IN RESERVE
Newsletter of the Naval Reserves
Kia Ora,
As the clock struck midnight on the 30th June 2005,
my cell phone received a text message from the
outgoing Captain Naval Reserves, Captain Fergus
Gillon VRD** RNZNVR, passing the weight of the
Reserves to me and wishing me “Good luck and
calm seas”. This was just the beginning of a
“changing of the guard” within your RESERVE.
The following positions now have new incumbents:
Director Naval Reserve Support (DNRS),
CDR Tom Rae VRD RNZNVR,
Director Maritime Trade Organization (DMTO),
CDR Robyn Loversidge RNZNVR,
Commanding Officer Ngapona,
CDR Rod Thomas VRD RNZNVR,
Commanding Officer Olphert,
CDR Roger Havell VRD RNZNVR.
Aug/Sept 2005
our Navy requires. As the Navy of yesterday shaped
the Reserve we have today, it will be the
requirements of today’s navy that will ultimately
shape the reserve of the future. This will require
changes on both sides in order to achieve the
integrated force we both desire.
To this end LTCDR Grubb RNZN has commenced a
project to review the Reserves and advise the
Admiral on roles and responsibilities, structure,
training and identify appropriate RF support. As part
of this project he is studying four reserve models
from around the world, the Australian, South African,
British and Canadian. He has recently completed a
tour of all the divisions where he held discussions
with the Commanding Officers and Heads of
Departments. We look forward to the findings from
the review, due early 2006.
Inside this Issue
2
Farewell to Johnny
Holland
2
TORA takes to the
Snow
2
JRCT 0/05 Graduation
Photos
3
Dear Rocky
3
Innovation Expo 05
3
CPOCSS Andrew Fleck
Joins HMNZS PEGAGUS
Until the arrival of the Protector Fleet, sea service
Promotions, Farewells,
4
personnel will continue to have HMNZS KIWI
Welcomes
available for weekend training with WTT
opportunities available on the Auckland based IPC’s personnel fatigue, is to be commended. This is yet
and the Maritime Trade organisation will continue to another successful milestone in the continued
support the JFHQ.
development of Mulit-Agency co-operation in
preparation for the arrival of the new vessels in
Congratulations to the new recruits on the
2006. BRAVO ZULU”.
successful completion of JRCT – I’m sure you
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Captain enjoyed the challenge and I look forward to seeing In summary – standby for change – it needs to be
Gillon and Commander Grenfell for their service and you later in the year.
managed and we need to seize the opportunities
contribution to the reserves over the 41 and 23
presented to us. I have yet to talk to a senior officer
In
early
August
KIWI
was
tasked
to
search
for
a
years respectively. I wish them long and enjoyable
who does not see a bright future for their Reserves.
downed
aircraft
in
Pegasus
Bay.
MCC
has
asked
retirement.
me to pass on the following. “Although the search KA MAHI MATOU – We serve together.
There are changes coming which will reshape the was unsuccessful the commitment of those
Captain Peter Arnold, RNZNVR—CNR
RESERVE into the relevant and effective force that involved, despite poor weather conditions and
LTCDR Lissa Jackson RNZN, LTCDR Tim Elley
RNZNVR and LTCDR Gerard Chaplin RNZNVR were
appointed Executive officers of NGAPONA,
PEGASUS and OLPHERT respectively.
Congratulations to you all on your new
appointments. Welcome to the team and I look
forward to working with you.
VJ Day—2005 by Lieutenant Alex Dieudonne, RNZNVR
Some months ago a signal arrived in divisions requesting
nominations for VJ Day. Being the usual busy Monday night I didn’t
get around to penning a letter covering my nomination. So next day
while at work, in smoko time, I put pen to paper and sent an email to
our administrator who forwarded it on in the usual manner – dad and
my grandparents spent four years in a Japanese prisoner of war
camp, on mums side her father was a airfield gunner in Burma .
Several weeks later I was stunned one morning when I received a
phone call saying I had been selected. I quickly booked some leave
and discovered to my horror I was selected as Administration
Officer – quite an onerous task.
visit to a memorial at Bourail where the NZ field hospital was, there
were about 250 graves. This was a very moving ceremony with the
Maori concert party singing Whakarui Mi (How great thou though art)
which brought many a tear. Sadly there were graves of some of the
vets brothers and close mates. The weather was heavy rain and the
mist added to the surrealness.
The following morning we took off again to the Solomon’s and
Honiara (Henderson airfield) and Guadalcanal iron bottom sound (41
ships lay there including an aircraft carrier). In the photo below I’m
pointing to Savo Island were a famous naval battle took place – the
name’s sake ship HMNZS Kiwi and Moa saw action right there. On
Finally the day arrived but Christchurch airport was totally fogged out. the trip was the last surviving crew member of Moa - the previous day
a local diver brought up a cup off Moa and presented to him at the
On Tuesday I arrived at JFHQ to begin my tasks, and for the next
ceremony. Too soon we were back on the plane again and back to NZ
several days I didn’t lift my head from my desk. I was quite
where on Monday we attended a presentation by the Prime Minister
overwhelmed with the organisation that goes into these trips.
honoring the vets.
Thursday fortnight the vets started to arrive and the atmosphere
really started to build. That day I found out I was to be colour party
flag bearer so some quick drill was required. During Thursday night a I had a great time albeit
very rushed it was made
historian gave an address describing NZ’s involvement – the old
very special with the vets
timers soon rewrote some of it as they were actually in the photos
and one couldn’t help
shown on the data show some sixty year ago!
feel the history oozing
We departed early Friday morning bound for New Caledonia and our out of Guadalcanal
first parade with the French in the town square. This was our first test everywhere we walked.
Thanks Navy.
of school boy French with a very pretty artillery officer who was
guarding the weapons. After a lot of hand waving and gesticulation
she released them, very amused at the crazy kiwi’s. Next day was our
Page 2
Farewell to Johnny Holland—Technical Caretaker Instructor, HMNZS TOROA, 1989 to 2005
professional expertise.
Extracts from CO TOROA’s address to Ship’s Company 22 June 05
“John Edwin Holland became a Civil Servant on 24 October 1989 when he In September 2000 MCNZ’s report relating to MOA’S Operational Readiness
Evaluation Inspection stated that MOA’s Engineering and Whole Ship
was appointed Technical Caretaker Instructor to HMNZS TOROA.
Administration were each awarded a grading of “Standard Achieved Plus”.
But since 1989 Mr Holland has not been just another Civil Servant, he has Regarding Engineering itself, an assessment of “Above Standard” was made.
been a special Civil Servant. Of Such assessments are rarely given. The comment was made that the
course if you have anything to engineering department inspection reflected great credit on Mr Holland.
do with this ship you are
special anyway so in fact it Mr Holland has displayed exemplary standards of loyalty, enthusiasm and
would be better to say that Mr devotion to duty and superior professional and personal qualities. He has
Holland has been an extra given freely of his own time and he has provided inspirational leadership of
and encouragement to Naval Reservists to adopt his own high standards and
special Civil Servant.
level of commitment. He has lived the RNZN values of Courage,
He has been responsible for Comradeship and Commitment.
providing the technical support
to ensure Inshore Patrol Craft He will cease being a civil servant on 30 June 2005. But he will never stop
HMNZS MOA has always been being an Extra Special person. To mark his retirement it has been a privilege
maintained in a high state of to have him agree to attend parade tonight and be our guest Inspecting
Officer.”
readiness.
Toroa Takes to the Snow
ASEA Dean Jane
in full flight
So well has he carried out his duties that on 6 May 1998, the Maritime
Commander New Zealand awarded him a Commendation recognising his
outstanding contribution to the RNZN for exceptional commitment and
It was from Dunedin that Captain Robert
Falcon Scott RN departed with his
expedition to become the second team to
,
reach the South Pole. To maintain this
OROA ill
T
O
C
l,
H
, Pasca n at Round
traditional link of Dunedin/Navy/Snow
in
d
e
n
o
u
s
RNO D aren Robert
HMNZS TOROA mounted an expedition into
K
AWTR
the backblocks over the weekend of 5-7 Aug
05. Organised by ASEA Dean Jane, three
Reservists, the RNO Dunedin (LT CDR Lana Knaapen) and two family
members tested the snow in the McKenzie Country. Ohau field had only 45%
of its normal snow coverage but it was a good place to start relearning old
skills for some and about 6 hours skiing was enjoyed. After a sumptuous
steak dinner (prepared by CO TOROA and ASEA Jane) followed shortly by a
traditional and fortifying fried breakfast (prepared by RNO Dunedin) prepared
in a hard to find, deceptively frigid rented accommodation, on AWTR Karen
Robertson’s recommendation, Round Hill
field was visited. This proved a paradise
for those needing to upgrade their skiing
confidence and skills under the expert
guidance of RNO’s husband Pascal. Again
an d
about 6 hours of skiing was enjoyed. By
O TR
s—C
d
n
a
yH
n e)
day’s end both RNO and the CO were
Galle Dean Ja
beginning to bear some resemblance to
ASEA
competent skiers. The others were expert
or at least very competent anyway. The
CO, who was last in the snow about 27 years ago, reckoned it a very
memorable weekend and hopes a tradition has been established. The only
down side was that ASEA Dean (“The Rock”) Jane, in trying to beat Pascal
down Ohau on the first day, flew off the edge and into a fortuitously
positioned, but quite inflexible, piece of
mountainous debris, giving truth to the
old saying in southern parts that “You
can take the man out of the mountain
but you can’t take the mountain out of
the man”. It is hoped both Dean and the
mountain will recover in short order and
Apres ski that TOROA will hit the slopes again.
JRCT O5/02 GRADUATION
OSEA G.L. Gurney (HMNZS NGAPONA)
Best Trainee Achilles Division.
OSEA M.W. Miller (HMNZS NGAPONA) Best Trainee Leander Division.
OSEA D.A. Reid (HMNZS OLPHERT) Most Improved Rating.
OSEA A.F. Venning-Thomas (HMNZS
NGAPONA) Winner J.N. Broad Trophy (Best Rating
JRCT 05/02)
Page3 3
Page
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER SEAMAN COMBAT SPECIALIST
JAMES ANDREW FLECK JOINS HMNZS PEGASUS
I was born at Christchurch Woman’s Hospital on 30 July 1971. My school
years were spent at Paparoa St Primary, Heaton Intermediate and Mairehau
High School. I joined the RNZN as an Ordinary Seaman on the 1 June 1988.
Can I post to an Auckland based vessel? If so how do I go
about doing it?
Yes Reservists are encouraged to apply for postings to one
of the Auckland based vessels either for OJT or to fill a
complement billet. You should discuss with your OPSO/DO
what training you need to do in the coming year or the type
of complement billet you would like to fill and at what time
you are available. You need to ensure that you are Medically
and MSFT in date and have a current Security clearance.
You should also check the Fleet Plan on the Intranet to
ensure the ship’s are at sea at the time you are available.
The individual/unit should then email Respac (either HRO
(NR)/AHRO(NR)) to check on the availability of a berth at
that time. Once that has been confirmed a Specialtrain
should be raised.
Can I apply for a Peacekeeping Mission? If so how do I do
that?
Yes Reservists are encouraged to apply for peacekeeping
missions. There have been several Reservists posted in the
last two years to places such as Afghanistan, East Timor,
Sinai and Antarctica. An application should be made to your
Commanding Officer attaching details of your Military and
Civilian skills. Once the Commanding Officer has assessed
the application it is then sent with his recommendation (or
otherwise) to HRO(NR) for processing through the CFPT
organisation. Peacekeeping missions can be advertised at
short notice so keep your unit informed of your interest.
Innovation Expo 05
After initial training (BCT’s) I was chosen as a basic weaponman and became
a gunnery rate. My first posting was to HMNZS Irirangi as “Rigging party”
where I learnt how to splice cordage and wire. I then posted to HMNZS
Wellington and did my first major deployment of nine months through the
Middle East. Toward the end of the 1989 deployment I was promoted to
ABSWP*. During the next seven years I served on HMNZS Monowai, HMNZS
Canterbury and HMNZS Waikato, and was promoted to LSFC2 in 1996.
I was an instructor at the New Entry School at HMNZS Tamaki from 1996 to
1997 before returning to sea firstly on HMNZS Canterbury and then HMNZS
Wellington. A shore posting enabled me to complete my PO Command course
and I was promoted to Acting PO in late 1998.
My next shore posting was as an instructor at the Seamanship School and
then the Officer Training School before being promoted to substantive PO in
August 1999 and getting a sea post as commissioning crew on HMNZS Te
Mana.
The year 2000 saw me post off HMNZS Te Mana to do my Gunnery
Instructors course. This was the last GI’s course ever to be run in the RNZN
(there are only five current GI’s left in the RNZN). On completion of the GI’s
course, I became Senior Parade Instructor for HMNZS Tamaki.
In early 2001 I was posted to HMNZS Te Kaha as Chief Bosuns Mate (Buffer)
and promoted to Acting CPOGI. During this time I also completed a NBCD
Instructors course. I continued to serve on HMNZS TeKaha until the end of
2001 and was then posted to HMNZS Canterbury 2002 as the Gunnery
instructor and was promoted to substantive CPOGI. Midyear I took over as
CBM from CPOTASI Jamieson. That same year HMNZS Canterbury fired a
record 80 rounds fire for effect at a Range in Australia, which is still the
peace time record for the RNZN.
In January 2004 I posted back to the Parade Ground as the Senior Parade
Instructor for the RNZN and as the I/C of the Navy’s Small Arms Training Unit.
Late in 2004, all Seaman Gunnery Rates had a name change to Seaman
Combat Specialist. I continued on in those roles until June 2005 until I took
over as Divisional Coxswain of HMNZS Pegasus.
I hope to bring my experience as a Seaman, a Gunner, an NBCDI and general
instructor to HMNZS Pegasus, to help build and grow the division in
Christchurch. I also hope to be actively involved in recruiting new VR
personnel and, be involved in the wider RNZN community in Canterbury.
I am married to Bridget and have two children, both boys, Ayden 4yrs and
Keiran 2 yrs. I enjoy all sports, especially rugby and played for the Navy Water
Rats prior to moving to Christchurch and I finally get to wear my Crusaders
and Canterbury colours without worrying about all the comments from the
Auckland and North Harbour supporters.
OLPHERT AWARDS PDB BADGES
Olphert awarded their last remaining PDB badge. They unanimously
agreed that the fifth badge will be kept for a Leading Hand so that
our Junior Rates have participation, the recipient being Scott Abery.
The RNZNVR recently took part in the Navy's Innovation Expo 05
which was highly successful in driving the 'one navy' concept towards the future by leveraging the technologies available to us.
The Reserve stand showcased:
1. Office without walls concept - i.e. sit at the beach or at home
and link up to the network.
2. Mobile solutions integrated to your office.
3. Ruggardized equipment we can use on ships - stuff that falls
and doesn't break easily.
The theme was displayed alongside an explanation of how we as
Reservists stretch a two hour parade night at NGAPONA into
many more hours of Navy work by working flexible hours from our
offices and homes to remain effective and efficient on meeting
Naval objectives and deadlines.
L to R CPOSC Graham Boyd, POSEA John Burridge, Kerry
Moloney CWO, CPOWEF Trevor Lapham, CPOWEF Grant Cossar
and LDEF Scott Abery.
Page 4
Congratulations on Your
Promotion
CAPT P. Arnold
CDR R. Havell
CDR R. Loversidge
CDR R Thomas
LT P. Hoeksma
LT R. McLellan
ENS D. Stanley-Boden
ENS P. Campbell
ASEA A. Milkop
ASEA I. West
ASEA R. Masaberg
ASEA D. Short
CAPT F. Gillon
LT CDR G. McNaughten
ENS C. Brooks
CPOWTR G. Cattermole
POSA B. Gill
ASEA G. Peart
LSC T. Portland
OSEA R. Lee-Cummings
The following have joined the RF
LT CDR G. Burt
ASEA R. Turner
OSC M. Ackrill
ENS M. Williams
CHAP C. Tweddell
SLT J. Wilson
ENS S. Motion
ASEA K. Boardman
ASEA J. Poole
OSC L. Mete
OSC M. Towers
OSC H. Young
OSEA B. Dulieu
OSEA B. Gurney
ODEF C. Harcus
POSEA Burridge, mixing
with the rich and famous
Welcome to the Reserves