July 2006, Issue 72 [pdf 3.2mb, 44 - Royal New Zealand Air Force

V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E : W W W . A I R F O R C E . M I L . N Z
AIR FORCE
S W E
R O Y A L N E W Z E A L A N D A I R F O R C E N
72 J
U L Y 0 6
NO.3 SQUADRON CELEBRATES
TIMOR LESTE
PACIFIC PATROL
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
1

2
THE FIRST WORD
MANAGING YOUR CAREER
CPL JASON PRICE
PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTOR, BASE AUCKLAND
When asked to write the First Word column for this Air Force
News the big question going through my mind was ‘what can
I put down that will make an impact on people?’ After quite
a bit of thought I decided to discuss how fortunate we are as
individuals in the Air Force with regard to the opportunities
we get and the facilities we are
provided with.
When you look at what is happening
in New Zealand and also around the
globe, the world is turning into a
place littered with obesity. It is now
being talked about as an epidemic!
When the New Zealand Health
Minister was last quizzed about the possibility of the dreaded
bird ‘flu he replied that bird flu was the least of his worries and
that the problem facing New Zealand today is weight gain and
obesity. Weight gain not only makes the heart have to work
harder for every beat, but it also increases the health risk for
disorders such as gallstones, diabetes, cancer and even the
possibility of a stroke.
With the opportunities offered to Service people today there
is no excuse for letting ourselves get to such an unfit stage that
we are endangering our health. Our Service not only supplies
us with a top grade facility on every Base/camp in the form of
the gyms and fitness centres but it also gives us the opportunity
to exercise during the working day! Added to that we can
include the chance that everyone gets to attend interBase and
interservice sport, which not only enhances fitness but also
increases morale.
The use of these opportunities and facilities are quite limited
when we consider the size of the organisation that we work
for. I put this down to perception. We need to actively change
people’s outlook so that they realise you do not need to be
super fit and made of muscle to use our facilities. If the problem
for people is that they do not wish to use the gym in front of
other people, come in during one of the quiet times during the
day. If that doesn’t suit, you can even have a programme tailored
to complete in your own home. The other misconception is
that you have to be extraordinarily talented to attend interbase
sports. One of the aims of attending an interbase is to ‘achieve
and maintain a high standard of physical fitness and in doing
so, to promote the development of unit morale, espirit de corp
and the fostering of teamwork’. Winning is not everything at
these tournaments. The main thing is getting involved in a
club so that you can meet new people and have fun while you
exercise - even if you don’t
We need to actively change people’s
outlook so that they realise you do
not need to be super fit and made of
muscle to use our facilities
always realise it!
Now I know that if people
have read this far, they’re
maybe thinking that no
matter how much they
want to, some of the above
just isn’t for them. If that is
the case then the following may be enough activity to keep
you fit and healthy:
• utilise the facilities we have to offer including squash and
tennis courts, the swimming pool and sports fields,
• get out and get involved in your section’s sports teams
participating in inter-section competitions,
• talk to your PTIs about organising section sporting
afternoons,
• park your car further away from where you need to go so
you can walk to the location,
• take the stairs instead of the lift/escalator, or
• play with your children for 20-30 minutes a day and you’ll
significantly lift your heart rate for this time period.
At the end of the day, anything that you can do that gets a
sweat on or raises the heart rate is better than nothing!
Lastly I wouldn’t be a PTI if I didn’t put in a push for the
trade. We are all highly trained individuals who can tailor a
programme to any needs that you have. From losing weight to
improving your golf swing, we can help. So if you’ve thought
about giving us a call and haven’t gone through with it, get on
that phone and dial your Base PTIs. That is the first and hardest
step done. We will provide some navigational tips and your first
hit of motivation.
All of a sudden the ball is rolling!
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
www.airforce.mil.nz
JULY 2006, ISSUE 72
OUR MISSION:
To carry out military air operations to advance New
Zealand’s security interests, with professionalism,
integrity and teamwork.
OUR VISION:
We will be an Air Force that is the best in all we do.
He Tauarangi matou ko te pai rawa atu i to matou
mahi katoa.
The official journal and forum of the Royal New
Zealand Air Force established for the information,
education and enjoyment of its personnel and other
people interested in RNZAF and associated matters.
Published by: NZDF Public Relations Unit
NZDF HQ
Wellington
New Zealand
Telephone: (04) 496 0289
Fax:(04) 496 0290
Editorial authority: Ian Brunton
Editor: Grant Carr
grant.carr@nzdf.mil.nz
Design and Layout: Steven Fright
steven.fright@nzdf.mil.nz
Proofreader: Katrina Randerson
Printed by: Keeling and Mundy Limited
PO Box 61
Palmerston North
Editorial contributions and letters to the editor are welcome.
All contributions may be sent direct to Air Force News and do
not need to be forwarded through normal command chains.
Letters are to be signed with the writer’s name, rank and
unit although, unless requested otherwise, only the rank
and geographical location of the writer will be published.
The editorial staff reserves the right to abridge letters.
Anonymous, offensive or abusive letters will not be published.
Opinions expressed in Air Force News are not necessarily
those of the RNZAF or NZDF. Nothing in NEWS should
be taken as overriding any Defence regulations. Readers
should refer to the relevant Service publication before acting
on any information given in this periodical. No item is to be
reproduced, in part or whole, without the specific permission
of the editor.
FRONT PAGE: Members of the NZ Army’s
2/1 RNZIR board a RNZAF Hercules at dawn
in Darwin, Australia ready to fly them to the
troubled nation of Timor Leste.
AFN72 JULY 06
SUBMITTED BY FLTLT L.G. WILSON
A No.40 Squadron C-130 Hercules arrives at Dili airport loaded with soldiers, equipment and
supplies.
4
4
5
6
8
10
14
15
19
FEATURES
FORMER CDF HONOURED
Singapore distinction
QUEEN’S FLYPAST
RAF’s Huge formation
HANDLE WITH CARE
Army’s Javelins arrive
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS
Our high honours
ATC DRILL MASTERS
Drill Competition
FINGERING ILLEGAL FISHERS
Hunting the hunters
CIRCLING SHARKS
No.5 Squadron to the Rescue
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE
Wrestling 4WDs
THE BIG FREEZE
Helping out down South
20
22
24
30
37
38
40
43
44
HUEY OLD BOYS GATHER
A special reunion
SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT
Anniversary paint job
A DIFFERENCE IN DILI
Timor Leste coverage
FLEET MANAGEMENT
New systems in place
AIR MOVEMENT ADVENTURES
Thrills and spills
TRAIL-BLAZING WAAFS
Revisiting the old haunts
TOUGHIES AND HARDMEN
Testing times
MEDALS PARADE
Air Staff honours
GRIT AND GUSTO
Air Force News investigates the Air Force’s 4WD
training courses.
32
REGULARS
SPORT
IS basketball, Rugby
OH 06-0251-28
OH 06-0152-02
3

4
FORMER CHIEF HONOURED
SINGAPORE’S HIGHEST MILITARY HONOUR: President Nathan congratulates AIR MSHL (RTD.)
Bruce Ferguson after conferring the Distinguished Service Order (Military).
Huge Flypast
Salutes the Queen
On 17 June the Royal Air Force provided the largest fl ypast
of modern times in a spectacle marking the Queen’s 80th
birthday following the traditional Trooping the Colour
ceremony in Horseguards Parade, London.
Forty-nine aircraft of 15 diff erent types, from the World War II
Spitfi res, Hurricanes and Lancaster, to high-tech Typhoon multi-role
fi ghters, which entered front line RAF service this year, fl ew over
Buckingham Palace.
One of the nine elements in the fl ypast was a ‘Diamond 9’ formation
of Tornado GR4 strike aircraft representing all four Tornado
squadrons based at RAF Marham, Norfolk, of which the Queen has
been Honorary Air Commodore for many years.
The fi nal element in the fl ypast was the nine scarlet Hawks of the
Red Arrows aerobatic team escorting one of the last Canberra aircraft
still in service with the RAF. The Canberra will retire at the end of
July after 55 years’ service, (or nearly two-thirds the existence of the
RAF). Originally built as a bomber, the Canberra has in recent years
excelled in the reconnaissance role, particularly in the various Balkans
confl icts, and latterly in the Middle East .
Each of the formation elements fl ew over Buckingham Palace at
intervals of 40 seconds at an altitude of 1,500 feet starting at 1.00
pm precisely.
The bulk of the fl ypast formation assembled over the North Sea
near Southwold on the Suff olk coast before routing to The Mall and
onward to Buckingham Palace. The WWII aircraft of the Battle of
Britain Memorial Flight joined the fl ypast route near Fairlop to lead
the stream over the Palace before turning right to return to base. The
remainder of the formation, fl ying at 280 knots (310 miles per hour)
continued past RAF Northolt, Middlesex, and Princes Risborough
and dispersed to their home stations in the vicinity of RAF Brize
Norton, Oxfordshire.
The former Chief of Defence Force AIRMSHL
(Rtd.) Bruce Ferguson was conferred
Singapore’s highest military award at a
ceremony in the Istana, Singapore.
Singapore President S.R. Nathan awarded
the Distinguished Service Order (Military) to
AIRMSHL (Rtd.) Ferguson in recognition of his
contribution to forging excellent defence ties
between the NZDF and the Singapore Armed
Forces (SAF).
Over two hundred guests including Defence
Minister Teo Chee Hean, SAR CDF LT GEN Ng Yat
Chung and senior diplomatic and government
offi cials attended the ceremony.
AIRMSHL (Rtd.) Ferguson revealed that he
served as a helicopter pilot in Singapore for
two years during the 1970s and was posted
there for a further two years in the 1980s.
‘One of my three daughters was born here so
we do have a Singaporean in the family and
that will always make Singapore special to me,’
AIRMSHL (Rtd.) Ferguson told the ceremony
crowd in his acceptance speech.
AIRMSHL (Rtd.) Ferguson is currently
working as acting head of New Zealand’s
Civil Defence.
PLANE SPOTTERS DELIGHT: The above photographs were taken
by Defence House staff member Mike Scrivener’s son, Jeremy, who
currently lives in London and happened to have a camera on hand.
TOP: Nine Red Arrows Hawks accompany a Canberra PR9 from No.39
Squadron.
CENTRE: A Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft from No.42 Squadron and
four Tornados of No.12 Squadron.
BOTTOM: A Tristar air-to-air refuelling tanker from No.216 Squadron
with two Eurofi ghters of No.29 Squadron and two Jaguars of No.6
Squadron.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
AK 06-0254-03
HANDLE WITH EXTREME CARE
Auckland Air Movements personnel will have been certain to
have their kid gloves on when a consignment of twenty-four
medium-range anti-armoured weapons, Javelins, arrived at
Base Auckland aboard a B757 on Monday 22 June.
The Javelins, complete with indoor and outdoor simulators, are the
latest addition to the NZ Army’s defensive arsenal, were transported
by road to their new home at Waiouru Army Camp.
The Javelin is a technologically advanced anti-armoured weapon
eff ective in destroying armoured vehicles out to a range of 2500m.
It will assist in providing a protective envelope for Army’s soldiers,
vehicles and equipment. Its versatility also means the Javelin’s
optics and thermal image provides the Army with additional
surveillance and target acquisition capability.
CAREFUL (Above and Right): Air Movements personnel carefully
unload the Javelins from an Air Force B757.
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
AK 06-0254-04
5

Q U E E N ’ S B I R T H D AY H O N O U R S
Three Air Force officers were recognised in the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours List – AIR MARSHAL (Rtd.)
Bruce Ferguson, AIR VICE-MARSHAL (Rtd.) John Hamilton and WING COMMANDER Logan Cudby.
To be a Distinguished Companion of the
New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM):
Air Marshal Bruce Reid FERGUSON OBE, AFC
Chief of Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force (Retired)
Air Marshal Ferguson was appointed Chief of Defence Force in
February 2002. He assumed his appointment at a time when
the NZDF was operationally more committed than it had been
since the days of Malaya and Vietnam.
He personally developed two strategic concepts to guide the NZDF
through a substantial rebuilding of capability. First, his strategic
operational vision encompassed four principles: Knowledge Edge,
Multi-Mission, Tailor-made Joint Forces, and Network Enabled. These
remain the key principles underpinning the NZDF and strategic force
6 development and are the substance which will ensure delivery of the exceptional leadership, the NZDF is now very well placed to serve
Wellington on Thursday 29 June. Further (or is that father?)
7
government’s military capability requirements well into the future.
Secondly, his vision of ‘Team Defence: Three Services – One Force’ has
become the capstone concept in the development of management,
culture and ethos across the NZDF.
He has fervently championed the symmetry of the three Services
and the advantages to be gained by drawing on the combined
strengths of all three.
Following on from the successes he achieved in his previous
appointment as Assistant Chief Personnel, he has relentlessly sought
to improve general conditions of service and the attractiveness
of military service. Together with his two strategic concepts, his
drive to give practical expression to the idea that people are the
NZDF’s most valuable assets, has given new and greater cohesion
to the NZDF work-force and a revitalised sense of leadership. He
also implemented a wider more inclusive model where the NZDF’s
capabilities were developed in a context more refl ective of whole-ofgovernment
considerations. This drive has led to the government’s
recent defence reinvestment programme known as the Defence
Sustainability Initiative.
During these years of change and challenge, the NZDF has been
required to not only sustain a particularly high operating tempo
but to take on other operations often in circumstances hitherto
unthought-of.
Under Air Marshal Ferguson’s leadership, the NZDF has deployed
units to Iraq and the Gulf region, the Solomon Islands, and given
invaluable assistance in the tsunami relief eff orts in Thailand and
Indonesia.
Both combat and peace support operations in Afghanistan have
also continued with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team
in Bamian becoming an international example and show-piece for
this type of operation. At the same time, he has led, in conjunction
with the Ministry of Defence, the re-equipment programme for the
Services, called for in the Defence Long Term Development Plan.
Today, the NZDF is embarked on extensive change as a result of
Air Marshal Ferguson’s leadership. Every operational unit is being
redeveloped or renewed.
The NZDF now functions in a community of security-related
agencies, and demonstrates high utility and reliability across all its
operations. The NZDF is restoring its sustainability and Air Marshal
Ferguson’s strategic concepts for force development, teamwork and
jointness are now enshrined in doctrine and culture. Over a period
of intense change, he has led the NZDF through an unprecedented
variety of operational challenges and brought great prestige and
reputation to the NZDF and to the country.
It should not be overlooked that when he was appointed Chief of
Defence Force, Air Marshal Ferguson came directly from two ranks
below the position. The challenge given to him was unprecedented
yet by his vision, strength of character, professionalism, and
into the future with confi dence, pride and capability.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM):
Air Vice-Marshal John Henry Staples HAMILTON ONZM, MVO
Chief of Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force (Retired)
Air Vice-Marshal Hamilton enlisted in the Royal New Zealand
Air Force (RNZAF) in 1971 and graduated from Canterbury
University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973 before
training as a pilot. He enjoyed a very successful fl ying career as a
helicopter pilot before undertaking a wide variety of command
and staff appointments. He was promoted to his current rank in
February 2002 on appointment as Chief of Air Force (CAF). In this
role he has been responsible for the full command of the RNZAF and
providing advice to the Chief of Defence Force and the government
on matters relating to the RNZAF. He was appointed CAF immediately
after the announcement to disband the RNZAF’s Air Combat Force.
Faced with an Air Force with low morale and an uncertain future,
he immediately set about developing a strategic plan for the future
that was built around the government’s commitment to upgrading
or replacing all of the RNZAF’s operational aircraft fl eets. Through
his vision, energy and drive, the RNZAF was given a new lease on
life with improvements in personnel recruitment and retention, a
focus on operational excellence, and the revitalisation of the RNZAF’s
public and internal image. His exceptional leadership resulted in a
Service much better prepared to deliver the outputs expected by
government. Throughout his four years as CAF, he has been a key
member of the New Zealand Defence Force’s senior leadership. With
his immediate past background from the Joint Force Headquarters,
he has been a strong advocate of an improved joint focus in the
New Zealand Defence Force. He has also worked hard to ensure
To be an Additional Offi cer of the New Zealand Order of Merit(ONZM):
Wing Commander Logan Charles CUDBY NZGD
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Wing Commander Cudby was posted to the United Nations
Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) as a Military
Liaison Offi cer from December 2004 to June 2005. His
role was to provide an interface between UNAMA, coalition forces
and Afghani authorities in the eastern region centered on Jalalabad.
This posting took place in the early stages of the UNAMA mission
and he had to grapple with a limited mission footprint in a region
with very poor infrastructure. It was also a high-threat environment
characterised by unpredictable attacks by Taliban and other militia
forces using improvised explosive devices, mines and small arms
fi re. He made a serious eff ort to learn the rudiments of the two
local languages, Dari and Pashtu and this, combined with his open
manner, sense of humour and excellent interpersonal skills, enabled
him to elicit exceptional co-operation from local authorities and
local Afghani commanders, as well as international counterparts
in the United Nations and coalition forces. During an attack on the
Jalalabad Regional Offi ce by a crowd of several hundred protestors,
it was his calming infl uence, and the confi dence and support he
provided to the local gate guards that prevented a much higher
casualty count among the rioters. Throughout the incident he
faced signifi cant personal danger without a personal weapon to
defend himself. WGCDR Cudby says he faces an even bigger
operational challenge with the birth of his first child, a boy, in
congratulations are in order for WGCDR Cudby!’
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 AF AFN72 72 JULY 06
Q U E E N ’ S B I R T H D AY H O N O U R S
that the RNZAF has been able to meet its mandated preparedness
requirements within the limitations of existing capabilities. Under
his guidance, and based on his considerable operational experience
and knowledge, the RNZAF has contributed to the force development
process to ensure that future capabilities for the RNZAF are fully met.
These new and upgraded fl eets will be a fi tting legacy to a CAF who
has been instrumental in building the RNZAF of the future.

8
AT C D R I L L C O M P E T I T I O N
ATC’S DRILL MASTERS
No.19 Squadron’s Cadet W/O Richard Bartlett receives the No.40 Squadron Drill Trophy from WGCDR Davies - Commanding Officer,
No.40 Squadron
The much-anticipated annual No.40 Squadron Drill Competition for Air Training Corp
(ATC) teams was held in the car park of the Sunderland Lounge at Hobsonville on
Saturday 20 May. LTCDR Lana Knaapen sums up this year’s action.
Six teams from the Northern Area turned up to compete for
the trophy including five from Auckland and one from the
mighty Waikato.
It was fantastic to see Tokoroa’s No.34 Squadron make the trip up to
Auckland for the day and they were richly rewarded for their efforts
after the competition with a tour around No.6 Squadron organised by
SGT Lisa Clark. Come on all of you other out-of-Auckland Squadrons
– this could have been you enjoying a Squadron visit! We expect to
see you all up here next year – no excuses.
Back to the competition. As Hobsonville’s No.30 Squadron were
already dressed, formed up and looking sharp, they volunteered to
be first up. They put on a great performance and had obviously done
a lot of practice and preparation for the competition. The standard
was certainly set high for all of the other teams to try and match and
they were awarded an excellent score of 240 out of a possible 265.
Next up was No.3 Squadron from Auckland City. No.3 Squadron
won the No.40 Squadron trophy in 2004 so are always a sharp team
to watch and this year they did not disappoint. No.3 Squadron
impressed our judge SQNLDR Peter Rowe with their mastery of the
foot drill movements gaining a score of 58 out of a possible 60 for
this section. No.3 Squadron was awarded 219 out of 265 - a decent
score in anyone’s book.
Going back to numerical order: Ardmore’s No.4 Squadron was up
next. They fielded a smaller team of nine this year and, as they stated
before their performance, kept things simple. They put on a short but
sweet show. Unfortunately they missed out the optional drill section
and finished with a score of only 177. But it was fantastic to see them
here this year. This should serve as a reminder to all other squadrons
that don’t bother to turn up unless they have a full team of 12. If No.4
Squadron can make the long trip up from Ardmore with nine keen
contenders – so can you. We expect to see more teams next year!
Devonport’s No.6 Squadron from the North Shore were up next with
a much-anticipated performance. As soon as it was noticed that the
stereo was being set up next to the PA system, interest was piqued. I
heard more than one team wonder out loud why they hadn’t thought
of putting their routines to music. Good thinking No.6 Squadron. I
expect you may have several Squadrons following in your trail blazing
footsteps next year. No.6 Squadron fielded a large team and put on
an inspired show with some new and impressive moves despite the
appearance of some nasty black clouds and a bit of rain. Obviously
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
AK 06-0209-02 ALL PHOTOS: CPL NANCY COX
some good preparation and out-of-the-box thinking is going on over
there on the Shore. In total No.6 Squadron was awarded a score of
187 out of 265.
Auckland’s rain gods decided we had had it good for long enough
so a break for early lunch was decided to see if the downpour
would pass. No such luck. At 1pm everyone congregated in the No.3
Squadron hangar to watch the two final teams compete. Fortunately
for us the film crew had finished up a week early otherwise we may
have had to hold umbrellas out over the teams.
No.19 Squadron, also from Mt Albert, was the next team to compete.
They were a sharp-looking team and showed that they were serious
with a precise and well executed performance. Their optional section
was original and some remarkable new moves were well received
by the other teams and duly noted and rewarded by the judge.
No.19 Squadron were awarded a very impressive 262 out of 265
making them the well-deserved winners of the 2006 No.40 Squadron
Drill Trophy.
Last up on the day was No.34 Squadron who, despite fielding a fairly
junior team, put on an excellent performance. Their Mexican wave
Present Arms was well received and I’m sure will be copied next year.
They finished up with a credible score of 213 out of 265.
No.34 Squadron were also the 2006 recipients of the Natara Murray
Award for Esprit D’Corps. The award winner was nominated by the
other teams competing on the day, so this was an admirable accolade.
They listed No.34 Squadron’s general mingling, friendliness and a
great standard of teamwork among their positive comments. Well
done to them for their commendable attitude.
Some background on the Natara Murray Award for those of you
who are not aware: Natara Murray was made a special friend of No.40
Squadron in 2003, two years before she sadly passed away from
cancer at the age of 12. The Natara Murray Award was instigated last
year and was presented to North Shore’s No.6 Squadron. This year
we were honoured to have the presence of Natara’s Mum, Mrs Lesley
Murray, who drove up from Thames to present the award. We thank
Mrs Murray for taking the time to attend this year’s No.40 Squadron
Drill Competition and would like to extend the invitation for her to
attend future events.
Congratulations must go to No.34 Squadron and the very best
wishes of all of us at the NA office go to No.19 Squadron for the
National Davy Memorial Award to be judged later on this year.
Our appreciation is extended to the following people for taking
the time out of their weekends to attend and assist with the 2006
Drill Competition. First, CO No.40 Squadron, WGCDR Tony Davies.
It was a great honour to have WGCDR Davies available to present
the No.40 Squadron trophy and to take the time to observe several
performances. Thank you WGCDR Davies. Your presence was very
much appreciated. Second, Air Security’s SQNLDR Peter Rowe. As
there are very few personnel still on Base who are au fait with the
old SLR drill, we are very grateful when someone with such a high
standard of expertise in that area volunteers to act as the judge for
our competition. Thank you SQNLDR Rowe. We couldn’t have done it
without you! Finally, Auckland photographer CPL Nancy Cox. This is
the second year in a row that CPL Cox has come out on the weekend
to take team photos and we do understand that with Photo Flight
being as busy as it always is that she may not be able to claim the
time back. Thank you CPL Cox. We are indebted to you for giving up
a portion of your personal time to attend our big day.
As an aside; we have heard some appalling boasts from Central Area
that their nomination for the Davy Memorial Award, Wellington’s No.1
Squadron, should have the Northern and Southern Areas shaking in
their boots. We here at Northern prefer to stay out of the trash talk
and concentrate on our Drill. Naturally because of this we are the
current holders of the Davy Memorial Trophy with Rotorua’s No.29
Squadron scooping it last year with their performance. No shaking
in boots here Central!
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
AK 06-0209-15 AK 06-0209-12 AK 06-0209-01
AT C D R I L L C O M P E T I T I O N
No.34 Squadron Cadet Under Officer Adam Blake receives the Natara Murray
Award from Mrs Lesley Murray.
No.19 Squadron, drill coach PLTOFF Darren Bainbridge (second from left) and
Cadet W/O Richard Bartlett (second from right), with the No.40 Squadron
Drill Trophy and WGCDR Davies, CO No.40 Squadron.
No.34 Squadron, coach and Parade Commander Under Officer Adam Blake,
Cadet SGT Scoles with WGCDR Davies, Mrs Lesley Murray and the Natara
Murray Award.
9

10
I S L A N D C H I E F 2 0 0 6 I S L A N D C H I E F 2 0 0 6
NO.5 SQUADRON
FINGERS
THE ILLEGAL FISHERS
No.5 Squadron recently joined a seven-nation assault on illegal fishing within New
Zealand’s backyard, the Pacific Ocean. Defence Public Relations journalist Anna Norman
accompanied the Squadron on its latest mission to finger the illegal fishers.
For Operation Island Chief 2006, the
RNZAF joined an eight-nation assault
on illegal fishing within New Zealand’s
backyard, the Pacific Ocean.
During the period 22–29 May, 5 Squadron
spent seven days scouring hundreds of
thousands of square kilometres of ocean
across the central Pacific Ocean. The
operation aims to halt illegal fishing within
the Pacific countries’ vast exclusive economic
zones (EEZs).
5 Squadron’s P-3K Orion joined the Royal
Australian Air Force’s P-3Cs and the US
Coast Guard’s C-130 Hercules on the Pacific’s
largest maritime surveillance operation.
Through JFNZ, the 12-strong RNZAF crew
fed aerial surveillance data to Island Chief
headquarters in Pohnpei. Island Chief HQ,
manned by watch keepers from each Pacific
Island nation, channels information through
to patrol boats in the Republic of Palau, the
Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, and
the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The operation enables Pacific nations
to access the air assets of New Zealand,
Australia and the US, greatly amplifying their
maritime surveillance resources. When 5
Squadron report an unlicensed or suspicious
vessel, the local authority either send a patrol
boat to intercept the vessel or investigate it
when it arrives at port.
‘The use of long range Maritime Patrol
Aircraft greatly enhances the effectiveness
of the Pacific Forum patrol boats,’ says Flight
Lieutenant Catherine MacGowan, a maritime
air operations officer at JFNZ. ‘The range of
the Orion means that large areas of the ocean
can be searched on a flight and the patrol
boat directed to any areas of concern.’
Operation Island Chief 2006 was very
successful, she says. ‘The patrol boats
boarded 34 vessels suspected of illegally
fishing, apprehended five vessels and
ordered one to port.’ Illegal fishing includes
not recording or under recording a catch,
trans-shipping, and shark finning.
Another successful aspect of the operation
is the ‘deterrence factor’. ‘Operational
Security was high, ensuring that the fishing
community was not alerted to the upcoming
exercise,’ says FLTLT MacGowan. ‘It is
important for these nations to demonstrate
to the fishing community their commitment
to policing fishing inside their Exclusive
Economic Zones.’
Lieutenant Commander Ben Hemphill,
maritime surveillance advisor to the Marshall
Islands Sea Patrol, says operations such as
Island Chief are essential to the region, which
is home to 75 percent of the world’s tuna
stock. ‘If [the patrol boats] are not out there
protecting [the tuna stocks] then no one else
will. You need licensing agreements (which
is what the fisheries side of it does), but you
need to be able to enforce them. It’s like on
the roads, motorists pay for registration but
you still need traffic police to ensure all cars
are licensed.’
In 1982 the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea created a 200 nautical
mile (370 km) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
around coastal nations. Although the nations
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
Majuro atoll, in the Marshall Islands
gained special rights over the exploration
and use of marine resources in their EEZ, they
also faced the responsibility of policing an
area of ocean far larger than their landmass,
and with limited resources to do so.
Although Australia gave 12 Pacific Island
nations patrol boats to help protect their
EEZs, the aerial support provided by
countries such as New Zealand is crucial.
‘The biggest thing the region lacks is aircraft,’
says LT CMDR Hemphill. ‘If you don’t have
aircraft, the guys [on the patrol boats] just
keep plugging holes in the ocean and going
around in circles; they only have about 12
to 20 miles of visual range on their radar.
But when you put an aircraft up, you can
prosecute targets or vessels of interest a lot
faster than you can a patrol boat cruising
along at 12 knots … chug, chug, chug, chug
… An aircraft can come in over the top, take
photos, call up: “Is this boat legal?” Yep, he’s
good, onto the next one.’
Word of the effectiveness of the operation
has spread across the Pacific, he says.
‘More and more Pacific Island countries
are signing up [to participate] because
they have seen how effective it is for their
neighbours.’ An increasing number of nations
are also signing subsidiary agreements with
their neighbours. Under the Niue Treaty
Subsidiary Agreements, Pacific Nations
sharing common maritime borders combine
resources regularly to help protect their
maritime resources and target maritimebased
crime and other threats.
FLTLT Keith Bartlett captained the P3-
K Orion crew participating in this year’s
Operation Island Chief. He says the Air
Force can feel intimidating to a small patrol
boat. ‘It’s really important to get across to
them that we’re just there to provide them
information, and that we can be really
useful. I think they’ve seen that we can be
quite beneficial; they realise there is this
magnificent asset out there that can cruise
around the skies, and within an hour they can
be out there finding boats 600 miles from
where they are.’
The crew stopped in Tonga, the Marshall
www.airforce.mil.nz
continued over
AFN72 JULY 06
Air Electronics Operator (AEOP) CPL Grace Urlich keeps the aircraft in touch.
Tasting the Pacific
Royal Air Force airman SGT Stu Clayton
got his first taste of the Pacific when he
joined No.5 Squadron on Operation
Island Chief 2006.
Over in this corner of the world for three
months on Exercise Long Look Exchange,
the RAF’s SGT Clayton is getting to see
more of New Zealand’s closest neighbours
than many Kiwis do. For eight days in May,
SGT Clayton swapped wintery Whenuapai
for the tropical islands of Majuro, Vanuatu,
Tonga and Fiji. In June, he jetted off to
more Pacific Island destinations, while a
No.5 Squadron crew few to his home base
of Kinloss to compete in Fincastle 2006.
‘It’s great getting to go away to these
little Pacific Islands because I’ll probably
never get a chance to return. It’s all part
of the experience of the exchange: seeing
the country and experiencing the culture,’
says SGT Clayton, who also plans to travel
around the north and south islands of New
Zealand. Although he was looking a little
pink after his first day on the ground in
Majuro, ‘I have to go back to the UK with a
tan, or at least a trace of one, because I’m
missing the summer over there.’
He says spending a week on patrol with
No.5 Squadron was like being at home.
‘Here, like at home, we take the mickey
out of each other, have some banter
and a laugh, which makes the job more
enjoyable.’ He says the RNZAF shares
the same ethos as the RAF. ‘Some other
nations, , are very ‘by the book’, where as
Did somebody mention fishing? (L-R):
SGT Stu Clayton, LAC Pete McGregor, and
AC Leith Donaldson have a productive
day off on the ground in Majuro.
the Kiwis and British do whatever it takes
to get the job done. You can cut corners
and still be very professional.’
However, there was one noticeable
difference between the two forces: the
food. While the RAF maritime patrols get a
set amount of food per person and frozen,
ready-to-eat meals, SGT Clayton was
enjoying the variety and amount of food
on offer during Operation Island Chief:
fresh island fruits, cooked breakfasts, steak,
and even an authentic Fijian vindaloo. ‘Here
they get bucket loads of food – more food
than you can shake a stick at, really!’ Might
be hard to return in September, aye?
11

12
I S L A N D C H I E F 2 0 0 6
Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji on this Northern
Patrol. FLTLT Bartlett says he got a strong
impression that the island nations appreciate
the support of the RNZAF. ‘For them, it is
pretty special that New Zealand P-3s have
flown a third of the way around the world to
help them out; to look through their fishing
waters to find boats trying to steal their fish.
Especially going to the Marshall Islands and
Vanuatu – I think the smaller the country the
more appreciated we are.’
In land-poor countries such as Marshall
Islands, maritime resources are an important
source of income. Not through harvesting
fish – most of fishing vessels in the Marshall
Islands’ waters belong to countries such as
Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, says Chief
Petty Officer, Marine Technician Stephen
Marsh, technical advisor to the Marshall
Islands. Money from fishing licenses goes
into the Marshall Islands’ economy.
Operation Island Chief also benefits
New Zealand. As part of New Zealand’s
commitment to regional security, the
operation helps support regional economic
stability and security, says FLT LT MacGowan.
‘The deterrence of illegal activities in the
Pacific region contributes to the security of
New Zealand and protects our interests.’
LT CMDR Hemphill agrees. ‘Yes, illegal
fishing is part of it, but the big sweep is transnational
crime. The fishing boats entering
these ports are the ones who have access to
the countries’ borders and we don’t know,
for example, if they have hooked up with a
bunker ship here, offloaded crew, changed
crew over or tacked on contraband or
whatever, and then brought it into the port.
There is a distinct criminal element within the
fishing community; they’re always at sea and
no-one can really watch what they’re doing
so it can be an easy way to move stuff around
– people, drugs, alcohol.’
SGT Michael Kennedy installs antennas before a flight.
LEFT: On board cook MACR Dave Lark prepares another
culinary delight in the Orion’s infamous galley.
ABOVE: SGT Micael Kennedy helps out preparing another
on-board meal by chopping onions.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
CORNER
PERS
Personnel Directorate acknowledges that communication to you of
our activities and thinking is essential to the proper performance of
our function. Regrettably, we don’t always get that right, and hence
DPers F)’s intent is to promulgate key items of interest within PERS
CORNER with the release of each version of our excellent Air Force News
magazine. Last month we took a close look at what happens at OASB,
and this time, it’s DCM’s turn to take the lead for an update on stuff
that we’re doing. Over the next few issues we’ll report further on our
visits to Bases, talk about policy issues to be given active consideration
during the year, including a review of the Advertised Vacancy System
and the somewhat contentious CFR B pay issue, and outline the
recruiting strategy for FY 06/07. We’ll also update personnel numbers.
As we get further into the next financial year, we’ll take a look at issues
such as: the relationship between DWCD, DPPA and DCM; workforce
planning and the role of DWCD in both workforce modernisation and
regeneration; what we intend the ‘People Portal’ workforce and career
management tool will do for individuals, command and workforce
managers; how we’re going with the ex-RAF lateral recruitment
programme and associated matters, and where we are at with the reenlistment
of former-RNZAF personnel; and as we get further into the
financial year, we’ll take a look at where we’ve come from over the past
few years, what challenges we’ve overcome, update on our response
strategies, and perhaps most important of all, give an outline where
we going with further workforce regeneration. But first, where are
we with our personnel numbers.
Personnel Recovery Management Programme
Let’s be in no doubt, the RNZAF personnel strength has grown
considerably over the past 24 months. On 19 Jun 06, there the RNZAF
actual strength was 2908, comprising our regular military, civilian,
reservist and GSH personnel, plus our TF band and ATC personnel. The
net increase of more than 150 personnel over the last year has been
the result of a comprehensive and very successful plan comprising a
four-pronged approach:
Attrition is under control, being about 9% for the past 12 months.
218 personnel commenced recruit courses during the
financial year.
45 pers commenced IOTC.
36 former-RAF personnel enlisted.
and 47 of the planned 57 (at the time of writing) former-RNZAF
personnel re-enlisted.
Our growth plan for FY 05/06 has been right on track, and we are
filling those hole in our ‘Swiss Cheese’ model. More to follow in respect
www.airforce.mil.nz
GPCAPT PETER PORT
DIRECTOR OF AIR
FORCE PERSONNEL
ELCOME TO PERS CORNER
AFN72 JULY 06
of 06/07 in due course. In the meantime, an update on some
workforce and career management initiatives is under action.
Non-Routine Vacancy System
Hoping to deploy overseas for an operational tour? Wanting to
participate in a major exercise? Perhaps thinking of an exchange
to Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom? Or even considering
a post within HQNZDF or HQ JFNZ to broaden your experience and
open up additional career opportunities? Then keep an eye out
for the link in Routine Orders to the List of Non-Routine Vacancies
as promulgated by DCM. Soon there will also be a link on DCM’s
website to make access to the List even easier. Take the opportunity
to learn what is available outside of ‘routine’ RNZAF posts, and even
if you and command consider that the opportunity for one of these
experiences is not likely in the immediate future, register your
interest so that DCM can look at when such an opportunity might
be available for you downstream. Go on, have a look and think
about what else might be available to enhance your professional
development and broaden your career opportunities.
W/O Interviews
Following a successful trial earlier this year, DCM has committed to
conducting formal DCM interviews for our Warrant Officers. The
intent is to eventually provide the opportunity for each Warrant
Officer to have a formal interview every year. But noting that DCM
resources are limited, it will take some time to fulfil that objective,
and we ask for your assistance with setting priorities. If you are
not yet aware of this new opportunity, please contact ADCM(A&A)
to register your interest. Our thanks to W/O Gell for his insight into
the value of this activity, and for his assistance with progressing this
WOKEN recommendation.
DCM Interviews
Not a new initiative at all this one, but one which needs some
explanation. DCM interviews are not normally intended to be a
discussion about the specifics of your next post! Rather, our desire
is that you come along prepared to discuss near and medium,
and perhaps even long term, goals. The options open to you to
achieve your desired career path, your aspirations, constraints,
personal considerations, training and professional development
opportunities are all key areas to be discussed. Such an interview is
more likely to produce much better informed and sound decisions
than those focussed on just the next posting.
Changes within DCM
P E R S O N N E L
W/O Gary Clark leaves us on 23 Jun 06 after three years of loyal
service within the DCM. We wish him well for his new post at DPSC
within HQ JFNZ. Welcome to W/O Dale Kutia who will be our W/O
Career Management Support. Dale comes to DCM after a couple
of tours in recruiting. Further new names and faces will also start
to appear over coming months. Following feedback received
about the capability required of the DCM, three new posts will be
established and one post will be upgraded: ACM(T) and ACM(NT)
will be established at the rank of F/S; SO(GO) will be upgraded to
senior FLTLT; and ADCM(J) will be established at FLTLT or SQNLDR
tbc. The latter will have responsibilities for ‘purple’ plot postings,
joint course nominations, operational deployments posts, exercise
posts, personnel exchanges, training courses co-ordination,
preparation of promotion and extension of service boards and
ancillary functions, and hence has a significant and challenging role.
The overarching intent of these changes is of course to enhance
our DCM’s ability to assist command and individuals with the
management of careers.
13

14
Air Force Rescues
from Circling Sharks
The crew of the Orion found the group
clinging to debris and with no lifejackets
shortly before 1pm. The captain of
the aircraft reported seeing sharks near
the group.
A liferaft was dropped from the aircraft,
which stayed in the area to coordinate a
successful rendezvous with a local vessel at
about 2pm.
It was the second successful search and
rescue mission for the Air Force crew on
that day. The aircraft initially left RNZAF
Base Whenuapai at 4.20am after a signal
from an emergency beacon was picked up
near Tonga.
Once in the search area the Orion discovered
the fi shing vessel the Pacifi c Sunrise, which
had lost battery power, and coordinated a
successful rendezvous with another vessel.
POWER TO NIUE PEOPLE
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft came to the rescue of New
Zealand’s neighbour when it fl ew a new electricity generator
to Niue on Saturday 6 June. The C-130, which had returned
from a hectic schedule of operational taskings in support of the
Combined Joint Task Force in Timor Leste, departed Whenuapai
as soon as the equipment was delivered and packed for the fl ight.
The 4.5 hour fl ight went direct to Niue.
NZAID, the government’s aid and development agency,
coordinated the supply of the replacement generator. Three
New Zealand-based technicians completed the installation of
the generator, control panel and switch-board and repaired the
existing smoke-damaged generator.
The fl ight also carried about fi ve tonnes of cabling which was
needed to complete the installation.
The Pacifi c Island nation was left in the dark after a fi re at its only
power station on 30 May.
OH 06-0276-01
4
A P-3 Orion from the Air Force’s No.5 Squadron
helped rescue four people west of Tonga on Friday 9 June
WN 06-0212-02
The captain of the Pacific Sunrise sent a
message of thanks to the people involved
in the search.
‘We would like to express our sincere
gratitude with your assistance to us this
morning with the help of the RNZAF plane,’
the statement read.
The Orion was on its way back to
New Zealand when it was diverted and
subsequently found the four people in
the water.
The aircraft returned to New Zealand in
the evening.
WN 06-0212-03
ABOVE: The fi shing vessel Pacifi c Sunrise off
Tonga, spotted by a RNZAF P3 Orion on a
search and rescue mission.
LEFT: The surviviors clinging to debris and after
the liferaft dropped to them is picked up by
another fi shing vessel, L’esila.
DENTAL RESEARCH
To all uniformed personnel who entered
the NZDF between the dates 01/01/04
- 01/01/06, a research project is about
to be carried out on existing ‘dental
information’.
The research involves the use of dental
charts only. This data will be collected
anonymously. Names or Service numbers
will not be used in the fi nal published reports of this data.
If you have any queries or questions or do not want your Dental
Information utilised for this project, please notify Major Tiff any
Logan (address below), Principal Researcher.
Tiff Logan, Major, BDS, Dip. Clin Dent ( Perio).
Freyberg Building,
(04) 4986639 or 021 164 9088
A VALUED CONTRIBUTION
LTCOL Robert Campbell (left) presents COABW Ohakea,
WGCDR Johan Bosch with a NZ Cadet Forces plaque.
The plaque was presented in appreciation of the valued
contribution to the New Zealand Cadet Forces from
Base Ohakea.
This is the first plaque of its type presented to
Base Ohakea.
‘The NZCF cannot operate without the goodwill and
cooperation of NZDF Bases,’ said LTCOL Campbell.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
WN 06-0212-01
www.airforce.mil.nz
OFFROAD ADVENTURE
SUVs, 4X4s, jungle cruisers, Remuera tractors, shaggin wagons – whatever they’re called
people tend to either love them loath them. But, in the right environment there’s no
denying that they are very practical vehicles and, as with all its equipment, the Air Force
has an entirely practical use for its fl eet of 4WDs. They are just the ticket for getting into
and out of diffi cult – boggy, sandy, rocky, tortured - places and have the grunt to haul loads
of heavy equipment, tools and bodies with them.
Air Force News editor Grant Carr asked Base Woodbourne Driving Instructor F/S Andy Hill
about our four-wheeled beasties and their training programme.
AFN72 JULY 06
O F F - R O A D
OH 06-0152-28
15

16
O F F - R O A D O F F - R O A D
What is the purpose of the 4WD courses and what are the
practical aspects and spin off s?
F/S Andy Hill: To qualify both Air Force and Civilian Defence Force
employees in the operation of the current light and heavy four
wheel drive vehicles in a cross-country environment. Where there
is a requirement for vehicle operators to drive cross-country, we
provided them with the minimum basic driver training skills required
to operate Defence vehicles safely off-road. Practically, we are
attempting to place individuals outside their comfort zone, safely, in
training and the spin off is the increase in vehicle operation/driving
skill at completion of the course. Finally we provided basic driver
training skills to individuals, with the long-term goal that individuals
will be aptly prepared to drive on overseas deployments.
How many courses are usually run in a year? And how many
personnel go through the courses?
F/S AH: There are about 12 Light 4WD courses and approx fi ve
Heavy 4WD courses run annually, with up to 12 trainees attending
each course.
Are all 4WD courses run out of Woodbourne?
F/S AH: All 4WD courses are conducted in the Marlborough
region Woodbourne.
What sort of vehicles do you use?
F/S AH: Light 4WD courses use the 3.0L Nissan Navara as the Hilux is
on its way out and for the heavy 4WD courses the Unimog 1700L.
Generally, what sort of skills do you teach and how is that
diff erent from normal driving skills?
F/S AH: Principally we teach cross-country driving skills, which
include: ascending/descending, marshalling vehicles, driving on a
sideing, reversing, basic recovery, low friction driving (swamp), and
riverbed driving/river crossing.
There are many diff erences from normal road driving, and it emphasises
how important it is to switch to a completely diff erent mindset,
before driving in the off -road environment. An appreciation of the
inherent dangers involved, and the ability to read the terrain to make
an informed decision based not only on vehicle capability, but also
the individuals driving ability.
Where are they run – over what sort of terrain(s)?
F/S AH: We start on clay-based tracks, initially on terraced farmland,
moving on to fi rebreaks in a forest environment. Low friction
driving is conducted in swampland, as is the single tow recovery. We
then move onto riverbed driving and river crossing. Unfortunately
we don’t encompass any sand driving on the course due to our
geographical location.
How can CPL Joe (or Josephine) Bloggs get on a course?
F/S AH: If it is a trade requirement, they will be required to attend
one or both of the 4WD courses as part of their trade progression.
This will be coordinated by DCM. If it is not a trade requirement but
commanders deem it necessary for Cpl Bloggs to be qualifi ed on a
Light or Heavy 4WD course, nominations can be submitted through
individual FLTCDR’s to Training Management Woodbourne (email
address: RNZAF Training Management). The individual must hold a
Full Class 2 License to be able to attend the 4WD Heavy course.
Are the courses fun - a good time hooning around?
F/S AH: We receive very positive feedback from those personnel who
have completed the 4WD courses at the school. As for the ‘hooning
around’, the fact that both vehicle and environmental preservation are
of the utmost importance to us, all aspects of off road driving must be
calculated against possible risk and safety is paramount. Instructors
don’t like the use of the term ‘hooning’ as we don’t promote any type
of hooning. In our terms it is controlled and calculated acceleration
when there is requirement to apply this type of driving. Yes, there are
times where drivers are required to apply some controlled aggression
type of vehicle driving, predominately during the low friction type
activities i.e. swamps. Finally yes, dependent on the environmental
conditions at the time, they certainly can be a lot of fun for both
students and Instructing Staff observing or demonstrating.
What is the most diffi cult part of the course i.e. which part do
students have the most trouble performing?
F/S AH: Two problems that spring to mind are: the failed ascent drill
i.e. getting off the hill safely if we do not make it up an ascent due
to loss of traction and/or momentum: the second being, reversing
down a track utilising the vehicle wing mirrors.
Another area of concern with the courses that we conduct is the
poor standard of on-road driving by students attending 4WD courses.
As Driving Instructors at the school we are being required to provide
a lot more driving tuition/advice to the younger drivers, who are
holders of a Full Class1 Licence. A proportion of students come to the
course with limited on-road driving experience, which is of concern
for all our staff here at the MT School.
What is the most common mistake people make with 4WDs?
F/S AH: People not being conscious of, not only their own experience
level/ability, but also the capability of the vehicle that they are utilising
i.e. pushing the boundaries. Failure to conduct good reconnaissance
of the area before driving through or over the obstacle.
continued page 18
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
OH 06-0152-28
OH 06-0152-08
OH 06-0152-12
ABOVE: ‘Yep. That’s stuck.’ A course member attaches a tow-rope to a stuck 4WD.
RIGHT TOP: Clearing a path.
BELOW: The safe way to ford a river.
A PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
Base Ohakea Photographer AC Sam Shepherd attended a 2-week
live-in 4WD course at the end of March with nine other Air Force
personnel (seven Armourers, two Avionics Technicians and one from
Air Security) and ‘thoroughly enjoyed’ the experience.
‘It was great fun and gave me experiences I wouldn’t have got
otherwise. The course is practically orientated so sometimes that
takes you out of your comfort zone. But at least when you face that
situation again you’ve done it already so it prepares you for what
can happen,’ he says.
The instructors, he says, were laid back but they got the job done.
And he agrees the course will have a practical application in his
job. ‘We are often sent out on our own to diffi cult-to-access places
to take photographs so it’s good not having to rely on someone
else to transport me.’
One of the biggest lessons AC Shepherd learnt on the course was
to generally be more mindful of his driving technique both off and
on road. ‘I tend to think more about what I’m doing,’ he says. Before
he joined the Air Force AC Shepherd used to own a 4WD but admits
he would probably drive it more carefully now.
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
AC Shephard at the wheel.
OH 06-0152-2O
OH 06-0152-02
OH 06-0152-26
17

18
O F F - R O A D
A trainee uses ‘controlled and calculated acceleration’ to power through a boggy patch.
Would it be true to say most 4WD vehicles you see around town
rarely if ever get used for their true purpose?
Most definitely. It is evident that there are a lot more 4WD vehicles on
our roads. What people need to be aware of are the inherent dangers
of operating these vehicles, such as the fact that they generally have
a higher centre of gravity and are thus a lot more prone to rollover
when cornering. They also have an increased stopping distance due
not only to their size, but also the amount of cargo that people tend
to carry in them. Owners of these vehicles may not be aware how
to operate them off road and may have no idea of their vehicle’s
capability, different vehicle types perform differently. Some owners
may not be aware of how to engage 4WD correctly and this could
be dangerous when in the cross-country environment.
What is your background in relation to 4WDs. Do you do this in
your spare time or as a sport?
F/S AH: Both uniformed and civilian instructors bring a vast amount
of 4WD experience to the school. Three staff members are ex-Army
with an average of 20 years driving experience in both light and heavy
vehicle operation on and off-road. Also a number of the staff conduct
training after hours, and a percentage of them own their own 4WDs
and drive off road as a sport. This aids with the experience level of
the individual instructors, which can also be passed on to students.
Does the course emphasise safety and if so how is that achieved?
F/S AH: Safety is paramount! At the start of the course and at the
beginning of each day as applicable, we continuously enforce safety
throughout all phases of driving, recovery and river crossings.
What is one of your worst experiences with a 4WD?
F/S AH: Generally speaking I am commenting on behalf of all the staff
at the MT School. Generally, the most concern as driving instructor
OH 06-0152-04
- whom I might add, have a very high threshold level of instructor
intervention - we find that it is when a student gets the failure to
ascend procedure wrong. As the instructor you are limited physically
to correct matters. Also of concern is, when your Unimog at a tare of
weight of 6872kg is rapidly progressing rearwards uncontrolled and
is varying left or right of the track while you are verbally engaged in
some instructor intervention.
There are endless hair-raising moments that keep us certainly on
our toes. You know that you’re on the right track as an instructor
when you anticipate these “moments” happening before they actually
eventuate. As instructors we have experienced a number of scenario’s
instructing and with our continued debriefing of training at the
completion of each days training, we are always looking to keep both
students and staff safe, minimising and/or eliminating the risk.
Any other comments you’d like to make about the course, the
students or 4WDs in general?
F/S AH: Most rewarding for the staff here at the MT school is being
able to qualify students as competent in either Light or Heavy 4WD
vehicles. Secondly being able to change the thought process of
operators when it comes to driving cross-country, which it is not
always about charging in with aggression/power, and gut/bust
attitude?
We like to think that students depart the course with the skills to
be able to make an informed appreciation of the terrain ahead and
negotiate that terrain considering the capability of the vehicle they
are operating with good reconnaissance prior to driving over or
through that particular obstacle. Finally students realising what the
task is, can I get myself, passengers and/or equipment from point
A to point B safely without injury, loss of life/limb and with all my
equipment intact to complete the next task.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
WN 06-0222-01
Two RNZAF Iroquois helicopters responded to the call of Civil
Defence staff in support of the South Islands ‘big freeze’ last
month. Detachment commander, SQNLDR Tim Evans said
that the helicopters were tasked by Civil Defence on a case-by
-case scenario.
‘The Iroquois were used in a reconnaissance role by flying Civil
Defence staff to get an overview of the situation. We also transported
staff into hard to reach areas to make contact with families who had
not been heard from due to the telecommunication issues. Flying
generators into various locations was also a key role,’ he said.
Iroquois support was provided in conjunction with soldiers from
Burnham camp.
ABOVE RIGHT: Service with a smile.
ABOVE: ‘Hot’ refuelling.
RIGHT: The Huey captures a bird’s eye view of South Island farmland blanketed in snow.
WB-0114-02
THE BIG
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
An Iroquois encounters heavy snow conditions.
T H E B I G F R E E Z E
RETURN TO THE SNOW
Ironically No.3 Squadron returned to the South Island soon after its
relief work for its annual mountain flying Exercise Blackbird. Three
Air Force Iroquois helicopters and over thirty personnel took part
in the exercise in late June.
The mountain flying exercise saw aircrew flying over snowcovered
hills in cold, high winds. Operations were carried out
around Richmond, inland Kaikoura and the Raglan Ranges.
The exercise gives aircrew exposure to various optical illusions
that can sometimes occur during mountain flying - the pilots
also use the opportunity to fly and train in challenging weather
conditions.
LEFT: An Iroquois hovers on the ledge of a peak in the Raglan Ranges.
WN 06-0222-02
WN 06-0222-04
WN 06-0222-06
19

N o . 3 S Q U A D R O N C E L E B R AT E S N o . 3 S Q U A D R O N C E L E B R AT E S
HISTORIC CELEBRATION
Past and present members of No.3 Squadron gathered at Ohakea on 24 June for an historic reunion. The squadron
was presented with a new standard and the Old Boys treated to a superb fl ying display that marked the Iroquois
helicopter’s forty years of service with the New Zealand Defence Force. The address - delivered at the Standard
Presentation Parade by Reviewing Offi cer, former Squadron CO AVM Klitscher (Rtd)- is reproduced below.
Hueys perform an elegant mid-air pas de deux
Let me fi rst congratulate Wing Commander Thacker, and all here on
parade, for the very fi ne standard of turn-out, even if the drill has
been confi ned by the space inside the hangar. Also the Central
Band and the Base Band for the music. And thank you too to the CO
Air Base Wing and those not of No.3 Squadron but on parade anyway.
Clearly the Air Force can still do things on the parade ground at least
as well as anywhere else – or as anyone else.
I am, of course, deeply honoured by the privilege of exchanging this
Standard, being mindful that the original was presented by the Prince
of Wales in 1981. The original Standard-bearer is among us today but,
obviously, Prince Charles is not.
The practice of carrying Colours or unit Standards goes back at least
5,000 years. Their early use was as rallying-points for troops. Later, in
the dust and smoke of medieval set-piece battles, the need to sort order
from chaos became ever more acute. Over time, battle honours were
added, and these very much extended the purpose of such banners.
They became a link to the past and a memorial to the fallen and, in that
way, they took on great signifi cance for morale.
But there was a less positive consequence of fl ying the colours in
battle. As they were a rallying point for units in the fi eld, so equally
they were an obvious target for the enemy. They identifi ed the centre
of mass, often attracting the most bitter fi ghting. And of course to
lose a standard in battle was (and is) a signal disgrace, which is why
the banner is always escorted when paraded.
Though they may be rather simple and are probably over-worked,
four lines by Sir Edward Hamley remain a telling expression of the
sentiments involved:
‘A moth eaten rag on a worm-eaten pole,
It does not look likely to stir a man’s soul,
Some say all this is pure anachronism, or barbarous nonsense glorifying
war from bygone years with little relevance to today’s world. After all, nobody
rallies to the fl ag in the centre any more, or so it is said.
But this kind of sceptical modernism overlooks something important.
It overlooks that it is the symbolism on its own that matters now, not
a visual signal in the heat of battle. The symbolism itself has evolved
apace with the times. The battle honours such as the fi ve before us
today do indeed signify remembrance of those who gave their lives.
In that regard, of course, we remember all members of No. 3 Squadron
who have died in its service, or since. Far from being outmoded this is
very much in spirit with the emphatic public interest renewed in New
Zealand (and in Australia) each Anzac Day. The solemn strength of that
tribute leaves the nay-sayers fl oundering.
So the Squadron Standard we replace today holds an honourable
station in our history and in our hearts. This particular Standard of No.
3 Squadron RNZAF represents everything it has done since it was fi rst
formed in 1930, but the fi ve Battle Honours it carries are exclusive to
its activities during the Second World War - where indeed, I believe, it
was the fi rst RNZAF squadron to engage the Japanese.
There are, however, other honours not on the fl ag but whose outlines
rank alongside the ones recorded there. I have just returned from
Australia and a reunion of No. 9 Squadron RAAF, with which sixteen
RNZAF helicopter pilots from No. 3 Squadron fl ew in combat in Vietnam.
A seventeenth was killed during preparatory training in Australia. Five
of the sixteen were decorated for gallantry on active service; two were
Mentioned in Dispatches.
But there’s more. Something all too often overlooked is that New
Zealand Army helicopter pilots also served operationally in Vietnam,
most though not all with another Australian unit in Sioux aircraft but
some with the Americans in Hueys. These seven also served well. One
‘Tis the deeds that were done ‘neath the moth-eaten rag, was decorated; two others were shot down. And all of them of course
20 When the pole was a staff , and the rag was a fl ag.’
21
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
OH 06-0297-03
had learned their trade here at No.3 Squadron, being as much a part
of it as were their airman colleagues.
But because the unit did not serve in Vietnam it cannot have that
campaign sewn into its Standard as a Battle Honour. We may quite
properly imagine it, however, in ghostly outline up there in the shadows
cast by the other fi ve.
In similar vein, nor should we forget the signifi cant number of Army
personnel other than aircrew who have been a part of the Squadron
over the years. Without their knowledge and assistance, much of what
the unit has achieved in the fi eld, even if possible, would have been
immeasurably more diffi cult.
There were also the sailors, now branched off to No.6 Squadron.
The sailors we saw in No. 3 Squadron were pilots of course, and they
too have made a huge contribution to the lore of the unit. But what
made the Naval component stand out was not so much the number
of sailors who became aircrew as the larger number of airmen who
became sailors. They went to sea in HM Ships in all parts of the world
and in all circumstances, to serve this country well. They, too, are well
represented in the shadows on the banner.
No. 3 Squadron, then, has been thoroughly joint-Service since its
reconstitution in 1965 - which also, we should not forget, included
Bristol Freighters and Austers. And so, when so much is made today
of the merits of a joint-service approach, those of us of No 3 Squadron
may be excused for asking ‘What’s the fuss? We’ve known all that for
40 years.’ In view of the heat the subject sometimes generates, that,
too may be counted a battle honour!
OH 06-0297-01
ABOVE (L-R): CO No.3 Squadron WGCDR Ron
Thacker and AVM Klitscher inspect the guard.
Chief of Air Force AVM Graham Lintott picks up
the Squadron’s new Standard from the drums.
AVM Klitscher presents the new fl ag to the
Squadron’s standard bearer.
RIGHT: CO No.3 Squadron WGCDR Ron Thacker
with the original creator of the Ngarawahia
insignia designer Mr Ross Cleverley of
Christchurch.
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
OH 06-0298-03
OH 06-0297-05
Otherwise the unit or its personnel whether aircrew, engineers
who have kept things airborne, or other groundcrew have of course
continued to serve with distinction in other foreign places including
the Sinai, Bougainville, East Timor and the Solomons; other parts of
the Pacifi c, and Antarctica. And at home, the exploits of the unit are
many and legend, which has been recognised by such as the Order of
St John. Many of these actions, too, have resulted in individual honours
and medals.
Indeed we often hear in the media how well the unit performs
whether abroad or at home. And that it should draw these accolades
is wonderful to see, especially for us the old boys. It can be a little
irritating, however, that plaudits for the military are sometimes framed
with an air of surprise, almost as if it has failed an expectation of off ering
reasons for criticism; or as if some lesser standard had been expected
and had somehow been exceeded only by chance. But those of us
who have gone before know beyond doubt that the highest standards
are the norm, and therefore we are not surprised that No. 3 Squadron
continues to deliver them.
No; surprise is the wrong word. Instead we are very gratifi ed that the
legacy we left behind was sound enough to give all of you the means
to keep abreast of new tasks, new requirements, some of them of a
kind that we didn’t have to face.
And so, in the name of the several shadowy outlines I have referred to on
the fl ag that rank alongside the visible Battle Honours, I congratulate you
all again on your eff orts today, and wish you well in continuing the work
of this very honourable unit as you now re-equip with new aircraft.
OH 06-0297-02

SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT
WORKHORSE: The No.3 Squadron Iroquois sporting its specially painted tail boom celebrating
the Squadron’s forty years of fl ying UH-1H Iroquois helicopters.
For forty years the Air Force’s 14 venerable UH-1H Iroquois
helicopters have been the New Zealand Defence Force’s
reliable workhorses. The Hueys, as they are popularly known,
provide the NZ Army with tactical air mobility and resupply. In
addition the Rotary Wing Transport Force forms an integral part
of the NZDF’s counter-terrorist capability and undertakes a broad
range of non-military services - from search and rescue to disaster
relief. Increasingly it has played a role in all-of-government tasks
working alongside DoC, NZ Police, Civil Defence, Internal Aff airs
to name but a few.
an integral and highly valued part of the NZ contingent.
But, like all other things, their age is catching up with them and
despite their continued usefulness the era of the Huey is drawing
to a close. Their projected replacement is with a new generation
of helicopter - the European-built NH90 twin-engined helicopter
which can carry up to 16 fully-laden soldiers and a small vehicle
and incorporates the latest tracking, communications and aviation
technology.
Inspired by No.5 Squadron’s P-3 Orion tail paint job celebrating it’s
40 years of service No.3 Squadron asked the experts at Base Ohakea’s
In overseas deployments such as to trouble spots like East Timor, paintshop to come up with a suitable paint design for their tail boom.
22 Bougainville and the Solomon Islands No.3 Squadron has formed The superb result can be seen above.
23
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
OH 06-0288-02
ABOVE: MSS staff involved in the painting of Iroquois
NZ3802 in the 40th anniversary scheme. L to R LAC “P”
Pedersen, Dan Poultan, Mr Jules Sharrock, Cpl Possum
www.airforce.mil.nz
Shute, Sgt Adrian Bennie.
AFN72 JULY 06
RIGHT: Mr Sharrock sands down the surface ready
to prime.
OH-06-0278-06
OH-06-0278-07
OH-06-0302-01
Pre-spraying showing surface primed.
The Iroquois’ 40th anniversary logo is
masked out prior to being sprayed.
OH 06-0288-01

T I M O R L E S T E
MAKING A A DIFFERENCE
Although rival gangs of youths continue looting and torching
houses, these are becoming fewer as the presence of the New
Zealand, Australian and Malaysian defence forces stabilise Dili.
On 31 May, 124 Delta Company soldiers arrived in East Timor
with four Pinzgauer LOVs, tasked with security roles that assisted
in establishing law and order in the eastern suburbs of Dili. The
company commander, MAJ Eugene Whakahoehoe, said his Becorabased
troops were detaining about a dozen people daily for brief
periods, while investigating sporadic outbreaks of violence and
confi scating weapons.
The second deployment joined a 39-soldier infantry rifl e platoon
already in Dili. The platoon secured the New Zealand Embassy on 28
May, protecting the New Zealand ambassador and NZDF personnel
accommodated in the Embassy, and are on task at Taci Tolo, with
checkpoint and roadblock duties, and protecting and containing
personnel. Most of the 170 soldiers are from 2/1 Battalion, RNZIR.
Eight military police from Linton are providing security protection
to the New Zealand Embassy and staff .
NZDF Public Relations Manager LT CDR Barbara Cassin deployed
to Dili with the fi rst contingent. ‘The roads to the airport are lined
with people seeking refuge, they have set up make-shift “homes”
– the sight is incredible – the despair, the general conditions are
horrendous. But still amid the chaos, you hear Kiwi, Kiwi, help us,’
she said.
In the fi rst few days the Australian troops confi scated 300/400 high
powered rifl es, hand guns, shot guns, plus other weapons such as
machetes and warry (slingshots). COL Stuart Jarvis, the British DA,
publicly acknowledged the professional assistance and support, and
such a fast response from the Australian, New Zealand and Malaysian Although the troops may have brought optimism to the war-
■ 28 April. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri sent in the Army to break was done to allow the police to leave the barracks unarmed and move
24 25
defence forces.
IN DILI
New Zealand Defence Force’s have brought a spirit of optimism
to the streets of Dili, as well as a measure of calm and stability.
TOP and ABOVE: New Zealand Defence Force personnel disembark
from a RNZAF C-130 Hercules aircraft at Dili airport ready to help
separate the warring factions
LT CDR Cassin said the troops had made an immense diff erence
and the mood around the city was more positive. “People are out
strolling in the streets, the supermarket is open, street vendors are
out, roadside shops and a hardware store are open, and children are
playing in the playground.
‘The people are delighted to see the Kiwis (and Aussies) out in the
streets; they remember us from last time and have faith in us to restore
law and order,’ said LT CDR Cassin. ‘The presence of the armed guards,
APV, military vehicles, landrovers and the New Zealand Army LOVs
out on the streets are welcomed, with the people waving, cheering
and clapping.’
torn country, about 100,000 people (three-quarters in Dili) have
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
lost their homes. In the centre of Dili, East
Timorese people wait for food, drink and
human support.
‘There are still hundreds of people in the
food aid line and people seeking refuge
wherever an armed patrol is – at the airport,
embassies and communal areas – where
the presence of the soldiers make them
feel safe. The early evening and night
seem to be the most dangerous times,
with these thugs coming out of hiding and
causing mayhem.’
LT CDR Cassin, like all NZDF personnel
deployed to East Timor, has had to endure
extremely hot and dry conditions, and a diet
of ration packs, in Dili. However, the despair
of the East Timorese was the hardest aspect
of her deployment. ‘I spoke to a 30-yearold
woman who is seeking refuge in the
Thrifty Compound with her seven-year-old
daughter. She told me the despair of having
nothing; how she can’t sleep at night –with
every noise, every movement, she thinks
someone is coming to get them … They
have only what is in the very small room at
the back of the compound. She told me she
is ready to die, but not her daughter. That is
a very sobering thought, especially as I am
a mother too.’
One New Zealand Army platoon has
taken over an old polytechnic building, in
the Becora area, where they were sleeping
rough and could not even put up mosquito
nets. However, the locals were pleased to see
them and had arranged for the building’s
electricity and air conditioning to be turned
on. The troops were in the area digging
foxholes beside a roadblock, where they
were searching for weapons.
HMAS Kanimbla, berthed alongside Dili,
is providing hotel services to the coalition
forces at a rate of twice a day – 160 personnel
each time – and provides laundry, hot meals,
shower and a good night’s sleep.
For the Air Force’s No.40 Squadron
the deployment meant they too would
be called on to do what they do best
– strategic transport using its B757 and C-130
Hercules aircraft.
DIARY OF A BREAKDOWN
■ The watershed act that led to the breakdown of Timor Leste’s
fragile civil society was the dismissal in March of almost half of
Timor Leste’s defence force.
■ The 595 soldiers, mainly from the country’s west, had been on
strike. Led by LT Gastao Salsinha they claimed they had been passed
over for promotion and, adding insult to injury, some of the easternbased
former Fretlin members accused them of off ering only token
resistance to Indonesia’s 24-year occupation.
■ For four days in late April the now-unemployed former soldiers
demonstrated in Dili.
up the protests. At least fi ve people were killed and many others
wounded in the ensuing bloody suppression that drove the rebels
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
A second C-130 soon joined in the support
eff ort – ferrying in freight and equipment,
including some Light Operational Vehicles.
Air Load Teams (ALT) are working in the
Darwin heat loading a range of vital stores
bound for Dili.
With New Zealand involvement in the
Australian led operation likely to stretch on
for some months the continued support of
No. 40 Squadron and the Air Force’s ALT’s will
play an important part in what is hoped to
be a safe and successful mission.
RIGHT: Local woman Maria Antonia Gomez,
embraces COL Mcleod of the NZ Army.
Households throughout her neigbourhood had
been torched by roaming mobs of youths.
into the hills.
T I M O R L E S T E
■ 22 May. The head of the military police LT CDR Alfredo Reinado and
28 of his men, disgusted by the suppression, joined the rebels.
■ 23 May. The Army tries to ambush LT CDR Reinado in the hills above
Dili. One man is wounded and another dies later. LT CDR Reinado
moves to a mountaintop pousada (inn) 45 km south of Dili.
■ 24 May. Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta goes on Australian TV
asking for troops to ‘prevent the country sliding into further chaos’.
■ 25 May. One of the darkest days in the now open rebellion when
army soldiers, avenging an earlier shooting, fi red on Dili’s police
barracks. The tense standoff looked set to end peacefully as a deal
to the UN compound. As the police were walking away, escorted by
UN offi cials, a soldier started fi ring into the front of the column. Ten

26
T I M O R L E S T E
LCPL Glen McGuire of Westport searches a detainee, suspected of looting and arson.
Rounding up the street gangs
policemen were killed and more than 27 others wounded in the
massacre (see Witness to A Massacre).
■ With the security forces in a bloody standoff over 20,000 Dili
residents (out of a population of 100,000) had fled the city and the
streets became the playground of rudely armed street gangs fighting
running battles over territory and settling scores.
■ 25 May. F-FDTL soldiers launch a sustained attack on the PNTL
(Police) National Headquarters in Dili.
■ 26 May. The rebels launch attacks against military headquarters
at Tasi Tolu, 6 Km from Dili.
■ 26 May. 150 Australian Defence Force (ADF) special-forces secure
Dili airport and occupy the Obrigado police barracks.
■ 26 May. A RNZAF C-130 Hercules leaves Christchurch with 42
soldiers from 2/1 Battalion normally based at Burnham Army Camp,
An example of one of the many weapons confiscated by Kiwi Patrols.
bound for Darwin.
■ 27 May. A RNZAF B757 leaves with over a 120 personnel on board
bound for Townsville.
■ 28 May. The rebels lift their siege of Dili and pull back to Aileu.
■ 28 May. A contingent of 42 NZDF soldiers arrive in Dili and secure
the New Zealand Embassy.
■ 29-31 May. A 1300-man ADF contingent begins an accelerated
deployment and to fan out to trouble spots. Australian Navy ships
appear in the harbour.
■ 31 May. A second RNZAF C-130 joins the support effort – ferrying
in freight and equipment, including some Light Operational Vehicles.
Air Load Teams (ALT) were also dispatched to Darwin loading a range
of vital stores bound for Dili.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
WITNESS TO A
New Zealand Army MAJ Ian Martyn - serving in Timor Leste with the United Nations as a Military Training
Advisor - was an eyewitness to a bloody massacre of ten unarmed Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) on
25 May. The massacre was the catalyst for the burning, looting and score-settling that was to follow.
The massacre, described as one of the
worst atrocities committed in Timor
Leste since 1999, began at about
1230hrs when the PNTL Headquarters in
Dili came under attack from elements of the
Timor- Leste Army (F-FDTL).
‘The UN Chief Military Advisor, his deputy
and I drove to the F-FDTL MP HQ, about 100
meters from Obrigado barracks, where we
got a ceasefire and safe passage assurance
from the Timor-Leste Defence Force Chief
GEN Tuar Matan Ruak on the proviso the
Police disarmed,’ says MAJ Martyn.
They then made their way to the PNTL HQ,
passing unhindered through an intersection,
waving at the F-FDTL soldiers carrying
weapons who would shortly be responsible
for the massacre at that same intersection.
When the now sporadic firing had ceased,
the UN Advisors rounded up and disarmed
the 90 or so Police with the plan to walk
them down the road under UN escort to the
Obrigado barracks.
‘The PNTL officers were very nervous
and not happy about disarming but they
eventually complied when they saw the
column forming up,’ he says. ‘The column set
off very slowly, lights flashing and UN flag
held high in a convoy of nine UN cars (four
either side and one at the rear) providing
cover for the policemen on foot.’
As the column approached the first
intersection MAJ Martyn spotted a soldier
‘twitch his head as if he recognised someone
in the column. He raised his weapon and
I saw another soldier opposite him also
respond. They started shooting automatic
bursts into the front of the column. I saw one
soldier step forward and fire into police who
are already fl at on the ground. I was stunned,
trying to register what was happening.’
‘Most of the column had hit the ground.
Two UIR (Rapid Intervention Unit – riot
squad) police officers had jumped into my car
which is full of weapons and ammo making it
an obvious target.’ He eventually made it into
the rear of the PNTL HQ without being hit.
When the firing stopped they returned to the
scene to help retrieve the dead and wounded
and take them to Obrigado barracks.
The final toll was 10 dead – 5 killed outright,
4 died soon after and one PNTL was found
the next day in a ditch. 27(including two
UNPOL) were wounded – 18 critically.
At first the PNTL seemed to blame us (the
UN) for the massacre, since it had been us
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
MAJ Ian Martyn: Eye witness to a bloody
massacre of unarmed police.
MASSACRE
who had convinced them to disarm, thus
removing their means of personal protection.
Disarming however was non-negotiable – it
was a condition of the agreed ceasefire that
had been stipulated by General Ruak. The
PNTL thought (as did we, since we had spent
some time convincing them) that they would
be safe moving as an unarmed, UN protected
and led column on foot’, says MAJ Martyn.
‘If we (the UN military in Obrigado Barracks
- only three of us at the time) and the
UNPOL had not done something to help
the besieged PNTL officers in their HQ,
there was nothing surer than they would
T I M O R L E S T E
have eventually all been killed, such was
the intensity of the attack. The F-FDTL
clearly did not understand, comprehend or
choose to observe the expected sanctity of
those moving under UN protection, despite
a lengthy negotiation with the attacking
soldiers prior to the column moving off. They
[the F-FDTL soldiers at the intersection] were
in no doubt the PNTL were unarmed (it had
been communicated in English, Portuguese
and Tetum)’ said MAJ Martyn.
’Control of some elements of the F-FDTL
had clearly been lost,’ he says. ‘Irrespective
of the CDF’s (General Ruak) assurance of
safe passage, the soldiers who attacked the
column obviously had another agenda and
chose to blatantly disobey him.’
The following days at Obrigado Barracks
were ‘tense and focussed’ says MAJ Martyn
until Australian Defence Force support
arrived on 28 May.
On 26 May MAJ Martyn volunteered to fl y
air security to extract most of the surviving 61
to safely but after only two sorties the civilian
Russian (MI-8) pilots called it quits because
of increasing danger of being shot at by the
rogue F-FDTL elements when they realized
what we were doing – MI-8s had never put
down into Obrigado Barracks before. With
PNTL ‘targets’ still inside the barracks it could
have been attacked at any time and the
number of ‘targets’ increased as more PNTL
surrendered their weapons in return for the
relative safety of the barracks.
All were eventually flown to safety.
MAJ Ian Martyn is a former RNZAF
Warrant Officer.
MOB VIOLENCE: Flowers mark the place in a house where the body of a woman clutching her dead
baby, was found burnt. The fire was started by a mob.
27

T I M O R L E S T E
TIMOR LESTE:
Observers agree the recent violence in Timor Leste appeared to come out of the blue. Grant Carr
reviews the impressions of NZDF personnel who were stationed with the United Nations.
New Zealand’s Senior National Offi cer
(SNO) in Timor Leste at the time of
the outbreak of violence, WGCDR
Craig Basher, recalls sending an email back
home soon after his arrival in December 2005
advising that in comparison with Afghanistan,
Timor Leste was a ‘wee sleepy hollow’.
‘One of my staff had been posted to
Afghanistan and his emails painted a bleak
picture of conditions there, whereas I found
myself in tropical island paradise - 30 degrees
plus each day, beautiful beaches and crystal
clear coastal waters with an abundance of
coral reefs and tropical fi sh.’
‘My initial thoughts of the people were that
they were wonderful - laid back, content, and
moving to a diff erent beat than I am used to.
It took me considerable eff ort to adjust to
their pace. There was little to indicate that in
four months the community would be torn
apart by rioting and looting.
‘The often talked about East/West tensions
were not apparent. I recently spoke with an
83-year-old priest from Goa who had been
in Timor Leste for the past 52 years. When
I asked him when he had fi rst realized that
the East-West tensions were of concern he
thought for a moment and answered – April.
That’s an indication that even those closest
to the people were unaware of the potential
for conflict between East and West,’ says
WGCDR Basher.
That there was no sign of trouble brewing is
echoed by SQNLDR Robin Chambers who ran
the streets of Timor Leste’s capital Dili most
evenings when he was stationed there for
six months last year providing UN logistical
support to Military Training Advisor’s Group.
‘There would be pockets of ten to twenty
unemployed youths just hanging around
street corners,’ he says. In hindsight they
were probably the precursor to the rampant
armed gangs that have terrorised much of
the city in recent weeks, he says. But back
then they were little more than a vaguely
malevolent nuisance and a sign of the
fl edgling nation’s unemployment crisis.
Indeed, the situation was stable enough for
the UN to be scaling down its involvement
and planning to pull out by 20 June,
he says.
So, what caused the trouble in paradise?
NZ Army MAJ Ian Martyn was part of a
team of 15 UN Military Training Advisors
responsible for training and mentoring the
Border Patrol Unit (a sub-unit of the Timor
Leste Police). He was also a witness to the detained and processed suspected arsonists and looters.
They gathered on the waterfront in their secure enough to return to their homes and
28 29
terrible massacre of unarmed policemen
F L E E T M A N A G E M E N T R E V I E W
The NZDF’s new Pinzgauer Light Armoured Vehicle is unloaded from the Air Force C130 Hercules
after it touches down at Dili Airport.
Children at the Don Bosco Monastery greet the Kiwis.
ABOVE: The NZDF’s Pinzgauer Light Operational Vehicle
on patrol.
RIGHT: Weapons confi scated by New Zealand soliders who
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
GEN Tuar Matan Ruak, Commander-in-Chief of Timor Leste’s fragmented Army, praised the actions of
New Zealanders WGCDR Craig Basher and LT CDR Wayne Burtton, who rescued two of his injured soldiers
when fi ghting broke out. WGCDR Basher describes the action.
Following the riots outside the government
buildings our advisory roles were dispensed
with, and we spent our days monitoring the
situation and passing information back to
Wellington. On 23 May 06 we were advised
that the F-FDTL (Timorese Army) had set up
a roadblock on the Dili Hill. LT CDR Wayne
Burtton and I drove there to investigate. On
arriving at the crest of the hill we were hastily
waved through by agitated soldiers. We
drove for 250 meters when a fi refi ght broke
out between what we now know to be the
rebel soldiers led by MAJ Alfredo Reinado
and the F-FDTL. The engagement involved
automatic and semi automatics weapons
continued from page 28
on 25 May (see Witness to A Massacre, page
27). There was ‘little evidence of civil unrest
before the sacking of the 595 F-FDTL soldiers,’
he says. ‘The so-called “Petitioners”, headed
by the sacked F-FDTL offi cer LT Salsinha and
the majority of the 595 group agitated and
protested to have the circumstances of the
sacking reviewed.’
‘The youth gangs that have emerged seem
to have been encouraged and fi red up to
support the East-West equation with some
suggestion that this is being orchestrated.
The East-West issue is largely about groups
that were either pro-Indonesian integration
( Westeners) and those who were proindependence
prior to 1999 and the
subsequent independence in 2002,’ says
MAJ Martyn.
‘Hence F-FDTL and PNTL rogue elements,
ex-Falantil jungle fi ghters, the sacked 595
group of soldiers and those who form the
“Petitioners” of this group, martial arts
groups, youth gangs and a host of other
disaffected groups subsequently joined
the melee to force a schism in government
ranks. They either support President Gusmao
or Prime Minister Alkatiri with the primary
agitators wanting Alkatiri to resign.’
Where to from here?
WGCDR Basher, who has since returned to
New Zealand, remains optimistic the deep
wounds of the recent violence can be healed
and that, with international help, all is not lost
on the island paradise:
‘The arrival of the Australian troops was
treated with jubilation by the Timorese.
thousands to watch the Australian ships sail
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
WGCDR Basher LT CDR Burtton
and the use of grenades and continued for
the next two hours.
While we were observing the confl ict and
reporting back by cellphone two wounded
into the harbour. The troops were cheered
as they disembarked from their aircraft.
Similarly the Kiwi troops were greeted with
cries of ‘Kia Ora Kiwi’, with children waving
and yelling as the troops go by. While it
may sound corny it makes you feel proud
(patriotic) that we are able to make such a
signifi cant diff erence to peoples lives. Over
the past few days I have noticed a gradual
return of street vendors selling cigarettes
and phone cards along with an increasing
number of small businesses opening. I am
hopeful that over the next few weeks we
will see a gradual increase in business and
market activity, and that the people will feel
continue with their lives. ‘
T I M O R L E S T E
PARADISE LOST ? PRAISE FOR SOLDIERS’ RESCUE
soldiers appeared on the road. We assisted
them back to our vehicle and ascertained
they had both been shot and required
medical assistance. We evacuated both
soldiers to the Army base at Metinaro, ringing
ahead to organize the medical centre. On
arrival the soldiers were assisted by the
Australian medics. One soldier had been shot
in the stomach and the other had been shot
in the upper leg. Once stabilized we arranged
through the UN, for them to be transported
by ambulance to Dili Hospital. During that
day the Australian medics were kept busy
stabilizing wounded soldiers and evacuating
them to Dili or Baucau hospitals.
ABOVE: ‘Kia Ora Kiwi.’ Locals were keen to reacquaint themselves with the Kiwis.
BELOW RIGHT: A father and his baby at the Don Bosco Monastery where up to 13000 people
sought sanctuary from violence and reprisals. The monastery is run by Father Adriano along with
local volunteers.

On 1 July 2006, Logistics Wing and the Directorate of
Aeronautical Procurement ceased to exist. In their place
stand two newly formed Wings: the Maintenance Wing and
the Materiel Support Wing. These are the fi rst steps in
implementing the RNZAF Logistics Fleet Management Review.
WGCDR Gary Walford looks at the changes.
What is the Fleet Management Review?
The RNZAF’s Logistics organisation and
delivery mechanisms have evolved over
the past decade. They have needed to. To
be the best we can be requires constant
improvement and adjustment against
an ever changing environment. During
the analysis to implement Project JEMS,
however, it became apparent that the
current organisation, while functioning
DIAGRAM 1
reasonably well, will not be adequate to
take Logistics into the new era of upgraded
and replacement aircraft and improved
management systems.
Projec t J E M S ( J o i n t E n g i n e e r i n g
Management Systems) which introduces SAP
Plant Maintenance (PM) into the RNZAF will
impact every aircraft tradesman and supplier
within the RNZAF, from the 4 September
2006 when the system goes live across the
DIAGRAM 2
AK 05-0244-05
RNZAF. SAP PM will enhance the RNZAF’s
ability to manage its technical airworthiness
and through life support responsibilities
in support of Operations. This is achieved
through the provision of better information,
management tools, processes, and reporting
functionality to all Logistics personnel.
Under the Fleet Management Review
Hewlett Pack ard NZ Ltd have been
engaged to undertake a review of Logistics
organisation and processes and implement
a new structure and processes that would
provide improvements in both planning and
workfl ow management in the new SAP PM
environment.
The New Logistics Structure
The main change to the Logistics organisation
recommended by the review revolves around
the replacement of the current Logistics Wing
and DAP structure with a Maintenance Wing
(responsible for maintenance workshops,
Force Element (FE) engineering monitoring
and, in combination with DAC, airworthiness)
and a Materiel Support Wing (responsible for
aeronautical contracts and procurement, fl eet
planning, and supply chain management).
Main focus of the Review
As depicted in diagram 2 at left, the logistics
chain required to ensure aircraft are available
for tasking involves a number disparate
functions. The key to coordinating and
managing these functions to ensure aircraft
availability is the ability to eff ectively plan
aircraft maintenance and the availability of
the material required. This has therefore been
the major focus of the Fleet Management
Review.
The Planning Function
The fleet planning concept, whilst not
new, has previously been owned and
accomplished by each individual Squadron.
This has resulted in numerous fl eet plans with
many owners and little coordination between
30
them from a logistic support perspective. The
to identify any rotables or other material according to that capacity on a daily basis, whilst still providing for contingency for AOG
30 31
lack of an integrated fl eet planning function
within Logistics - with no integrated plan and
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
The review will make
the job of people like
Engineering Offi cer,
FLTLT Alex Cox - seen here
looking at plans of the
C-130 – a lot easier.
DIAGRAM 3
no ownership of that plan - has resulted in ad
hoc, disparate and uncoordinated Logistics
support to the operating Squadrons.
A new Logistics unit, the Fleet Planning Unit,
will be organised on an aircraft fl eet basis,
and with accountability and responsibility
for the delivery of logistics support to
the operating squadrons. This will see
these legacy issues disappear and better
support being provided. The result will
be: improved aircraft availability on each
operating Squadron.
The unit will take the aircraft servicing
schedules developed by AMPU and develop a
long term Maintenance Programme for each
fl eet. This will help to identify the any longer
term strategic and fi nancial management
issues that this programme involves. This will,
in turn, allow time for mitigation strategies to
be developed.
Closer to the planned maintenance
event the Fleet Planning Unit will, in close
consultation with the FEGs, develop the
maintenance schedule to programme
exactly when the work will be done. Any
additional work required as part of the
servicing; such as maintenance deferred
by the FE, embodiment of modifications,
and Special Maintenance Instructions;
will be incorporated into the detailed
work breakdown of the schedule using a
sophisticated SAP tool call Maintenance
Event Builder. The tasks required to complete
the servicing will be closely examined
needed to complete the servicing. These
will be pre-ordered and the demands for
this material closely monitored to ensure the
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
OVERVIEW OF FLEET PLAN/SERVICING
material is available prior to the scheduled
servicing induction date.
Once the scheduled servicing is underway
the Fleet Planning Unit will monitor progress
to ensure that the task is completed in
the time planned. This will be particularly
important for servicings carried out by
external contractors.
Component Control and Planning
Allied to the co-ordination and planning
of major aircraft servicings is the control
and planning of the maintenance required
to ensure components are available to the
FEGs. With the introduction of SAP PM, the
Component Control teams within the SCMS
will have visibility of all internal and external
repairs, as they will all be in one system, SAP.
This will enable them to schedule repairs
IN A NUTSHELL
The changes will deliver
effi ciencies in four key areas:
F L E E T M A N A G E M E N T R E V I E W
1. Planning discipline in each of the FPU and SCMS will provide more accurate forecasted
replacement rates for components, both planned and unexpected.
2. Material reservations may be made against a servicing well ahead of the generation
of the servicing package - enabled through JEMS status fi elds. This will identify any
resourcing issues earlier than is currently possible, so plans can be made to address any
shortages identifi ed.
3. Contractors will be provided with more accurate and timely forecasts of upcoming
workloads enabling them to better plan their resources accordingly.
4. RNZAF Repair Bay capacity will be visible in SAP, enabling workloads to be allocated
situations.
through the bays, or external vendors,
based on the priority of the repair and the
availability of resource within the Repair
Bays, to ensure the optimum availability
of components to meet aircraft availability
requirements.
The Fleet Management Review Team
Many tasks to be completed prior to JEMS
implementation on 4 September. A dedicated
team is managing the changes:
WGCDR Gary Walford (Project Director)
Mr Damian Moody (HP NZ, Project Manager)
SQNLDR Matt Abbott (Project Offi cer)
Miss Phillipa Tonks (HP NZ, Analyst).
The team can be contacted at:
http://projec ts/air-logfleetmanage/
TeamPageLib/Default.aspx

32
AIR FORCE MEN MAKE IT
NINE IN A ROW!
Our mighty men in (light) blue have done it again! LAC ‘Jonesy’ Jones describes the
action at this year’s Interservice Basketball Tournament held at Waiouru Army Camp.
The Eru Brown Gymnasium, Waiouru
Camp, was this year’s venue for I/S
BBALL. Following an intensive weekend
training camp at Ohakea, the RNZAF teams
headed to Waiouru during a small window
of opportunity between road closures
due to snow. Waiouru treated us to the
beautiful and picturesque panorama of
the Camp cloaked in snow, and a warm
offi cial welcome at the likewise beautiful
Army Marae.
The Air Force men tipped off the
competition with a hard-fought victory
(83-65) over a determined Army team,
which was well supported by an enthusiastic
home crowd. Air Force Ladies fought a hard
match against Army before succumbing to
accurate opposition shooting. After a onematch
break Air Force Ladies were back on
court facing the Navy. This time the Air Force
Ladies were triumphant with AC G. Liua’ana
standing out with a great performance. The
Air Force Men took the court next against
a Navy team that led until the 4th quarter
before the Air Force’s combinations clicked,
with Mr S. Morris & W/O P.C.P Davies leading
the way. After a strenuous day the teams
then headed out to the luxurious surrounds
of the Powder-Keg in Ohakune to relax and
unwind with a swim and a few beverages.
Day 2 started in a fi erce encounter, with
the youthful and courageous Army Men’s
team fi ghting for a place in the fi nal. Army
held the upper-hand for most of the game,
but in a ‘nail-biting’ fi nish, FLTLT Craig Searle
stepped up to hit crucial free throws, which
combined with weather-tight Air Force full
court pressure defence, to secure an Air
victory by just 3 points.
The Air Ladies then faced the Navy in yet
another tight game, decided in the last
two minutes as AC B. Moohan nailed 2 free
throws to secure the lead for Air, with her
team- mates playing hard, to seal the victory
(56-53). Following a one-game break the Air
Force Ladies faced the Army in another good
No, guys. It’s not rugby. But
this photograph illustrates
the intensity of the match.
game, but with Army Ladies dominating
for the win. Air Men then faced Navy who,
having lost a key player to injury, and having
secured a fi nals berth with an outstanding
earlier eff ort against Army, were happy to
trade shots, resulting in a comfortable victory
for Air. That evening the entertainment was
a quiz that mixed up the three Services, and
new friends were made, before the teams
headed back to barracks in the snow to
watch DVD’s and chill out before the fi nals
the next day!
Finals day - trophy time! Air Ladies were
pitted against the defending champions
Army, and in a tense, and the closest
encounter in a decade, Army prevailed to win
their 10th title in a row. Congratulations. Well
done Army women! The men faced a brave
Navy squad who came out fi ghting, leading
the first half of the match. The Air Men
weathered the storm then inexorably ground
their opposition down, coming through
strongly to take the match in convincing
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
A. AC Brendan Davies going strong to the basket.
B. Outstanding defence from CPL Chris Lindsay…
C. Bombs away… the hot hands of tounament
MVP AC Ben Gardiner... under-defended.
D. FLTLT Craig Searle scything to the basket.
style, making it 9 consecutive interservices
titles in a row. Well-done team!
Well done to AC’s B. Gardiner and G. Liua’ana
for outstanding individual performances that
saw them win the MVP and Rookie awards
respectively. Finally, unprecedented in living
memory, congratulations to W/O P.C.P Davies
and to AC Brendon Davies, for their selection
to both the RNZAF and NZDF teams as
father and son combination. Davies Senior
has made a unique contribution to RNZAF
basketball, but he’s quite cleverly topped
even himself this time, and we look forward
to similar from Junior.
Air Force personnel to be selected for the
NZDF team were:
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
A
C
Men’s Team
SQNLDR T. Coromandel (Coach)
LAC B. Jones (Manager)
FLTLT C. Searle
W/O P.C.P Davies
MACR S. Schroder
SGT G. Kotua
AC B. Davies
AC B. Gardiner
MR S. Morris
Women’s Team
F/S L. Turner (Coach)
FLTLT J. Adlam
AC T. Driver
AC B. Fruean
CPL T. Hollis (Non travelling)
Men’s Winners:
Tournament: Air Force
MVP: AC B. Gardiner
Rookie: OMT A. Harford
Women’s Winners:
Tournament: Army
MVP: LCPL S. Cosgrove
Rookie: AC G. Liua’ana
B
D
I S B A S K E T B A L L
33

34
FLTLT Andy Foster
Following on from the unfortunate loss of the Base Auckland
Offi cer’s Cricket Team to the SNCOs earlier in the year, the
challenge was laid down between the messes in the ultimate
code, the nation’s national game – Rugby. What occurred on Wednesday,
21 June 2006, was a tightly contested battle of the titans, dubbed, ‘Any
Given Wednesday’.
For the enthusiasts among you, let me briefly set the scene:
a typically fine Auckland winter’s day with not a hint of rain, a
predictably light NW of about 10 knots, an immaculate pitch, half
the Base on the sideline, and of course, 50 fi ne athletes preparing to
lay it all on the line for victory.
After much deliberation, the rules were amended to ensure the
game was a spectacle. Moderated ruck laws, a two-try limit per player,
golden oldie scrums, and 35-minute halves. A high-scoring, wide,
expansive spectacle it was meant to be, a tight tussle it was…
The Offi cers kicked-off in the fi rst-half, and to their surprise the
SNCOs signalled their intention using the prodigious left boot of SGT
Garner Gulliver, plugging the corners to good eff ect. The Offi cers
on the other hand, captained by fi rst fi ve FLTLT Adrian Grey, were
intent on running the ball from almost anywhere. After the fi rst 10
minutes, the SNCOs had the better of the Offi cers, turning over less
ball and stringing together several phases of play. It wasn’t until
the 20th minute that the Offi cers really forced themselves into the
game. After sustained pressure through numerous phases and
superb teamwork, all the hard work was done and the captain put the
fullback (yours truly) through a giant gap to take the Offi cers out to
a 5 – 0 lead. Unfortunately, the rules stated that the try scorer must
convert, and although skinning the left upright, I missed, meaning
the score would stay at 5 – 0. The rest of the fi rst half saw the SNCOs
apply sustained pressure and come close to scoring on a couple of
occasions. It was only the big defence of FLTLT Charlie Beetham,
SQNLDR Nick Olney and FLTLT Charlie Wood (among others) that
prevented a breach in the Offi cers’ defence. Heading into the halftime
break, the Offi cers led 5 – 0.
The second stanza saw much of the same. With increased vigour
and teamwork, the SNCOs dominated possession and territory,
looking good on attack. The Offi cers however, defended heroically,
managing to just hold their counterparts, and even the colossal
SGT Brad Mead, who was lured out of retirement for the encounter,
couldn’t cross the chalk. The fi nal minute loomed and the Offi cers
had a scrum 5-metres from their own line; the ball popped out,
and SGT Garner Gulliver scooped it up and dived for the line. What
followed has been described as reminiscent of the George Gregan/
Jeff Wilson drama of 1994, as FLTLT Adrian Grey gave SGT Gulliver
the stiff est arm ever witnessed and duly knocked the ball loose, and
Gully unconscious. With that try–saving act, the fi nal whistle blew
and the Offi cers celebrated a hard-fought 5-0 victory.
At the end of the day, COABW staged a great occasion, and both
the players and spectators enjoyed the festivities. Thanks to all of
the guys who fronted up and played hard, thanks also to both the
Offi cers and SNCO Mess Committees, and of course the cheerleaders.
Standby for next year.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
S P O R T
35

36
B R I E F S
‘EVERY KIWI THANKS YOU’
The Minister of Veteran’s Affairs, Hon Rick Barker, took the opportunity
to present Veteran’s Lapel Badges to NZDF members on Tuesday
24 May in his office at Parliament. LT GEN Mateparae, CDF; Air Vice
Marshal David Bamfield, VCDF; LT Russell Metge (Navy), MAJ Pete
Stitt (Army), FLTLT Kelli Williams (Air Force) and Mr Simon Eaton, a
member of the NZDF civilian staff, all received their badges from a
very grateful Minister. The six are all veterans and eligible to wear the
special badge during this year, the Year of the Veteran.
‘Thank you, this is for your service,’ said Hon Rick Barker. ‘Every Kiwi
thanks you – you all do a great job.’ The Minister of Veteran’s Affairs
specifically recalled his time spent in East Timor where he got to see
the work the NZDF was doing in the country. ‘You were fantastic,’ he
said, ‘I was proud of what you did and proud to be a Kiwi.’
CDF thanked the Minister for his support for veterans – to those
younger veterans who are currently serving in the Defence Force as
well as those older veterans. The Lapel Badge, which honours and
commemorates all eligible veterans, ‘means a great deal to all of us,’
LT GEN Mateparae said.
The Lapel Badges are being distributed to all eligible veterans.
Uniformed NZDF members do not need to apply individually to
Veterans Affairs (VANZ), although eligible civilian staff members may
need to if their administrative units have not applied for them already.
VANZ are processing and dispatching veterans Lapel Badges to all
eligible people. There are plenty of badges available.
CDF has directed that the badge is to be worn by all entitled
personnel when wearing uniform (DPMs excluded), and is worn
centrally above the name badge, but below any Commendations
worn (including Australian MUC). The badge is to be worn for the
duration of 2006.
Further details are on the VANZ website.
Chapel’s new Papakura home
A former Air Force chapel has a new home at the SAS’s Papakura Camp.
On Friday 19 May the building was rededicated
at its new site, close to the camp’s Special
Services Memorial. In the meanwhile it had
been extensively and lovingly restored, and
it is ‘as new’ if not better, says Chaplain Mr
John Harford.
Former parishioners were delighted to see
it in its new role, and were grateful that the
SAS retained its name, even continued to call
it a ‘Station Chapel’ and had placed a plaque
to state its former history.
Like nearly all Service chapels this one was
built in 1942 at Hobsonville using money from
the Patriotic Fund. In peace time it was used
more by Catholic and Anglican chaplains.
Local Anglican farming families used it almost
as their parish church. Whenuapai chapel,
only 2 kilometres away, was used by the
Protestant chaplains.
It had a particularly beautiful site,
surrounded by trees and gardens, adjacent
to Mill House, the original farmhouse on
the Base. It was painted black with white
trimmings, to match that house. After the
closure of Hobsonville as an operational
airfield some services were held there, but it
became essential to find another home for
the building.
The former chapels at Papakura Camp were
The chapel’s new home at Papakura Camp
lost when much of that camp was demolished.
The SAS had fond memories of the building,
applied for it to be transferred, and the then
CDF AIRMSHL Ferguson instructed that this
should take place . A service of farewell was
conducted at Hobsonville, and, after some
delays the building was removed.
Unfortunately, little is known of the chapel’s
history. The Whenuapai chaplains would
be very grateful for any material anybody
might send to help in this project. We would
value any documents, photographs, and
reminiscences, and will return them ASAP.
Please send your contribution to:
Tania Gordon
Chaplains Office
RNZAF Base Auckland, WHENUAPAI
Minister of Veterans Affairs, Hon Rick Barker presents (top) Vice Chief of
Defence Force, Air Vice Marshal David Bamfield and (above) FLTLT Kelli
Williams with Year of the Veteran lapel badges in appreciation of their
service overseas.
ANOTHER LOVELY PAIR
Air Force people are such a comely lot,
with personalities to match. Just to prove
it, pictured here is FLTLT Catherine Pollock
and new husband Andrew MacGowan at
their Base Woodbourne wedding making
yet another lovely couple. FLTLT Catherine
MacGowan – yes she went the trad route
and took her new hubbie’s surname
- currently works at Joint Forces near
Trentham, Wellington.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
AIR MOVEMENTS’ ADVENTURES
With the hectic pace of the Operation Antarctica season behind them, the team at Christchurch Air
Movements thought it was a great opportunity for a week of training. The Christchurch Corporals report
on their ensuing adventure in Hamner Springs.
The beautiful but freezing Hamner
Springs was selected as the venue of
choice, and being the good bunch
that we are we invited the Wellington Air
Movements section along, as their section
had also not had the chance for any
adventure training for some time.
Most of the meticulous organisation was
completed by SGT Grizz Pryce, and before
long we were all ready and keen to depart.
The trip ran from Monday 15th May through
to Friday 19th May. All up there were nine
members from Christchurch and three from
Wellington, there was also a special guest
appearance from our OSS boss, SQNLDR
Pete King who joined us for two nights.
Our accommodation was in cabins at the
Mountain View Lodge, this was a perfect
base, there was plenty of room to set up our
marquee and BBQ area, and this was only a
stones throw from the hot pools. We packed
for winter conditions and we were all glad
that we did, with the temperature staying
around 5 degrees all week. Luckily the hot
pools were a bit warmer than this.
Our first activity was a tramp over Mt
Isobel, we climbed through the fresh snow
to an altitude of 3920 ft, where the view’s
of Hamner were amazing. LAC Anj Maliko
got some great shots with her digital
camera. We stopped and ate lunch at a 140
ft waterfall and then descended down via
the Dog Stream track. We were all feeling
quite proud of our achievement until we
were passed by a group of primary school
children also completing the same tramp.
Next was Wednesday, we woke to a
crisp Hamner Springs morning and began
preparing for a 28 km mountain bike ride up
Jacks Pass Road, through the Molesworth
Farm Park, then down Jollies Pass Road back
to the lodge.
As most of us were still struggling out
of bed, W/O Warren Tindall and F/S Tom
Kelly had already completed the ride. They
quickly laid down a challenge, for anyone
to beat their time. The challenge was
accepted but soon after setting off on the
ride, it became obvious to everyone that
this was going to be quite a challenging
climb. Before long there was a lot of ‘bike
walking’ occurring due to an arduous 9 km
uphill ride. Unfortunately the lads time
was under no threat of being beaten. All
up everyone took around two hours, give
or take a few minutes.
Everyone had been looking forward to
Thursdays activities the most, and with good
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
WN 06-0219-02
reason, as this was the day we were completing
our ‘combat training’ with a game of paintball
and an afternoon of quad biking.
For the paint ball we split into two teams: the
‘young ones’ versus the ‘oldies’, with a lot of
pre-game trash talk from both sides.
The battle started out quite even but the
‘oldies’ began to take control and were soon
venting all of their life’s frustrations on the
other team. This was far too much to defend
against for team ‘young ones’ and soon their
fort fell to the ‘oldies’. The final score, 4-2 to
the ‘oldies’, is something the ‘young ones’ may
never live down.
That afternoon we went quad biking,
through the dirt tracks and streams of the
A D V E N T U R E T R A I N I N G
Christchurch personnel were joined by Wellington Air Movements for a roaring good time on the
quad bikes. L-R: F/S Tiny Madeley, LAC Ross Mosley, CPL Jaso King, F/S Tom Kelly, CPL Tony Perriton,
MACR Warren Tindall, SGT Shane Drummond, SQNLDR Pete King, CPL Shane Salmons, CPL Mikey
Hillson, SGT Grizz Pryce. On their bikes were LAC Anj Maliko and CPL Shaz Macks.
ABOVE: The Christchurch Air Movements team arrive in
Hamner Springs ready to enjoy a week of adventure training.
R IGHT: Their timing was right - before the big snow made places like this inaccessible. Atop Mt
Isobel L-R: SGT Grizz Pryce, CPL Shaz Macks, LAC Anj Maliko, CPL Shane Salmons, CPL Jaso King
Hamner valley. We all got in there and got
nice and dirty, there were a few close calls
but luckily nobody came off or flipped their
quad. Everybody had a really good time and
didn’t want to stop when we were told our
time was up.
We finished off an awesome day with a soak
in the hot pools, followed by an Olympic
themed Happy Hour and fine session run
by the Corporals, which involved four teams
– Jamaica, Texas, Tonga and Mexico fighting
it out at four difficult events to become the
world champions.
On Friday we all woke a little jaded, packed
up and returned to Base. All agreed it was a
very successful and enjoyable adventure.
WN 06-0219-01
WN 06-0219-03
37

38
A group photograph of the Ex WAAF Association members who visited Base Auckland during their reunion. A P-3 Orion is in the background.
TRAIL-BLAZING WAAFS RETURN
A visit by members of the Ex WAAF Association to Base Auckland in May gave them an insight into how far
women have come in today’s Air Force and a reminder to serving Air Force personnel that these women laid the
foundation stones and were the trail-blazers for women proudly serving in today’s Air Force.
SQNLDR Marie Peters reports on the visit.
Gate-crashing somebody else’s party
always comes with consequences,
but I’m pleased to advise the
consequences of my/our misdemeanour
couldn’t have achieved a more appropriate
and rewarding outcome.
The EX WAAF Association held a reunion
in Auckland over the weekend 25-26
March, which SQNLDR Nancy Kirby and I
gatecrashed. As we are both still serving
members of the RNZAF, offi cially we shouldn’t
have been there, but following
discussions with one of the event
organiser’s she agreed to accept
our registrations for the event,
owing to our length of tenure
– ‘we just forgot to retire’ I think
was the way I phrased it. The
reunion really bought home to
me that it was these ladies who
had laid the foundation stone/s
for the women serving in today’s
Air Force, and in many respects
we have now come full circle – the
women that served during the
war years served in many trade
areas that were subsequently
placed off-limits to women for
approximately the next 60 years;
however over the past 20 years
we have again seen every trade within the
RNZAF being opened up to women.
By way of payback for our small indiscretion
and with the support of CO ABW Auckland
(WGCDR John Cummings) an invitation
was extended to members of the Auckland
Branch of the Ex WAAF’s Association for a
visit to Base Auckland. The visit took place
on Thursday 25th May, 2006, with a group
of approximately 44 ladies returning to Base
Auckland, for what was for many, their fi rst
CPL Rachel Buckingham (AEOP) talking to a group of ladies before
boarding the Orion
offi cial visit to an RNZAF Base since leaving
the organisation. Periods of service for
these women commenced in the 1940’s
through to the 1970’s and they came from a
wide range of trade backgrounds including
telephone operators, safety and surface,
administration, accounts, typists, medical,
radar ops, mess stewards, drivers, aircraft
fi nishers and aircraft salvage operators, to
name but a few.
The programme for the day consisted of
visits to three Base Units. The
fi rst stop was at 5 Sqn, where
FGOFF Karina Chipman (NAV),
provided background on the
roles and numbers of female
aircrew who have served in
the RNZAF, before moving on
to the roles and functions of
5 Sqn. Karina was assisted
by CPL AEOP’s Cat Lawrie and
Rachel Buckingham, who look
the ladies on a tour of the Orion.
This was followed up by a visit
to 6 Sqn, where F/S Nicci Brown
(Avionics) provided an overview
of her career and role on 6 Sqn.
And the final visit was to the
Operational Communication
and I nformation Systems
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
AK 06-0208-08
AK 06-0208-15
AEOP CPLs Catherine Lawrie and Rachel Buckingham examine Mrs Bobbie
Hepworth’s (Transport Driver) scrap book from her time in the Air Force
Flight (OCISF), where CPLs Kirsten Keene,
Kate Staunton and Lizana Muir (CISTECH)
provided a brief overview of the operational
aspects of communication and information
systems, including equipment types and
deployments undertaken.
The ladies were then taken on a quick
windshield tour of Base and it was interesting
to note that many of the sections are still in
the same location. The ladies, along with
female representatives from the majority of
trade groups within the RNZAF were then
hosted to lunch by WGCDR Cummings.
Lunch gave the ladies an opportunity to mix
and mingle with servicewomen from today’s
Air Force. This was a time to swap stories of
not only how things used to be, but also the
changes that have taken place. Changing
times have seen barracks becoming co-ed,
resulting in the demise of bed checks (which
some of us still remember), the opportunity
to continue serving while both married and
raising a family, and opportunities to deploy
on operational missions. The only drawback
to the day was that it was over too soon.
The feedback that I have received from the
ladies and the servicewomen indicates that
the visit was a resounding success. Not only
were the number of Ex WAAFs in attendance
more than double their normal attendance
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 AF AFN72 72 JULY 06
Mrs Marie Dowden (Pay Accounts) & Mrs Glenis Elliot (Medical) on the
Orion’s fl ight deck.
for outings, I was overwhelmed with the
number of servicewomen who volunteered
to assist with hosting duties; it was just
unfortunate that I was unable to utilise them
all. Perhaps like me they were interested in
learning how the past has impacted on ‘our’
future. While job titles and opportunities
may have changed, I believe that we all came
away from the day realizing that the ‘culture’
of yesteryear is still very prominent in today’s
Air Force; this is certainly supported in the
comments that I have received from two of
the ladies:
● ‘Our years spent in the Air Force gave us so
much – and the memories and friendships are
very precious to this day. … meeting with
today’s W.A.A.Fs makes a lovely feeling of still
belonging!’ - Rona McIndoe (1943-46)
● ‘It was great to meet all of those young
dedicated airwomen and although I listened
with envy, I also realised that we also had a
wonderful culture when I served in the 60’s.’
- Colleen Towgood (1964-67).
Footnote
Despite its name, membership to the Ex-
WAAF Association is open to all women who
have served in the Air Force – WAAF, WRNZAF
and RNZAF alike. From the recent re-union
it was disappointing to note that of the large
attendance, there were only 37 women who
had served post 1970 and of that only six
of us were post-1980. As Rona notes, the
memories and friendships that we develop
throughout our Service career become
precious as we mature. Membership of the
ExWAAF Association helps keep these alive.
Action is currently being taken to include
an Ex WAAF Association page on the RNZAF
Internet Site which will provide information
concerning the Association and points of
contact. In the interim if you know of anyone
who has previously served and if you are
interested in fi nding out more, contact:
Mrs S.M. Hendstock – President Northland
ExWAAF Assoc. 5/5 Waiatawa Road,
Kensington, Whangarei
Mrs M. Palmer – Secretary Canterbury
ExWAAF Assoc. 30 Woodbury Street,
Avonhead, Christchurch
Mrs Rona Bentley – Secretary Tauranga
ExWAAF Assoc. – 23B Kulim Avenue, Bureta,
Tauranga
Mrs Elaine Parkinson – Secretary Wellington
ExWAAF Club – 42 Amritsar Street, Khandallah,
Wellington
Mrs Chris Wheeler – Secretary Auckland
ExWAAF Assoc. – 548 Ponga Road,
RD4 Papakura
Thoughts on our return to RNZAF Base Auckland
Fran Woods
Oh if only I was 40 years younger and could join up as a woman in
the RNZAF of today with the exciting trades open to women and
the opportunities, not available when I joined in the 1960’s.
It is great to see that the foundations that have been laid by the
ex Airwomen of previous years have come to fruition in the 21st
century. The enthusiasm that the present day serving women
showed for their occupations and their life means that morale of
the RNZAF is high. It seems to be a case of ‘let’s get on with the job
in hand and the aircraft we have’, and make our roles very eff ective
in our modern world of peacekeeping.
Our trip to 5 Squadron, tour through the Orion, Communications
and the newly formed 6 Squadron gave the ex Airwomen an insight
into the role the RNZAF played in the world theatre in these times.
To talk with the present serving women was very interesting and I
E X W A A F A S S O C I AT I O N V I S I T
am sure we all admired how eff ectively they carry out their chosen
trades in the modern world.
The opportunities the women have today in the RNZAF are endless
and I really think the public of New Zealand needs to be informed
of their eff ectiveness in the New Zealand Defence Forces.
We were advised that the barracks are now unisex and when ex
F/S Allie Simpson, WAAF Admin, was asked to comment about how
would it have been to bed check under those circumstances? She
replied “it would have been an interesting experience”. I am sure
some of our ex NCO’s would have been horrifi ed to know that there
charges would be living in the same barracks as men.
Our thanks for the visit go to SQNLDR Marie Peters and the women
who guided us around Base. It was a most enjoyable day and the lunch
provided was superb. Thanks guys and to WGCDR John Cummings,
CO, Air Base Wing Auckland for the hospitality shown to us.
AK 06-0208-07
39

40
O H A K E A ’ S T O U G H G U Y / G I R L C H A L L E N G E
OHAKEA’S TOUGHIES FIGHT IT OUT
Base Ohakea’s annual Tough
Guy/Girl Challenge kicked off on
Wednesday 24 May when 48 hardy
personnel travelled to Tangimoana
Beach. PTI CPL Warren Mant
reports on the action.
A
shorter but more challenging course
was set this year, unbeknown to
the entrants. The race was started
slightly late by CO Air Base Wing WGCDR
Bosch after he mistakenly followed
the fireys on a complete tour of the
Tangimoana township.
From the start point there were 300m of
undulating sand dune running before the
fi rst of many steep climbs. This separated the
pretenders from the contenders. Emerging
from the dunes participants had a short run
to the surf where they were welcomed with
waist deep freezing water and waves for
approximately 300m.
Once out of the water there was a 600
metre trek back to the start point, on the way
negotiating a cargo net crawl, high box jump,
deep pit run and more steep dunes.
20 individuals and 7 (4 person) teams
completed 4 laps of this gruelling course.
The PTIs encouraged the participants to smile
as much as they could, but it was generally
not well received as the sand and cold water
took its toll.
Outstanding performances on the day
came from SGT Baz Bennett, SGT Aaron Carr
and AC Tash Cameron. FGOFF Scott Griff en
got the gentleman award allowing FLTLT
Heather Peart to use his back as a step to get
over the high box. Her next eff ort over the
box was ‘questionable’.
AC Brayden Grant took out the Open Men’s
title gutsing out an 11 second win over Mr
Consistent CPL Cam Pengelly. SGT Grant Ellis
clocked in third 2 minutes behind the leaders.
In the women’s section FLTLT Heather Peart
stayed in front from the start to fi nish 90
seconds ahead of CPL Anj Ball with the same
gap back to CPL Kelly Waite.
Armourers finished first and second
respectively in the teams event, with
medical being the only all female team to
complete the course. Ohakea will be sending
a contingent of competitors to the annual
Tough Guy and Gal challenge in Rotorua in
August and look forward to meeting up with
other Defence personnel there.
PE&RT wish to thank the Ohakea Base
Welfare fund for donating 3 trophies for the
day’s winners. These will be awarded each
year to the winner of the Open Men’s and
Women’s race and one for the team’s event.
OH 06-0248-45
Pamela Anderson eat your heart out! AC
Kathryn Page is all concentration as she exits
the surf.
OH 06-0248-06 THEY’RE OFF: WGCDR Bosch starts the race in near perfect conditions.
AC James Keer-Keer is loving every minute, as
he emerges from under the cargo net.
Women’s winner FLTLT Heather Peart powers her
way to victory.
Winner AC Brayden Grant and runner-up CPL Cam
Pengelly look forward to soup and a hot shower.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
OH 06-0248-02
OH 06-0248-18
OH 06-0248-50
AK 06-0215-44 AK 06-0215-06
HOBBIE’S HARDMAN
A day after Ohakea’s Tough Guy/Girl Challenge Base Auckland personnel
gathered on a cold and wet 25 May morning to fi nd out just which man or
woman deserved the title of ‘Hobsonville Hardman’ in the inaugural AESForganised
competition. CPL Dean Jolley reports.
Watching the 20 eager competitors drive
down the hill I realised they didn’t really
know what they were getting themselves
into. They had heard talk of kayaking, relay
runs and orienteering. Little did they know
they were about to eat frozen pies, ride
bicycles with no tyres or brakes, toss a caber
and perform dingy to dingy transfers in
Auckland Harbour!
CMF, MSS and AESF social clubs were invited
to compete in the evenT which was held at
the Hobsonville waterfront apron area and
fi nished with a BBQ and prizegiving at the
Hobsonville Yacht Club. Twenty brave souls
in teams of two were encouraged (tricked)
into competing, and although it seemed
pretty bad when they realised what was in
store for them at fi rst, the smiles all round
told us it was a success.
After a walk through the course and PTI
safety brief the fi rst two teams began. They
raced from the starting line to event number
one - eating the frozen pies. In case you’ve
never tried it - the pastry has a texture
similar to eating clay, and the mince is like…
well…not the tastiest!
Once all the pie was in their mouth - it was
onto the bikes, sliding around the cones
and over the see-saws, all with a mouthful
of slowly defrosting pie.
The next change-over saw them running
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
along the wharf and down the steps to the
waiting dinghys, only to realise there were no
oars to be found for them to get out to their
second dingy moored in the channel. No
one was sure which was funnier - watching
them try to get from one dinghy to the other
without getting wet - or realising that the
longer they struggled the further the tide
took them away from land. This was the event
where some of the more ‘serious’ teams took
advantage of a shortcoming in the race brief.
No one had said you had to actually be ‘in’
the dinghys, so for some eager competitors
it was off the bikes, down the wharf and
straight into the water - not the warmest on
a cold May morning!.
The fastest teams were out of the water
about three minutes later, straight up the
ramp, where the caber toss awaited. This
event gave them the opportunity to take
valuable seconds off their overall race
time depending on the distance thrown.
Teams used a variety of techniques, from
the spin around ‘Faumina’ to the more uncoordinated
two-person biff – with varying
results. Then it was a quick sprint to where a
warm fl at drink was downed – signalling the
end of their race.
The fi nals were a mixed blessing for the two
top teams. They may have won the glory of
competing for the top prize, but they also
AK 06-0215-19
ABOVE LEFT: LAC Ben Farmer (left)
and LAC Kurt Donaldson show their
mastery of the sea.
LEFT: And the winners were AC
Simon Turner and AC Mase Tai.
ABOVE: Frozen pies. a stomachchurning
experience for LAC Lydia
Savage.
RIGHT: AC Simon Turner about to
take a bike for a bone-jarring jump.
H O B S O N V I L L E ’ S H A R D M A N
LAC Swede Smedly demonstrates his onearmed
caber-tossing technique
had to eat another frozen pie… this simply
gave them another chance to prove their
hardness by eating them in under a minute
and scorching around the course in record
time, breaking all previous records and
crossing the line less than six minutes later.
Congratulations go out to the eventual
winners AC Simon Turner (COMPTEC) and
AC Mase Tai (AEROMW) both from AESF,
proving, without doubt, that they were
worthy winners, and the new Hobsonville
Hard men 2006!
Thanks once again to everyone who helped
out and made it a great day. Next year’s event
promises to be even better!
AK 06-0215-35
AK 06-0215-13
41

42
RNZAF NETBALL REUNION
28-30 July 2006 in conjunction
with Interbase, Base Ohakea
Contact: netballreunion@nzdf.
mil.nz
or check the website http://www.
airforce.dixs.mil.nz/latest-info/
whats-on/reunions/default.htm
MALAYSIAN MEMORY TOUR
Merdeka 50th Anniversary
August 2007
Contact: Russ Byrne
56B Hynds Road,
Greerton,
Tauranga
OHAKEA OLD BAGGIES REUNION
1978 & 1979
Base Ohakea
17-18 November 2006
Contact: Chrissie Ellis
Christine.Ellis@nzdf.mil.nz for
registration forms
06 3515127
RNZAF MARINE SECTION REUNION
(MOTOR BOAT CREW)
18 August: WO/SNCOs Mess
Base Whenuapai
19 August: Duders reception
lounge, Devonport
Contact: Roger Johnson
07 5747144 or Glen Graham 09
4450262
NO. 29 AIRMEN CADET SCHOOL
INTAKE 1972
35th Anniversary
19-21 January 2007
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
Contact: John Forrest
john.forrest@nzdf.mil.nz
+64 3 577 119
SOCKBURN SCHOOL
50th Anniversary
27-29 October 2006
PLEASE REGISTER YOUR
INTEREST WITH NAME AND
CONTACT DETAILS - PLUS
ANY FAMILY OR FRIENDS
34 Springs Road,
Christchurch 8004 OR
E-MAIL:
admin@sockburn.school.nz
U P C O M I N G
A LONGLOOK VIEW
Longlook Exchange 06 RAF member F/S Chris Cobb with his Northland
ATC ‘admirers’.
F/S Chris Cobb RAF(UK) Longlook Exchange 2006 recently spent time
away from the rigours of his core trade (Logistics) and embarked on a
week long visit to the Air Training Corps Squadrons in the Northland
Area. His trip included visiting No 57 Sqn (Dargaville) ATC, No 25 Sqn
(District of Kaikohe) ATC, No 64 Sqn (Kaitaia) ATC and No 20 Sqn (City
of Whangarei) ATC.
While at the ATC Squadrons F/S Cobb gave a brief on his position in
the Royal Air Force and some of his experiences during his 28 years
of service. F/S Cobb also drew on some comparisons between the
two Air Forces, which bought on a few oooohhhhs and aaahhhs from
the attentive cadets.
The Northland ATC Squadrons thank F/S Cobb for giving up his time
to meet with them and wish him an enjoyable stay in New Zealand.
Aside from the visits to the ATC Squadrons F/S Cobb was able to view
the Northland area’s famous beautiful countryside including a visit
to the Waipoua Forest, Cape Reinga, Bay of Islands and everything
in between.
RNZAFA ACTIVITIES
Mr Les Bruce
The RNZAF Association (Wellington branch) supports
the Air Training Corps (ATC) in many ways. One such
event is the annual award of two flying scholarships
(valued at $500) plus a certificate.
The joint winners for 2006 were CDT F/S John
Chapman from No.41 City of Porirua Squadron. F/S
Chapman was also selected to go to Canada as part
of the International Cadet Exchange later this year.
The other recipient was CDT F/S Scott Gazley from
No.1 City of Wellington Squadron.
The fund for the award was started several
years ago from the proceeds of a function held at
Government House plus annual and other donations
received from members.
For your diary
On Sunday 16 July a luncheon will be held at the Old
Flame Restaurant Petone 11.30 am. Cost $19.50 pp.
Send cheques to 84 Newlands Road before 8 July.
Sunday 3 September a luncheon is planned for
11.30am at the West Plaza Hotel followed by the Air
Force Proms Concert at Wellington Town Hall 2pm.
Tickets are available from Ticketek Ph: 478 478 7082
by Saturday 26 August.
On Sunday 17 December a service celebrating the
We have been advised of the following
departures from RNZAF Service. Best of
luck in your new endeavours.
BASE AUCKLAND
SGT T.T.J. RIDDERING
Enlist: 9-01-96
Terminate: 9-07-06
OSS
AC W.T. SHAW
Enlist: 13-01-04
Terminate: 20-06-06
MTOPS
SGT A.A. TROTT
Enlist: 6-04-94
Terminate: 21-06-06
ABWAK
BASE OHAKEA
CPL M.D. HARDMAN
Enlist: 05-01-99
Terminate: 30-07-06
MSS
BASE WOODBOURNE
SGT B.E. QUAIFE
Enlist: 05-01-83
Terminate: 16-07-06
LOG WING
DEPARTURES
Battle of Britain at Wellington Cathedral will be
followed by a luncheon at Wallaceville House.
On Sunday 3 December the Wellington branch
will be holding its Christmas party. Details to
follow later.
Presentation of the
cheque for $500 and
certificate . President,
Wellington Branch,
Mrs Mary Blackwell
and F/S John
Chapman.
THANK YOU
A big thank you to all our loyal
readers who filled out and returned
the Readers’ Questionnaire enclosed
in the June issue of Air Force News. I
have a swag of responses already with
more arriving each day. The results will
be analysed and the results published
later this year. If you forgot to fill it in
there’s still time and extra copies are
available on the Air Force Website as
a printable .pdf.
Grant Carr, Editor.
Presentation of the
cheque for $500
and certificate
L-R: Wellington
Branch Treasurer
Mr Peter Graham
; President, WGTN
Branch, Mrs Mary
Blackwell and F/S
Scott Gazely.
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
A W A R D S
WELLINGTON AWARDS
Chief of Air Force, AVM Graham Lintott
presented 11 Air Force personnel
with medals, commendations
and parchments at a ceremony held at
Wellington’s Air Staff on Friday 9 June.
SGT Andrew Hill was presented the Chief
of Air Force Commendation, awarded to all
ranks and civilian employees of the Royal
New Zealand Air Force for outstanding zeal
and devotion.
The commendation recognises SGT Hill’s
conscientious and professional work to
improve the availability and effectiveness
of the Transmitter Station at Operational
Communications Information Systems
Flight, RNZAF Base Auckland and its
consequent enhancement of the RNZAF’s
operational capability.
FLTLT Alan Baker was awarded the Officer
Commission Parchment with effect from 9
December 2005.
W/O Mathew Kerr was awarded the
Warrant Officer parchment with effect from
7 November 2005.
Clasps to the New Zealand Armed Forces
Award were presented to WGCDR Richard
McDowall and GPCAPT Peter Randerson.
Clasps are awarded for each additional
fifteen years service to the NZ Armed
Forces Award medal, which is awarded to
regular officers of the New Zealand Defence
Force (NZDF) who have completed fifteen
years service.
SQNLDR Adam Death and SQNLDR Glenn
Davis were presented with the New Zealand
Armed Forces Award. The award was first
instituted in 1985 Regular Officers who
complete 15 years service in the New
Zealand Armed Forces.
F/S Kim Schmack was awarded the New
Zealand Long Service and Good Conduct
Medal. First instituted in 1985 the medal is
for award to Other Ranks of the RNZAF who
complete 15 years unblemished service.
F/S Tash Mana was awarded the New
Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM)
and the New Zealand General Service
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN72 JULY 06
Medal (NZGSM - Sinai).
SQNLDR Clayton Willocks was awarded the
New Zealand Operational Service Medal.
The NZOSM was instituted in 2002 to
provide distinctive New Zealand recognition
for those who have been awarded a campaign
medal or who have served seven days or
more on operational service since the end
of the Second World War.
The NZGSM (Sinai) was instituted in 1992. It
was issued in bronze to recognise service in
non-warlike operations for which no separate
New Zealand, British Commonwealth,
United Nations or NATO campaign medal
was issued. By the time it was replaced in
2002, twelve clasps had been issued for
non-warlike (peacekeeping) operations
since 1954 in Africa, Asia, the Middle East
and the Pacific.
Winner of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Association 2005 Prize was LACDT Anthony
Knight from Base Auckland. The award was
made by AIRMSHL Crooks (Rtd) from the
Royal New Zealand Air Force Association.
43

44
O U R P E O P L E - P R O F I L E D
GRIT AND GUSTO
Our Air Force is an equal opportunity employer.
That means putting policy into practise in the
workplace rather than it merely being a worthy
but empty policy statement. So it was that when
stroke survivor Angela Thompson was looking
to return to the workforce - with the help of
Workbridge and the RNZAF - she became a
valued full-time member of Base Auckland’s
Administrators team.
When Angela Thompson had a severe stroke in 1995 she
suddenly found she could no longer walk, talk, or write.
In the decade since then she’s worked hard to get those
functions back and has made remarkable progress. She’s also been
able to return to full-time work, with assistance from Workbridge.
Angela had the stroke, which affected the right side of her body,
after surgery to remove a brain tumour.
She subsequently launched herself into extensive rehabilitation,
and is now able to walk unaided and use her right arm, although she
has to keep working at it.
Angela has also had to tackle aphasia, a common condition
resulting from strokes which makes it difficult to put thoughts
into words. She can now communicate, although it’s still not
particularly easy.
Angela was also determined to work again, so it was a dream
come true when Workbridge placed her in an administrative job at
Base Auckland.
The placement was made under the State Services Commission’s
Mainstream Programme, which provides opportunities for people
with disabilities to work in state sector organisations for two years.
The aim is to prepare people for long-term employment.
After 18 months on the job, Angela was offered full-time
employment, which she was delighted to accept.
‘It was such a boost for my confidence. It was amazing,’ she says.
Angela says she still gets a real kick out of her work, which involves
managing staff files and carrying out other tasks such as internal
mail deliveries.
‘I’m a systematic person, I like organising things,’ she explains.
‘And I just like the atmosphere here. You just get on and do your
work and people are easy to approach.’
Under the Mainstream Programme, Angela has also been able to
access speech language therapy, which has helped her improve her
communication skills.
Angela’s speech language therapist, Elle Glazer, says it’s very
unusual for someone with the level of impairment that Angela has
to be able to return to work full-time.
‘But Angela is a high-energy person. She works hard and she’s very
self-motivated,’she says.
As for Angela, all she asks is for people to be a little patient when
she’s trying to communicate with them.
‘Sometimes it comes out OK and sometimes it doesn’t,’
she laughs.
Angela’s supervisor at Base Auckland Administrative W/O Chris
Naylor agrees that Angela gas been a positive addition to the
Administration workplace.
‘Right from the onset it became clear to the Auckland Admin staff
that job motivation would never be an issue for Angela. One of the
first comments she made to some of the staff was that most people
sit in their office longing to be outside, I’m the opposite, I love being
REWARDED
ANGELA THOMPSON: Hard working and self-motivated.
‘It’s been a rewarding experience watching
Angela’s confidence, both in a personal and
work sense, grow in the past two and a half
years. This progress is almost solely due to
her hard work and self determination. ‘
- W/O CHRIS NAYLOR
in an office environment. Never was a truer word spoken and Angela
thrived in the Admin environment right from the start.
‘Angela has always been up front (as well as being able to see the
humorous side) about her disability,’ says W/O Naylor. ‘The brain
works fine, the mouth works fine but sometimes getting the two
to connect can be a problem’ .
And Angela’s determination and grit has motivated other Auckland
staff says W/O Naylor.
‘It’s been a rewarding experience watching Angela’s confidence,
both in a personal and work sense, grow in the past two and a
half years. This progress is almost solely due to her hard work and
self determination. Angela has become a vital cog in Auckland
Administrative Flight who’s reliability and keenness are an example
to others. Not bad for someone who found she could no longer
walk, talk or write just 10 years ago!’
- With permission of Workbridge
AFN72 JULY 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
AK 06-0253-01