March 2012, Issue 134 [pdf 4.62 mb, 40 pages]

Transcription

air force
on show!
Ohakea Air
Show Preview
Tauranga Air Show
Report
Art Deco
Celebrations
Red Checkers
Revealed!
Issue 134
March 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; airforcenews@nzdf.mil.nz
Design and Layout
Defence Communications Group
4
International
Air Show
Celebrating 75 years of service to New Zealand
Printed by
Bluestar
Private Bag 39996, Wellington
Distribution
Marianna Robati, Defence Communication Group
Email: airforcenews@nzdf.mil.nz
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.
6
Aircraft
at the Air Show
10 N
apier’s Art Deco Celebrations
Contributions need to include
• writer’s name, rank and unit
• photos provided separate from the text – at least 300dpi.
Contribution deadline for the April Issue
Monday 12 March 2012
Contribution deadline for the May Issue
Tuesday 10 April 2012
12 Secrets
of the Red Checkers
Contribution deadline for the June Issue
Monday 16 May 2012
15 1
5000 Flying Hours
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.
18 The Canberra Bomber
16 Minister visits Base Auckland
22 W/O
George Mana
24 Leadership Development
26 Staff
College Honours
Sir Keith Park
27 The Harewood Terminal Team
28 RNZAF
Flying Scholarship
2
Air Force news
30 Green Building
31 Air
Force Museum Award
32 Our
Heritage
34 Briefings
ISSN 1175-2327
Cover image
A UH-1H of No.3 Squadron deploys pink smoke during
its handling display at the Tauranga ‘Classics of the
Sky’ airshow on 29 January. Aircraft Captain (right
seat) was FLTLT Kane Sanson, co-pilot (left seat) FGOFF
George McInnes and HCM SGT Gareth Sharp.
Photo Gavin Conroy
First Word
Celebrating 75 Years of service to New Zealand
First Word
By Air Commodore
Kevin Short,
Deputy Chief of Air Force
Last month I reported that the 75th anniversary of
the RNZAF was in ‘full flight’ as we began our series of
celebrations. Well, the RNZAF 75th Anniversary Air Show to
be held at Ohakea is now just a fortnight away! It will be a great
opportunity for us to showcase the RNZAF to the public
It will also be great to see aircraft from five other nations,
and a number of VIPs, join us in our celebrations. They will
join with the RNZAF to share in the flying and ground displays
at Ohakea. Their attendance reminds us of the importance
of New Zealand’s international relationships. We have long,
strong and robust relationships with our global partners,
steeped in history, and we look forward to telling those stories
through the events and activities over our anniversary period,
and in particular at the Air Show.
Reflecting our strong links with our partner air forces,
we are privileged to be hosting during our Anniversary: the
Chief of Air Staff of the Royal Air Force; the Chief of Air Force,
RAAF; the Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Royal Canadian Air Force;
from the USAF the Commander Pacific Air Forces and the
USAF’s Deputy Under-Secretary for International Affairs; the
Commander Air Power Generation Command, Republic of
Singapore Air Force and, the Air Deputy and Tontouta Base
Commander from the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia.
By also hosting Exercise KIWI FLAG, focused on tactical air
The main draw card at the Air Show
of course will be the RNZAF, with
ground and air displays showing us
‘at work.’ ... I know that all of us in
the Air Force will be proud to show
the work we do day-to-day.
transport operations with the visiting aircraft, we will have a
valuable opportunity to train with our partners in New Zealand
skies. Some of the visiting aircraft are familiar to us, others are
very new—the RAAF ‘Wedgetail’ airborne warning and control
aircraft and the RAF’s A330 multi-role tanker-transport, for
example.
The main draw card at the Air Show of course will be the
RNZAF, with ground and air displays showing us ‘at work.’ I
know that all of us in the Air Force will be proud to show to New
Zealanders the work we do day-to-day.
Let’s take this time to celebrate not only all that we’ve done,
but also all that’s ahead of us. I am looking forward to the 31
March as I know we will do a great job at ‘showing off’ the Air
Force. So join us—it will be a great day!
Air Force news
3
This month marks 75 years of service to New Zealand for the
Air Force as an independent armed service; it is a milestone
for New Zealand to celebrate the RNZAF’s proud heritage and
culture. Just as it has met the challenges of the past 75 years,
New Zealand’s Air Force today is well equipped to meet the
challenges of the coming decades. The airshow at Ohakea will
showcase the work our Air Force has done and the role that our
airmen and women play in this country and the region.
INTERNATIONAL AIR
SHOW FOR OHAKEA—
31 March
RAAF F/A-18A Hornets
Spitfire Tr IX in desert camouflage
Jet fighters and huge jet transports from six nations will
join historic Kittyhawks and Spitfires at RNZAF Base Ohakea
on 31 March, to celebrate our 75th Anniversary. Aircraft
from the Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the
United States Air Force, the US Marine Corps, the Republic of
Singapore Air Force and the Armee de l’Air from French New
Caledonia, are to take part, with a focus on modern tactical
transports.
“They will be here to help us celebrate, with a spectacular
Air Show,” says Air Commodore Steve Moore, the Air
Component Commander. “The RAAF is bringing their
latest model Hercules, the C-130J, and the new, high tech,
‘Wedgetail’ airborne early warning and control aircraft along
with a Flight of F/A-18 Hornets.
“We are expecting to see a USAF C-17 Globemaster III
along with a US Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules air-to-air
refuelling aircraft and another Hercules from the Republic
of Singapore Air Force. The RAF plans to fly one of their new
A330 tankers, while French will demonstrate their CASA 235
twin-engine transport.”
4
Air Force news
AugustaWestland A109
“It’s the Royal New Zealand Air
Force’s birthday,” says AIRCDRE
Moore, “Everybody is invited!”
New Zealand’s military aircraft of the past will also be
on show to the public, thanks to the Warbirds movement,
who will bring preserved types from the two world wars that
saw service in the RNZAF. The exciting range of civil-owned
Warbirds and vintage aircraft will include Spitfires, Kittyhawks,
a Corsair and a Mustang, along with a Bristol Fighter of the
WWI era. And the attractive 2/3rds scale ‘ThunderMustang’ is
to be demonstrated by celebrity chef Simon Gault, who after
all grew up as an ‘Air Force son’!
Along with the flying displays there will be the opportunity
for joy-rides, a wide range of ground displays, memorabilia for
sale, plenty of food stalls and children’s entertainment.
“It’s our Air Force’s birthday,” says AIRCDRE Moore,
“Everybody is invited!”
Tickets
To buy tickets go to
www.eventfinder.co.nz and
search Air Force Air Show
$10 per person or
$30 per car/family.
MX2 aerobatic aircraft
The Red Checkers
The 75th Anniversary is now
celebrated on the tail of RNZAF
B757 NZ7571, which will display
the new styling throughout our
anniversary year.
Fokker DVII
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Air Force news
5
Aircraft at the Air Show
RNZAF
Red Checkers Aerobatic Team
Kiwi Blue Parachute Team
Aircraft:Boeing 757
C-130 Hercules
Upgraded C-130 Hercules (LEP)
P-3K Orion
B200 King Air
RNZAF C-130 at the Tauranga Air Show
Plan of the Day
0700 Ohakea Base personnel on duty
0800 Gates Open to public
0900 Static displays open
1000 Air display commences
1515 Air display complete
1530 Static displays close
1700 Civil spectator aircraft depart
The airshow is an alcohol-free event;
no alcohol allowed into the base.
Traffic
Heavy traffic is expected for the air show.
Traffic from the North and West will be
directed along SH1 from the Rangitikei
River Bridge into lanes to enter Ohakea via
the main entrance.
Traffic from the South and East will be
diverted just after Sanson into Fagan Road,
then around the south side of the airfield
along Speedy Road, to enter Ohakea via
Tangimoana Road and Pukenui Road.
The departure flow will be in reverse;
parking areas at Ohakea are separate to
reduce congestion as people depart.
Airshow
Radio:
88.0 MHz
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Air Force news
Historic Flight: Tiger Moth
Harvard
Sioux
Helicopters:NH90
UH-1H Iroquois
SH-2G Seasprite
A109 LUH
International Aircraft Royal Australian Air Force F-18A Hornet
United States Air Force C-17
Static Displays:Royal Australian Air Force B737 Wedgetail
Royal Australian Air Force C-17
Royal Australian Air Force C-130J
Singapore Air Force C-130
French Armed Forces of New Caledonia CASA 235
US Marine Corps KC-130
RAF A330 MRTT
Warbirds and Civil Aircraft
Bristol Fighter
Fokker DVII
WWII types:
Spitfire IX
Spitfire Tr IX
TBM Avenger
Dakota
Auster
Anson
Beaver
2 x P-40 Kittyhawk
FG-1D Corsair
P-51 Mustang
Teams:
Yak aerobatic team
Harvard aerobatic team
Jets:Vampire
Strikemaster
Hunter
Civilian:
MX2
Thunder Mustang
PAC750XL
Beech Texan
Gyrocopters
*Air Display programme is dependant on weather and
serviceability. Wet weather alternate day is 01 April.
FROM
NORTH
& WEST
1
P
PARKING
P
P
P
ERS
ICO
PT
BAT
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TEA
1
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AY
G
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PARKI
S
STALL
FOOD
PLAYS
Key
DIS
STATIC
Speedy Rd
FROM
SOUTH
& EAST
1
Getting there
HEL
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SP
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PL
S
DI
ING
PAR
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DISPL
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oana
UT
SO
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Fagan Rd
SH1
FRO
CIVILIAN
AIRCRAFT
AirFIeld
Layout
UT
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Air Force news
7
CLASSICS OF THE SKY—
Tauranga City
Airshow
The RNZAF was well represented at the first major airshow
of the current season, the Classics of the Sky airshow held at
the Tauranga city airport. We sent an Iroquois and crew from
No.3 Sqn, a C-130LEP forom No.40 Sqn as a static display, an
A109 from the Helicopter Transition Unit and a Beech 200 flew
in with support staff and to join the static display. The Red
Checkers were due to attend, but the fuel control problem
for Checkers 01—while in transit to Tauranga— meant their
display was cancelled.
Many Warbirds took part in the airshow, and a number of
them will also appear at Ohakea at the end of this month.
Photographers Grant Armishaw (ex-RNZAF) and Gavin Conroy
captured some of the airshow action.
For A109 04, this was its first NZ air show outing. The A109
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Air Force news
crew reported that:
“It was an awesome two days at Tauranga airport supporting
the air show. Although it was on static display only, our
helicopter proved very popular with the crowds.”
Helicopter Crewman, F/S Richie Wing, noted that he felt
like “Santa in his grotto” with lines of parents and children
stretched outside the aircraft. “Each was duly welcomed into
the cabin for a look around and a quick chat before being moved
back out the door so the next family could clamber aboard!”
The next air show outing for the A109 will be at Ohakea and
then in Wanaka. The Helicopter Transition Unit advise that
“Preparations are underway for the aircraft to conduct a basic
role demonstration flight at both airshows, so the public will be
able to see what our new aircraft is capable of in flight.”
OPPOSITE PAGE: The FG-1D Corsair climbs away. Keith Skilling is the Corsair’s display pilot.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: An overview of the show – the Beech 200 in the foreground.
An Army section leap from the Iroquois demonstrating a tactical assault. Visitors queue
to see into the Hercules. F/S Richie Wing checks for other traffic before the A109 departs.
Yakobatics; four Yak 52s complete a loop. The Hawker Hunter, with the Roaring 40s above.
Air Force news
9
THE AIR FORCE JOINS
NAPIER’S ART DECO
CELEBRATIONS
By the Editor
The theme of the 2012 Art Deco weekend at Napier was
the 75 years of the RNZAF. Although the RNZAF had not yet
formed in 1931, its ancestor the NZ Permanent Air Force played
a key part in relief operations after the 1931 Hawke’s Bay
earthquake (see Matthew Wright’s article, p. 32).
Thus the RNZAF played a full part in this year’s celebration
and commemoration, including three displays by the Red
Checkers and a No.3 Sqn Iroquois, open days at the Hawke’s
Bay Airport and an RNZAF-sponsored ‘Officers Mess’ dinner,
accompanied by an RNZAF Band combo. As well, the Chief
of Air Force and his party were honoured guests at the major
events of the weekend, while the Central Band of the RNZAF
toured through Hawke’s Bay.
The Art Deco Weekend serves to celebrate the rebuilding
of Napier and Hastings in the art deco style of the Thirties.
Fortunately many of those buildings remain in use, with their
distinctive styling accentuated by sympathetic paint schemes.
The celebration serves as a reason for most in the city to don
period costume, while vintage and classic cars from across the
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Air Force news
country roll into town for a wonderful parade. But the cities
have not forgotten the earthquake’s toll; at the VERONICA Bell
Ceremony, the Last Post was sounded and participants stood
in silence to remember those who died.
With this year’s Air Force theme, the airport was busy. As well
as the RNZAF units, a classic DH Dragon Rapide airliner, the
Harvards of the civilian ‘Roaring Forties’ aerobatic team and
two Warbird fighters took part, along with a number of Tiger
Moths. No. 13 Sqn (City of Napier) ATC ran the parking and
assisted the Napier Aero Club for the weekend; joyrides went
on all weekend, resulting in the Dragon Rapide and Tiger Moths
constantly overhead, and the aerobatic displays were viewed
by thousands.
The Central Band concerts were very successful; the Band
had more invitations than it could fulfil! The warmth of the
people of Napier towards the Defence Force was evident—
spontaneous applause broke out after each display by the Red
Checkers, and those in uniform were welcomed everywhere,
throughout the wonderful weekend.
OPPOSITE PAGE: The Red Checkers at the finale of their evening
display, 17 February.Photo: via Art Deco Trust
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: No 13 Sqn ATC FGOFF Brendan
Faulknor-Murrell, with his son, and two Cadets Daniel Fraser &
Andrew MacKay. Leo and Jenny Smith, alongside FLTLT Aaron
Devlin, who was commentator for the Red Checkers at Napier. Ingrid
and Mark Naude of Auckland; she dressed as a wartime WAAF, he as
a South African Air Force 2nd Lieutenant. AVM Stockwell (CAF) and
AIRCDRE Short (DCAF) in a classic Auburn car for the big parade.
‘Bertie’, Napier’s Art Deco host, with Drum Major Denis Spurdle of
the RNZAF Band. Suzie Ford from Auckland as a 1930s aviatrix, with
Michael Maurrie-Jones (Brisbane) as a Desert Air Force Chaplain.
Air Force news
11
Secrets
of the Red
Checkers!
By the Editor
The public face of our nation’s Air Force is the aerobatic team, the
Red Checkers. Flying the small but powerful New Zealand-built CT4-E
Airtrainers, they perform at a range of air shows and public events,
demonstrating the skill, precision and discipline of military flying to
New Zealanders. This season, with the RNZAF’s own 75th Anniversary
to celebrate, the Red Checkers are in high demand.
In the week prior to their stunning displays over Napier during
that city’s Art Deco week, Air Force News spoke with SQNLDR Baz
Nicholson, ‘Checkers 3’ in the Joe Room of Central Flying School at
RNZAF Base Ohakea.
The Red Checkers soar over Emmerson St, Napier, 18 February.
Photo: S Jackson for NZDF
12
Air Force news
“The 2012 Red Checkers season kicks off with a new leader,
SQNLDR Oliver Bint, two members from last season
(myself and SQNLDR Alcock), a new Checkers 5— LTCDR
Wayne Theobald (who is the second Navy pilot to make the
team)—and SQNLDR Pete Cochran (Checkers 4), who is in his
18th season!
Designing the Display. “Our first task was to see how we
could freshen up the display; we don’t want the public seeing
the same thing each year. Our goal is to always have some
aircraft in front of the crowd, so this year we developed a
routine involving two pairs and a singleton, as well as a fourship formation and the solo aircraft.
“All five aircraft make various formations: the Vic 5, Kite,
Box and Swan. The paired aircraft fly a Loop-Break, Mirror and
the Heart, while Checkers 5 interweaves three solo routines
into the display. Each pilot has the task of managing their
aircraft energy, using the aircraft’s speed, height and engine
power to get the best out of the aircraft for each manoeuvre.
“To build the display up we rehearsed each of the
manoeuvres individually and then the three lead elements
rehearsed the timing of the sequences, before the whole team
pieced the display together. Safety of course is paramount;
each manoeuvre and formation type has to have ‘escape
options’ while the team’s training and the display development
closely overseen by the Commanding Officer Flying Training
and the Officer Commanding 488 Wing.
“We design the display to maximise viewing for the crowd,
and it takes into account the wind direction on the day. We
have various heights and distances that we must not infringe;
this type of separation from spectators is an international
standard.
“We consider what aspect of the aircraft we want to display;
the crowd doesn’t want to see only the undersides of the
aircraft all the time, so we can bank towards the crowd to
present the tops as we pass. We make our formation changes
during the turns so that when we are in front of the crowd we
are established in each new formation.
“We use smoke to gain effect, so which aircraft smoke,
when and for how long has to be planned. The smoke is
produced by injecting diesel into the engine exhaust; we only
have a 20 litre tank (12 minutes of smoke) so we have to plan it
carefully.
“Sun angles are important as well, both for crowd viewing
and for the safety of the pilots—you can’t afford extended
periods of sun strike when in close formation! We also have a
‘Low Show’ we can fly in the event of low cloud.
“We use Google Earth to view the display area before we
deploy there, that helps us define display lines and look for
good visual reference marks. Constant peer review is one of
the reasons for the Checkers’ success. We can’t be too proud,
we have to be open to each other’s comments. And SQNLDRs
Sean Perrett and Ian Saville, who have extensive display
experience, are involved as mentors.”
Behind the Scenes. SQNLDR Nicholson explains that “The
Checkers display would not work without the support team.
We have a ground-based commentator and the 2012 display
incorporates a broadcast conversation between Checkers
1 and the commentator over the public address system.
Checkers 1’s commentary usually has to include instructions
to the team such as ‘Smoke on-Go’ so that the crowd can see
the instruction being carried out, which underlines that it is
a live radio link, not recorded in advance. Checkers 6, FLTLT
Jimmy Davidson, commentates for the display and flies the
spare aircraft. He also undertakes any news media rides that
may have been arranged.
“FLTLT Paul Smillie is the Air Display Director (ADD) who is
responsible for checking the display area for any cranes, wires
or other tall obstructions, and confirms the wind and QFE
(altimeter setting) on site.” At Napier a No 3 Sqn Iroquois flew
handling displays along the Napier beach front after the Red
Checkers; the team also had to coordinate with the Roaring
Forties, the civilian (largely ex- Air Force) display team flying
the classic Harvard radial-engine trainers.
“The team can also have members from Aeromotive (the
CT4-E maintenance team) to help prepare and fix the aircraft
while they are away from Ohakea. At Napier, when Checkers
5 had a problem, we were still able to display, thanks to
Keith from Aeromotive who drove 6 hours overnight to get a
replacement part!”
The Checkers’ season continues across NZ, until late April.
At Napier’s Art Deco weekend, the Checkers repeatedly
wowed the crowd. When Checkers 1 asked by radio over the
PA system for Matt Alcock’s family (who were in the crowd)
to wave at Checkers 2—the whole crowd responded and
waved! And the Spaghetti Break drew gasps and spontaneous
applause; it was a great finale.
In their Joe-room at Ohakea, the current Red Checkers are
surrounded by a proud heritage. Photos of previous teams
show some famous faces, former display pilots who rose
to high rank in the RNZAF (one former CDF, AM Sir Bruce
Ferguson, is among them) and others who went onto careers
in civil aviation. The constant message is to reach or surpass
the standards they set, and this adds to the motivation of the
current team to strive for excellence.
The Red Checkers’ 2012 full 14 minute display
• Vic 5 loop with the whole team in a ‘Vee formation’
flying a loop.
• Shift into ‘Kite formation’, with Checkers 4 and 5 moving
behind Checkers 1, 2 & 3 who remain in a Vee.
• Checkers 5 splits off leaving the remaining four briefly
in ‘Box formation’.
• ‘Swan Formation’ when Checkers 2 & 3 move back
beside Checkers 4 (who is directly behind 1).
• Checkers 5 conducts the first of his three solo routines
• The other four return for a ‘Quarter Clover’ and pass in
‘Box’ formation.
• Checkers 5—second solo
• 1,2,3, & 4 position for the ‘Ripple Roll’ and ‘Tail Chase’.
• The team breaks into 3 elements...
• Checkers 5 for his third solo routine,
• Checkers 3 & 4 for a ‘Loop-Break’
• Checkers 5 joins 1 & 2 for a Corkscrew around the Mirror
• 3 & 4 return with the Heart.
• Finally, all five aircraft rejoin and approach the crowd for
the Spaghetti Break
Air Force news
13
The 2012 Red Checkers (l to r) SQNLDR Oliver Bint,
SQNLDR Matt Alcock, SQNLDR Baz Nicholson,
SQNLDR Pete Cochran & LTCDR Wayne Theobald.
The Red Checkers
Checkers 1
SQNLDR Oliver Bint joined the RNZAF in 1995 and has completed two operational
tours flying the Iroquois and one on the Hercules. He has flown all around the world,
including to East Timor, the Middle East, and Antarctica. SQNLDR Bint is currently
the Officer Commanding of Central Flying School, the unit responsible for training
RNZAF flying instructors. He was Checkers 5 for the 2007 Red Checkers and 2012 is
his first season as Checkers 1.
Checkers 2
SQNLDR Matt Alcock joined the Royal Air Force in 1970 where he flew Puma
helicopters for 8 years, from the Arctic Circle to as far south as Mozambique. He
became an instructor on the Tucano turboprop before moving ‘on loan’ to Brunei. He
spent four years in Brunei and during that time he first visited NZ. A further two years
were spent back in the UK before he managed a shift to the RNZAF. He has now lived
here for four years, in Feilding
Checkers 3
SQNLDR Barry ‘Baz’ Nicholson joined the RNZAF in 1993 in the Avionics trade. After
a few years on the hangar floor working on C-130s, he changed trades to become
a Navigator. This experience fostered a passion to become a C-130 captain and he
started pilot training in 2001. By 2006 he was a C-130 captain, operating the aircraft
around the world. In 2007 he became a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and he’s been
in RNZAF Flying Training since. He is responsible for training QFI staff for both the Air
Force and the Navy.
Checkers 4
SQNLDR Pete Cochran joined the RNZAF in 1966 and has flown Harvards, Devons,
DC3s, Australian Macchis, Strikemasters and P-3 Orions. He has also flown over
5000 hrs on the CT4 aircraft, having introduced the CT4-E into RNZAF service. He
has been a member of 18 formation aerobatic teams, but he has also deployed as a
Peace Keeper in the Middle East and Afghanistan, a total of 3 years on peacekeeping
missions.
Checkers 5
LTCDR Wayne Theobald is from Palmerston North and joined the RNZN in January
1998 as a Seaman Officer. After approximately four years at sea from the Southern
Ocean to South East Asia and the Pacific, Wayne then transferred to Naval Aviation
and was awarded his Wings through the RNZAF in 2003. He qualified as a Seasprite
Pilot in August 2004. Since then he has completed a wide range of deployments as
the flight pilot onboard HMNZ Ships TE KAHA and CANTERBURY. He is currently
instructing ab initio students at the Pilot Training School.
14
Air Force news
15000 FLYING HOURS!
By FGOFF Mackenzie (Macca) Murray
No. 3 Squadron.
n 02 February this year, Iroquois NZ3801 achieved the historic
milestone of 15,000 flying hours. To put that into an easier
perspective, 1000 hours is just over 41 days of continuous flying,
so if Iroquois 01 took off today it would have to stay airborne for a further
625 days before it would clock up another 15,000 hours.
O
NZ3801 has served throughout New Zealand and as far afield as Antarctica, Fiji
and Timor Leste. The aircraft is still a mainstay of our Squadron’s Iroquois fleet
today.
Older readers will recall that in 1966 Sir Keith Holyoake was the Prime Minister,
and our currency was still pounds, shillings and pence. (That was due to change to
decimal currency ‘…on July the tenth, next year!’) Confrontation against Malaysia
ended that year, but the Vietnam War was in full swing. US Army Hueys, seen often
on the nightly news on our black & white TVs, quickly became symbols of the huge
American war effort there.
The most popular songs that year were Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra,
These Boots are Made for Walking by Nancy Sinatra, Yellow Submarine by the Beatles
and Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys. The latest model cars on New Zealand roads
included the HR Holden, Ford MK1 Cortina and Mk3 Zephyr, Hillman Hunter and the
Morris 1300 ‘land crab’.
The current No. 3 Squadron Maintenance Warrant Officer would be born three
years later, and the crew who flew the 15,000th hour were still over 20 years away
from being more than just a twinkle in their fathers’ eyes!
The crew for the 15,000th hour was the youngest crew on the squadron on the
day: myself, aged 22, FGOFF Andrew ‘still drinks formula’ Stewart (age 20) and SGT
Glen ‘Baby Face’ Blay (28) as Helicopter Crewman.
The milestone was honourably completed in the Huey’s favourite playground, the
South Field at Ohakea, with crew exercises of hovering and spot turns. Upon landing,
No. 3 Squadron’s personnel gathered to celebrate the achievement—which reflects
well on the skills of our maintainers over 46 years, as well as our aircrew.
Commanding Officer No. 3 Squadron, WGCDR Shaun Clark, paid tribute to
the condition of the aircraft, saying, “For an aircraft that was [originally] designed
to be flown for 1,500 hours and then thrown away, 15,000 flying hours is a great
achievement. The aircraft looks as great today as it did when I first flew it in 1994, and
it is a credit to the excellent team of maintenance personnel who have worked on the
aircraft throughout its life.”
With the entry into service of the A109 and NH90 helicopters, it looks likely that
Iroquois 01 will be the only Iroquois to achieve the 15,000 hour milestone, before the
whole fleet is retired.
TOP LEFT: No 3 Sqn personnel assembled
with NZ3801.
TOP RIGHT: The crew (l to r): HCM SGT Blay,
Captain FGOFF Murray & co-pilot FGOFF
Stewart
ABOVE: 1966—NZ3801 is offloaded from its
delivery flight
Iroquois NZ3801, a Bell UH-1D
model “Huey”, construction number
4812, was delivered to the RNZAF on
15 June 1966. Flown from the USA
in one of our (then new) Hercules
the aircraft was taken to RNZAF
Hobsonville for assembly.
It was test flown from Hobsonville
on 22 June 1966 and allocated to
No.3 Battlefield Support Squadron.
The aircraft has had nine major
‘Group’ servicings, 75 intermediate
‘Phase’ servicings and 300 ‘50 hour’
servicings.
Iroquois 01 was upgraded from
UH-1D to UH-1H spec in the
mid-70s.
Air Force news
15
Defence Minister
The Minister was given a powhiri
led by CPLNare Whittaker; Mrs
Liz Portas is at left, W/O Dave
Lark is at right.
MINISTER OF DEFENCE
visit to rnzaf
base auckland
He was saluted by a Quarter
Guard at 485 Wing HQ: SGT
Peter Whyte (Bugler), AC Chris
Hobbs, AC Timothy Oram, AC
Tom Amos, LAC Harry Hare &
CPL Raz Malkin.
16
Air Force news
Defence Minister
AVM Stockwell sits with the
Minister in the cockpit of a B757.
The CO of No. 5 Sqn briefed the
Minister about our Orions.
T
he Minister of Defence, the
Honourable Dr Jonathan Coleman,
visited RNZAF Base Auckland on 26
January 2012.
This was the first visit to the base for the newly appointed
Minister of Defence and is part of his induction tour of military
establishments around the country. The Chief of Air Force
accompanied the Minister for the visit.
Dr Coleman is the Member of Parliament for Northcote,
Auckland. He studied medicine at Auckland University then,
following his house surgeon years in NZ, Dr Coleman spent
eight years overseas working and furthering his studies. He
holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the
London Business School. He also studied management at the
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. After his return
to New Zealand in 2001 he combined advisory work in the
healthcare sector with clinical medical practice. Dr Coleman is
married with two children.
Dr Coleman entered Parliament in 2005; re-elected in 2008,
he was promoted into Cabinet as the Minister of Immigration,
Minister of Broadcasting and the Associate Health and
Associate Tourism Minister. Re-elected for a third term for the
Northcote seat in November 2011 Dr Coleman is now Minister
of Defence, Minister of State Services and Associate Minister
of Finance.
During his visit to Base Auckland, the Minister was greeted
by a Quarter Guard outside 485 Wing, and a powhiri from the
Base’s Cultural Group, led by CPL Nare Whittaker. Along with
briefings, and walk-through visits to both No. 5 and No. 40
Squadrons, he was taken into the control tower and given a
tour to see the new works in progress. As well, he had morning
tea and later lunch with a range of personnel.
Following the Base Auckland visit, Dr Coleman went on to
see the NZDF Youth Development Unit in action.
In February the Defence Minister had attended the ISAF
Defence Ministers’ talks in Brussels on Afghanistan meeting,
with CDF, the senior ISAF and NATO political and military
From the Control Tower he got an overview
of the airfield from SQNLDR Ross Cook
(Project Takatini).
In January, Dr Coleman had his
first formal meeting with the
Australian Defence Minister
Stephen Smith. The ministers
announced a new Australia-New
Zealand Defence Relationship
Framework which builds on the
ANZAC tradition
officials. His visit to Europe included a special ceremony at
Messines Ridge near Ieper [Ypres] for the reburial service of
a New Zealand soldier. The WWI soldier’s remains had been
discovered last year, with his NZ Rifle Brigade hat badge,
shoulder badge and Rifle Brigade buttons.
Earlier, in January, Dr Coleman had his first formal meeting
with the Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith. The
ministers announced a new Australia-New Zealand Defence
Relationship Framework which builds on the ANZAC tradition
and the longstanding defence relationship between Australia
and New Zealand.
The new Framework will see closer cooperation on capability
development and procurement, and more efficient burdensharing in the region. It also introduces regular strategic talks
between senior civilian and military personnel, to better align
policy, military capabilities, and defence activities between the
two countries. The Framework aims to facilitate cooperation
with military capabilities and defence reform.
The two Ministers agreed to cooperation in defence
research and development between Australia’s Defence
Science and Technology Organisation and the NZ Defence
Technology Agency. The research and development
arrangement will help the development of new technologies
for delivery of defence services, to support activities in the
field, and, to protect defence personnel. The arrangement
includes collaborative research in future naval helicopters and
for countering improvised explosive devices.
Air Force news
17
Photos: Air Force Museum
Front line strike force!
The Canberra bomber
T
he myth that the RNZAF’s air combat force was never
used in action is belied by the career of the English
Electric Canberra in RNZAF service. From 1958-1970
New Zealand operated a first line strike aircraft that was also
in use by our allies—and was still undertaking combat missions
even as we retired our fleet. In fact, RAF Canberras were
operational over Afghanistan as late as 2006 (55 years in RAF
service) and the bomber has cemented its place as one of the
outstanding aircraft of the jet age.
The Canberra was a first-generation jet-powered light
bomber which was very adaptable, serving in bomber, low-level
intruder and reconnaissance roles. One set the world altitude
record of 70,310 ft (21,430 m) in 1957—others conducted
reconnaissance along the USSR’s borders. The Canberra
served in combat during the Vietnam War (USAF and RAAF) the
Falklands War (Argentine Air Force) the Indo-Pakistani Wars
(India and Pakistan) and in a number of African conflicts.
Design studies for a jet bomber began in 1944; the English
Electric Company’s chief designer W E Petter aimed to combine
a substantial bomb load with two of the most powerful jet
engines then available in a compact airframe designed to fly
fast and high enough to avoid combat with contemporary
fighters.
The new aircraft was named ‘Canberra’ after the capital
of Australia, in recognition of Australia’s wartime role and
18
Air Force news
because the RAAF was to be the first export customer. In fact
the Canberra was built in three countries (the UK, Australia
and the USA) and was operated by 17 air forces. Total Canberra
production was 1,352, with 901 built in the UK, 48 in Australia
and 403 in the USA (as the Martin B-57).
In 1955, a Commonwealth defence agreement saw the
‘Far East’ as the forward line of defence for Australia and
New Zealand; the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve was
formed, based in Singapore. In 1957 NZ ordered a squadron
of Canberras but production delays meant they would not be
delivered until late 1959.
In the interim the RNZAF leased Canberra B2 bombers, and
sent No.75 Sqn personnel to the UK for conversion courses. In
July 1958 the aircraft deployed to RAF Tengah in Singapore,
along with Canberras of No. 45 Sqn RAF, to form the Bomber
Wing of No. 224 Group, Far East Air Force. From Singapore,
No.75 Sqn took part in Operation FIREDOG, the RAF’s air
campaign against communist terrorists in Malaya.
By December 1958 the RNZAF’s own Canberra B(I)12
bombers were completed; No.14 Sqn personnel undertook
training and conversion courses in the UK during 1959 before
delivering the new aircraft to NZ. In March 1960 No.14 Sqn was
declared operational in the light bomber/interdictor role.
New Zealand’s 1961 Defence Policy emphasised our defence
role in the South Pacific and in support of the Commonwealth
Canberra B(I)12
Crew: 2
Length: 65 ft 6 in (19.96 m)
Wingspan: 63 ft 11.5 in (19.51 m)
Max. takeoff weight: Powerplant: 56,250 lb (24,948 kg)
2 × Rolls-Royce Avon R.A.7
Mk.109 turbojets, 7,400 lbf
(36 kN) each
Performance
Max speed: Mach 0.88 (560 mph, 933
km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,192 m)
Combat radius: 810 mi (700 nm, 1,300 km)
Service ceiling: 23,550 ft (7,180 m)
Armament
Rockets: 2× unguided rocket pods
with 37× 2 in (51 mm) rockets
Bombs: Total of 8,000 lb (3,628 kg):
9× 500 lb (227 kg) or 6× 1,000
lb (454 kg) bombs
Underwing pylons: 4× 500 lb
(227 kg) or 2× 1,000 lb (454
kg) bombs
LEFT: Two Canberra B2s of No. 75 Sqn over Malaya in 1958
RIGHT: A Canberra B (I) 12 from Ohakea in 1970.
Camouflage was adopted in 1964
Strategic Reserve in South East Asia. In accordance with
that policy—and with the successful end to the campaign
in Malaya—No. 75 Sqn relinquished its older Canberras and
returned to NZ in 1961.One of the B2s had been lost in a storm
that year, and the navigator was killed.
From 1962 No.14 Sqn began a regular pattern of
deployments to Singapore and Malaya for exercises and to
integrate with the Commonwealth and allied air forces in
the region. In 1964, the Squadron was on a regular exercise
to Singapore, when it was directed to remain in-theatre as
part of the Commonwealth build-up to counter Indonesia’s
‘Confrontation’ against the newly independent state of
Malaysia.
No. 14 Sqn joined an extensive strike force in the Far East
Air Force, tasked with deterring Indonesia’s Soviet-supplied
jet fighters and bombers. Confrontation was serious— tension
with Indonesia was high and military incursions from Borneo
into East Malaysia were frequent. The Far East Air Force’s
aircraft were dispersed around the Singapore airfields, key
facilities were sandbagged against bomb-blast and air defence
guns and missiles were deployed across the Island. In fact,
No.14 Sqn was not tasked with operational missions, but other
RAF bombers often dropped bombs on guerrilla targets in
Malaysia. Confrontation, however, finally came to an end and
No.14 Sqn returned to New Zealand in November 1966. Two of
Guns: 4× 20 mm cannons mounted
in rear bomb bay (500
rounds/gun)
our B(I)12s had been lost in accidents, with two crew lost in a
1964 crash off Singapore.
Meanwhile the conflict in South Vietnam had grown;
the USAF deployed its Martin B-57s there, while the RAAF
contributed a squadron of its Canberras in 1967; they remained
in combat over South Vietnam until 1971. (Ultimately the RAAF
retired its last Canberra in 1982.)
The Vietnam War highlighted the need for modern strike
aircraft; by the late 1960s Canberras, as bombers, had been
assessed as having little chance against Mig 17s or more
modern fighters. New Zealand began looking for a replacement
and in 1970 we took delivery of the first of our Skyhawks. In
1971 our surviving Canberras were sold to India, which already
operated the very similar B(I) 8.
The Canberra has a proud place in the RNZAF’s heritage;
for 12 years our Canberra squadrons had made a credible
contribution to the Commonwealth’s collective defence of
Malaya (later Malaysia). The aircraft kept the RNZAF in the first
line alongside our allies.
... chief designer W E Petter aimed to
combine a substantial bomb load with
two of the most powerful jet engines
then available in a compact airframe
Air Force news
19
20
Air Force news
English Electric
new zealand SERVICE: 1958-1970
A Canberra B(I)12 seen over New Zealand in 1961. Note the offset fighterstyle canopy for the pilot; the navigator sat to his right in the ‘coal hole’
Air Force news
21
Our People
A bi-cultural empowered Air Force,
Enriched by a multi-cultural nation,
Embraced world-wide.
The Challenge!
By W/O George Mana
Our new Air Force Maori Cultural Adviser
How is success measured? Being an avid sportsperson, I
know success is measured best by results. As an individual
and a player, you work on your weaknesses so they become
strengths because as a team you all share a common goal—to
win; therefore, collectively, success should be guaranteed.
So how would you as a unit, as a squadron, as a Wing,
measure your success? Of course, in our system the measure
is meeting your outputs, but how do you measure that against
each other? It’s a case of comparing apples with oranges!
So I provide this challenge. I want to celebrate with the first
complete unit that performs the RNZAF haka!
Now who am I to be laying this challenge? As of 09 January I
have taken up the role as the Maori Cultural Advisor (Air Force).
This role was previously filled by W/O Doug Wallace and prior
to him, W/O PJ Smith. Both of these men are very astute and
meticulous in all they do, so filling this position and doing it
justice will be a challenge in itself. (Of course, if I am going to
hand out challenges I best test myself too!)
With everything that has gone on across our Air Force in the
last year and a half with regards to change, I have decided it’s
time to set a goal—in order to be the best, we must continue
to advance. What is a test of fortitude if it does not challenge
W/O George Mana
22
Air Force news
the mind and the body? My predecessors have laid some
solid foundations for me; therefore my plan as Maori Cultural
Adviser is as follows:
• to make information more accessible via the intranet
• to build on the standards and expectations set with the
RNZAF Bicultural Policy and its associated plans
• to implement and maintain initiatives to increase
knowledge of all things Maori, and
• to ensure we continue to grow as a bi-culturally
empowered Air Force
One huge goal though is to ensure that we as an iwi [people]
are prepared for the planned opening of our RNZAF Marae at
Ohakea in 2014. As valuable as it is to have our own marae, it
is important, too, that we are all prepared. A marae is only as
strong as its people.
One such step is the Air Force haka. As each unit learns and
undertakes the haka, we can all build the energy across our Air
Force! Imagine this, a 200+ haka party in full flight at 0530hr on
our marae opening day! Airmen and Airwomen feeding off the
energy of each other!
“Whaia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe, me he maungateitei”
“Seek that which you desire most, should you bow then let it be to
nothing less than a lofty mountain”
W/O George Mana, with CPL Shayne Roberts,
leads a powhiri for a visiting RAAF unit in 2010
Our People
My Career
Maungatautari te Maunga
Waikato te Awa
Tainui te Waka
Ngāti Koroki Kahukura te Iwi
Te Ngoungou te tangata
In April 1989 I boarded an RNZAF Hercules for the first
time—the start of a long and fulfilling career. Only once before
had I been south of Poneke [Wellington] and now I was about to
spend the next three months in Te Waiharakeke [Blenheim] at
RNZAF Base Woodbourne, learning to be an Airman.
It is during recruit training that the values of our Air Force
are instilled: Professionalism, Integrity, Teamwork, allegiance
to our group, knowledge of our history and traditions—and
last, but not least, discipline.
My four years at Hato Petera College had prepared me
well; not only with a grounding in Te Ao Māori but also values
which were similar to those of the RNZAF. The big difference
compared to college (then) was our living conditions—I had the
luxury of a single room, and in the Mess we could eat as much
as we wanted!
After basic training my next course was in the Fire Fighter
trade. Three months at RNZAF Base Wigram in Otautahi
[Christchurch] learning the skills required for domestic, rural
and—of course—aircraft, fire fighting. Then I worked on our
bases, implementing that training. Three years later I followed
up with an Advanced Course which prepared us as leaders.
These courses were demanding both physically and mentally,
but had they not been, I’m sure the learning would not have
remained embedded as it does.
My service as a Fire Fighter has been at RNZAF Bases
Whenuapai in Tamaki Makaurau [Auckland], Wigram,
W/O George Mana ( r ) with W/O Doug Wallace ( l ) and WO1
Jerald Twomey (in DPMs) in front of the buildings that are being
converted to the Air Force Marae
Woodbourne and Ohakea near Te Papa-i-oea [Palmerston
North]. I was then selected as an Instructor, and so spent four
years at Linton Military Camp. The frequent moves proved to
be adventures for me and my family—we continued to learn
through exposure to new experiences.
I deployed to East Timor [today, Timor Leste] in 2002 as part
of the No.3 Squadron Detachment based at Suai, alongside
the Kiwi Battalion. It was a completely new experience for me,
but although the Timorese lived in what you could describe
as primitive surroundings, their day-to-day lives were no
different from ours: tamariki [children] running around making
fun with what they could find, and ngā mātua [the men]
working on what needed to be done.
As my journey in the Fire Fighter’s trade progressed, I also
longed for something else. Back when I enlisted things Māori
were present, but they were few and far between. Now our
Air Force has grown into an organisation that embraces Te Ao
Māori and many other aspects of life which were rarely seen in
the 1980s.
In 1997 the NZDF Kapahaka was invited to participate in the
Royal Tournament held at Earls Court in London. Permission
for the group to attend was granted by the then CDF, LTGEN
Birks. As I look back now, that was the impetus for me and
many others to involve ourselves more into things Maori. Since
then I have participated in many overseas kaupapa. I have
walked the battlefields of Gallipoli, Crete, Belgium and France
where our tupuna [forefathers] fought. I participated in the
Return of the Unknown Warrior from France.
But more significant have been the changes we are going
through in the Air Force. Positions have been created to enable
all our people ahakoa no hea koe, ahakoa te tae o to kiri, to delve
into the Māori world, be it through language, participation
in Māori kaupapa, or haka. All of these contribute to and
strengthen the RNZAF’s identity as New Zealand’s Air Force.
Now, I have moved into the role as the Māori Cultural
Advisor to the Chief of Air Force. After leaving kura [school]
and beginning as a humble Airman, I have done almost a 180º,
as I return to my passion for Te Ao Māori. The purpose behind
the role is to implement and coordinate matters directly
related to our RNZAF Bicultural Policy, support existing
initiatives and apply any new initiatives to enhance our
effectiveness at home and abroad.
Along the way I believe I have grown. All along, I have been
totally supported by my family—my wife Ngatasha who
also serves in the Air Force as a Logistics Specialist, our son
Keirann (Teina) who recently completed his schooling at Te
Kareti o Hato Paora and our two daughters: Tamara currently
at TKKM o Manawatu ki Rangitaane and our pepi [baby] Payton
at Te Awhina Kohanga Reo.
E ai ki te whakatauki ko te manu kai i te miro, nōna te ngāhere, ko
te manu kai i te mātauranga nōna te ao.
Seek adventure, from it will come experience and knowledge to
allow you to move freely.
Air Force news
23
Leadership
IOTC Graduation Fly Past with four
Iroquois in formation as the salute is
taken by AIRCDRE Short, DCAF
Flight Sergeant Promotion Course undertaking a
field exercise The student in grey is a USAF NCO
Team Brief in the snow at Dip Flat
during a Command Exercise
MISSION STATEMENT:
To conduct professional military development, professional
military education and personal development for RNZAF
personnel, with a focus on developing and preparing
competent leaders, as an enabler to effective Military Air
Operations.
LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT FLIGHT
By SQNLDR Rod Gwyn,
Flight Commander Leadership Development Flight,
Command and Recruit Training Squadron
Changes within Command and Recruit Training Squadron over
the last two years saw the amalgamation of the Command
Training Flight (Officer training) and NCO Training Flight,
into the Leadership Development Flight (LDF). This was a
culminating point for a number of training reviews, which
changed and enhanced the courses delivered to officers and
NCOs.
Challenges exist both inside and outside of the NZDF,
which require our leaders to be able to deal with rapid change,
learn from their experiences and have greater awareness of
the consequences of their actions and the actions of others.
Many of the leadership skills are commonly referred to as ‘soft
skills’, yet soft skills can be hard to master and difficult to apply
consistently.
24
Air Force news
Learning about ourselves and how we interact with others
takes personal courage and, for most, is a big challenge.
Learning about oneself is inherent in the officer training and
NCO promotion courses that we deliver.
So what has changed for Leadership Development in the
RNZAF? This is a frequent question as all in the Air Force are
exposed to our training courses. The aspects we have always
taught, such as leadership and military skills, still exist, but
with a stronger focus on their application in the workplace and
contextualising it for the modern leader.
These changes were instigated to fulfil CAF’s intent to have
positive leadership at all levels of our Service. The RNZAF
leadership continuum, which was developed from this intent,
incorporated the desired leadership models and now applies
them on each of the LDF courses.
The Leadership Continuum
The Leadership Continuum identifies the progression of
skills for RNZAF leaders at all levels. The leadership continuum
Leadership
RNZAF Leadership Training Continuum
Followership
Functional
Leadership
Contingency
Approaches
embraces soft leadership concepts of emotional intelligence,
ownership of individual development, and the requirement
to coach, mentor and counsel subordinates in their
developmental needs. It provides Air-focused Professional
Military Development in leadership.
The Continuum is designed to develop personnel, rather
than simply refresh skills. The leadership continuum reaches
across both officer and NCO training, with a common
knowledge base and language across the ranks.
NCO Training
Corporals represent the first line of Air Force leadership;
their duties involve immediate supervision (both on and off
duty) in daily, face-to-face and hands-on roles. The Corporal
promotion (PROMCPL) course uses the Functional Model of
leadership to provide a solid foundation. PICSIE (Planning,
Initiating, Controlling, Supporting, Informing and Evaluating),
provides the framework and is accompanied by the John Adair*
model, focusing on Task/Team/Individual needs, and the
balance between these for decision-making.
Our model of leadership for Sergeants builds on to
Functional Leadership but adds in relationship issues, which
require a selection of communicated behaviours to match each
situation. The challenge for the Sergeant is to adapt previously
learned leadership behaviours to the most appropriate
from a range, in the context of the situation: organising and
controlling, guiding and tutoring, inspiring and engaging, or
expanding and enabling.
At the next level, Flight Sergeant, the workplace role is
to lead more than one team and coordinate their activities.
Success in leadership can be related to the personal and
‘social competence’ of an individual (eg self-awareness, selfregulation, common sense, empathy). If you can realise how,
when and why certain things occur, action plans can be set in
place to affect management and leadership of others.
The Warrant Officer is the most managerial of the
non-commissioned ranks. Their role, however, may be a
significant change from interactive roles—contact with the
workforce is often through the other SNCO ranks. The Warrant
Officer is seen as an adviser both to airmen and to officers. The
habits of personal leadership advocated by Stephen R. Covey*
provide our leadership training model, emphasising many
of the higher-level issues of leadership (self-management,
mentoring, interdependence, stress and time management).
One USAF and one Singaporean NCO attend our F/S and
W/O Promotion Courses.
Officer Training
The changes and enhancements to NCO leadership training
led to a review of officer training that began in 2006. We
expanded on the base skill sets delivered by the Initial Officer
Training Course (IOTC), and brought in common leadership
terminology and methodology.
Emotional
Intelligence
Transformational
Leadership
Accompanying this was a greater focus on the command
responsibilities required of officers, to cement in a robust set
of skills. Officer training aims to build competent and confident
junior officers who can assume their roles in the organisation
straight from the IOTC. Therefore, the course develops each
individual from the start, by progressively allowing them to
command and control their own activities, identify the lessons
learnt, and conduct assessments of their peers’ performance.
Officer training continues with a series of modules,
delivered by LDF, as prerequisites for the Joint Junior Staff
Course. These modules are designed to provide the training
required at the right point in a junior officer’s career:
• staff skills (Intermediate Command Communication
Module)
• management tools (Intermediate Command,
Management and Administration Module) and
• further leadership development (Intermediate
Command Leadership Module).
Because the Leadership Continuum progresses past junior
officers, the Advanced Command Leadership Module (ACLM)
is aimed at the Squadron Leader/Wing Commander level. This
expands leadership and command education at those levels
with ‘moral and ethical decision-making’ and, skills in change
management.
Delivery
The courses at LDF are delivered by way of an adult learning
environment. Course members’ personal experiences and
views are encouraged as a vital element in the learning for all
students. These experiences are further explored through
facilitation and self-reflection, along with interactive self-led
activities specifically designed to develop certain behaviours
(experiential learning). Links for all courses at LDF are on the
RNZAF Intranet, through ‘Woodbourne’ and ‘GTW’.
However, the courses delivered by LDF are not the
whole story for the RNZAF’s future leaders. Courses are
relatively short and, in essence, provide tools to be applied
in the workplace. This is where the real learning occurs,
when an individual is leading others in support of our
mission. Therefore, it is essential all levels of command take
responsibility for the continual growth and development of
personnel throughout our organisation, to encourage our
people to reach their full potential.
*Suggested Reading
John Adair
Action-centred Leadership, 1973
Stephen R Covey
The 7 habits of highly effective people, 1991
Note: the NZDF Library system also has other books by
these two authors.
Air Force news
25
Our Heritage
CDF shakes the hand of
Alex Neill, after the portrait
of Sir Keith Park is unveiled
at the NZDF Command and
Staff College
STAFF COLLEGE LECTURE THEATRE
COMMEMORATES SIR KEITH PARK
O
n 07 December, the NZDF Command and Staff College
formally named its main lecture theatre for Air Chief
Marshal Sir Keith Park, GCB, KBE, MC, DFC. ACM Sir
Keith Park is one of New Zealand’s great sons, becoming in
turn a soldier, airman, fighter ace and air commander, before
returning to NZ and in his retirement winning election to the
Auckland City Council.
Sir Keith’s career was outlined to an audience of members
of Sir Keith Park’s family, CDF and other senior officers, along
with staff college students and instructors. LTGEN Jones and
Alex Neill, the family representative, unveiled the portrait that
now hangs in the Lecture Theatre.
Professor Vincent Orange, formerly of Canterbury
University and an important biographer of air force leaders,
gave the lecture that assessed Sir Keith’s career; summarised
here.
Born in Thames young Keith Park went to sea, becoming a
Purser in the Union Steam Ship Company. When WWI broke
out, he joined the NZEF with friends, entered the artillery and
subsequently landed in Gallipoli with the ANZAC Division,
While on the peninsula he transferred to the British artllery
and saw action at Cape Helles. Later, in 1916, he was wounded
at the Somme then sent to England. Told he was too injured
to remain on active duty, he sought instead to join the Royal
Flying Corps.
Gaining his Wings, he was selected as an Instructor at a time
that the RFC was developing a systematic approach to flying
training. Thus he gained much more flying experience than
the average pilot before he was sent to the Western Front. As
Major Park, he joined No.48 Sqn, which was introducing the
new Bristol F.2B Fighter. Park became an ‘ace’ with 11 kills and
over a dozen probables to his credit. During that time he was
appointed as Squadron CO and awarded the MC.
With the end of the War he tried for jobs in NZ, but failing to
get them, he instead focussed on making a career in the new
26
Air Force news
RAF. Over the next two decades he attended staff courses, had
overseas postings, commanded a squadron and worked as a
staff officer in the Air Defence of Great Britain command.
ADGB became Fighter Command under ACM Dowding, and
AVM Keith Park was posted to command No.11 Group, covering
SE England and the approaches to London. The problem of
defending against an enemy air force became acute after
Dunkirk, but both Dowding and Park had put years of study
into the problem. They had developed a complete system (of
which radar was but the last item to add to it) and they applied
it single-mindedly. The German daylight air assault of 1940 was
blunted, and Britain saved from invasion.
Park, like Dowding, was pushed aside after the Battle of
Britain was won; Park went to Training Command until he was
needed in Egypt in 1942 to develop an air defence system
there. That led to his posting to Malta, where his forward
interception tactics were once more proven to be successful.
Subsequently in 1945 he was posted to South East Asia
Command as an Air Chief Marshal, under Lord Mountbatten, to
command the air forces supporting the 14th Army. That too was
a successful posting, although Mountbatten reputedly did not
like his bluntness.
In 1946 Sir Keith Park retired from the RAF, returned to New
Zealand and took up various business roles. He was happy to
be back in his homeland; he loved sailing and supported many
community projects. In 1962 he was elected to the Auckland
City Council and continued as an active councillor until 1971,
aged 79. Sir Keith passed away on Waitangi Day, 1975.
Vincent Orange summarised Sir Keith as having
determination, luck, a gift for personal leadership and a
willingness to undertake professional study. The values
of his life and the achievements of his career are thus fully
appropriate to hold before the NZDF’s staff college students of
the future.
Operation Antarctica
The NZDF Harewood Terminal Team, after pre-deployment training for
this summer’s season. Those in red caps are the augmentation staff,
those in grey caps are the supervisors and command team
The Harewood
Terminal Team 2011/12
By LAC Rory Hosegood
On 12 September last year the new season’s Terminal Team
met at the Christchurch Air Movements Terminal for the start
of our Pre-Deployment Training. The NZ Tri-Service contingent
for the Harewood Terminal Team (HTT) comprised six Army,
one Navy and nine Air Force personnel. Joining us were two
RAAF personnel from Darwin and Amberley, which proved to be
a good opportunity to further our working relationship with our
Australian counterparts.
The season started on 01 October. Coming from an Aviation
Refuelling background with no Air Movements training I had
just three weeks to learn about aircraft specifications and
loading restrictions, and familiarise myself with the variety of
vehicles which we would operate over the next five months. With our new skills and knowledge, the team was set to
work immediately. ‘Constructing’ air cargo pallets was our
main task—each was a 2¼ inch (60mm) aluminium pallet
with a building surface of 104’’ by 84’’ on which we stack the
freight. The freight comes as numerous different-sized boxes
and other odd shaped items. Construction is a step by step
process taking into account weight, size and shape to ensure
completed pallets are airworthy and no damage will occur
during flight. The construction is much like a 3-D Tetris game!
The main aircraft we worked with was the C-17 Globemaster
III, flown by the US Air Force. The C-17 holds 17 pallets, up to
130 passengers and a pay load of 100,000lbs.
As well, the US Air National Guard operates LC-130s,
ski-equipped Hercules, stationed at McMurdo which rotate
through the Harewood Terminal on a regular basis. Their
LC-130, and our RNZAF Hercules, each hold up to 6 pallets or
70 passengers.
At the time of writing, we had managed 1.6 million pounds
of freight and transported 1864 passengers, so far this season.
We were ahead of last year’s stats! The aim is to send 3.4
million pounds of freight by the end of the season; and we are
proud to say that we are well on target to achieving this.
Larger loads that require a combination of two or more
pallets are called a pallet train or marriage. Some of the more
difficult pieces of equipment that we loaded did not require
pallets: an EC-130 Eurocopter operated by Helicopters New
Zealand; four Ford E350 4 x 4 modified vans specially built for
Antarctica; two Snowcats and a MT 865C Challenger bulldozer
weighing just over 50,000 lbs. The Challenger is the primary
vehicle used for transporting freight that can’t be flown from
McMurdo station to the South Pole. That trip is called the
Trans-Antarctic Ice trip, made by four Challengers with three
sleds each. The Antarctic Passenger Terminal is where we process all
passengers heading down to Antarctica. Due to the 100 th
anniversaries [see box] we have had many high level dignitaries
travelling to and from Antarctica, including the King of
Malaysia, the CEO of the Italian Antarctic program, the Italian
Minister of the Environment, the Director of the National
Science Foundation and an American three-star General. We
also looked forward to the arrival of our first north-bound wild
life passengers of the season, 12 Emperor Penguins!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the season thus far, making many
new friends and broadening my knowledge. I have more of
an appreciation for my other fellow trades within the NZDF.
Harewood is a great posting and every day is a new experience.
From a logisticians point of view, I encourage those who are
looking for something new and different to come and give
Harewood Terminal Team a go as you will not be disappointed!
100 Years
This summer saw the 100th anniversary of the famous
Amundsen and Scott expeditions to the South Pole; the
climax of the ‘heroic age’ of Antarctic exploration.
• First recorded sighting of Antarctica was by Von
Bellingshausen on 27 January 1820,
• First documented landing was in West Antarctica by
the American sealer John Davis on 7 February 1821.
• On 14th December 1911 Norwegian explorer Roald
Amundsen reached the geographic South Pole.
• CAPT Scott RN reached the Pole on 17 January,
1912.
Air Force news
27
Air Training Corps
The RNZAF Flying Scholarship for
ATC Cadets is run each January
at the Central Flying School,
Ohakea. The scholarship enables
four senior ATC Cadets—who have
demonstrated a genuine desire
to join the RNZAF as aircrew—an
opportunity to fly the CT-4E
Airtrainer, and experience military
life first hand for three weeks.
The criteria for acceptance onto
the scholarship is that the Cadets
have completed the NZCF National
Aviation course the previous
January, had achieved solo status
at that time, and were granted
clearance by their Units to apply.
The RNZAF Scholarship for 2012
was held during 09 – 27 January for:
• CDTWO James Patrick, No. 11
Sqn, Hastings
• CDTWO Renee Campbell No. 20
Sqn, Whangarei
• CDTWO Kane Colvin No. 28 Sqn,
Gore
• CDTWO Cameron Day No. 50
Sqn, Alexandra.
RNZAF FLYING
SCHOLARSHIP
COURSE
The four scholarship students report…
Cameron: Since 08 January, three other Cadet Warrant
Officers and I have had the highest honour an ATC cadet can
receive—the RNZAF Flying scholarship. Based at Ohakea with
Central Flying School (CFS), the scholarship gave us 10 hours of
flight training in the CT4-E Air Trainer, intended to encourage
us to continue our dream of joining the RNZAF.
Kane: We share a common enthusiasm for aviation and the
RNZAF. My life’s goal is to become a pilot in the Air Force, and
this course has not only given me an in-depth understanding
of my dream career, but propelled me to pursue this goal with
greater determination.
Renee: Living on base, I experienced so much and had so much
fun. I have learnt heaps and have a much better understanding
of the RNZAF.
James: The trust and responsibility of being fully selfsufficient and having to get yourself places on time is a great
feeling. Nobody watching your every move! It was much more
relaxed and therefore much more enjoyable.
Flying
James: The first day we were given the checks to learn, and
got suited up with our own flight gear including helmets! With
the first flight on the second day we were straight into it, with
the loop being the first aerobatic. Over the next few days we
learned more and more aerobatics.
Kane: The CT4-E was terrific to fly; 300horsepower, 150knot
28
Air Force news
cruise speed and capable of a wide range of aerobatics,
which makes for one awesome plane and one unbelievable
experience! I enjoyed every second in the CT4, and we got 10
awesome hours of flight time! Our flights consisted of basic
flying skills (which we all picked up fairly quickly), steep turns,
circuits, cloud surfing, tail-chases, inverted flight, close
formation flying and aerobatics such as loops, aileron rolls,
barrel rolls, vertical 360’s, avalanches and stall turns.
Cameron: We flew our 10 hours with the most experienced
pilots, who instructed us through the basic flight training
syllabus as well as treating us to instruction and hands on with
aerobatics, spinning, and formation flying.
James: Aerobatics included the loop, the aileron roll, the
stall turn, the roll off the top and much more. My favourite
manoeuvre was inverted flight. Formation flying was brought
in near the end, one of the most heart-stopping things I have
ever done.
Renee: I grew more confident with the staff and flying
instructors who were all very helpful. I was taught well and by
the end of the three weeks I was performing aerobatics freely
and having a great time doing them!
Other Events
Renee: We also did many other things— a flight in an Iroquois,
low flying through Marlborough Sounds, a tour of the NH90s,
a turn in the A109 simulator and my favorite, a flight in a Tiger
Moth. Having no canopy while doing loops and just the seat
Air Training Corps
The 2012 ATC Scholarship students ( l to r): Cadet
Warrant Officers Renee Campbell, Kane Colvin,
Cameron Day & James Patrick
belts to hold you in, it was truly an adrenalin-filled flight!
James: Getting to also visit the fire fighters and even the
Spitfire—things people our age can only dream of. A trip down
to Christchurch and back in the Boeing 757, in the cockpit
jump-seat was also an amazing experience. We had the chance
to spend the whole day with No. 3 Sqn, flying low level and
being able to hang out the side of the mighty chopper.
Cameron: We flew with No. 42 Sqn in the Beech King Air around
the Marlborough Sounds, and also spent a day with the fire
fighters putting out pressurised fuel fires and had a go at water
survival.
Kane: I thoroughly enjoyed all the experiences that we were
given, but the main attraction, however, was piloting the CT4-E
air trainer.
Thank you!
Renee: I owe a huge thanks to my instructor SQNLDR Sean
Perrett; it was a privilege having him as my instructor.
James: SQNLDR Sav Saville was my instructor and was such
an awesome person to learn from. Having the chance to also
fly with other instructors in the last week gave me an all round
look at how much skill the Air Force pilots have and learning
from them was extremely enjoyable.
Kane: My instructor was SQNLDR Baz Nicholson who was
an incredible pilot to fly with and learn from; he gave me a
huge amount of confidence in flying. Also a huge thank you to
SQNLDR Sav Saville, FLTLT Stuart Anderson and FLTLT Charlie
Beetham.
Cameron: A huge thank you to incredibly talented instructors
I had the absolute privilege of flying with; SQNLDR Cochran,
SQNLDR Bint, SQNLDR Rankin, FLTLT Davidson and FLTLT
Beetham. Also a big thank you to 3 Sqn, 42 Sqn, 40 Sqn, HTU,
Fire Flight and Central Cadet HQ.
Conclusions
Renee: This course has strengthened my passion for flying
in the RNZAF and I am very keen on applying when I have the
qualifications. I encourage anyone else who would like to be a
pilot to look into the Air Force. This course has opened my eyes
and given me a chance to live the lifestyle for three weeks and I
loved it!
James: The experience of a lifetime! An amazing three weeks
with a great insight into the RNZAF and the future career path I
am planning to take.
Cameron: It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the
best of what the Air Force has to offer and a huge motivation
to continue on to apply and encourage many others to do the
same.
Kane: Overall, my experience on the RNZAF Scholarship was
incredible—one I will never forget. It gave me an in-depth view
of the RNZAF lifestyle and people, which has given me an even
greater determination to join as a military pilot. I’ll be applying
for the RNZAF as soon as possible!
Air Force news
29
By Vivienne Sanders,
RNZAF Senior Communications Advisor
‘5 Green Stars’
for new Air
Force building
The NZDF was awarded a ‘5 Green Star Industrial Design
2009 Rating’ from the New Zealand Green Building Council
(NZGBC) for the design of its new Maintenance Support
Squadron (MSS) purpose-built facility currently under
construction at RNZAF Base Ohakea. A 5 Green Star rating
signifies ‘New Zealand Excellence’ in sustainable design.
The Ohakea MSS building houses the workshops,
maintenance areas and training facilities required to service
the new NH90 and A109 helicopters. The building comprises
a series of large workshops for the maintenance of airframe
components and complete aircraft, along with specialist
rooms (e.g. x-ray inspection, carbon fibre grinding, helicopter
engines, life support equipment etc.) and office areas. A
similar, but smaller, MSS Workshop Building is also under
construction at Whenuapai.
The acquisition of new helicopters and the upgrade of our
Hercules and Orion fleets have required the construction
of new maintenance facilities; the Maintenance Support
Squadron at Ohakea houses facilities required to service the
NH90 and A109 helicopters as well as components from other
CAF with Alex Cutler of NZGBC
RNZAF fleets, for example, cargo parachute maintenance.
New Zealand Green Building Council Chief Executive, Alex
Cutler, said “The internationally recognised mark of a green
building, Green Star, is the proof that this building has been
designed to be more prepared for the future than standard
buildings. Green buildings facilitate improved working
environments, higher productivity in staff and reduced
operating costs. This is a sensible as well as commercial choice
for owners of long term assets”.
Green Star is a comprehensive national, voluntary
environmental rating scheme that evaluates the environmental
attributes and performance of New Zealand’s buildings using
a suite of rating toolkits developed to be applicable to each
building type and function.
The Chief of Air Force said “We are delighted to receive
the first 5 Green Star rating for an industrial building in New
Zealand. The project team has worked hard to ensure that the
building design meets the NZGBC criteria and provides ‘fit for
purpose’ working accommodation that will serve our needs
well into the 21st Century.”
Sustainable features of the MSS building
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
(HVAC). Heating water is heated by two natural gas boilers
and circulated to heating coils in air-based systems and
radiant ceiling panels. Chilled water is cooled by two
air-cooled chillers and circulated to cooling coils in the air
handling units.
Lighting has been designed to be effective while using
as little energy as possible. Daylight detection is installed
in applicable spaces, as well as energy efficient fixtures.
Exterior lighting consists of photocell lighting to all regular
access doors to the building. Indicator beacons are required,
as the building is on an active airfield.
Cold water systems: A potable system which serves all
taps, showers, dishwashers, eyewashes, washing machines
30
Air Force news
and mechanical services.
A non-potable system can be used for the cargo chute
wash and also provides flushing water for the toilets.
Wastewater from the building is connected to the Ohakea
Base waste water treatment system.
The non-potable water is collected from a section of the
roof when it rains, and stored in two 26,700 litre tanks that
sit in front of the building. Rainwater from the rest of the roof
is diverted to the stormwater system. Water runoff from
paved areas is first directed to grass swales. The stormwater
drainage system discharges water into Makowhai stream.
Noise attenuation has also been addressed with the use of
sound absorbing natural materials.
Museum
By Therese Angelo
Director, Air Force Museum
Air Force Museum’s
Earthquake Award
The Air Force Museum was presented with an Earthquake
Award, by the Mayor of Christchurch, during the civic
earthquake commemoration ceremony on 22 February. Our
Museum was one of the organisations recognised for their
response and support after the devastating earthquake last
year.
The Museum has taken a leadership role in assisting
organisations in Christchurch’s culture and heritage sector.
The Museum staff have, and are, assisting willingly and
professionally with salvage and interim storage of significant
local collections.
Some examples: The Press [newspaper] photographs—
thousands of water-logged photographic prints from the
damaged Press building [since demolished] were brought
to the Museum for drying. Staff came in over the Queen’s
Birthday long weekend, in their own time, to maximise the
number of prints that could be separated, dried and saved.
Staff worked on weekends to salvage the Lyttelton Museum
collection. The Canterbury Museum asked us to undertake a
whole gallery clearance with just a few days notice. Staff also
helped other organisations retrieve collections from the red
zone. The Sound Archives and the Anglican Archives had no
power, and so no lights nor lifts—the retrieval was nervewracking and arduous.
Collections from 12 organisations are now stored at the
Air Force Museum. Following the February earthquake our
Museum also provided accommodation to the SPCA and the
Vets’ emergency response team, Inland Revenue, Warren &
Mahoney, and the Ministry of Justice for Family and High Court
sittings. Inland Revenue and the Courts are still at the Museum.
The Museum has been a venue during the Festival of Arts
and has given free use of other spaces to small community
organisations. It was even a polling station for the election!
Throughout, the Museum has also remained open to the
public—a free, safe, family friendly attraction.
Providing this support has taken a considerable amount of
time and energy from the whole Museum team during a period
when they could have been forgiven for simply thinking about
themselves and their own needs.
They have to live with the earthquake, the aftershocks and
the demolition of their city—the ongoing quakes rob them
of sleep and create a long term fatigue that never quite goes
away. For some, their damaged houses remain un-repaired
18 months after the first major earthquake; others’ houses
are not able to be lived in at all. Like so many in Christchurch,
Museum staff also have ongoing battles with zonings and
insurance, yet don’t have a clear way forward. They have
fewer urban amenities such as cafes, theatres or (in places)
supermarkets; they contend with damaged and congested
roads, with anxious stressed families, some of whom have been
split apart—and with the knowledge that it is not yet over. The
23 December shock reminded everyone that damage-causing
events are still a real possibility.
Despite the extra work, disruptions and the inevitable delays
to their own projects, the Museum team remains positive and
all share the view that, right now, helping Christchurch is more
important than helping themselves.
No Ordinary Day!
• 22 February 2011, at 1251hrs, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake
struck the city.
• Buildings collapsed and infrastructure was damaged.
• 185 people lost their lives.
• A state of local emergency was declared at 1445 hrs on 22
February. Soon after, the Minister of Civil Defence declared
a State of National Emergency.
• The NZDF undertook its largest-ever humanitarian
assistance mission. Nearly 1800 personnel—Navy, Army
and Air Force; regular and reserve; military and civilian—
were directly involved on the ground in Christchurch.
• Behind these people were many more working in support of
the operation from camps and bases around the country.
• Last month, exactly one year later the nation came to a
standstill to commemorate the disaster.
Air Force news
31
Our Heritage
Air Force
Quake relief
1931
By Matthew Wright*
TOP: Napier, February 1931, with an
emergency tented camp, seen from the air
Opposite page. LEFT: SQNLDR Len Isitt as
a FLTLT. RIGHT: DH 60 Moth of the NZPAF.
Photos: Air Force Musuem
32
Air Force news
The 7.8 magnitude quake that
struck Hawke’s Bay on the morning
of 3 February 1931 remains New
Zealand’s most lethal disaster—258
people died and over 400 were
seriously injured and hospitalised.
At least 3000 others were hurt. A
whole district was devastated, and
both Napier and Hastings town
centres were left in ruins.
Our Heritage
“Overall, between 7 and 12
February the NZPAF ran some
172 flights totalling 245 hours
5 minutes flying time; and the
aircrew involved notched up 413
hours 50 minutes in the air.”
All three arms of the military were prominent in the relief
effort. The sloop HMS VERONICA was on the spot in Napier
when the quake struck, and by next morning the two cruisers
of the NZ Division had arrived. An Army convoy drove up from
Trentham overnight on 3-4 February, bringing tents, blankets,
a field kitchen and relief supplies.
The New Zealand Permanent Air Force—ancestor of the
RNZAF—also deployed to the disaster area. SQNLDR Len Isitt
was in fact on board HMS DIOMEDE at Devonport to discuss
joint exercises, when the news arrived. He immediately offered
full co-operation with the Navy and requested instructions
from General Headquarters [in Wellington] before heading off
to Hobsonville, from where he initiated the NZPAF relief effort.
His official report lists five DH 60 Moths deployed to
Hawke’s Bay, and the pilots involved, as well as Isitt, were
WGCDR Grant Dalton, FLTLT Francis Chichester**, FLTLT
George Bolt and FLTLT S. Wallingford. The effort drew from
both Wigram and Hobsonville, the two main bases of the day.
They set up at Bridge Pa airfield, near Hastings, with just four
RNZAF ground staff. Initial operations were handled by the
Hawke’s Bay Aero Club, but the NZPAF took over full control
on 7 February. They were joined by civilian pilots and up to 18
other aircraft joined the NZPAF’s Moths—aircraft from the
Marlborough, Wellington, Auckland and Wairarapa aero clubs,
and from Dominion Airways.
They did invaluable work, bringing in urgently needed
supplies and offering swift reconnaissance of the disaster
area. Even a chlorinating plant was carried in, broken down
into components and carried by all five Moths. The NZPAF also
took water samples back to Wellington for urgent testing on a
same-day basis, ferried in radio operators and sets, and took
aerial photographs of the disaster area.
A mail service was organised on 6 February, linking
Wellington, Hastings, Auckland, Wairoa and Gisborne. The
NZPAF’s aircraft were also made available to relief workers and
authorities from the Health Department and the Red Cross.
Mostly, that meant ferrying doctors, nurses, government
officials and urgent supplies into the disaster area. Supplies
included baby food, requested by Plunket officials in Putorino.
Some passengers were even carried—for a fee.
The effort was wound down on 12 February, but a complete
hand-over back to the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club was derailed
the next day when a major aftershock hammered the district.
Isitt sent most of the aircraft back but retained two NZPAF
Moths and one machine from the Wairarapa Aero Club. The
Friday 13th aftershock caused further damage and resulted in
fresh tasks for the aircraft, including surveying for new slips to
inform the Department of Works.
Overall, between 7 and 12 February the NZPAF ran some
172 flights totalling 245 hours 5 minutes flying time; and the
aircrew involved notched up 413 hours 50 minutes in the air.
The only accident came when Isitt’s own Moth was flipped by
wind on landing.
SQNLDR Isitt thought the work of his pilots was ‘above
praise’. By the time operations finally ended in the last week of
February, NZPAF pilots and their civilian support had notched
up some 521 hours in the air over 245 flights. It was a sterling
effort.
* Matthew Wright is a widely published historian. His book Quake:
Hawke’s Bay 1931 was published by Reed, Auckland in 2006.
With acknowledgement also to the Air Force Museum of NZ
**FLTLT FC Chichester later became Sir Francis Chichester,
famous aviator and round-the-world yachtsman.
Air Force news
33
Briefings
Earthquake Commemoration
By W/O Warren Tindall,
Unit Warrant Officer, No.209
(Expeditionary Support) Squadron, Air
Movements Christchurch and, Deputy
Detachment Commander, Harewood
Terminal Team, Operation Antarctica
On 22 February the unit (eleven No.209 Sqn
permanent staff members in Christchurch)
paraded at the Air Movements Christchurch
flagstaff, along with 10 USAF aircrew from
the C-17 and Ski Hercules squadrons, 18
NZDF personnel who were augmenting the
Harewood Terminal Team for Op Antarctica,
and 20 personnel from No. 40 Sqn, who were
then based at Christchurch undertaking the
B757 Ice flights.
We held a simple commemoration. I read
out the narrative of the earthquake day,
one year ago, and at 1251 hrs we had two
minutes silence. We also acknowledged
our American friends, whose support,
encouragement and thoughts during this
disaster helped lift our unit to stay strong
and focused. We appreciate their continued
friendship and support.
Operation
Kidz At Heart
By WGCDR Roger Pringle
The Learn ‘n Live Trust families
disembark from the B757
34
Air Force news
Camp Anderson at Riversdale Beach, Wairarapa was home
in the last week of the school holidays for 45 special parents
and kids from Christchurch. The Wairarapa sunshine and local
seafood provided a week of rest and recreation for a group of
relative strangers.
The idea was hatched late 2011 and after some generous
support from the local community all that was needed was
transport to and from. So many thanks to No. 40 Squadron
for a Boeing SATS flight, and to Trentham Army Camp for the
NZ Army bus. No-one complained about going via Ohakea
(although the early departure from Camp, at 0530 on the last
day was a little hard!)
The parents and kids had the whole week laid on with
kayaking, surfing, cricket on the beach and domain and even a
belated surprise party for 5-year-old Brydee Cattermole, who
had her original party cancelled because of the earthquake.
The Learn ‘n Live Trust Directors at the Camp, Stephan and
Tania Hopman, coordinated the whole week, ably supported
by local businesses and groups. Kevin cooked up a hangi and
some paua; Tania’s mum Zella, Trust members and friends—
including Bruce, Jan, Joan, Michael, Hayley and Shirley as well
as Kevin—kept the kitchen and cleaning going all week.
Throughout the week I saw smiles growing despite the
ongoing, trying circumstances many of the families still face.
I felt proud to be part of Team Defence in supporting this
operation.
Briefings
Books to the
Blue fish on base!
Solomon islands
The books unloaded
at Henderson Field
at Honiara
By SQNLDR Mark Davies,
Joint Movements HQ JFNZ
On 3 February a No. 40 Sqn C-130 on a Pacific training exercise
delivered over 600 boxes of books (11,000 kgs)—collected
by NZ charitable organizations—to Honiara, Solomon
Islands. The task was jointly co-ordinated with the Solomon
Islands Inland Revenue Department, with assistance from
the NZ High Commission. The thousands of books will be
distributed to schools and children across the Solomon
Islands.
The RNZAF regularly carries freight free of charge on behalf
of recognised charitable organisations on a ‘space available’
basis, but this is the largest consignment we have moved for
some time. The Solomon Islands’ IRD Commissioner has sent a warm
‘thank-you’ to all who made this happen.
2012 anzac
challenge coin
Blue ‘fish’ are being fitted to stormwater drains as part
of an environmental initiative, so personnel can make
better choices about how they dispose of wastes, especially
potentially hazardous substances. The first ‘fish’ were fitted
at RNZAF Base Ohakea but the fish soon spawned and were
released to all camps and bases where they are fitted above all
visible stormwater drains.
DSS Environmental Officer Kate Jack said the initiative is
to increase people’s awareness that stormwater pollution is
the number one source of water pollution.
“We want to do our bit to protect local streams, rivers
oceans and aquatic wildlife from stormwater pollution.
Anything we put into stormwater drains will end up in nearby
water bodies or in the groundwater. We think of pollutants as
paint and oil, but they include food wrappers, cigarette butts,
fuel, antifreeze, animal waste, soil, vegetation, pesticides,
and soap suds from washing cars.” Kate’s advice is to follow
the rule, “Stormwater drains are only for rain”.
For further information please contact Environmental
Services on 343 6284 or kate.jack@nzdf.mil.nz
or patronage by the organization who minted the coin. Legend
has it that challenge coins originated during World War 1 among
American volunteers in the newly-formed flying squadrons.
Item 131-Challenge Coin $15.00 Item 132-Velvet Coin Pouch $1.30 (coin not included)
A New ANZAC Challenge coin will
be available in 2012. It is 45mm in
diameter, pewter finish, easy to
pack and carry overseas. Challenge
coins can be presented in several
ways-on their own, in a velvet coin
bag or in a wooden rimu box.
Item 133-Velvet Coin Box $9.00 (coin not included)
Challenge Coins are an old American
tradition instituted into the Defence
Force in 2005 as an alternative gift for
dignitaries and others. Challenge coins
are also known as military coins, unit
coins, memorial coins, unit challenge
coins or commander’s coins. The coin
expresses the holder’s affiliation to
http://org/jlso/LP/Publication/CUSG/SDC-HQ/GiftCatalogue/
ANZAC.aspx
Item 135-Wooden Coin Box $50.00 (coin not included)
Order forms for ANZAC challenge coins can be obtained
through HQ Defence Shared Service:
Email: dssservice.hqnzdf@nzdf.mil.nz
Or from the online gift catalogue
Any requirement to have coins before ANZAC Day must be
ordered before 16 March 2012
For the purpose of NZDF presentations etc these can be charged
to appropriate cost centres if approved.
For personal orders, GST must be added to all items.
Air Force news
35
Briefings
Medals
presented
for No.230
Squadron
AIRCDRE Steve Moore presented medals
to squadron personnel at the Change of
Command parade late last year.
• CPL L. Brown, NZOSM & NZGSM
(Timor Leste)
• CPL H. Tweedie, NZOSM & NZGSM
(Afghanistan Primary)
• CPL B Schumacher RNZLR, NZGSM
(Afghanistan Primary)
• W/O A. Warriner and W/O P. Wilson,
the NZDSM.
APPOINTMENT
OF NEW
COURT
MARTIAL
JUDGES
(l to r) Massey Vice Chancellor Steve Maharey, Prof Glyn
Harper, John Crawford, John McLeod & LTGEN Jones
Centenary
History Launched
The launch of the Centenary History of
New Zealand and the First World War
took place last December. The joint
project, involving the New Zealand
Defence Force, Massey University and
the Royal NZ Returned and Services’
Association, will see the production
of nine volumes, each focused on a
different aspect of the First World War.
CDF, LTGEN Rhys Jones co-launched
the project and said, “The Centenary
History of New Zealand and the First
World War is an important project, both
for the nation and for the NZDF. It not
only honours the contribution of New
Zealanders who served in WWI, but also
acknowledges the impact of that war on
our country, our communities, and our
36
Air Force news
families. We, as soldiers, sailors, airmen
and airwomen, need to understand
our past and its relevance to today and
tomorrow.”
The Centenary History project will be
led by Professor Glyn Harper, of Massey
University and the Defence Force
Historian, John Crawford. Professor
Harper will write the first volume on The
New Zealand Soldier at War 1914-1918,
and John Crawford will write the second,
which focuses on The New Zealand
Expeditionary Force.
Subsequent volumes will be funded
by partnerships with a range of other
government organisations, businesses,
grants or donations.
Judge Anne Gaskell and Judge Philip
Hall were sworn in on November 23,
2011 as Judges of the Court Martial.
The Court Martial of New Zealand has
jurisdiction over personnel subject to
the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971.
Judge Anne Gaskell has worked as a staff
solicitor, an associate and as a partner in
law firms since 1981. Judge Gaskell was
appointed as a District Court Judge with
a jury warrant in 1989, and since retiring
in 2005 has held an acting warrant.
As a Judge, she has chaired both the
Copyright Tribunal (1991-2001) and the
Rimutaka Prison Board (1991 -1994),
and was Executive Judge for Wellington
(1993-1995).
Judge Philip Hall initially worked for
Christchurch law firms and was a former
partner. He practised in all areas of
criminal litigation in both the District
and High Courts and the appellate
courts, and has also conducted litigation
in tribunals. Judge Hall has been a
member of the Crown Solicitors’ Panel
since 1990, and a barrister sole since
1998.
Briefings
The victorious RNZAF Squad
Inter-Service
Cricket
Victory!
NZDSU (SEA)
WINS SINGAPORE
EMPLOYER AWARD
The NZ Defence Support Unit (South East Asia) won an
employer award for its support of Singapore’s national service
employees. The award, granted by the Deputy Prime Minster
and Minister for Home Affairs, Teo Hee Hean, was presented
to the NZDSU’s Commanding Officer, CDR Karl Woodhead, by
Police Commsioner Ng Joo Hee at a high-profile ceremony.
The Distinguished Home Team Partner Award for
Employers, the second-to-highest award that can be granted
to employers for support of their employees who have national
service obligations, is given in recognition of extra efforts
that employers undertake to ensure that their national service
personnel are physically fit for service, released for on-going
training without obstacles, and are recognised, rewarded and
paid for their national service.
All males in Singapore must complete two years of full time
national service, followed by 12 years of annual duties and
training camps. NZDSU (SEA) employs 54 police officers in the
NZ Installations Auxiliary Police Force, more than half of whom
have ongoing annual national service obligations, equating to
some 400 days of service every year.
Amongst recent initiatives taken by NZDSU (SEA) that
contributed to winning the award is a focus on physical fitness,
including a move to quarterly fitness testing of its officers,
rather than the required minimum of annual testing.
The NZDF Inter-Service Cricket tournament was held in
Auckland last December, and won by the RNZAF team. The
tournament was held at Te Atatu Penisula Park, during 6-8
December. Besides the three Service teams, an Auckland
Cricket Association Invitational XI made up the numbers but
was not competing for the tournament trophy.
The RNZAF beat the Navy on Day 2 (RNZAF batted first and
RNZN were all out while unsuccessfully chasing the runs) and
Air beat NZ Army on Day 3 (NZ Army batted first and RNZAF
successfully chased the runs).
RNZAF Married
Quarter
memories?
Do you have photos and memories—fond or otherwise—of
living in RNZAF married quarters? If so, the Museum’s
exhibition team would love to hear from you.
The Museum is to revamp the popular ‘Wartime Family
Home’ exhibition, by portraying a standard service house
through different eras. Mock-up rooms representing distinct
decades will give visitors an impression of what life has been
like for service families through the years.
To help research the content for this exhibition, we are
gathering photographs showing aspects of daily life on the
‘married patch’ and memories and anecdotes from past and
present service personnel and their families.
If you can help, please contact Michelle Simon (03) 343-9548
or info@airforcemuseum.co.nz
Air Force news
37
farewell - December & January
The RNZAF bids a fond farewell to the following.
BASE AUCKLAND
FLTLT S.R.R Thorpe, Air Loadmaster Officer
F/S M Anderson, Air Engineer
F/S D.N Blithe, Force Protection Specialist
F/S J.L Gomez, Logistics Specialist
F/S T.K Lucas, Logistics Specialist Base
SGT A.H Collier, Logistics Specialist
SGT T.M Mitchell, General Service Airwoman SGT P.J Tanuvasa, Air Loadmaster
CPL K.M Springall, Flight Steward
LAC E.A.S Glaze, Logistics Specialist
LAC A.R Marshall, Senior Firefighter
LAC M.E.J McKnight, Communications and Information Systems
Technician
LAC C.J Russell, Medic
AC E.T Peacock, Aircraft Mechanic u/t
AC P.G Datlen, Aircraft Mechanic
AC K.O McMahon, Communications and Information Systems
Mechanic
OHAKEA
SQNLDR J.R Jennings, Pilot
SQNLDR S.A Meighan, Engineer
SQNLDR C.A Moody, Pilot
FLTLT K.M Milmine, Pilot
PLTOFF A.H Foote, Air Warfare Officer u/t
PLTOFF C.A Johnson, Pilot u/t
PLTOFF J.N Middlewick, Pilot u/t
W/O G.B Chard, Avionics Technician
W/O G.W Dundass, Aircraft Technician
W/O D.T Wallace, Avionics Technician
F/S S.W Grant, Aviation Refueller
SGT N.R Bing, Aircraft Technician
CPL S.A Booker, Aircraft Technician
CPL G.M Eades, Logistics Specialist
CPL D.R Ellington, Safety and Surface Technician
CPL B.D Roney, Logistics Specialist
LAC J.D Annear, Logistics Specialist
LAC S.G Fiddes, Aircraft Technician
LAC N.P Ryan, Aircraft Technician
LAC B.A Smith, Force Protection Specialist
AC N.P Halley, Avionics Mechanic
WOODBOURNE
SQNLDR S.A Amos, Training and Development Officer
FLTLT P.R Milnes, Training and Development Officer
F/S P.J Wraight, Air Engineer
CPL J.S.K Bouwstra, Aircraft Technician
CPL K.A Bouwstra, Senior Medic
AC A.E Fraser, Aircraft Mechanic u/t
WELLINGTON
AIRCDRE P.L Guy, Engineer
SQNLDR K.F Byrne, Pilot
SQNLDR A.C Grey, Engineer
SQNLDR J.B Jones, Engineer
W/O T.R Katting, General Service Airman
SGT A.R Perriton, Logistics Specialist
CPL M.A Barkla, Logistics Specialist
Welcome Back!
WGCDR G.C Comber, Air Warfare Officer, Wellington
SQNLDR A.J Young, Air Engineer Officer, Base Auckland
F/S A.E.M Gascoigne, Force Protection Specialist, Base Auckland
SGT A.W Adams, Parachute Jump Instructor, Base Ohakea
LAC N.R Newson, Medic Base, Woodbourne
AvArt Exhibition
The RNZAF’s 75 years provides inspiration for many of the
nation’s aviation artists. As part of the 75th anniversary
celebrations the AvArt Exhibition aims to encourage emerging
artists and remind us all of the historic significance of aviation
artworks.
Selected artists have been invited to each submit two or
three aviation related pieces to the exhibition, which will be on
display in Brendan Deere’s ‘Biggin Hill’ (Spitfire) aircraft hangar
at Ohakea in late March.
The exhibition will be opened for public viewing on Sunday
25 March, with a formal opening (by invitation) on 28 March.
The artworks will be on public display during the Ohakea Air
Show.
The AvArt Exhibition will move to the Wanaka Art Gallery
before the Warbirds over Wanaka Air Show at Easter. A
selection of the art works will be offered for sale to interested
buyers.
38
Air Force news
Territorial Air Force Mustangs, one
from each squadron, in formation
By Michael Nidd
HOTSHOTS!
At the RNZAF Air Show, Hotshots (the Armed
Forces Canteen Council retail outlet) will be selling a
range of Air Force anniversary-themed gear—some
examples are shown here. Look for the Hotshots’
stall among the ground displays and meet Catherine
and her team.
Two books of note are on sale at the airshow:
Fighting Spirit, is the official story of the RNZAF published
for its 75th anniversary. Fighting Spirit will be on sale at the
Hotshots stall for $49 (rrp is $55).
Dumbo Diary, by Jenny Scott is the story of No.6 Flying Boat
Squadron in the Pacific during WWII. Meet the author and learn
how to order her book at the No. 6 Squadron display.
Hotshots product price list:
Tees DriGear (Split colour shirt)
$37
Cotton Tees Navy or white, all styles
$19
Kids Cotton Tee Navy only
$17
Caps, Navy or White
$15
Whiskey Glasses both types
$85
(per set)
Pens Silver or Blue
$5
Keyring 75th Anniversary
$8
Umbrella Kiwi Roundel
$29
Thermal Coffee Mug Blue with Roundel on reverse
$15
Ceramic Coffee Mug – White
$10
Cufflinks with Roundel
$29
Tie Bar with Roundel
$8
This stock is also on sale at Hotshots locations on all RNZAF Bases.
Air Force news
39
40
ceLeBrATinG 75 YeArs OF SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND
Air Force news

March 2012, Issue 134 [pdf 4.62 mb, 40 pages]

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