ANNIVeRSARY AIR SHow! - Royal New Zealand Air Force

our People
The Anniversary Air Show at Ohakea was put together by a hard-working committee on the
base, led by WGCDR Phil Bedford. Most of the committee are seen in the attached photo. As
well, personnel in Air Staff, HQ Joint Forces NZ, and at Base Auckland also played key roles;
an air show on this scale is a ‘whole of Air Force’ event. Two of the Air Show Committee were
interviewed by Vivienne Sanders, Air Force Senior Communications Adviser.
THe AIR SHow—
beHINdTHe SceNeS
FGoFF kirsty calman applies
camouflage face paint to Jacob
McMillan of Feilding
Fltlt lara Blackmore air show logistician
on the day of the Air Show FlTlT lara blackmore wore her PR
hat in the Information centre.
“we had a team of Air Force personnel there, ready
to assist the public. I took on the role to engage with the
Manawatu community about the Air Show, so that we could
put on the best show possible. I have learned new skills in
communications and media engagement and have really
enjoyed it.
“Throughout my Air Force career my primary employment
has been in health care management, policy development
and aviation medicine. what I enjoy most is the ability to get
involved in all sorts of things. Juggling roles is something I’m
becoming quite good at.”
originally from lower Hutt, lara joined the Air Force in
2003 as a civilian physiologist working in the Aviation Medicine
Unit. “during my first few months in the Air Force I developed
a greater understanding of what the Air Force did and an
appreciation of our role in national security. I admired the
work my military colleagues were involved in—at home and
overseas. I wanted the chance to pursue all the opportunities
that the Air Force offers, so I went through the recruitment
process and was accepted in 2004.
“It’s quite difficult to keep up outside interests, there is
just so much going on in the Air Force. last year I started
running—I completed two half marathons in 2011 and am
about to sign up for them again! I’m also studying for a Masters
of Strategic Studies at Victoria University. looking past the
Air Show I am assisting with the development of a Professional
development centre on base ohakea. The Air Force provides
a huge number of opportunities for its people to develop
as leaders; with the development of this centre we hope to
continue strengthening leadership and professionalism.”
28 Air Force news
Among the team arranging the logistics for the visiting
international aircraft was former whanganui collegiate
student Flying officer kirsty calman. logistical support
includes all movement of personnel and equipment,
accommodation, food, resupply and anything else which needs
to be organized, kirsty explained.
“being a Supply officer in the RNZAF means I have been
involved in a variety of areas, from Air Movements to Supply
chain. The RAAF brought four types of aircraft with different
crew and maintenance requirements, all of which needed
to be met. but I also assisted with the arrangement of other
amenities for the Air Show—and helped out at the logistics
display stand on the day.
“The Air Force attracted me because of the variety, the
opportunity to travel and work, taking part in sports, and,
having my degree paid for!” said kirsty. “I’ve always been an
active person and spent many years rowing at both whanganui
collegiate and Union boat club. I guess this led onto my
current interest in Ironman!”
The 26-year-old trained for her first Ironman competition
at Taupo this year. “I also decided to fundraise money for
‘breath4cF’, the official charity of Ironman which supports
those people who suffer from cystic Fibrosis. For that event
my buddy was a young boy with the disease, lockie Jones, a
12-year-old from whanganui Intermediate School.”
In the event the full Ironman competition in Taupo was
cancelled due to the fierce storm across the North Island that
day; however kirsty competed in the Half Marathon that was
run the following day. “lockie, my cF buddy, came to support
me which made the day all the more special.”