chief of Air Force, RNZAF;
and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of Air Staff, RAF
The Chief of Air Staff of the RAF was one of the
VIP guests at the RNZAF 75th Anniversary Air
Show. The RAF has very close links to the RNZAF
and New Zealand; the links continue through
personnel exchanges like Exercise Longlook
and participation in the Five Power Defence
Arrangements.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton joined the
RAF in 1976 after graduating in Aeronautical
Engineering from Bath University. He flew the
Jaguar and Tornado GR1A and commanded No.13
Sqn, flying missions over Iraq in support of UN
sanctions.
His senior staff roles included overseeing the
introduction into service of the Typhoon and
being Capability Manager for Information
Superiority, with a defence-wide responsibility for
reconnaissance and communications capability
requirements. He was promoted to Air Chief
Marshal in April 2009 and was appointed Chief of
the Air Staff on 31 July 2009.
Sir Stephen Dalton had a very tight schedule
during his brief visit to New Zealand earlier this
year, but he subsequently agreed to an email
interview with Air Force News.
12
Air Force News
First, they underline the fundamental part that Air Power
plays in conducting modern enforcement and combat
operations. They saw the ability of Air Power to act rapidly,
precisely and at great distance in order to send clear and
unequivocal messages to those who challenge the peace and
stability sought by the international community and to those
who are prepared to commit acts of atrocity against innocent
civilians.
Second, overwhelming firepower from the air enabled
coordinated ground manoeuvre to be conducted far more
swiftly and with far fewer casualties than would otherwise have
been possible.
Third, the prolonged counter insurgency campaigns over
the vast geographical areas of Iraq and Afghanistan have been
heavily reliant upon the precision firepower, air mobility and
combat-ISTAR [Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition
and Reconnaissance] provided by airborne assets; indeed
without these airborne asymmetric advantages military, and
hence political, objectives would probably not have been met
without much greater commitment on the ground.
Finally, Defence needs to be configured for contingency
against a very wide diversity of threats and potential demands.
Are insurgencies and people’s uprisings the shape of
warfare for the future?
While it is true that state-on-state warfare has become less
common in recent years, we should be very cautious about
assuming that the nature of warfare has radically changed
and forever! Fundamentally, it has not, and Air Power needs to
remain capable of confronting the sort of high-end challenges
we may encounter in state-on-state conflicts which represent
the most dangerous, if not the most probable, threat to UK
interests.
That said, we also have to be capable of operating across
the full spectrum of conflict and ensuring that Air Power’s
contribution is both understood and recognised. Our
experiences in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have yielded many
important lessons which, even now, are being incorporated
into our doctrine. As the world becomes increasingly
urbanized, one of the key capabilities that modern Air
Power brings is the ability to accurately and precisely target
adversaries who try to use that congested and cluttered battle
space to shield their activities and who attempt to co-exist
with civilian populations. Interview
Military forces will have to continually adapt because in
an uncertain world, it would be rash to think that all future
conflicts would be like those in which we have just fought;
in this context inherent agility and ability to operate from
outside an immediate conflict zone and from land and from sea
gives governments and commanders so many more positive
alternatives.
The rise of drone aircraft has been very rapid; are they the
future for aviation?
The term ‘drone’ does not adequately recognise the
complex roles and capability that today’s and tomorrow’s
Remotely Piloted Air Systems, or RPAS for short, are capable
of delivering. The capabilities that RPAS bring to any operation
are significant: the larger platforms can deliver the benefit of
persistence to armed ISTAR; the complementary procurement
of smaller platforms has provided an increasing number of
commanders, at lower levels than ever before, direct access to
‘over the hill’ Intelligence and Situational Awareness; and the
commercial applications for these systems are too numerous
to list. However, RPAS are still relatively new. While the technology
has matured rapidly, regulation of their use in civilian
controlled airspace is still being developed and there is some
way to go before they are accepted by the general public as
safe enough to operate in non-segregated airspace. Both
the public and the military recognise the significant benefits
that these current and future systems can deliver and their
prevalence will undoubtedly expand over the coming years. From the military point of view, there is significant potential
for RPAS to be employed in all four core roles of Air Power:
Control of the Air and Space; Air Mobility; Intelligence and
Situational Awareness; and Attack. Whilst the ability to field
a true combat RPAS or UCAV is still someway away—none
of the currently fielded RPAS have the autonomous ability to
‘fight’ their way into, through or out of contested airspace—I
anticipate a mix of approximately 2/3rd manned to 1/3rd
remotely manned platforms in the 2030 timeframe.
While I do not believe they will completely replace manned
aircraft, I do believe that RPAS will have an increasingly
important and complementary role in the future of military
(and civil) aviation.
The ‘space race’; we are in an era of international
cooperation, but I note that China has a significant national
space programme, while other nations are striving for
missile and satellite capabilities. Is the RAF a player in
space operations? What does space mean for 21st Century
airpower?
The UK government is alive to the importance of space to
our National Security, our economic well-being and the daily
lives of our citizens. Over the last year the RAF has played
a significant role in the development of a National Space
Security Policy, which will outline how we will address the UK’s
dependence on space; help to mitigate risks to critical national
infrastructure; and encourage further collaboration and
partnership in space matters. The RAF has a heritage in space operations that extends
back almost 50 years with the establishment of the ballistic
RAF Jaguar fighters
missile and space surveillance radar at RAF Fylingdales in
North Yorkshire. Operated by the RAF within a joint UK/
US chain of command, the radar is a key node in the global
Space Surveillance Network. In 2008, we established a Space
Operations Coordination Centre at RAF High Wycombe as
the operational focus for military space activity and to act
as a conduit into the civil space community. Looking more
widely, the RAF plays a leading role in Defence space matters
including policy development; education and training; tactics
development; and concepts and doctrine. We are looking
now at the developing options—low cost, launch on demand,
micro/nano satellites—for how we can continue to provide the
critical agile capability from space.
Space will continue to play a critical role in the delivery
of 21st Century Air Power. Operations in Afghanistan and
over the skies of Libya have demonstrated a level of agility,
precision and synchronisation that would not have been
possible without the up-to-date intelligence data; the assured
communications; and the positioning, navigation and timing
solutions delivered from space. However, space is becoming
more congested in key orbital regimes; cluttered with debris;
constrained through international regulation; connected
through interdependence between systems; and, most
worryingly, contested through the proliferation of counterspace systems. As these changes occur, we will need to
take measures, in concert with our governmental partners,
to assure access to those space capabilities upon which we
rely; this will require a cadre of personnel who are experts in
protecting and exploiting the vertical flank of space.
Will the pressure for joint operations and joint training in
the UK lead to a single, unified armed service?
No. Joint and Combined operations are only effective
because we can trust in and use the environmental expertise
brought by those who have grown up and become experts in
the environment. Several nations have tried experimenting
with a single defence force and all have recognised the
sub-optimal results and reverted to an environmental force
structure.
However, there is no doubt that defence forces are much
more capable once they have learnt the value of joint doctrine
and how to bring force elements together to deliver the
desired joint effects; our Joint Staff College and our Joint
Operational Headquarters have proved themselves many
times over the last 20 years.
Air Force News
13
Interview
The financial pressures on today’s air forces are immense;
what challenges do you see the RAF having to overcome to
reach ‘Future Force 2020’?
The Royal Air Force is not the only air force in the world
facing financial challenges. Without a strong economy, a
government has major difficulties in developing and fielding
capable credible armed forces; that is why the UK government
has identified and focused on the core enduring defence
requirements as our aim for Future Force 2020. The economy
will take time to recover and this means that we must continue
to look for more cost-effective ways of delivering our
capabilities. This hard-headed, but pragmatic approach must
underpin all of our actions in leading the development and
projection of Air Power Defence capabilities. Future challenges will always surprise, and events over
the last year have underlined that there will always remain
a requirement for a balanced and highly adaptable air force. The recent campaign in Libya showed it was right to keep
balanced armed forces, right to retain a battle-winning and
flexible Royal Air Force fast-jet capability, and right to focus
on building practical co-operation with the UAE, Qatar,
Jordan and Sweden. Such events have also highlighted the
requirement for greater Combat-ISTAR capability. I see our key challenge as the ability to retain an adaptable
posture and to respond flexibly to a wide range of potential
crises while continuing to fulfil our standing commitments. To do this I am very proud of my Service‘s readiness to lead,
accept responsibility, innovate and yet at the same time be
mindful of affordability. We need the right equipment, support
and force structures to deliver military success on operations
whether that be overseas or nearer to home.
Much of your operational service was in the Middle East.
Is there a place for small nations’ air forces in contemporary
international crises?
Yes, I spent many flying hours over Iraq helping to enforce
the no-fly-zone during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH as part
of a Coalition that comprised, alongside the US, a contribution
from many smaller nations. I think by its very nature, a relatively small well trained
and equipped air force, like the RNZAF, can have a
disproportionately large effect; so ‘yes’, there is definitely a
place for small nations’ air forces in international crises. Of
course there are also significant diplomatic advantages and
global public influence to be gained through the involvement
of other nations in coalition efforts to resolve crises but to do
so, the Air Power contribution must be capable of operating in
the complex combat airspace of the future.
This year we are remembering the men of Bomber
Command in WWII; and this month, even in NZ, we pause to
remember the Battle of Britain. But do the memories of those
now distant battles have any relevance to today’s Air Force?
There is certainly truth in the saying that ‘those who cannot
remember the past are condemned to repeat it’, so as well as
remembering the incredible sacrifice and bravery of all those
who gave their lives in past conflicts, there is a real need to
understand the lessons of history. 14
Air Force News
ACM Sir Stephen Dalton talks with New Zealand Bomber
Command veteran Jack Meehan at the Guildhall in London
Despite some extraordinary technological advances over
the years, it is quite remarkable how much has remained
constant, not least the commitment and courage of our armed
forces. Recent work by our Development, Concepts & Doctrine
Centre suggests most strongly that the four key Air Power
roles are enduring; indeed, they are broadly the same as when
they were articulated back in 1928. The characteristics of
Air Power are relatively constant so we shouldn’t be surprised
by this. Of course, we are seeing the boundaries extended in some
areas; for example, Remotely Piloted Air Systems afford Air
Power greater persistence than ever before, and all-weather
capable aircraft and weapons have diminished the constraints
imposed by weather.
However, as our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
developed, we probably had to re-learn many of the hard-won
lessons of air-land cooperation that were forged through
experience, such as those gained in the North African desert
during the Second World War. Encapsulating the lessons from
both distant and recent history in our doctrine so that they
become second-nature is hugely important. We can ill-afford
‘to re-invent the wheel’ every time we go on operations!
Also, the personal qualities of professionalism, bravery and
dedication of those who fought in Bomber Command persist
today, underpinning the importance of the Morale Component
of Fighting Power. Despite the evolving nature of warfare, the
need to maintain a strong ethos and pride in the Service are as
equally important today as they were in Second World War.
You had a short visit to NZ and the RNZAF at the time of
our Anniversary celebrations, would you care to comment on
what you saw of the RNZAF?
The enormous crowds who turned out to see your Air
Force spoke volumes of the pride and place of the RNZAF in
the heart of the New Zealand people. I saw the commitment
and professionalism of an air force absolutely focussed on
delivering operational capability that is highly respected
amongst the air forces of the world and I saw an air force
which still knows how to maintain the highest standards and
also have fun!
Leadership Development
The Institute of
Leader Development
L
By FLTLT Delwyn Neill, Design Officer, ILD
eadership—we all need it, most of us aspire to provide
it and the military has a long history in creating
inspirational leaders whom we all look up to.
As the NZDF looks to the future we have great potential
given our new capabilities and our strengthening international
relationships. Yet to achieve all that we are capable of we
need to grapple with challenging issues such as organisational
reform and change with pressure on loyalty and ethos. Strong,
confident leadership is vital to navigate our way successfully
through to 2035.
‘Leadership remains the centre of gravity for
the NZDF as it is the one thing above all else that
impacts the most on achieving operational success
and organisational values, culture, behaviour and
performance.’
LTGEN Rhys Jones, CDF Directive 54/2011.
In creating his vision of the NZDF in Future 35 CDF has
articulated high expectations for our leaders. To support this
he has established the Institute for Leader Development (ILD)
in 2012, to enhance NZDF performance through improved
leader development.
Our aim at the ILD is to develop a new generation of leaders
able to operate beyond the boundaries of the single Services
to unlock transformation and innovation for a modern,
operationally focused, NZDF.
Transitioning to a new leadership level is an exciting and
challenging time. As you are promoted you need to learn to
behave differently, use old skills in new ways, acquire new
knowledge about leadership and most importantly, deliver on
the priorities in the new role.
The more quickly you make a smooth transition the less
disruption and stress will occur for your co-workers and team
members. Also, the more quickly you perform at the level now
expected of you the less time more senior leaders are engaged
in increased management and supervision bringing you up to
speed.
The ILD is designing a Leader Development System (LDS)
for the NZDF which will provide a comprehensive approach
to continued leader development from the beginning of
your military career right through to the very end. While you
are developing your leadership skills every day on the job,
particular emphasis is placed on the period leading up to a
step-up in leadership responsibilities, the transition period
itself and then the embedding period over the next few months.
The cornerstone of the system is a framework that sets out
what is expected of leaders at each level of the organisation,
The ILD team (L to R): MAJ John Barclay, GPCAPT Greg Elliott,
CAPT Brendan Lynch, CDR Mark Meehan, FLTLT Delwyn Neill &
Ms Emma Davis
whether they are uniformed or civilian. There are six key
elements to the framework which include a number of
essential tasks that are applicable throughout your career in
the organisation, although where the emphasis lies will vary
depending on your current role and responsibilities.
The LDS recognises the quality leadership training currently
being conducted in each of the services and draws on this.
ILD will be working with the Single Service leadership training
organisations to enhance training at NCO and junior officer
level. ILD will also be providing leader development directly
to personnel at the FLTLT (and equivalents) and W/O levels
and above, right up to those senior officers who are leading
Defence.
The LDS will support those who have the skills, motivation
and aspiration to lead, in recognising their developmental
needs, building on their strengths and identifying the
opportunities available to exploit those.
Once you embark on leader training you can expect to
undertake personality profiling to learn more about yourself,
maintain your own Personal Development Plan, participate in
courses, contribute to ongoing action groups and engage in
discussions and readings that all help to build your competence
as a leader. The emphasis is on putting leadership knowledge
into action.
To enhance the diversity of perspectives and experiences
on course, participants external to the NZDF will sit alongside
you and engage in healthy debate and discussion.
Wherever you are in your leadership journey, there is always
more to learn and more to experience. As the ILD develops
over the next six months, our website will provide you with
ideas for courses, experiences and readings. CDF has shared
his vision and views on leadership, it is now for you to take up
the challenge.
Air Force News
15
Project Takatini
The Ohakea MSS building seen in March 2012
The New
Maintenance
Support Squadron
Building, Ohakea
By Richard Jackson, Editor
The contractors have finished, a
dawn blessing has been held, and the
occupants have moved into the vast
new MSS Buildings in Ohakea’s north
east quadrant.
Formally opened on 30 August, the $43 million facility will
bring together the workshops and bays of the varied trades
that make up the Maintenance Support Squadron, the people
who keep our aircraft fleets flying. At nearly 13,000sq m,
the new facility - comprising the main MSS building, and four
ancillary buildings - is the largest anywhere in the NZDF.
Now that the formal opening ceremony has marked the start
of ‘business as usual’ for this sophisticated building; it will be
a cornerstone of the RNZAF’s operational readiness for many
years to come.
16
Air Force News
Wing Commander Peter Neilson, the Project Manager, is
clearly proud of what has been achieved. “We have built this for
the future of the Air Force,” he says, “the new building will be a
centre of excellence for fleet maintenance for the next
50 years.”
“The current MSS facilities are 70 years old, a rabbit warren
of old and converted buildings, add-ons and lean-tos, all
awkwardly sited at the over-crowded old main gate area.”
The new MSS Building site has had 100-140 contractors
on site each day. It was essentially four sites with four job
managers, each with lots of sub-contactors.
“Now that we are moving into the completed building, it is
a challenge,” WGCDR Neilson explains. “The new building is a
sophisticated shell, with all services laid on, but the occupants
are bringing their workshop equipment, tools, work benches
and other fittings from the old MSS area. If it can be moved
from the old units, then it will be recycled into the new MSS.
Project Takatini
Four views of the move into the MSS Building; furniture, fittings and
equipment were all brought over from the old MSS facilities
There is a lot that has to be moved in!”
WGCDR Neilson pointed out the building’s main features
as he led AF News on a tour, before the various sections of
MSS had moved in. The building is on three levels, following
the natural contours of the site—this reduced the amount of
earthworks and simplified design and construction.
It contains 14 different workshops, with built-in cranes
where needed. Every workshop has eye-wash showers and
hand basins near the doors.
A two-metre wide walkway runs the length of the building,
but with a dog-leg in the middle to reduce the ‘tunnel’ feeling.
The Building Management System controls light, heating
and ventilation and monitors the specialist rooms (heat
treatment rooms for example). The lighting system is fully
automatic, making best use of natural light. Great lengths
of ventilation trunking attest to the need for controlled air
movement in particular work areas.
The heating system uses natural gas with spark-resistant
radiant heaters in the different rooms. When the Kapuni natural
gas line was being installed across the North Island, the (then)
Ministry of Works far-sightedly negotiated to bring gas to
Ohakea, initially to improve the efficiency of two central coalfired boilers and to provide heating in the married quarters.
But now it means the vast MSS Building can have gas heating
throughout, with clear benefits for work place efficiency and
reduced electricity consumption.
In fact the environmental features of the new building meant
it has won a ‘5 Green Star Industrial Design Rating’ from the NZ
Green Building Council [see AF News 134 March].
Some of the other factors designed into the building include
swipe card access, a bike shelter—to promote cycling, it’s
handy to the locker room and changing area—and four plant
rooms containing boilers, chillers, electrical switchboards and
air-handling plant.
One landmark feature of the new structure is the Cargo
Parachute tower, an orange tower built adjacent to the cargo
parachute bay for washing and drying the big cargo parachutes.
Clean parachutes are essential to prevent stones or grit tearing
the parachute or abrading the shrouds. Being adjacent to an
airfield, the tower is painted orange and topped with navigation
obstruction lights.
Standby diesel generators are included, to provide
emergency power to all the new buildings in the NE quadrant.
As an example of some of the synergies gained within the
project, the contractor was able to supply new technology
power converters, to provide the aircraft electricity (110V and
50 Hz); the old power converter from the old MSS area was big,
noisy, and less efficient (and didn’t fit in the space constructed
for it!)
The building design process commenced in 2006/7,
beginning with a set of user requirements submitted by the
various MSS sections. Chris Calvert, ex-RNZAF himself, then
refined the user requirements and looked for synergies. During
the detailed design phase the architects came back with more
questions, an iterative process which meant the end users
were fully involved as the building design developed.
“This building is for the future of our Air Force,” says WGCDR
Neilson. “Together with the smaller new maintenance centre
at Whenuapai for the squadrons up there, and along with our
contractual arrangements with SAFE Air at Woodbourne, the
new MSS Building will be central to our front-line operational
availability. It’s an important investment.”
Air Force News
17
Project Takatini
The MSS site at Ohakea in April 2011
Ohakea—Essential
Infrastructure
Programme
• New airfield perimeter fence and Duty Centre—
completed 2010
• New No 3 Squadron Headquarters ( HTU Hangar).
Offices, workshop and hangar for eight NH90 and
five A109 aircraft, and the new Simulator
building—completed 2010 and 2011 respectively
• New PABX Building—completed in March 2011
• New MSS Building—completed July 2012;
occupants moving in.
•
New Air Movements Building. Facilities for
processing passengers and air cargo; to be built
on site of the old MSS facilities, following the
demolition of Nos 4 and 5 Hangars. Programmed
completion date is October 2013.
• New In-flight Kitchen—being designed and
constructed in concert with new Air Movements
facility.
18
Air Force News
The MSS Centre nears completion at Whenuapai
And at Whenuapai:
• New MSS Centre
• New airfield perimeter fence
• Overlay of Runway 08/26 at Whenuapai
Joint Forces
The Air planners at HQJFNZ (L to R): F/S Garth
Lippitt, FGOFF Izak Pivac, FLTLT James ArnottSteel, FLTLT Craig Thornley, FGOFF Juliet Urlich,
F/S Steve Knapton & F/S Kate Hogg
A day in the life of HQJFNZ
By FGOFF Izak Pivac J33A-1
I
n January I was posted to the Air Transport Planner role
in the Air Operations Centre (AOC) within J3 (Operations)
HQJFNZ. With no real understanding (then) of what really
happens here at Joint HQ, this proved to be an eye-opening
experience into how the NZDF operates and Joint’s role. The
NZDF is involved with a number of operations and exercises
all around the world requiring tri-service co-operation.
Each Service has to liaise with other Government agencies
depending on the role they provide.
The AOC consists of Flight Facilitation, Air Load Planning
and desk officers representing each of the RNZAF squadrons.
Keeping a finger on the pulse of all things Air Operations is
SQNLDR Geoff Pierce who oversees all of these roles.
“Every day we receive multitudes of requests for tasks.
For example NMCC (National Maritime Co-ordination
Centre) requesting a Fisheries tasking, or a Hercules to take
contingents into and out of the Middle East,” explains SQNLDR
Pierce.
Assisting with the tasking of these flights is Flight
Facilitation and Load Planning team. They organise diplomatic
clearances through foreign airspace, accommodation, ground
handling and, as well, organise the 3-D jigsaw of freight that we
can carry in our aircraft.
As our various No.40 Sqn flights that go around the Pacific
may not always be full, we can on occasion support requests
for charitable freight. Last month, for example, Father Greg
Walsh was hugely grateful for RNZAF assistance to enable the
Society of St Vincent de Paul to donate 500kg of computers to
schools in the Solomon Islands.
Exercise RIMPAC is an example of the level of co-operation
between the three Services at HQJFNZ. The Air Force sent a
P-3K Orion to Hawaii to take part in the exercise. No.40 Sqn
supported the exercise by taking the No.5 Sqn Pack-up, the
Navy Mine Counter-Measures Team, the Maritime Survey Team
and an Army Rifle Platoon. This exercise also highlighted the
level of interoperability between the RAAF and the RNZAF. Due
to the different timings of various events throughout RIMPAC,
an RAAF C-17 transported some of our troops and our B757
returned the favour for some Australian personnel.
Another important role of the AOC is the tasking of
VIP transport which encompasses long term planning and
execution for Ministerial flights, through to short-notice
activation of aircraft such as earthquake support or moving
VIPs around the country for State events.
I would sum the role up by emphasising that the most
rewarding part about being at Joint HQ is watching the
organisation through to completion and seeing the results
of all the hard work. For example (and in particular on the
rotary-wing side) seeing the Rowi Kiwi transported to Mana
Island; as well, monitoring successful Searches and Rescues
by our Iroquois and Orions. I particularly enjoyed watching the
success of Wings over Wanaka after months of talking with the
squadrons, civilian organisers and various other agencies.
It is easy to be drawn into the cocoon of your individual job
on base, but working at Joint has provided me with valuable
insights into how the NZDF operates as a whole and why we do
what we do.
Air Force News
19
Our Heritage
Thirty two New Zealand veterans of Bomber Command, representing the RNZAF
aircrew who flew the bombers in action during WWII, were flown by the RNZAF
to attend the dedication of the new Memorial in London [AF News 139, August].
But the purpose of the mission had an impact on today’s air crew and support staff
who accompanied the veterans; during this mission history came alive for them.
The Bomber
Command Memorial
reflections
from the
RNZAF crew
W/O Dave Milne MNZM
It was with great pleasure that I was able to be part of this
mission. The movement and care of the passengers’ baggage
was the Baggage team’s responsibility. Much planning was
needed to ensure all the support for the veterans enroute was
in place, from the arrival halls at airports to the transport and
the hotels.
For each hotel the task was to calculate backwards from
‘Doors close’ to when the veterans needed to get up and have
breakfast—that gave our team a clear time for them to have
their bags ready for despatch back to the aircraft; the amount
of pre-planning cannot be understated.
Once underway, our team integrated with the veterans,
listening and talking to them. Their stories of camaraderie
and respect for each other were impressive…one recalled
how every Friday in his squadron he and his aircrew would
go down to the maintenance line with a few beers to thank
the maintenance and support team for keeping their aircraft
serviceable.
Once we arrived in London we all settled in; the weather was
near perfect and we took the opportunity to see the historic
sights. We travelled with the veterans to the RAF Museum,
Hendon. It was fantastic to see our veterans back with a
Lancaster, ‘their’ aircraft. We also visited other memorials and
laid wreaths—some days involved long bus rides but all were
rewarding.
20
Air Force News
The most precious day was definitely the unveiling of the
Bomber Command Memorial; seeing the Royal Family and
listening to the many prayers of freedom. But for the work of
these brave men and all who supported them, we would not be
enjoying the freedom and liberty we have today.
LAC Kirsten Pease
When I heard I was to be in the Baggage Party for this
mission, I was so excited! Having only travelled to Sydney
previously, I was very keen to see some new places, meet new
people and learn from new experiences.
The highlight for me was the dedication ceremony. I sat in
the main stands with the hundreds of veterans who served
and close to the many senior officers, including AVM Peter
Stockwell. We also got to see the Queen, Prince Phillip and the
other Royals up close. The service was very moving, especially
when the Lancaster flew overhead, dropping 55,000 poppies to
remember those who had fallen.
Getting to know the veterans and listening to their stories
was an experience in itself. They definitely still have a lot
of character, young minds still and up for a good joke! I will
never forget the experiences of this trip; it has been a real
eye-opener and I look forward to sharing stories and photos
with my work colleagues, friends and family.
Our Heritage
The whole group about to emplane at RAAF Darwin
One of the veterans visits the Boeing cockpit
Dick Lempriere talks with FGOFF Lisa McLay
AVM Stockwell with veterans during the memorial service
at Feltwell
LAC Lana Johnstone
This was a trip of a lifetime. I have not only learned from
the stories shared by the men who are still young at heart, but
I have also grown as a person, learning not to take things for
granted and how my life would have been so different had I
been born in the same era as these brave, fine men.
The Unveiling itself was an emotional and proud moment.
The Memorial is truly amazing and I think it reveals the hardship
the veterans faced, their acts of courage and the ongoing
respect they have for one another.
I was privileged to be selected for this mission and being
within a new generation I want to pass on my experiences,
lessons and memories.
SGT Karen Tatana – Flight
Steward, 40 Sqn
There were many characters amongst our veterans and
they all had a story to tell. One common theme resonated
throughout—the special bonds formed from working within
a tight and close-knit crew. It’s a theme that still lives today
within our Air Force.
For the veterans the trip offered closure and a chance
to farewell those crew members and friends who were lost
so many years ago. Not only was this flight emotionally
challenging for the veterans, but it was also physically
challenging. Although their hearing and bodies are fading,
their minds, personalities and wit were just as sharp as ever.
SGT Lynda Garrod – Flight
Steward, 40 Sqn
What an amazing privilege to be on this mission. Not once
did we hear complaints from the veterans about the long flight
or the odd time zones. I guess when you have been to war and
returned before your 21st birthday, this trip was nothing in
comparison. Getting to know these gentlemen and hearing
their stories was so special, a highlight in my flying career. I will
remember this flight for a long time.
FGOFF Lisa McLay
When I was first told I was going to on this mission, I thought
the organisational/administrative experience would be what
I would get most out of the trip. However, I soon realised the
true value came from being able to get to know this group of
veterans and hearing their stories from war-time first hand.
We visited the RAF Memorial in Runnymeade—which
lists the 20,000 airmen who have no known grave—and our
veterans found names of friends they flew with, then shared
their memories. It was far more valuable, than just visiting on
your own….
I will never forget the Memorial Unveiling—many people
were close to tears as these brave men finally got the
recognition they deserved. I consider myself very privileged
to have had this opportunity; it really was a once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
Air Force News
21
Our Heritage
RAF Tornadoes salute the veterans
WGCDR Ant Hawes with two of the veterans
The Runnymeade Memorial
SGT Jules Wyatt at RAF Waddington after
the airshow
A poem
By CPL Sarah Anderson, Flight Steward, No.40 Sqn
Long lost friends & brothers,
Warriors & fighters.
Once again come together
To travel across the seas,
This time above the clouds but not in
battle.
To fly and feel free,
To listen, to talk, and laugh with glee.
As the trip comes to a close glistening
tears form,
As we say our goodbyes,
Hope to meet again, somewhere up high.
SQNLDR Bryce Meredith
Coming from an RNZAF family and being an avid history
buff, the chance to sit with the veterans and talk candidly about
their experiences was truly a privilege. What struck me was the
huge diversity of their experiences and the vivid recollections
they have.
To some the war was an adventure of flying, camaraderie,
beer and women—parties, travel and mates, with the odd
reflection about their ‘Ops’. To others, the raids were still
as vivid in memory as they were in the war. The veterans
22
Air Force News
The church at Feltwell
spoke openly and honestly about their experiences and often
admitted that this was the first time they had spoken of some
things, since the war.
I never heard one say that they had regrets. At the
cemeteries and the memorials listing all the dead and missing
it would have been easy to question the cost of the Bomber
Command campaign, but the strong belief of our veterans was
that it was a key to winning the war. Despite the terrible cost,
they had done what was asked of them and many—too many—
had paid the ultimate price to preserve the freedom that we of
the next generation take for granted.
SQNLDR Grant Rhind, Pilot
It was humbling to be in the presence of great men who gave
so much for their King and country. For me, the most rewarding
experiences were witnessing the ceremonial Unveiling in
London, and the time I spent with each of the veterans on the
flight deck. It was a special experience to speak with each one
and listen to their tales.
One conversation that sticks in my mind was with Sir
Richard Bolt, about the feelings he had experienced when on
operations. They were intelligent men flying, who must have
contemplated the worst before each sortie. His response was
that it was a truly difficult thing trying to convey confidence
and reassurance to his crew when he was experiencing such
terror inside himself. Truly brave men.
This was a mission that has given me deep and fond
memories.
WGCDR Rod Fortune, Mission
Commander
It was a special privilege to support our veterans from
Bomber Command on their journey to the UK. I was struck by
the positive attitude that each showed in all that they did and,
in particular, their determination to see this ‘mission’ through
to completion.
Our Heritage
A few veterans were fiercely independent but a few needed
a bit of a hand from time to time. All accepted the inevitable
demands of such a trip with dignity, good grace and quite a
bit of cheeky banter! As the mission progressed, they quickly
got to know each other and all of us on board, and the stories
flowed freely.
But it wasn’t all stories from the war; the veterans also had
a keen interest in the Air Force, our equipment and our people,
and asked many questions. Most visited the Boeing flight deck
and a few managed to be in the jump-seat to observe a landing
or take-off.
I am very proud of the superb job that the No.40 Sqn Boeing
crew (air and ground) and the No.209 Sqn Baggage Team did
in supporting the veterans, the VANZ care-givers, and the
medical support staff on this mission.
At a personal level, this trip has sharpened my perspective
on the tremendous sacrifice made by young New Zealanders
serving their country, and the consequence of their loss on
families back home. I never got to meet my grandfather, F/S
Syd Greer (Hampden air gunner, 1TTU) or his younger brother
FGOFF Ashley Greer (Spitfire pilot with No.485(NZ) Sqn) but
collectively the veterans from Bomber Command have allowed
me to gain an insight into what their values and characters
likely would have been, and I am deeply thankful to the veterans
for this.
We wish them all the very best for the future. Per Ardua Ad
Astra.
The Service of Dedication
Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of
Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family, unveiled
the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London on 28
June. It was a scorching hot day in London; the Mall had been
cordoned off and security was tight.
It took an hour for the buses carrying the NZ delegation
to make the short trip to Green Park. The 32 RNZAF veterans
of Bomber Command were all seated immediately in front of
the Memorial while the crowd watched the ceremony on large
screens in Green Park.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrived by car
and were met by AIRCDRE Malcolm White, Chairman of the
Bomber Command Association. The Prince of Wales and The
Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess
of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke
of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were also in
attendance.
The service to dedicate the Bomber Command Memorial
followed and the Queen unveiled the sculpture of seven
bomber aircrew. It was an emotional time—there weren’t
many dry eyes amongst the 600 or so veterans of RAF Bomber
Command.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh then met overseas
WWII Bomber Command veterans including the four New
Zealanders seated in the front row, Alan Speirs, Dick
Lempriere, Bill Petersen and John Curtis. The Queen and Duke
also met the architect of the Memorial, Mr Liam O’Connor and
the sculptor Mr Philip Jackson.
The Royal party, with the exception of The Prince of Wales
and The Duchess of Cornwall, departed by car for lunch at the
RAF Club. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
remained behind to meet veterans. There was an extensive
newsmedia presence, including the BBC and from New Zealand
TVNZ, TV3, Radio NZ and Fairfax.
Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh approach
the New Zealand contingent at the Bomber Command Memorial
The support team: LAC Lana Johnstone, CAPT Kate Stanbridge,
SQNLDR Bryce Meredith, CAPT Dave Greenhough, FGOFF Lisa
McLay, LT Buffy Little, WO David Milne, CAPT Matt Gauldie &
LAC Kirsten Pease
The newly dedicated Memorial stands as proud testament
to those who served and those who sacrificed their lives when
the free world was fighting Nazi tyranny.
Air Force News
23
Regional Assistance
The Forward Surgical Team’s camp near Apia
AC Christiaan Kuhn
Air Force instrumental
in humanitarian
mission to Samoa
T
By Luz Baguioro, Defence Communications Group
he RNZAF has played a key role in last month’s
humanitarian aid and disaster response (HADR)
exercise, TROPIC TWILIGHT, in Samoa by deploying a
team of four personnel from No.209 Sqn to set up the satellite
connection to ensure reliable and secure communications back
to New Zealand. Using this system medical staff could seek
further information or transmit X-ray imagery for analysis by
New Zealand-based specialists when required.
Aircraftsmen Daniel May and Christiaan Kuhn worked
in balmy Samoa as two of the RNZAF team of information
technology specialists.
“I tried to contain my excitement when I first learnt that I
was going to Samoa on this exercise,” said AC May, who hails
from Ocean Beach in Whangarei. “Where else can I get paid to
do what I love and to travel? Growing up, I caused my parents
a lot of grief for dismantling numerous electronic gadgets at
home and reassembling them to figure out what makes them
work,” he recalled. “I have always been keen on technology!”
South African-born AC Kuhn joined the RNZAF in January
2011 after a year of engineering study at Canterbury
University.
“Our team in Whenuapai prepares computers and systems
for units that are deploying. We assess what they need and
get all the equipment working,” he explained. “I am very much
impressed about the way the exercise is being run; I find the
Army really good and very professional; they don’t treat you
differently.”
24
Air Force News
AC Kuhn loves New Zealand, where he and his family
immigrated when he was 10. (But he continues to support the
Springboks and the Bafana Bafana—South Africa’s national
football team!)
In contrast AC May went to high school in Brunei, where his
parents were working as secondary school teachers. He also
studied towards a degree in information technology. After
selling retail electronics then working in a casino, fixing pokie
machines and ensuring they had not been tampered with, AC
May decided to join the Air Force.
“My close friends joined the Air Force in 2006 and 2007,
and raved about their experience and their travels whenever
we met. They looked physically fit and I felt pretty envious.”
However, Daniel did not sign up until a vacancy in the
Communications and Information Systems unit became
available 18 months ago. “I hope I will get posted to Antarctica
someday. Nothing can beat that edge-of-the-world kind of
adventure.”
Similarly, AC Kuhn would love to go to the frontline, “To
experience it for myself. I feel I would be contributing more to
the country if I go there.” In the next two years, AC Kuhn plans
to finish a degree in electrical engineering. His immediate
priority though is to pass his senior course and become a
Leading Aircraftsman.
As well as deploying the No.209 Sqn team, the RNZAF
carried the whole 100-strong contingent and about 24 tonnes
of equipment and supplies to Samoa. The personnel for
Regional Assistance
SERGEANT IN
THE SOLOMONS
By Kirsty Taylor-Doig, Defence
Communications Group
S
AC Daniel May
TROPIC TWILIGHT flew up in one of
the Squadron’s Boeing 757s. Around
ten tonnes of medical equipment and
fourteen tonnes of supply equipment
were flown to Apia by C-130 Hercules
of No.40 Squadron, with controlled
medical supplies in particular
correctly stowed, protected and
monitored.
The exercise saw a New Zealand
Army Forward Surgical Team (FST),
including doctors, anaesthetists,
nurses and a range of other medical
staff, set up their tent hospital in the
Samoan capital of Apia, to replicate
how it would operate in a disaster
relief situation. When set up, the
FST undertook minor surgery on a
number of Samoan patients.
As well, a team of healthcare and
dental specialists conducted medical
outreach programmes to remote
locations across the islands of
‘Upolu and Savai’i, while a small Army
engineer element assisted with minor
repairs to Samoan health facilities.
Exercise TROPIC TWILIGHT, which
is conducted by the New Zealand
Defence Force in partnership with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
ran from 28 July to 19 August. Small
contingents from the Australian
Defence Force, French Armed Forces
New Caledonia (FANC), and the
United States worked alongside the
Kiwis as part of the exercise.
ergeant Robyn Stewart, from
Tauranga, is currently deployed to
the Solomon Islands, supporting
the Regional Assistance Mission to
the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The sole
RNZAF member in the 45-strong NZDF
contingent, SGT Stewart is currently half
way through an eight month deployment
to the Solomons.
“It will be my longest deployment.
I’ve previously deployed to Afghanistan
for six months.” SGT Stewart’s job in
this deployment is to oversee all the
communications for the Kiwi contingent.
“I’m in charge of the comms here, the
computers, the radios, any NZ phone
lines, NZ-provided internet. All the
systems are pretty stable, but there’s
still a steady amount of work to do here
supporting the platoon.”
Her role involves working with the
Australians: “We do work a little bit with
the ADF comms cell. They have their
own systems, but we do some combined
training on each other’s systems. The
Aussies are fine to get on with and we
hang out with them a bit.”
SGT Stewart says it can be hard
sometimes working just in camp and not
getting out as much as some of the other
personnel. “I did get out on a RSIPF boat
patrol for a week, where I was helping
SGT Robyn Stewart
to test equipment and work with their
comms. It was great to get out and travel
down the coast.”
This is her second deployment to
the Solomons. SGT Stewart has also
previously deployed to Timor-Leste,
Bougainville and twice to Afghanistan.
Commenting on being the sole Air
Force person with an Army contingent,
SGT Stewart says, “I’m pretty used to it
as I’ve done it a few times now. It’s pretty
good. They do have a different approach.
The Army guys are really good to me, I
get treated the exact same, they don’t
notice I’m Air Force.”
SGT Stewart attended Tauranga
Girls’ College and has now been in the
Air Force for 13 years. She says she is
still enjoying it as the job constantly
changes. She is not fazed by deploying
for eight months, “I don’t have a partner
or children, which makes deploying for
eight months a lot easier.”
THE REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION
The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has evolved
since our Defence Force first assisted the Solomon Islands in 2003. Currently,
45 NZDF personnel, most from 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry
Regiment, work alongside Australian Defence Force, Papua New Guinea and
Tongan military personnel as part of RAMSI’s military contingent.
The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) is taking the lead in ensuring
a safe and secure environment, helping the Solomon Islands to continue to
develop its governance, stability and prosperity. The RAMSI Participating Police
Force (PPF) has in recent months stepped back to mentoring and helping to
build the capacity of the RSIPF, while the aim is for the military components to
withdraw in 2013.
Air Force News
25
Regional Assistance
USNS MERCY at anchor off Vietnam. The ship’s
facilities include 7 Operating Rooms, a Lab,
Pharmacy, Radiology & Sterile Processing.
Pacific
Partnership
2012
By W/O Steve Hunn,
Environmental Health Officer,
Directorate of Air Force Safety & Health, HQ 485 Wing
E
ight NZDF personnel joined with the United States Naval
Ship (USNS) MERCY, a large hospital ship, for one leg
of the US-led Pacific Partnership 2012. Our tri-service
team boarded the MERCY at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 04 July
and we were inducted into shipboard life en-route (3 days) to
Vinh, Vietnam.
Our team of Navy, Army and Air Force specialist healthcare
personnel was led by MAJ Paul Kendall and included a medical
and nursing officer, a dental officer, an environmental health
officer (myself), health planners and medics, including CPL
Stacey June. Our team contributed to the mission in Vietnam
for two weeks before returning to New Zealand, when the
MERCY sailed on to Cambodia.
The objectives of this year’s Pacific Partnership mission
included:
• understanding and experiencing coalition humanitarian
assistance operations within the maritime and land
environments;
• providing health planning support to the Civil-Military
Cooperation Centre (CMCC) Partner Nations Cell;
• providing support to the Medical Civil Assistance
Programme (MEDCAP) tasks;
• providing peri-operative nursing services to the Surgical
Civil Assistance Programme (SURGCAP) tasks;
• providing dental treatment services to the Dental Civil
Assistance Programme (DENTCAP) tasks;
26
Air Force News
• providing environmental health support to USNS MERCY
activities ashore and onboard; and
• participating in Subject Matter Experts Engagements
(SMEE).
The Mission
This year’s Pacific Partnership is led by the US Navy, with
in total some 1200 people onboard. They included US Navy,
US Air Force, US Army and US Public Health Service staff, as
well as Non-Governmental Organisations and other Partner
Nations. The countries assisted during Pacific partnership
2012 included Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The Vietnam phase of Pacific Partnership saw the whole
team conduct 12,000 medical treatments and perform 207
surgeries, as well as undertake renovations and construct a
new building for two health clinics.
General Ashore Missions. Whilst surgery occurs onboard
the ship, there were significant ashore activities. These
included a number of temporary clinics called MEDCAPS
and DENTCAPS. Up to 500 – 600 patients a day were seen as
part of these programmes (medical, dental, optometry, and
paediatrics).
Veterinarian teams from World Vets, the US Navy and
the Australian Army conducted immunizations (Vitamin and
Foot and Mouth Disease injections), de-worming of cattle,
water buffalo and pigs, and carried out some minor surgery
on smaller animals. While this is not a normal role for me in
Regional Assistance
W/O Steve Hunn (left) with World Vets
volunteer Ellie Milnes and local officials,
administers worming medication to a calf
during a Vetcap at Vinh City
Environmental Health, it gave me the
opportunity to engage practically with
the Vets and the local population (both
human and animal)—an added bonus to
my usual role.
Additionally, specialist education
programmes were provided in the
Corporal Stacey June
Corporal Stacey June, one of our
Air Force medics from Base Auckland,
also deployed to Pacific Partnership
in Vietnam. Based on board the 1000bed hospital ship, CPL June said it
was a challenge getting used to her
surroundings.
“I was rather overwhelmed by the
diversity of expertise and capabilities
in MERCY. The ship is massive and
has 15 wards just for patients. I’m
interested in radiology and on board
MERCY we had multiple technologies
available including X-ray machines,
a CT scanner and ultrasound. The
staff were all very accommodating,
passing on their knowledge. I was able
to practice ultrasound and gain some
valuable knowledge through discussing
interesting cases with the specialist
and being able to view the images.
Even in the field we had a doctor doing
cardiac ultrasounds for the Vietnamese
patients.”
Corporal June also spent time ashore
working at the MEDCAPS (Medical Civic
Aid Projects) where mobile clinics were
established at primary schools for
form of SMEE’s (Subject Matter Expert
Exchange) to specific hospital, dental or
public health staff.
Preventive Medicine Department.
I worked with the Preventive Medicine
Department which was a multi-faceted,
multi-national, and multi-branch team
of 34 talented individuals. The team
consisted of a US Navy Preventive
Medicine Physician, an Environmental
Health Officer, an Entomologist, and
Preventive Medicine Technicians; a
US Air Force Public Health Officer and
Technician, and a Bio-environmental
Engineering Technician; US Army
Veterinarians, Vet Technicians,
Preventive Medicine Specialists and
Food Inspectors; NGO (World Vets)
Veterinarians and Technicians; and
Australian military Environmental Health
Officers.
Our team’s onboard duties included
regular water testing of the ships
reticulation, heat stress surveys
(laundry, scullery, and flight deck),
several days at a time. At the clinics she
assisted by checking and documenting
the vital signs of patients prior to them
being seen by a specialist.
“The Vietnamese people were really
interesting. What surprised me most
was our ability to communicate when we
didn’t have an interpreter. It was fun to
learn how much you can communicate
without words.”
Pacific Partnership 2012 was CPL
June’s first experience of a multinational
humanitarian relief exercise. She said it
had been a great opportunity to learn
more about her profession.
“We worked with doctors from
Chile, Peru and Singapore as well as
doctors from Australia and the US.
Even living alongside the Vietnamese
interpreters and American pre-dental
and pre-medical students in our berths
allowed us to learn about each other’s
culture and what’s required to become a
medical professional in their countries.”
In return, CPL June and her Kiwi
colleagues were able to share some Kiwi
culture. “Most of the people we met
didn’t really know about us or where
we’re from. They’d see the Kiwi on our
galley inspections, Industrial Hygiene
(ventilation) and entomological analysis
of insect (mosquitoes, spiders, ticks,
beetles, cockroaches) samples obtained
from ashore.
Pacific Partnership 12 was rewarding
and presented our group with the
opportunity to build networks, both
military and civil, where collaborative
capabilities and initiatives can be
utilised for future such operations. Our
NZDF team has demonstrated that our
Defence Force staff have the capability,
knowledge and skill sets to effectively
contribute to coalition humanitarian
assistance operations.
Exercise Pacific Partnership 2012
began in May when the MERCY sailed
from San Diego. The multinational team
has now successfully completed the
Indonesian, Philippines and Vietnam
phases of Pacific Partnership. The
mission will finish in Cambodia before
USNS MERCY returns to the US this
month.
CPL Stacey June
hat and were interested to find out what
it signifies. It was fun teaching them
about New Zealand and teaching them
Kiwi words.”
NZ Defence Force participation in
deployments like Pacific Partnership
are essential for our Defence Force to
remain capable and poised to support
emergency humanitarian aid and
disaster relief operations.
Air Force News
27
World Work Skills
An Auckland-based RNZAF technician—LAC Mike West—won the opportunity to
join the ‘Tool Blacks’ and demonstrate his trade skills on the world stage. Next year
he will travel to Leipzig, Germany, for the international World Skills competition.
WORLD SKILLS—WINNING
THE NZ NATIONALS
By LAC Mike West,
Aircraft Technician, Propulsion Section, Component Maintenance Flight, Maintenance Support Squadron, RNZAF Base Auckland
J
ulian, Charles Hamish and I [see box at right] were
nominated by our commanders as competitors for the
Aircraft Maintenance category in the National World
Skills competition. This was the first time I had heard about
the event and it was the first time an Aircraft Maintenance
category had been included in the competition in NZ.
Julian and I arrived in Christchurch on 03 July and met
Charles and Hamish. Right from the start I could see that the
competition was going to be hotly contested! For the next
two days we all pitched in to set up equipment that we would
use during the competition, including unloading the Sioux and
fitting the main rotor blades.
The competition began on 05 July and we completed four
separate tests with an allotted time for each test: fabrication
of aircraft structure; a Sioux turbocharger in-situ Out Of Phase
Servicing (OOPS) inspection; a Sioux daily/receipt servicing;
and an Iroquois T-53 engine Variable Inlet Guide Vane Actuator
(VIGV) component change.
I was definitely nervous throughout the competition as I
knew how hard it was going to be to beat Julian, Charles and
Hamish, all of whom are great Aircraft Technicians. Our judges
said that they would need a feeler gauge to separate us as we
all scored so closely!
During our limited down-time, I had a look at some of the
other trades competing. I was blown away by some of their
tests! One was the Joinery trade—the competitors were given
a technical drawing of a complex looking wooden door and
were then required to fabricate the entire thing in two days!
It opened my eyes as to how big the national competition
was and how many other young people there were who were
also working so hard to win the gold medal for their category.
The awards ceremony was held on Saturday and it was only
then that the scope of the competition really hit me. There
were many high profile guest speakers who presented the
awards and I could see that I was very lucky to be part of the
competition.
As the awards for the other trades were called out, I was
becoming more and more anxious to find out who of the four of
us had won. When my name was called as the gold medal winner
for Aircraft Maintenance I was stoked! It was a very close
competition so I felt very humble that I’d won. I also scored the
closest to my maximum top score compared to the other NZDF
competitors so I was also awarded a gold medal for the ‘Best in
the region’—the NZDF ‘region’.
Mr Mike Naus from Woodbourne really went out of his way to
organise a team to compete from the RNZAF and he deserves
significant acknowledgement for his part as, without him,
the Aircraft Maintenance category would not have featured.
It’s a great thing that the Aircraft Maintenance category was
included in the competition as I think it will really lift the profile
of Aircraft Maintenance within NZ and hopefully encourage
other young people to pursue it as a career. I can see that World
Skills is an extremely prestigious event and I felt proud to have
represented the RNZAF in my category.
The RNZAF Competitors
LAC Julian Huizinga, from Bucklands Beach, Auckland, is
an Aircraft Technician, maintaining the C-130 Hercules and
Boeing 757 aircraft with No. 40 Squadron in Auckland.
LAC Charles ‘Laser’ Lasenby, originally from Singapore is
an Aircraft technician, maintaining the A109 Helicopter at
RNZAF Base Ohakea.
LAC Hamish Ward, from Wellington is a Medium Utility
Helicopter Aircraft Technician at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
The RNZAF team: LAC Julian Huizinga, LAC Charles Lasenby,
WGCDR King, RA Steer VCDF, LAC Mike West & LAC Hamish Ward
28
Air Force News
LAC Mike West, from Fielding, is an Aircraft Propulsion
Systems Technician at RNZAF Base Auckland.
World Work Skills
The Sioux strapped down onto the tank transporter
LAC Mike West at work
RNZAF Aiming high with
Aircraft Maintenance Skills
By Michael Naus, NZ Defence College, RNZAF Base Woodbourne
T
he RNZAF took part in the inaugural Aircraft
Maintenance skill competition in July; aircraft
maintenance has been a skill category at international
level but it had never before been competed for in New
Zealand and this year’s entry in this skill was lead by the
Aviation Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO).
I was enlisted in the role of organiser/judge and quickly
sought the help of our partners in aircraft maintenance
training ATTTO, Air New Zealand Aviation Institute (AirNZ)
and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) and
we scoured our organisations for personnel, tooling and
equipment. For most of the skills in the competitions, the
hosting polytechnic provides the venue but as Christchurch
Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) doesn’t deliver
aircraft maintenance training all they could realistically provide
was the venue and some workbenches. We had to supply our
own gear—the aircraft, engines, skin bay machinery etc. right
down to lockwire and masking tape.
The judging panel consisted of Steve Wright from AirNZ,
Mark Snalam from NMIT, Randy Ransfield from GTW and
myself from NZDC. We adapted assessments from the last
international competitions to suit our Sioux helicopter and
Iroquois engines.
With a very tight timeline to select competitors and other
major employers unable to fully support the competition this
year, we decided to continue with just the RNZAF entries. I ran
a ‘paper’ selection board, using the expertise of unit W/Os and
Flight Commanders to advise me. We were looking for people
with high levels of trade knowledge and skills who could also
be ambassadors for the RNZAF and New Zealand. Little did
the guys selected know what they were letting themselves in
for—and guess who had to unload our equipment and set up
the workshop at CPIT!
To get all our gear to CPIT we filled up a Navarra and
furniture trailer with a couple of Iroquois engines, a toolboard,
publications and all the consumables we would need. We
then stropped the GTW Sioux onto the back of an Army tank
transporter and hit the road south. On arrival in Christchurch
we gathered our team and in true Air Force fashion set
everyone to work, setting up the competition venue. The
opening ceremony was on the CPIT Marae.
The competition started on Thursday and over the two
days each competitor carried out a daily inspection on
the Sioux, changed an engine component on the Iroquois
engine, serviced the Sioux turbocharger and made an aircraft
structure component, all under trade test conditions.
Meanwhile other skill competitions in trades as diverse as
bricklaying, plumbing, cookery and floristry were going on
around us. The atmosphere was quite intense as the pressure
was on all competitors and the organisers. Our team with its
helicopter inside the workshop generated a lot of interest
among the other teams and visitors.
Even though the competitors were all from the RNZAF, the
competition between them was really fierce; the standard of
work was consistently high and at the end only a few marks
separated all four.
Before we could relax though, we needed to return Air
NZ’s equipment, load the Sioux on the transporter and pack
the trailer ready for redeployment to Woodbourne. After a
slick pack-up by all hands we stopped off for dinner at the
Air Force News
29
World Work Skills
Flying the
F
LAC Hamish Ward
concentrates
Wigram Manor, the old Wigram Officers’ Mess. Four RNZAF
uniforms in the restaurant rekindled memories for many
patrons and we enjoyed a great evening!
The award ceremony on Saturday had VIP guests
from many industry bodies, training organisations and
government, including NZDF representatives VCDF (RA
Steer) and CO Ground Training Wing (WGCDR King). The
competitors marched in and each sector’s winners were
called up to the podium. For Aircraft Maintenance the
medals were presented jointly by WGCDR King and ATTTO
Deputy CEO Debbie Martindale. LAC Mike West won the
gold medal and LAC Julian Huizinga won the silver. In
addition Mike also won the medal for highest score for
the NZDF ‘region’, while Army personnel won a gold in
restaurant service and a silver in plumbing.
Congratulations to Mike for his superb effort; he now
starts the hard work to prepare for the 2013 international
WorldSkills competition in Germany. Congratulations also
to Julian, Hamish and Charles for their sterling results and
for representing their units and the RNZAF with pride and
a high level of trade skill. As an ex-RNZAF Warrant Officer
I was certainly impressed and proud of the performance of
all four of our competitors.
Thank you
I would like to thank all those who made this competition
a success; AIRCDRE Short, WGCDR King at Ground Training
Wing and all his staff; 3 Transport Coy from Burnham, the
Air New Zealand Aviation Institute in Christchurch, NMIT,
Air Movements Harewood, the Air Force Museum. Special
thanks also to my fellow judges and organisers and Dave
Evans of ATTTO.
30
Air Force News
ollowing the long restoration by the owners Bill and
Robyn Reid and their team in Nelson, the Anson took
to the skies again on 18 July. I was lucky enough to be
chosen as one of the test pilots along with ex-RNZAF pilot,
Dave Phillips. It was a real honour to be asked to fly such a rare
and valuable aircraft and I jumped at the chance. There are
a good set of wartime ‘Pilots Notes’ describing the handling
characteristics of the Anson, and Bill had spoken to some
of the current Anson pilots in the UK who confirmed that
the Anson has no vices. After reading the books and taxiing
around, it was time to go flying. We were to be followed closely
by a helicopter with a film crew on board.
Steering the Anson on the ground takes getting used
to as it doesn’t have a steerable tail wheel. At slow speeds
directional control is achieved by use of differential braking
and asymmetric power. The pneumatic brakes are applied by
a hand lever on the control column to the wheels. The amount
of air pressure to each wheel is dictated by the position of the
rudder pedals.
On the take-off roll, I used small amounts of brake and
smoothly opened the throttles to ensure that directional
control was maintained until the rudder was effective. As the
airspeed increased I held the control column slightly forward
of neutral to get the tail off the ground and into the ‘wheeler’
attitude. This gave a better view forward and allowed the
aircraft to accelerate along the runway.
Once in the air, the Anson is a joy to fly, with pleasantly
responsive flying controls for an aircraft of its size. The
visibility from the cockpit is excellent as there is so much glass
around the aircraft. Stall speed is around 50Kts clean and
42Kts with gear and flap down.
Like all aircraft from that era, the Anson is designed to
land into wind on grass. The landing itself is not difficult. The
technique I used was to touch down on the main wheels and
then lower the tail onto the runway. I will get a few more hours
on-type before trying the more traditional three-point landing.
It is fantastic to see such a rare type being restored to
airworthy condition and it will make a welcome addition to the
New Zealand air show circuit.
“This is the only one of its kind in world to be flying, so the
occasion was pretty exciting to watch” said Nelson Airport
Chief Executive, Kaye McNabb, shortly after the inaugural
flight. “Seeing the Anson fly is an amazing tribute to Bill and
Robyn Reid and their team, and indeed to the skills, expertise
and ability of the aviation industry in the Top of the South
Island. An event such as this attracts worldwide interest.”
Avro Anson Mk1, MH-120
The Avro 652 was originally produced in 1934. The same
year, Avro was asked to produce a design for a coastal
reconnaissance bomber aircraft; the Avro 652A, or Anson, was
Our Heritage
Avro Anson
the result. The prototype flew on 24 March 1935, and the first
production model on 31 December 1935.
It was the RAF’s first monoplane with retractable
undercarriage and one of the first with an enclosed cockpit
and thus represented the height of aviation technology. The
enclosed cockpit must have made the RAF slightly paranoid
about abandoning the aircraft as the Anson Mk1 has ten escape
hatches as well as the door!
By September 1939 Coastal Command had over 300
Ansons in front line service; one, remarkably, shot down three
Me109s off Dunkirk. The Ansons, known as ‘Faithful Annie’, or
‘Aggie’, continued with Coastal Command until 1941 when the
Lockheed Hudson took over.
The Anson was selected as one of the standard trainers for
the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Thousands more were
made for multi-engine conversion, air gunner, bomb-aimer,
wireless operator, and navigator training. Eventually the
aircraft served in every Command of the RAF and went on in
production post-war. The RNZAF took delivery of 23 Ansons in
July 1942 and operated them for a number of years.
In total, 11,020 Ansons were produced from the Mk I to the
Mk 22 from 1935 – 1952. Ansons operated post war in both civil
and military roles, the last RAF example retiring in 1967.
This particular aircraft, MH-120, was built in 1943 at A.V.
Roe & Company’s shadow factory at Yeadon in Yorkshire.
MH-120 served in the RAAF, then as VH-BAF with Brain and
Brown Airfreighters Ltd until 1990, when she was retired to
Airworld Museum in Wangaratta. In 1963 the aircraft had
been converted to Mk I Series II status, with a metal wing and
tailplane, plus Mk XV engines.
The Anson in flight over Nelson
Photo: Gavin Conroy
By SQNLDR Sean Perrett,
Flight Commander, Historic Flight, Central Flying School,
RNZAF Base Ohakea
This Anson took a starring role in the 1992 film “Half a World
Away.” acting as a Boeing 247. She has been bought back into
service in her original military configuration. The aircraft is now
painted to represent Aircraft ‘B‘ of No.206 Sqn RAF, which on
5 September 1939 became the first aircraft flown in combat by
a New Zealander in WWII.
The Anson’s original crew was up to five; however MH-120
has approved seating for four, comprising two pilot seats, and
one each at the navigator and radio operator positions. Only
two post-war models (one Mk 19 and one Mk 21) still fly at the
time of writing, so MH-120 is the only airworthy wartime Anson
in the world.
SQNLDR Sean Perrett joined the RAF in 1985 and after
learning to fly was posted to fly Harriers. He spent 3 years
on No.1 (F) Sqn flying the Harrier GR3 and GR5. He then flew
the Hawk as a Qualified Flying Instructor and with the RAF
Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows. He flew ‘front-line’ Harriers
from RAF Laarbruch in Germany and for his last tour was an
instructor on the Harrier. After 18 years service and over 4000
flying hours on fast-jets, Sean decided to leave the RAF and
emigrate to New Zealand.
He joined the RNZAF in 2003, moving to Central Flying
School as an instructor, where he flew two seasons in the Red
Checkers aerobatic team. He later flew King Airs on No.42 Sqn,
but has since rejoined the staff at Central Flying School. Sean
is also Flight Commander of the RNZAF Historic Flight where
he flies the Harvard and Tiger Moth, but the highlight is flying
and displaying Brendan Deere’s restored Spitfire IX.
SQNLDR Sean Perrett
Air Force News
31
Supporting the Air Force Family
Scenes from the 2011 concert:
Piper SGT Murray Mansfield
SQNLDR Tim Costley and
his band Eugene
Jason Kerrison, lead singer
for Opshop
The Missing
Wingman Trust
T
he Missing Wingman Trust (RNZAF) is a charitable trust,
established in January 2010, after a number of Air Force
deaths (and just before the tragic air crashes that year).
The Trust aims to support any Air Force family where a
family member is either killed or seriously injured. The Trust is
registered with the NZ Charities Commission and endorsed by
the Chief of Air Force.
Currently, the Trust’s assistance is primarily focused on
medical grants and educational scholarships, and both grants
and scholarships have been given to families over the last six
months. We also want to provide opportunities for Air Force
children who have lost a parent, to do things they might have
done with their parents, such as outdoor pursuits, sports, or
cultural opportunities, for example. The Trust does not cover
parents of servicemen or women, but covers all recognised
partners and dependants.
WGCDR Ant Hawes, the senior Air Force chaplain, says
that the Missing Wingman Trust is “a brilliant vision.” He
summarises the Trust as the Air Force family taking care
of their own. “In these days of tight finances, to know that
my fellow servicemen and women are working to provide,
if needed, for my family, is pretty encouraging and a neat
feeling.”
The Trust is chaired by former Chief of Defence Force Air
Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson (Rtd) and the Board is made up of
32
Air Force News
former Chief of Air Force AVM John Hamilton, Warrant Officer
Doug Walters (Rtd), Mr Steve Gregory (whose son Dan was
killed in the Iroquois crash on Anzac Day 2010), Judy Bailey
(TV presenter and daughter of former Chief of Air Staff AVM I G
Morrison) and SQNLDR Tim Costley, the founder.
In time, the Board aims to grow the Trust to be something
like the RAF Benevolent Fund, which is able to provide welfare
support for all current and former RAF personnel, through
their lives.
WHO’S HELPING THE TRUST?
The Air Force and wider NZDF. From CAF to the youngest
AC, a lot of people have been supporting the work of the Trust.
There’s still more to do, but command have supported this
through releasing people from work to help at events or assist
the Trust in other ways. They’re also supporting initiatives
such as the four ways you can help (see below) and providing a
Trust representative on each base.
The RNZAF Chaplaincy has supported the Missing Wingman
Trust when (with the permission of CAF) the offerings taken
up during the past two Annual RNZAF Anniversary Church
Services were donated. Such support is likely to continue.
Local businesses and communities. Some businesses
and groups give money, some provide services (such as gifts
Supporting the Air Force Family
Trust representatives on our Bases
Ohakea
WGCDR Phill Bedford
Auckland
WGCDR Mike Lefebvre
WoodbourneSQNLDR Sarah Woodhouse
WellingtonSQNLDR Tim Costley
for children at Christmas or free print of posters to publicise
events), and some give the time of their people (such as
providing staff to help at fundraising events). We’ve had
support recently from City Councils, The Lions Club, media
organisations, local businesses and large nationwide chains.
Veterans. A lot of our former airmen and women know
how important the work of the Trust is and are keen to be
associated with the charity. Some are making a donation
through their estate when they pass away. FLTLT Frank Prebble
DFC was an air bomber [bomb aimer] with No.635 (Pathfinder)
Squadron RAF during WWII. He said, “As an as an Air Force
veteran I urge you to support them. RNZAF families need your
support.”
You are! We’ve had great support already, through
servicemen and women turning up to fundraising events, PTIs
running fundraisers, clubs and chapels donating to the Trust
(such as the No.3 Sqn Association and Air Force anniversary
services) and more.
One example, the Ohakea PT Section are organising a
Charity Boxing event to help raise funds for the Trust, to
be held on 27 September at the Ohakea Gymnasium, with
16 fighters (including 4 females) who are all Base Ohakea
personnel. These people have been training for the event since
February.
And here are four easy ways you can help too...
Spread the word. If you’ve read this then you probably
know more about the trust than your families and friends. Just
getting the word out there about what we do, who we help, and
how we help is really important. It’s especially important that
people know we’re here to look after the whole family, not just
the service person, that we’re currently helping families of men
and women of all ranks and all trades, and this isn’t just about
aircraft accidents.
Give your time. Lots of people doing just a little adds up.
There are heaps of ways we can promote the work of the trust,
and raise money so that we can help more people. If you’re able
to give even just an hour to help at an event, send your name
your Trust representative on base.
You might also know people in business who are keen to
support the Trust; if so please pass their details to SQNLDR
Tim Costley.
sausage sizzles. That makes a big difference to a charity just
starting out. If everyone reading this gave $1 a week we could
raise over $200,000 a year and grow the charity to the point
where we could look at helping an even wider range of people
in our Air Force community, and in time, possibly still helping
people even after they’ve left the service.
You can set up an AP to the Trust bank account:
03 0774 0642082 00.
Have a drink. Starting from 31 August, each bar and club
in the RNZAF will be supporting the Trust in their own special
way. You have the opportunity to ‘buy a drink’ [and it doesn’t
have to be alcohol] for our fallen mates, like you might have
if they were still with us…. The value of the drink goes to the
Trust; if we all did this just twice a year, it could raise another
$10,000 for the Trust every year.
FLTLT Ron Mayhill DFC, is President of
the NZ Bomber Command Association
and enjoyed the RNZAF’s support during
the recent Bomber Command Memorial
dedication in London. He commented:
“The Missing Wingman Trust is a worthy
and long-needed cause. You have my
wholehearted support. I admire the Trust
for its wonderful help and support, and
I urge all those interested in aviation to
give this project their full support.”
[Ron Mayhill is the author of the book
Bombs on Target, published by Patrick
Stevens Ltd in 1991.]
WGCDR Hawes is confident that virtually all in the Air Force
who learn about the Missing Wingman Trust will support it
and be more than happy to see funds raised toward building
the fund up. “Every person in the Air Force needs to know that
members of their Service have cared enough to spend time
and energy raising money to make available to the family of any
RNZAF airman or –woman who may die while in the Service.”
As recent events in Afghanistan have, sadly, reminded us,
death and injury are an inherent danger arising from active
service. With today’s Air Force active on operations and
missions across the world, we should each be prepared to
support all in the RNZAF family.
Give 50c a week. If even only 1000 people from our Air
Force gave 50c a week ($1 a pay) or more, we’d raise $26,000
a year from that alone. That’s a lot easier than running a lot of
Air Force News
33
Obituaries
In recent weeks a number of notable former
RNZAF personnel have, sadly, passed away.
Air Force News salutes our old comrades…
Group Captain (Rtd) Colin Morris Hanson
OBE, RNZAF
SQNLDR (Rtd) Ross Ewing
RNZAF, MB, ChB, BHB, Dip Avmed, Dip Ind Health
RNZAF service: 1962-1976 and 1980 -1989.
GPCAPT Hanson died on 18 June in Upper Hutt. He had
joined the RNZAF in 1942 and trained as a navigator and
wireless operator; by 1945 he was in the UK, training on the
Mosquito for operations in India.
In the post-war Air Force he had a variety of postings,
notably twice as Navigation Leader for No.75 Squadron—with
Mosquitoes (1948-52) and with Canberras in Malaya (1958-60).
However, he had a particular ability and interest in
intelligence work, becoming Director of Service Intelligence in
Defence HQ, Wellington. In 1970 and 1972 he served in South
Vietnam and in 1974 was awarded the OBE.
Colin retired in 1977 as Director of Defence Intelligence,
but continued working as the Director of the Government
Communications Security Bureau. Following his retirement
from that role, he researched and edited By Such Deeds, a
listing of all New Zealand aircrew honours and awards. Wing Commander (Rtd) Geoffrey Bentley
MBE, RNZAF
WGCDR Geoff Bentley died on 30 June after a lifetime
devoted to our Air Force. He was born in England in 1917 and
moved to NZ with his family; in 1934 he began a career in
journalism.
He joined the RNZAF in 1942 and was posted to the RNZAF
Public Relations Directorate. He went to the South-West
Pacific as an official war correspondent covering the RNZAF
and US forces, Australian Army operations and the British
Pacific Fleet.
After the war he re-defined the Air Force’s public relations
policy and was the Air Force’s official spokesman for 17 years.
During this time he became the founding editor of the monthly
RNZAF News. He was made an MBE in 1964, reflecting his work
with the South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO).
In 1969 he published A Short History of the RNZAF. In 1987
(after being transferred back to the active list and promoted
to Wing Commander) Geoff published Portrait of an Air Force
in collaboration with the Official RNZAF artist Maurice Conly,
After retirement Geoff remained active in RNZAF circles—
the Air Cadet League and the Friends of the RNZAF Museum.
34
Air Force News
Ross Ewing died on 13 August 2012, aged 68, a few weeks
after being diagnosed with metastatic spine cancer.
Ross trained as a military pilot with the RNZAF and flew
with the USAF in the Vietnam War. After a car accident, he
studied Medicine then re-joined the RNZAF as a medical
officer. Later he entered private General Practice but was also
an independent consultant in aviation medicine, a medical
assessor for NZ, Australian and Canadian CAAs and lectured
on aviation medicine at Otago University.
He has written several books on aviation including The
History of New Zealand Aviation, Aviation Medicine and other
Human Factors for Pilots, and Catalina Dreaming. He was a
founding member of the NZ Warbirds Association, founded the
first Warbirds aerobatic team flying Harvards, and qualified as
a captain on New Zealand’s only PBY-5A Catalina vintage flying
boat. Ross was the first NZ Chairman of the London-based
Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators, the Chief Executive of the
NZ confidential aviation safety incident reporting system
and was on the editorial staff of Pacific Wings magazine.
His funeral service was held at Air Force Museum of
New Zealand on 17 August
Peter John McQuaid passed away on 19 July in
Whagarei, aged 78. Born and raised in Cardiff, he emigrated
to NZ in 1951 and joined RNZAF in 1953 under CMT and
completed 3½ years on Reserve. He was an accomplished
journalist; he also became the voluntary editor of the RNZAF
Association magazine, creating a well-respected publication
of high quality.
Diplomas in
Management
Education
By F/S B Bennett & SGT C.Pengelly
O
n 11 July several Ohakea students, F/S Mac
McCormick, SGT James Bennett, SGT Smurff
Murphy, SGT Cameron Pengelly, SGT Topi Taru
and Mr Graham Chard, were presented with their Diploma in
Management (Level 5) through the New Zealand Institute of
Management (NZIM).
The group are working toward their NZIM Diploma in
Business (Level 6) which requires a minimum of 12 papers
through Tai Poutini Polytechnic. The Diploma in Management
is a significant milestone towards achieving the Diploma in
Business.
The Diploma in Business is offered to NZDF personnel
through NZ Defence College. The NZIM Diploma in Business
comprises a variety of papers that allow the student to gain
an appreciation of the human, financial and environmental
factors that affect the business world.
Although our free Saturdays have been sorely missed (!)
all recipients of the Diploma in Management agree that the
benefits to their current job and personal development have
been worth it. Through a better understanding of the success
factors, the 2012 NZIM Dip Management graduates can better
apply ourselves to the changing operational outputs of the
NZDF. We can remain flexible and confidently proceed with
planning and production with, now, a better tool box.
The Education Study Assistance scheme (ESA) provides
NZDF staff with a fantastic opportunity to advance
professionally while working full time. ESA assists individuals
with fee payments and time off to complete study. Each
student is expected to give 50% of their own time for
completing the block courses. We all had a fantastic time
learning together in a class environment with the Tai Poutini
instructors who gave excellent support and insight.
The highlight of this course is not the nice new certificate
or the graduation ceremony; it is the prospect of a brighter
future. By gaining a recognised qualification and applying our
knowledge we are a greater asset to the NZDF and our own
future. Study is worth it!
You can find information on these papers in the Base
Bulletin and apply for ESA through the NZ Defence College.
Special thanks to FLTLT Barbara Finlayson, FLTLT Lara
Blackmore and Mr Jack Harvey. We would also like to
acknowledge the dedication and effort from Mr Les Armstrong
form Tai Poutini Polytechnic for providing block courses at
Ohakea.
(L to R) top row: Mr Graham Chard, SGT Cameron Pengelly.
Bottom row: SGT Smurff Murphy, SGT James Bennett, F/S Mac
McCormick and SGT Topi Taru.
‘Chance favours the prepared mind’—
Louis Pasteur
In the late 19th Century Lord Kelvin, President of the
Royal Society, predicted that radio had no future, x-rays
would prove to be a hoax and that heavier than air flying
machines were impossible. As Lord Kelvin demonstrated,
predicting the future is a risky endeavour!
In the Air Force we train in preparation for
circumstances that are known—this involves the
acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies
through practice or instruction. Yet, no matter how much
planning we do, something unexpected will always occur.
Education involves acts or experiences that have
a formative effect on the mind, character or physical
ability of an individual; preparing your mind to deal with
conditions you haven’t anticipated or cannot foresee.
Facilitating access to education for our people is of
immense value to our organisation. It allows us to be
better prepared to deal with changing environments and
uncertainty.
Air Force News
35
Sport
By LAC Richie Staunton
AC Josh Melchers
makes a
devastating run
TRANS-TASMAN
RUGBY VICTORY!
As AF News was going to print, the
RNZAF rugby team was building
up for this month’s Inter-Services
Tournament, by playing matches
against the Auckland Police and the
Manawatu U20s. As well, our team drew
inspiration from their victory over the
RAAF earlier in the season…
Our rugby players are still talking about the Burn-Merz
Shield match, which was contested for the 10th time between
the RNZAF and RAAF on 25 May. Having won the Shield back
off the Aussies in 2010, the RNZAF were very keen to keep it on
home soil.
The Auckland weather was sunny; both sides had their
respective national anthems played, then the RNZAF
performed a rousing haka, superbly led by Danny Wanoa, to an
advancing Aussie line and this set the tone for kick-off.
The opening moments were hard and fast with both
sides throwing themselves into everything. The RNZAF
forwards were in good form dominating at scrum time and the
breakdown producing some key turn overs to free up the backs.
Richard “Irish” O’Flaherty was the first to benefit off a simple
scrum move to score down the right flank to take an early 5-0
lead.
Some more constant pressure from the RNZAF resulted
in several penalties and Marcus Speck knocked one over to
stretch it to 8-0. Not long after, the RAAF managed to hit back
with a successful penalty: 8-3.
A skewed clearance kick and a poor chase by the Aussies
allowed Marcus Speck to bamboozle the defence (and himself)
before producing a nice off-load for Richie Staunton to squeak
over in the left hand corner. The difficult conversion was
36
Air Force News
slotted: 15-3. Another penalty to the RAAF made the score
15-6 at the break, so the second half was going to be hardfought!
Early in the second half we created a turn-over that our
‘tackling machine’, Beaufa Brown, kicked through and dived on,
for another 5 pointer. The conversion was successful and the
RNZAF took a healthy 22-6 lead.
The pace and pressure showed, with both teams coughing
up some silly turn-overs and being unable to gain any
momentum. The RAAF had another couple of shots at goal but
only one was successful, so we still held the lead: 22-9.
With time up on the clock the RNZAF were awarded a
penalty on the RAAF line. Instead of kicking the ball into touch
for full-time, our captain Craig ‘CB’ Moore, elected to tap and
go. The forwards went very close to scoring with a few picks
around the ruck until they saw the waving arms of ‘The Dancing
White Rhino’ (perhaps the ‘Flailing White Seagull’ would be
more precise) Charger Mockford, who was out wide. Quick ball
to his safe hands, then he crashed over for our fourth try! He
then selflessly decided to take the final kick at goal which he
comfortably booted…outside the uprights.
Final score: 27-9; the RNZAF had held onto the Burn-Merz
Shield!
Our RNZAF side would like to say a big thank you to all the
supporters, to everyone who helped with set-up, organisation
and so much else behind the scenes. A huge thank you must
go to our sponsors, without their support a lot of what we do
simply isn’t possible….
• Marops,
• KooGa,
• CAE and
• Beca.
And lastly, thank you to the RAAF side for the great game;
see you next year!
Sport
The RNZAF Men’s Squad
Two of the RNZAF
women in action:
Anj Maliko (10) &
Jenna Innes (13)
Inter-service Volleyball at Ohakea this year
included as special guests the Australian Defence
Force squad. For the Air Force, expectations
were running high. Both our teams were reigning
champs from 2011 and we wanted to keep it that
way. Unfortunately the Women’s competition had
only three teams, due to the withdrawal of the
Navy women.
2012 InterServices
Volleyball
By SGT Leo Wiapo
Women’s Competition
Men’s Competition
The competition was hard fought. The ADF found it tough
early on against the RNZAF, but eventually won the game in
three sets. The first match between Army and Air Force turned
out to be an epic, going out to a five set battle. Air Force dug in
and came out on top, finishing the first round robin in second
place.
Through the second round robin the ADF lost a set to the
both the Air Force and the Army, but came back to win both
matches. This left an Air Force vs. Army semi-final showdown,
ultimately the game to decide the Inter-service championship.
Air Force made short work of the Army in straight sets, thereby
successfully defending their title for a seventh consecutive
year!
The final game for the tournament was a trans-Tasman
showdown, with the inclusion of three Army into the RNZAF
squad, playing in the NZDF strip. It was a tough ask to get
winning combinations together but the team did extremely
well taking a set and losing to the ADF by a narrow 25-22
margin.
• ADF 1st
• RNZAF 2nd (Inter-service Champions 2012)
• NZ Army 3rd
Special mention to ‘Captain Courageous’ SQNLDR Jackie
Searle, who led from the front, and CPL Amy Wright—Women’s
MVP of the tournament.
The RNZAF men had a tough start in the round robin,
against the ADF; in the end ADF were too strong winning in
3 sets. Next, losing the first set to Navy was enough of a shock
to get the lads moving and the RNZAF managed to win the next
three sets but only by two points in each.
The last round robin game for the RNZAF was against
the Army. This was the game the Air Force had to get up
for. Unfortunately the lads couldn’t quite pull it all together
consistently, and lost a closely contested three set game.
The Army beat the ADF in a convincing four set victory
which led to the semi-final matches of ADF vs Air Force and
Army vs Navy. The RNZAF had to step up to play the ADF in
the second Semi, and in the first set the RNZAF showed their
intentions in the first set, needing only five points to finish
it off. However the Aussies lifted their game and we lost the
set a heart-breaking 23:25. From there the RNZAF men were
always trailing by a few points, eventually losing the game in
three sets.
This set up a final between the ADF and NZ Army; the Army
came out on top and are the 2012 Men’s Champions.
• Army 1st
• ADF 2nd
• RNZAF 3rd
• Navy 4th
Men’s MVP: LCPL Quinton Harewa, Army. From the Air Force
Men’s team the standouts for the tournament were SGT Blake
Northover and AC Blair Patterson.
Air Force News
37
Notices
Reunion
RNZAF No 20 BES/No 2 CET 50th Reunion
22 – 24 February 2013.
The 50th anniversary reunion for the 20th Boy Entrant School (BES) and the
2nd Certification in Engineering Trainee (CET) courses, which commenced
training at RNZAF Woodbourne in January 1963, has been finalised for
Blenheim/Woodbourne on 22 – 24 February 2013.
Registration Forms or further information:
Rex Ashwell, Email [email protected] Phone (03) 578 8385, Post: 8 Scotston Grove, Bleheim 7201.
SPORT
THE RNZAF GOLFING SOCIETY (INC) TOURNAMENT
“...to promote and foster the sport of golf in the best interests of both the
RNZAF and Society members”
• Serious and fun-hacking Golfers welcome!
• Sponsors’ prizes to be won!
06-09 November 2012 at Rangitikei Golf Club
Hosted by RNZAF Base Ohakea
Contacts: [email protected] or [email protected]
AIRSHOW
‘Honouring the past, celebrating the future’
Wellington Anniversary weekend
Friday 18 - Sunday 20 January
The eighth Wings Over Wairarapa, featuring
some of the world’s rarest vintage aircraft
alongside some of the classics from WWII.
1st New Zealand Special Air Service
Regiment Selection Course
Pre-Selection: 21 – 22 January 2013
Selection: 23 – 31 January 2013
Officer Testing: 1 – 3 February 2013
Are you interested in joining the
NZDF’s premier combat unit by
becoming a SAS Operator or
Commando? [See AF News issue
139 August.]
Now:
• Access the NZSOF intranet site
(http://org/nzsof/LP/NZSOFRecruiting.aspx) and click on the
AFNZ 3.
• Fill it out and forward to your
Officer Commanding for approval.
• Send a copy of the AFNZ 3 to the
1NZSAS Regt Recruiting Cell.
12 Weeks Out:
• Download the NZSAS Selection
Course Training Program and
commence your preparation
training.
38
Air Force News
• Conduct a NZ Army RFL which
must be administered by a NZDF
PTI and loaded onto KEA.
• Reserve a timing to conduct a
Medical Board through your
Medical Centre. The Medical
Officer must complete the
MD918 form.
• Download the NZSAS Selection
Course Joining Instruction. This
will specify equipment and report
timings.
• Book travel to meet these timings
through your Administration Cell.
Parade at Papakura
Military Camp at the
specified DTG ready
for Pre-Selection.
The Recruiting Cell:
[email protected]
or 021 743096
DH Mosquito
This month a rebuilt de Havilland Mosquito
FB 26 fighter-bomber, KA114, is to take to
the air from Ardmore aerodrome. Destined
for an American Museum, the beautifully
restored aircraft is to be demonstrated at
air shows in the UK and Canada [and
possibly in NZ] before reaching its intended
home at Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
While this is a private restoration effort,
the Mosquito is also an important aircraft
to the RNZAF. Mosquitoes saw service in
the post-war RNZAF and the accompanying
image shows four Mosquitoes of No.75 Sqn
taxi-ing past the Whenuapai control tower
during a public Open Day in 1951.
Designed during the dark days of 1940
and built mostly of wood, the Mosquito
entered RAF squadron service during 1942.
Its high performance and versatility earned
it an immediate place as one of the most
important aircraft for the RAF; in total some
7700 were built, including in Canada and
Australia. A number of Mosquito photoreconnaissance versions and night fighters
served with the USAAF under reverse lendlease.
The Mosquito was able to outrun the
German Me 109 fighter. It was versatile—
designed as a light bomber it had the
capacity for a heavy gun armament, and was
able to be equipped with air intercept radar
as a night fighter. Two wartime New Zealand
squadrons flew the Mosquito.
No. 487(NZ) light bomber squadron
received the Mosquito FB.Mk.VI in August
1943. Three precision raids are noteworthy:
in February 1944 the Squadron took part
in the raid on the Amiens prison in France,
enabling over a hundred Resistance
prisoners to escape. On 31 October 1944
the Squadron destroyed the Gestapo
headquarters at Aarhus, Denmark and on
21 March 1945 the Squadron bombed the
Gestapo HQ in Copenhagen.
No.488(NZ) night fighter squadron
flew various night fighter versions of the
Mosquito, the NF XII, XIII and the XXX,
between August 1943 – April 1945, flying
over England and later over liberated
Europe.
In the immediate post-war years the
RNZAF purchased 85 Mosquitoes (76 FB.VI,
four T.IIIs, four T.43s and one FB.40) and
the type was flown by No. 75 Squadron
(1947-52) until it was replaced by Vampire
jet fighters.
Air Force News
39
2; pilot, navigator/radar operator
44 ft 6 in (13.57 m)
54 ft 2 in (16.52 m)
17 ft 5 in (5.3 m)
454 ft² (42.18 m²)
19,820 lb (9000 kg)
Armament
Guns: Bombs: 4 × 20mm cannon & 4 ×0.303” (7.7 mm) mg
1,000 lb (4 x 250lbs) or 8 x 60lb rockets.
Performance
Maximum speed: 358 mph (572 km/h)
Range: 1,190 miles Service ceiling: 29,000 ft (8,839 m)
Powerplant
2 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 21 V12 engines, 1,480 hp (1,103 kW) each
Crew: Length:
Span: Height: Wing area: Loaded weight: DH.98 Mosquito FB VI
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
September 16th 2012 /
2:00pm /
Michael Fowler Centre /
tickets $20* and $10* students available from tiCKeteK
*booking fees will apply
Celebrating 75 years of the royal new Zealand air forCe
40
Air Force News