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ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE
O C T 06
75
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AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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CONTENTS
OH 06-0503-08 LAC BRAD HANSON
FIRST WORD
RNZAF OFFICER
TRAINING
OCTOBER 2006, ISSUE 75
Design and Layout: Duncan Allan
[email protected]
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Anonymous, offensive or abusive letters will not be published.
www.airforce.mil.nz
MRV ARRIVES
Navy’s multi-role vessel arrives
in Australia
5
PERS CORNER
Have your say
6
PROMOTION ADVISORY
BOARD
2006 Board
6
PEOPLE PORTAL PROGRESS
On-line information
28 EXERCISE AEMULUS
A student’s perspective
7
FIRST AID
Waterhouse Competition
30 AVIATION MEDICINE UNIT
Historic perspective
9
CHANGE OF COMMAND
New CO for No.5 Squadron
32 THE PROMS
Another tour de force
23 LOV PURCHASE
Mobile communications
24 UN IN SYRIA
SQNLDR Atkinson reports on
his work
26 LOGISTICS
Batch Management
10 SAR-EX
Training with Police and Land SAR
34 GSE TECHS GET THE BASH
Charity contribution
12 HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES
A new service
41 DROP BOATS AND TALL BOYS
Exploring history
13 BRITISH-KIWI BONDS
Hyde Park memorial
14 NEW FITNESS POLICY
New requirements outlines
PLTOFF Mary Woolston stands in front of her Air Trainer
during Wiseowl at Hastings’ Gate Pa airfield. See pages
20-22 for article and more photos.
17 A TACTICAL MISSION
No.40 Squadron’s TACEX
AIR FORCE
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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
75
should refer to the relevant Service publication before acting
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE
on any information given in this periodical. No item is to be
reproduced, in part or whole, without the specific permission
of the editor.
COVER PHOTO:
No.40 Squadron Navigator FGOFF Simon
Costello during TACEX at Base Ohakea.
See page 17 for article.
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AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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Editorial authority: Ian Brunton
Editor: Grant Carr
[email protected]
20 WISEOWL
Hawke’s Bay hospitality
OH 06-0459-17 AC SAM SHEPAHARD
Published by: NZDF Public Relations Unit
NZDF HQ
Wellington
New Zealand
Telephone: (04) 496 0289
Fax:(04) 496 0290
FEATURES
NEWS
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.
On a recent visit to Base Ohakea new Air Component Commander (ACC) AIRCDRE Peter Stockwell
took time to meet and chat with Air Movements staff.
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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.
L-R: CPL Erica Riddle, FGOFF Brandon Purdue, LAC Lisa
Clapham, F/S Steve McCutcheon, AIRCDRE Peter Stockwell,
LAC Danielle Taingahue, GPCAPT Peter Port, SGT Graham Ellis.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
OH 06-0488-19 CPL NICK CLARKE
developed during the W/O & NCO training review. It is
intended that by utilising the NZDF Competency Framework,
the project will provide occupational specification statements
Strong leadership is essential in any successful organisation. for each rank and a strategy of training to achieve current
In a military organisation such as ours it is imperative if we and future officer requirements. In parallel with this project,
are not only to be successful, but also be the best in all that the New Zealand Defence College (NZDC) is reviewing
we do. This will be especially so over the foreseeable future Professional Military Education (PME) in conjunction with
as we steer the RNZAF through what will undoubtedly be an NZDF–wide review of PMD under Project APTUS for
one of the most exciting, and challenging times in our recent SQNLDR(E) and above.
history. We need good leaders and strong leadership at all In order to progress their review, the Directorate of Training
levels of the RNZAF and I am confident that we have the need the rest of us to assist them. A substantial amount of
people with the right potential and motivation to provide it. information will need to be gathered in order to accurately
What we must now do is ensure that our training provides determine the knowledge, skills and attributes required at
the best means of harnessing and continuously developing each rank level. The most effective way to achieve this will be
that potential and motivation.
via an electronic questionnaire
Over the past 18 months the
The Officer Training Project is survey. I am mindful that we are
Directorate of Air Force Training
all busy people and some may
have completed a comprehensive intended to review the current user see this survey request as just a
review of Warrant Officer and requirement for our single-service further drain on their valuable
Non-Commissioned Officer
time. I can assure you that it
training. The focus for the review officer training by building on the is not. Effective leadership is
has been on providing emphasis leadership continuum and training the cornerstone of our ability to
on leadership and leadership
objectives developed during the deliver and as such it is a core
development in our promotion
responsibility of each and every
courses. Ten ‘trial’ deliveries of W/O & NCO training review.
one of us to contribute where
promotion courses (from W/O
we can and ensure that we get
to CPL) will be completed this year and so far, with the it right. Therefore, after an initial approach, a number of
majority of these courses now complete, results are positive selected officers (from AIRCDRE to PLTOFF) will be asked
and there is a feeling that we are definitely moving in the to complete a questionnaire and some may subsequently
right direction. We have made some significant gains in be requested to participate in a short interview.
emphasising leadership in progressing our Professional Our training must be relevant and timely. It must be
Military Development (PMD) for W/Os and NCOs.
delivered with the Air Force mission in mind and therefore
Having completed the initial phases for the review of the it needs input from all of us, and not just the training folk.
non-officer training the Training Directorate has begun work All ideas, and especially innovations, will be welcome. I
on reviewing the RNZAF’s officer training. In March this am determined that the review will improve the quality of
year AFO (T)21-06 was released, initiating a ‘green-field’ training and reduce the time we take to do it; if we are smart
review of RNZAF Officer Training (OCDT – SQNLDR). The we’ll achieve a win–win outcome.
Officer Training Project is intended to review the current user I ask that if you are one of those selected that you participate
requirement for our single-service officer training by building fully. The future of the RNZAF – and in particular, the
on the leadership continuum and training objectives effectiveness of its future leaders – is in your hands.
Chief of Air Force
Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott
OUR MISSION:
To carry out military air operations to advance New
Zealand’s security interests, with professionalism,
integrity and teamwork.
REGULARS
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AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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36
SPORT
Half marathon, PTIs, NZDF
basketball, netball
43
MUSEUM
Research curator
3
PERSONNEL
BRIEFS
One hundred NZDF personnel, accompanied by the Air Force
Band, made up a tri-Service guard of honour to farewell King
Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.
King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, who had ruled Tonga for 41 years,
died on 10 September following a long illness. He was 88. His
body had been lying in state at his royal residence, Atalanga,
in the Auckland suburb of Epsom.
NZDF personnel farewelled the King’s casket as it was loaded
on to an RNZAF Hercules last week.
An Air Force Boeing 757 transported dignitaries, VIPs and
members of the Government to Tonga for the state funeral.
Brigadier Rhys Jones, representing the Chief of Defence Force,
and WO1 John Barclay, Warrant Officer of the Defence Force,
attended on behalf of the NZDF.
After the burial, Tonga will observe a one-month mourning
period. The royal court will be in mourning for six months.
Tonga’s new monarch, King Siaosi Tupou V, succeeds his
father.
SGT CARL BOOTY AK-0413-25
The RNZAF has joined today’s txt generation with the launch
of a new recruitment tool targeting the youth mobile phone
market.
In conjunction with specialist mobile enablement company
‘Run the Red’ the Air Force aims to open its recruitment doors
in an easy and cost effective manner that appeals to potential
Air Force recruits.
The Director of Air Force Recruiting, SQNLDR Shaun Sexton
says that by implementing the txt communication channel the
Air Force hopes to improve engagement with the youth of today
in a technologically savvy manner.
‘Today’s job market is competitive and we can no longer rely
on the tried and true methods of the past. The RNZAF offers
fun, exciting and challenging career opportunities. We see txt
recruitment as an ideal way to achieve our recruitment goals,’
said SQNLDR Sexton.
The Air Force aims to recruit more than 250 extra staff, to
boost numbers to close to 3000 personnel, in the next few
years.
The RNZAF txt channel launched nationwide on 6
September.
HAVE YOUR SAY
TONGAN KING’S
FAREWELL
Royal Colours.Tongan military personnel hold up the colours while the
coffin is prepared for the flight home aboard a No.40 Squadron C-130
Hercules.
Proposed Non-Pilot Aircrew
specialisation/trade and brevet
changes
The RNZAF is currently completing a
number of projects to improve output
capabilities. These projects will see a
significant improvement in the technology
onboard future RNZAF platforms. To
align with this change in technology
there has been a need to analyse the
roles of the various non-pilot aircrew
specialisations/trades within the RNZAF.
The first specialisations/trades to have
been reviewed are those to be employed
on the P-3K2, with the need for several
changes identified. Reviews for non-pilot
aircrew on the upgraded C-130H and
B757 are also being progressed.
Specialisation/trade changes
For the P-3K2 it is anticipated that the
current specialisations of Navigator (NAV),
Tactical Coordinator (TACCO) and Air
Electronics Officer (AEO) personnel will all
become one specialisation of Air Warfare
Officer (AWO). AWOs will also have a
sub-specialisation of either Information
Manager (IM), Tactical Coordinator
(TACCO), or Sensor Employment Manager
CORNER
PERS
AIR FORCE ALL FINGERS
AND THUMBS
GP CAPT Grant Crosland
Director of Air Force Personnel
(SEM) according to their role on the P3K2. In addition, Air Electronic Operators
(AEOP) will have a trade name change to
Air Warfare Specialists (AWS), with a subtrade of Sensor Specialist.
Brevet changes
It is also proposed that future graduates
from non-pilot aircrew courses, and
personnel converting to the P-3K2, will
receive a double wing brevet with the
eagle wing pattern to be retained. All
aircrew who have graduated prior to the
introduction of the P-3K2 would have the
option of retaining their current single wing
brevet or wearing the new double wing
brevet. For AWO and AWS aircrew, their
brevet will be inscribed with the letters AW,
It is further proposed that all other non-
commissioned aircrew be awarded a double
wing brevet on graduation, with personnel
already in receipt of a brevet being given the
option to change to the new brevet.
Opinions
If you have an opinion on the proposed
changes then we would like to hear your
views. A short on-line survey is available
for personnel feedback over the next three
weeks, closing on the 3rd of November.
It is both voluntary and confidential.
The survey can be accessed through the
RNZAF Corporate website or by accessing
the following link: http://org/airforce/
NonPilotAircrewSurvey/NonPilotAircrewNameChange.aspx
The online survey is only available to
current employees of the NZDF.
Air Force Attitude Survey Results
MRV ARRIVES
has space to store up to four of the Air Force’s new NH90
helicopters.
The first of the Offshore Patrol Vessels, one of two being built
by Tenix in Melbourne, will be launched in November 2006.
The second Offshore Patrol Vessel and the four Inshore Patrol
Vessels, being built by Tenix Shipbuilding New Zealand, in
Whangarei, will be launched and delivered throughout 2007.
The total project cost is NZ$500 million with more than $110
million coming to New Zealand industry.
?????????
4
The first of the project protector ships, the Multi Role Vessel
(MRV), Canterbury, arrived in Melbourne on 25 September from
the Netherlands for the final phase of construction.
The Canterbury will remain in Melbourne for the next four
months while weapon and military communications systems are
fitted and the crew undergo training. Once the work is complete,
the Canterbury will be commissioned into the Royal New
Zealand Navy and begin the first voyage to New Zealand.
During delivery from the Netherlands, the ship encountered
a variety of weather, including a series of deep low-pressure
systems with 8-9 metre swells and near storm force winds. The
ship performed exceptionally well in the conditions and provided
a very comfortable ride.
The Canterbury will, for the first time, provide the New Zealand
Defence Force with the capability to deploy personnel and
equipment by sea using its own means. It will greatly improve
New Zealand’s ability to respond to natural disasters in the
Pacific and elsewhere, and will further enhance New Zealand’s
contribution to peace and security in our region and beyond.
The Canterbury will operate Seasprite helicopters but also
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
This table shows current results from the NZDF’s On-going Attitude Survey. The table showing Areas of Concern to Navy personnel
was inadvertently inserted on page 44 of last month’s Air Force News. I aplogise for the error.
Grant Carr, Editor
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
5
WAT E R H O U S E C O M P E T I T I O N
PABs are required to assess the promotion
suitability of the candidates in isolation,
without the knowledge of the projected
vacancies. The decision is also based on
’here and now’ i.e. considering candidates
suitability for advancement to the next rank
with effect immediately.
Changes in the RNZAF 146A impacted
for the first time on this year’s Board.
Consequently, PAB members applied
additional criteria for those entering the
rank of F/S, W/O and MACR. Appropriate
ranges of experience and the skills
to perform, were taken into account.
Experience across a gamut of areas was
considered pivotal, as was the potential
W/O and MACR qualities of values,
leadership and modelling the virtues of
the Service.
‘PEOPLE PORTAL’ PROJECT GETS THE GREEN LIGHT
Recent issues of the Air Force News, as well as the Personnel
Directorate Roadshows taken around Bases in July and
August, have provided snippets of information regarding the
development of a workforce and career management tool
called the ‘People Portal’. The project has now progressed to
the point that it is time to put the Portal in place.
Funding approval as a minor capital project, together with
endorsement from the NZDF CIO for inclusion of the Portal in
the new KEA System (part of the ATLAS Mid-life upgrade), has
given the green light for development of the tool to commence
with Intergen Limited as the contractor. The Portal is now being
created.
In November a two-page article in the Air Force News will
describe the new system in detail complete with screenshots,
but here are a few snippets to stimulate your interest:
6
 The Portal will provide the ability for you to highlight and
register your career ambitions regarding type of posts,
preferred locations, professional development opportunities,
and special circumstances (such as screening from
postings).
 It will provide a transparent, fully-facilitated communication
process between you, your command, and the DCM
team.
 RNZAF 400 and 401 forms will no longer be required,
along with all associated administration. Instead, the
advertisement of and applications for specific posts will all
be done through the Portal. Likewise, the Portal will facilitate
the consultation process for any Directed Postings.
The intent is to help career managers at all levels to make
better informed decisions in light of the knowledge they gain
through analysis of the information the Portal has collected.
The information gained from the portal will further enhance
our workforce and career management capability.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
After several years absence, an Air Force team took up the tri-Service challenge and entered the
Annual Waterhouse First Aid Skills Competition. Director of Air Force Medicine WGCDR Peter
Hurly reports on our team’s great effort.
The annual Waterhouse competition is a
tri-Service first aid skills competition. It is
open not only to medics but to any trade
where first aid is considered part of their
armamentarium.
Air Force stopped participating some
years ago when medical personnel
numbers were being reduced. Army
organise it and run it and Capt Andrew
Brooks and W/O 2 Tim Crowe are the
main people behind organising the
competition. There were fourteen teams
altogether and they had to cycle through
six scenarios - individual CPR, individual
written, a pairs test, two group tests and
a transport scenario.
The RNZAF participants achieved 2nd
overall place for both team and pairs,
with CPL Claire Beauvais attaining 3rd for
leadership and 3rd for the written test.
Two years ago I tried to encourage a
RNZAF medical team to enter the annual
Waterhouse competition. At that time
we could not field a team owing to the
number of commitments that we had
and the lack of personnel. Last year
I accepted a challenge that Air would
provide a team for this year and well
done to Auckland for taking the initiative
of putting together a team, with one
member from Ohakea.
The competition was held at Landguard’s
Bluff over the weekend of 9-10 September.
There were thirteen teams including one
from Navy and one from Air. Our team
participated enthusiastically and fully
and as I watched them I experienced
a progression from a sense of pride to
a sense of wonder and expectation as
it became obvious that our team was
dealing with the various tests not just
satisfactorily but actually excelling.
Congratulations to the team and well
done, a superb effort! Thanks to the
team members of SGT Deb Williams, CPL
Claire Beauvais, CPL Karinne Gillespie,
LAC Trieste Petley, LAC Rachyl Harris and
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
OH 06-0487-02 AC JUDITH WATTS
W/O Dennis Moratti
As a lead in to my recent posting to
the CM(T) role within the Directorate
of Career Management, I was selected
as a representative on the 2006 Junior
and Senior Promotion Advisory Boards
(PAB). The Boards for the Technical,
Non-Technical and Aircrew (Airmen and
Airwomen) personnel were convened
over 7-18 August 2006 and considered
all personnel with the requisite seniority
for promotion from SGT – F/S and F/S
– W/O/MACR. Due to the magnitude of
the task (some 233 personnel to assess for
the Technical Board alone), 12-hour days
were the norm as the Board endeavoured
to promotion clear, rank, debate and arrive
at a common Order of Merit (OOM).
One of the main stipulations is that the
FIRST AID COMPETITION:
AIR FORCE ENTERS THE FRAY
The Air Force team’s LAC Cowling and LAC Harris climb an obstacle, while keeping the stretcher steady.
ABOVE: CPL Claire Beauvais checks with
an official during the stretcher carry.
RIGHT: Some wounds were realistically gory.
Army Cadet J.D Philips-Adlam shows off his
war wound.
LAC Russell Cowling. Also a big thank
you to FLTLT Ben Johnston for taking over
the management of the team. Lastly a big
thank you to Deb Williams for her taking
the initiative and moving it along. The
only sad note is that we will be saying
goodbye to Deb as she leaves the Service.
Thanks very much for your contribution
OH 06-0486-06 LAC BRAD HANSON
L-R: W/O Tony Johnstone, W/O Rob Service, SQNLDR Lawrence Field, SQNLDR Kelvin Read,
W/O Craig Revell.
The composition of the Board ensured
that a good cross-section of the related
trades and employment areas were
represented, providing numerous
perspectives and points of view. However,
members of the PAB may only consider
the information in front of them, namely
the last four CPAs of the candidate and, if
required, the DCM file. This highlights the
importance of ensuring the performance
appraisals are accurate, informative and
reflect the ratings awarded. Reading
between the lines and second guessing
the assessors intent are not skills that can
be effectively applied at the PAB and could
potentially disadvantage the candidate
being considered.
Once the reports were read and the
individual Board members had decided
on their own respective OOM, vigorous
debate began. Individual dynamics
and outlooks ensure that the ensuing
debate was often animated and covered
all angles. It was this process that lent
robustness to the overall outcome, with
poorly written reports the only contributing
weakness. The promotion advice letters
resulting from the following Promotion
Board deliberations are now out on Base,
completing the process for another year.
DCM welcome the addition of two new
positions to assist in the A&A locale and
congratulate the newly promoted F/S
Kerel Woodgyer as Assistant CM(T), and
soon to be F/S Leigh Gurney, as Assistant
CM(NT).
OH 06-0486-14 LAC BRAD HANSON
WN 06-0277-01
2006 SENIOR PROMOTION ADVISORY BOARD
Deb both now and in the past and good
luck for the future, we’ll miss you!
Now, we can’t rest on our laurels.
We’ve shown that we can do it, we’re on
a roll so let’s see about putting two teams
in for next year, as well as aiming at first
place. Bring it on!
7
N O.5 S Q UA D R O N
BRIEFS
Ashley Blakemore, 14, and Philippa Bedlington, 16, from the
Upper Hutt Air Training Corps take off on their first ever flight
in an Iroquois helicopter. Fifty cadets from the Upper Hutt
and Masterton Air Training Corps spent the weekend of 26-27
August at RNZAF Base Ohakea, getting a first hand look at
the workings of an Air Force Base.
The unit commander of the Upper Hutt cadets, SQNLDR
Robert Foley, described the weekend as a great success.
‘Most of the cadets have never been in an Iroquois before
and they were absolutely “buzzing” after the flight. We were
accommodated on the Base and kept them busy with visits to
the pilot training school, air security and fire rescue.’
8
SQNLDR Shane Meighan with SNO Capt Ross Smith after SQNLDR
Meighan completed his record breaking 74km run.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
AK 06-0442-01 CPL PAUL FIRTH
FGOFF Karina Chipman
The 29th of September marked the
change of Command for No. 5 Squadron
from WGCDR John Lovatt to WGCDR
Logan Cudby.
The outgoing CO had clearly recovered
from his final flight, which he completed
with a good old fashion ‘dooshing’. His
last flight was an EEZ patrol, and he
returned to the whole squadron waiting
to see him get covered in food slops! He
realised that, even though he is a very fit
man, he wasn’t going to outrun the 70
or so people waiting at the bottom of the
aircraft steps when they taxied in.
So he was tied down and duck-taped
to a chair on a trolley and pushed out
onto the grass. FGOFF Jason Lush was
the ‘lucky man’ who had the ‘honour’ of
throwing the bucket full of food scraps
over the CO. I’m sure WGCDR John
Lovatt won’t let him forget it when he is
Jason’s boss again in 8 months time in
Texas! The fire trucks were then turned on
him to blast him clean, with CPLAEOP
Grace Urlich in control of the hose. All
in all, it was good fun and I’m pretty
sure (..??!) WGCDR Lovatt took it all in
good humour.
The formality of the handover was the
Change of Command parade on Friday
29th September. WGCDR John Lovatt
was the Reviewing Officer - his last official
role as Commanding Officer - and then
addressed the Squadron one last time.
He thanked the squadron personnel
for their commitment during his time in
the command chair and, in particular,
WGCDR John lovatt (left) shakes hands with incoming CO of No.5 Squadron WGCDR Logan Cudby.
thanked partners and families for their
ongoing support.
With the handing over of the Squadron
Commander’s pennant, he then departed
the squadron officially for the last time
and WGCDR Logan Cudby stepped up
to the plate.
As his first action as Commanding
Officer No.5 Squdron, he publicly
thanked both WGCDR John Lovatt and
his wife, WGCDR Leanne Woon for the
tremendous efforts both had put into the
Squadron over the last nearly 6 years he
had been Operations Flight Commander
and CO.
WGCDR Logan Cudby joins the
squadron at an exciting time as we
prepare for the return of NZ4204 from
Texas in 2008 with the new fit. In the
meantime, WGCDR Cudby will be
leading us all towards our ‘new aircraft’,
getting all the personnel ready, and
making sure we have the appropriate
systems in place.
As a Squadron, we wish WGCDR
Cudby well in his new role, and we will
be backing him 100 percent.
On behalf of No.5 Squadron Ops
and Maintenance, we thank WGCDR
John Lovatt for his time as Commanding
Officer. He has done great things over
the last 6 years - first as Operational
Flight Command, and then Commanding
Officer - and leaves the squadron in a
great way for WGCDR Cudby.
Thank you Sir.
AK 06-0442-03 CPL PAUL FIRTH
LOOK MUM – NO DOORS
FOR NO.5 SQUADRON
A Nelson Air Force man serving in Afghanistan with the New
Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team has broken a defence
force record by running 74km in the heat of the Afghan sun.
SQNLDR Shane Meighan, one of 123 New Zealand Defence
Force personnel currently serving in Afghanistan’s Bamian
province, ran for seven and a half hours to complete 74 laps
of the kilometer long perimeter of Kiwi Base.
The run, which took place on Friday September 15, betters the
previous 73km record set by a locally employed interpreter.
‘I just wanted to do something constructive with my day,’
SQNLDR Meighan said. ‘I didn’t really start the day thinking
about breaking any records.’
He began running at 5.30am after waking early and having
trouble getting back to sleep. PVT Jonathan Cantwell from Kiwi
One patrol joined him shortly after but gave up the ghost after
completing 40 gruelling laps.
W/O Greg Mitchell, also serving in Afghanistan, said he didn’t
think SQNLDR Meighan was going to make it.
‘After 52 laps he looked like a bus had run over him. He was
gaunt, his legs were wobbly and salt lined his face.’
But after a couple of bananas, a few good gulps of water
and a lot of encouragement from a growing crowd of kiwi
soldiers, the determined Air Force officer managed to complete
the run.
SQNLDR Meighan said the hardest thing about the run was
staying motivated and dealing with the cramps.
‘At lap 64 the cramps set in. I would do a lap, one calf
muscle would cramp, another lap, then a thigh would cramp.
I had to make sure I was thinking of anything other than what
I was doing.’
The eighth rotation of the New Zealand Provincial
Reconstruction Team, of which Squadron Leader Meighan is
a part, return to New Zealand in mid-October.
A 108-strong winter rotation will replace them to continue
the good work they have done to promote security, assist with
the distribution of aid, and help planning for the construction
of new infrastructure.
Earlier this year New Zealand personnel in Afghanistan laid
the first foundation stones for Bamian Boys High School. A local
firm has been contracted to begin construction and the school
is expected to be complete by November, 2006.
AK 06-0442-07 CPL PAUL FIRTH
The New Zealand Defence Industry Forum, to be held this
year at Te Papa in Wellington on 17 – 18 October, has now
become an established part of the Defence Industry world. It
will bring together about 200 people from NZ and overseas
defence forces and NZ and overseas companies. It is the only
occasion in NZ when these companies and their customers get
together on common ground to discuss industry and support
matters generally. It is also an opportunity for the NZDF and
Ministry of Defence to present their forward procurement
plans, providing information which assists industry to plan its
own approach to tendering for defence work. From the NZDF
perspective, the aim of this part of the seminar is to better
inform suppliers about NZDF needs, thus improving their ability
to meet those needs.
The seminar, to focus on the theme ‘Industry Supporting
Defence’, will feature speakers from New Zealand and
Australian defence and industry, as well as speakers from UK
industry.
A key part of the forum is the Defence Industry Awards Dinner,
where the Minister of Defence will present awards recognising
excellent service which have been given to the NZDF by a
number of New Zealand Companies. This year 11 companies
have been nominated in the three categories of the award.
CHANGE OF COMMAND
NELSON MAN BREAKS NZ
PRT RECORD
WN 06-0280-01
DEFENCE INDUSTRY
FORUM
LEFT: WGCDR Lovatt reviews the Squadron for the last time. RIGHT: The Squadron with their P-3 Orion aircraft.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
9
BRIEFS
AK-06-0374-05 AC LOUISA GRANT
L-R: WGCDR Leanne Woon, SQNLDR Jennifer Atkinson, CAF
AVM Graham Lintott, WGCDR Emma Davis, Mrs Sally Duxfield.
10
SAR-EX
WN 06-0284-02
WN 06-0284-04
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is paving the way
for more women leaders within its ranks, by hosting a Women’s
Leadership Forum. Approximately 60 women officers, warrant
officers and master aircrew attended the forum on 31 August
at Auckland’s Whenuapai Air Base.
CAF, AVM Graham Lintott and WOAF, W/O Keith Gell
were both in attendance to add their support to the inaugural
meeting.
The purpose of the Forum was to improve knowledge and
awareness of gender equity issues and how they impact on
leadership in the RNZAF. Focus was directed on the progress
made and how this can be improved upon to support the next
generation of leaders, both women and men.
Presentations on the Trends in Women’s Careers in the
RNZAF, Success in Learning, and Growing Exceptional Leaders
were made by WGCDR Emma Davis - Director of Defence
Psychology, SQNLDR Jennifer Atkinson - Director of Air Force
Psychology, and Mrs Sally Duxfield (ex RNZAF secretarial
officer) - Director of Contact NZ, Leadership Development
Company.
Focus groups were used to discuss how the issues raised in
the briefs impact on leadership on the squadrons, flights, crews,
and sections. The use of focus groups gave the attendees the
opportunity to consider and discuss how women can enhance
their operational excellence by understanding gender issues
and how they impact, both negatively and positively, on their
leadership roles within the RNZAF.
Organiser WGCDR Leanne Woon said the forum was
designed to give women the tools to become strong leaders
in the military.
‘The Forum was about optimising the performance of the team
and women in the Air Force are part of the RNZAF team. We
may only be a small part but we are an important part that is
growing to meet the future. The Forum was hugely successful
with many positive comments received throughout the day and
during the function held, for all participants, in the Officers
Mess. One of the key messages that came from the Women’s
Forum was the importance of networking with each other on a
regular basis. I have no doubt there will now be more activities
on each Base led by the officers, masters and warrant officers
to further develop our networks,’ she said.
WN 06-0284-03
WOMEN’S
LEADERSHIP FORUM
LAC Stuart is ready to move out.
SGT ‘Cranny’ Cranston (centre) takes on his usual supervisory role.
The Base Auckland Civil Defence Response Group (CDRG) took part in a joint search and
rescue exercise with the Police and land SAR personnel over the weekend of 16 –17 September
in the Hunua Ranges. ‘Newbie’ SGT Richard Cranston describes the exercise.
Half way up Ernie’s track.
T
he aim of this exercise was to train new personnel for the
SAR headquarters team, as well as give those of us with less
SAR experience an appreciation of what happens on a search.
As a ‘newbie’ to the CDRG team and to search and rescue, I
had no real idea of what to expect. Consequently I took enough
gear to clothe a small African village, so lucky for me there was
plenty of room in the trailer.
A group of 13 CDRG members departed Whenuapai after lunch
on Friday afternoon and ventured forth to the Hunua Ranges just
south of Auckland. Once we set up a camp HQ the two search
and rescue scenarios began. We were divided up amongst the
land SAR and Police into four-person teams. Once the sun set
over the horizon, our search began. Our team searched along
the designated track till about 2300hrs, and then camped out at
the start of our next track in an old hay barn.
The next day was a 0530hrs start, which I thought was an
awfully rude time to get out of bed. As I forced myself out of my
nice warm sleeping bag, trying to remember the last time I had
got out of bed that early on a Saturday morning, word came of
our missing party. The party, which consisted of a mountain biker
and a runner, were found at midnight the previous night and all
teams were to meet at their location. The tramp in took half an
hour, but we soon found out that that was the easy part.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
Both of our injured adventurers needed to be stretchered out
once initial first aid had been given. First of all, however, they
needed to be recovered from their precarious position 15 metres
down the side of a bank. A path was cut through the bush using
the trusty Leatherman multi-tools and both patients were hauled
up the bank using a rope and pulley system the police guys had
whipped up.
We then began the 1.2 kilometre journey back to the road and
it was at that point that I realised how difficult carrying someone
out of the bush on a stretcher really was.
We had six people per stretcher carrying the patients while others
set up rope safety lines for the steep muddy parts of the track. It
took three hours to travel that short distance, and by the end of
it we were hurting. Who would have thought carrying your own
pack and the side of a stretcher up a muddy track through the
bush could be so difficult? Where were you 3 Squadron, show
us your winching skills!
That night we had a BBQ around the bonfire. With a refreshing
Powerade in hand we got to know some of the land SAR and
Police personnel at the exercise.
We were woken the next morning by the arrival of a Police
vehicle, complete with siren and flashing lights, reminding us that
dawn had once again arrived (only just arrived, but arrived none
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
the less). After breakfast we were again split into teams and had
a new mission to complete. This time we had to track a person’s
movements through the bush to find them and then get them back
to camp. We followed the trail of our missing person with the
more experienced search members pointing out and explaining
what they were looking at as we went along. Once we located our
injured tramper, first aid was carried out and we made our way
slowly back down the hillside and out to the road. Two missing
parties saved in two days. This bush really is dangerous!
The weekend was an excellent opportunity to try out the cool toys
the CDRG has: nice comfy packs, new tramping-style sleeping
bags, and gas cookers. It was just like Christmas. It was good from
a beginner’s point-of-view as we know now what we’re getting
ourselves into when the call comes to go out on a real search.
Everyone learnt a lot about carrying out searches and getting
injured people out of the bush, and we now appreciate how
difficult that task can be. In a way it was a shame that the exercise
had to come to an end as many of us were just starting to get
into the swing of things. But after three days of tramping a hot
shower and comfy bed was starting to look pretty good.
Hopefully we won’t need to put these skills into practice, but
it’s nice to know that we can if the time comes.

11
Commemorating
CPL PAUL FIRTH AK 06-0420-02
BRITISH-KIWI BONDS
LO N D O N M E M O R I A L
MAJ Linda Lampen-Smith outside the No.485
Wing office at Base Auckland and (opposite) an
aircraft fitted out for medical evacuation.
EXPEDITIONARY HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES
In a new role she describes as challenging but rewarding MAJ Linda LampenSmith has been appointed project officer to develop a more comprehensive and robust
expeditionary health support capability for the RNZAF.
12
Background
For years, medical support to deployable
operations, both planned and short-notice
have been organised and supported by Base
Medical Flights. These deployments have
been put together using both personnel
and equipment from within the static units.
This method has managed to provide assets
at short-notice and resulted in an effective
response that usually comes together well,
if not a little delayed.
However, what has always been apparent
is the subsequent reduction in outputs in the
Base Medical Flights, once the deployment
occurs. The reduction in staffing and
subsequent juggling of personnel both within
the unit and with short-term attachments to
other units to ensure tasks are met has
continued to be a problem. Additionally,
the removal of vital equipment has meant
that units cannot cover all commitments or
are making do with less than satisfactory
levels of equipment.
Base Medical Flights are not staffed to
meet operational tasks, with their focus
being on delivering primary health care. As
medical numbers increase there is a need
to create an agile process to assemble the
appropriate personnel and equipment in
response to a contingency.
Therefore, a need was identified for the
RNZAF to develop a more comprehensive
and robust medical Expeditionary Support
Capability. A proposal was accepted to
improve the RNZAF’s current expeditionary
capability by developing a Health Services
Section (HSS), capable of providing
Environment Health and Safety and
Medical advice and support.
As a result a project has been formulated
to:
 Research and develop an expeditionary
Health Services Section (HSS), which would
be required to meet future deployment
scenarios.
 Research and develop an expeditionary
HSS pack-up capability to meet future
deployment scenarios.
 Identify and establish the required
maintenance and management regimes
to support the RNZAF’s HSS pack-up
requirements.
 Review establishment requirements
within Operational Support Squadron
(OSS) for ongoing management support.
PROJECT PLAN
The Project Officer, Major Linda LampenSmith is posted to OSS and will progress the
project in the following three areas:
Expeditionary Health Services
Section (HSS)
The formation of this cell will take place
within the umbrella of OSS. It will give
consideration to the essential preparation
in Environmental support, Personnel
Deployment and Equipment maintenance
and storage. Its boundaries will be defined
by analysis of potential scenarios that the
RNZAF would respond to and advice on
an appropriate medical response to those
scenarios, in order to apply the level of
experience, qualification and numbers
of personnel to efficiently and effectively
complete the task.
Policy
The aim is to work to promote clear
communications within Medical Units and
support structures and assist D Med (F)
to progress current and future medical
deployment issues. The HSS should provide
a liaison within OSS and medical units in
order to coordinate medical support to
deployments. And it will work to further
promote Environmental Health as an
integral part of all deployments.
Equipment
This area has already commenced with
an initial stock-take of all specific medical
equipment held in the RNZAF medical
arena, including Base Medical Flights
and AMU. The plan is to analyse the
deficit in what Base Medical Flights carry
for deployment, consider the necessary
requirements for a deployment pack-up
and research replacement equipment.
Development of a dedicated deployable
pack-up will stop the previous ‘robbing’
of static units. This equipment will be
stored and maintained by OSS, but certain
equipment types may be needed to be held
at Base Medical Units as regular use is
required for maintenance. Documentation
of procedures for maintenance and use will
be identified.
The Aeromedical Project currently
underway at No.485 Wing for the Strategic
Aeromedical Capability is aligned to this
project and is designed so that both outputs
will support each other in the future.
The Project position is formed for the
period of 12 months and the subsequent
Health Support Section should continue
this work to ensure that operations are
supported medically far more effectively
than they have in the past.
Contact Information:
MAJ Linda Lampen-Smith
Project Officer
DTLN: 399 7784
[email protected]
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
An artist’s impression of the Hyde Park memorial BELOW: Pipi and toheroa shells spell out the word Antipodes on the side of the memorial
This memorial commemorates the enduring bonds between New Zealand and the United
Kingdom, and our shared sacrifice during times of war. It is a symbol both of our common
heritage, and of New Zealand’s distinct national identity.
– dedication text on the memorial
For the first time in many decades, the New
Zealand Defence Force will parade in central
London.
In early November, a contingent of about
300 people will travel to London to take
part in the official dedication ceremony for
a New Zealand Memorial. The ceremony
will take place on 11 November, Armistice
Day, and will be broadcast on New Zealand
television.
The New Zealand Memorial in London
commemorates the long relationship between
New Zealand and the United Kingdom,
including the shared sacrifice of the two
countries at war and close family, historical,
cultural, sporting and economic ties.
The New Zealand Memorial will stand in
a prominent position at London’s Hyde Park
Corner, diagonally opposite the Australian
War Memorial. Consisting of 16 bronze
standards – each representing a component
of the special bond shared by the two
countries – it will serve as a place for New
Zealanders to express their national pride
and identity when in London.
Chief of Defence Force, LT GEN Jerry
Mateparae, will lead the NZDF contingent
travelling to London. The contingent includes
the Chief of Air Force, AVM Graham Lintott,
a ceremonial Royal Guard of Honour, a
cultural group and a Defence band. Members
of Parliament, officials, members of the New
Zealand Returned and Services Association
(RSA) and 32 selected veterans will also make
up the New Zealand contingent, which will
be transported to London in two Air Force
757s.
The dedication ceremony is likely to be the
biggest event in London on Armistice Day
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
and will be attended by thousands of New
Zealanders and Brits. The ceremony will
also mark the closing of the New Zealand
Year of the Veteran campaign, and the
90th anniversary of the RSA.
Pa i d f o r b y t h e N e w Z e a l a n d
Government, the $NZ3-million memorial
was created by Dibble Art and Athfield
Architects. The 16 bronze sculptures are
set out in formation across a grassy slope
overlooking Hyde Park Corner and form
a cross when seen from above. They
feature words and images that evoke the
themes of the memorial: New Zealand
national identity, the long relationship
with Britain, and our shared wars.
The sculptor of the memorial is Paul
Dibble. His wife and assistant, Fran Dibble,
says the individual standards are ‘made
to stand in semi-grid formation, calling to
mind soldiers in procession, Pouwhenua
markers around Maori ancestral sites, or
Celtic remains like standing stones. The
forward-leaning angle of the standards
gives them a defiant pose reminiscent of
warriors during the haka, the defensive
bat in cricket, and the barrel of a soldier’s
gun.’
Each standard is formed from two
intersecting plates of bronze, which
are cut at a diagonal plane at the top.
‘From afar, they appear like a series of
crosses hanging in the air with some of
the atmosphere of the soldiers’ mass
ceremonies,’ says Fran Dibble.
The memorial is composed of two
overlapping formations. Ten standards
form a diamond-shaped grid, with a
‘leader’ standing in front of the lower
point. This leader will be the site for the laying
of official wreaths.
The other six standards are positioned
beyond the main group and are arranged
to form the Southern Cross constellation.
At night, their tops are illuminated so that
the crosses appear like the southern stars,
indicating the compass direction south – and
pointing the way home for Kiwis.
The structures left Paul Dibble’s Palmerston
North studio on the Queen’s Birthday bound
for London. Their long journey by ship follows
the Maori Battalion’s 1940 march to WWII.
The men of the battalion were trained in
the Palmerston North showgrounds, before
embarking for London. Once there, they
camped in Hyde Park with other Kiwi troops
before advancing to the battlefields.
‘It seemed an incredible coincidence that
this memorial is following the same steps
as those soldiers 66 years ago,’ says Fran
Dibble. So one standard includes a tribute to
Palmerston North in text from a contemporary
report of the battalion’s departure: ‘Dressed
in their greatcoats and lemon-squeezer hats,
with officers carrying side-arms and the
remainder of the battalion carrying rifles,
they looked impressive as they marched for
the last time before the citizens of Palmerston
North.’
13
RNZAF Physical Fitness Standards
RNZAF fitness test results are recorded against the fitness
standards below. Administrative procedures, and further
restrictions on the F3 to F7 standards, will be published in
NZAP 53’.
F1: Excellent. This is a challenging standard but, given
sufficient motivation and effort, is achievable by most
personnel.
F2: Satisfactory. This is the minimum fitness standard
required.
F4: Medically Excused. A standard of F4 indicates
personnel who have been classified by a Medical Officer as
being unable to attempt any fitness test.
OH 05-0430-23
F3: Unsatisfactory. Awarded to personnel who fail either
the OFT or Restricted Test.
WB 05-0210-01
WB 03-0097-05
F5: Medically Cleared. A standard of F5 indicates
Service members who had been classified as F4, and have
now been classified by a Medical Officer as being able to
attempt a fitness test.
14
the health care costs incurred by the
RNZAF; and
+ portray a positive public image of the
RNZAF.
To maintain these fitness standards we
use a familiar two-pronged approach:
field provides one of the many attractions
and rewards of military life while also
building the leadership, teamwork and
fitness that we expect in a professional Air
Force. These themes are closely tied to our
Air Force Values.
Why do we need a Culture
of Fitness?
Our job in the Air Force is to be ready
to deploy at short notice and to operate
in a hostile environment with little or no
supporting infrastructure. Many of you
have done this frequently in recent years;
and whether for military or humanitarian
operations overseas, or civil defence
work at home, you have been consistently
OH 05-0449-80
n 26 May 2006 the Chief of
Air Force, AVM Graham Lintott,
approved a new RNZAF Fitness Policy for
Regular Force (RF) personnel.
While you may be tempted to focus on
the new Operational Fitness Test, which
will take effect from Dec 06, there are
other aspects that you should also think
about. These include a statement of why
we need personnel to be fit, the activities
and opportunities that the RNZAF provides
to develop a culture of fitness, and the
rationale that was used to ensure the new
fitness test is relevant to our Air Force
operational commitments. It also provides
a more consistent approach to the
management of those who have difficulty
meeting the required standard.
The new policy is not a change of
direction, but rather a re-statement and
development of ideals that most of us
have long understood and cherished:
that military service is unlike any other
occupation; that we demand a strong
commitment of service and allegiance;
and that our emphasis on leading an
active life in the outdoors or on the sports
WB 05-0136-26
O
GP CAPT Keith Pollock
praised for your ability to get stuck in and
make a difference. That is what we expect
of the Kiwi culture; but we do ask a lot of
our people both physically and mentally.
How should we prepare them for the tasks
ahead?
We need a high standard of physical
fitness so that we can:
+ meet the RNZAF Outputs by ensuring
that personnel can rapidly acclimatize to
different environments, and achieve the
physical requirements that can reasonably
be expected under a range of deployed
conditions;
+ maintain the general health and
well-being of the RNZAF to both improve
performance in the workplace, and reduce
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
The Carrot
How many employers give you both
time off work and professional trainers
so that you and your families can make
the most of our gymnasiums, fitness
centres, swimming pools, sports courts
and playing fields, rock walls, golf
courses, safe exercise areas, circuit
training, formal and informal sports, or
adventurous training? Of course access
to these varies considerably according to
location, and they are always subject to
over-riding Service needs; but throughout
our careers we all have some great
opportunities.
The Stick
If we take proper advantage of the
carrot, then fitness testing won’t cause
us any grief. Nevertheless, we still need
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
F6: Restricted Pass. The Restricted Test safely assesses
the basic health and fitness of those with some common
forms of semi-permanent (longer than six months) or
permanent injury or medical conditions, but does not assess
an individual’s ability to proceed on operational deployment.
F7: Exempt. A standard of F7 indicates Service members who are unable
to maintain the full fitness requirements, and have had their retention
approved by CAF
to conduct a regular check to ensure that
everyone can pull his or her fair share of the
weight when called on. The tool of choice
is the new RNZAF Operational Fitness Test
(OFT).
All Regular Force RNZAF personnel are
required to maintain at least a Satisfactory
(F2) standard in the OFT, and to also meet
any other trade-related fitness standards
that may be prescribed in the relevant
Manual of Trade Training.
If you hold an Excellent (F1) standard you
will be retested annually, while those with
a Satisfactory (F2) standard are considered
at higher risk of falling below the required
standard and will therefore be tested every
six months.
Failure Management
We also need a system that is fair to those
who are recovering from injury or illness,
and that provides timely support and
encouragement to those who struggle
with fitness. Details regarding medical
exemptions, and personnel overseas, will
be published in NZAP 53.
The priority is to get everyone up to the
standard; but NZAP 53 will also provide
a more consistent process and timeline
for dealing with those who fail. They will
be retested within 28 days, after which
they will receive a Formal Warning and
remedial training for up to three months. If
they are still unable to pass, their retention
in the RNZAF will be formally reviewed in
accordance with the provisions of DFO
4.
Exemptions from Fitness
Standards
In exceptional circumstances it may be
appropriate to retain some individuals
who are unable to maintain the full fitness
requirements, but who hold extensive
knowledge or experience that cannot
continued over
15
Fitness Test Protocols
The RNZAF Operational Fitness Test is
designed to reflect deployed conditions,
be challenging but achievable for all
personnel, detect any physical fitness
deficiencies that would affect performance
on operations, be easily administered,
and be safe. It is based on typical
deployment tasks such as erecting large
tents, filling sandbags, building defensive
barricades, digging foxholes, constructing
outdoor latrines and showers, loading and
unloading stores, carrying stretchers, and
ground patrols.
With the exception of active ground
defence, these tasks are carried out in a
team environment and therefore there is no
single task that defines specific strength or
endurance requirements for the individual
; however it is important that all personnel
be challenged to maintain a high level
of fitness according to their individual
ability in order to provide the maximum
team capability. The OFT standards are
therefore based on age and gender. Active
ground defence requires all personnel to
carry the same standard issue weapons
and protective equipment for extended
periods. Carrying these loads over distance
requires Cardio-respiratory fitness and core
muscular endurance.
These tasks have been evaluated
against the five generally accepted fitness
attributes:
Muscular Strength: The ability of
a muscle group to develop maximal
contractile force against a resistance in a
single contraction.
Muscular Endurance: The ability of
a muscle group to exert sub-maximal
force for extended periods (also known
as anaerobic fitness).
Cardio-Respiratory Fitness: The
ability to perform dynamic exercise
involving large muscle groups at medium
to high intensity for prolonged periods
(also known as aerobic capacity).
Agility: The ability to change direction
of the body or body parts rapidly under
control.
Speed: The rapidity of movement.
Muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness are essential to the
RNZAF operational tasks, and form the
basis of the RNZAF Operational Fitness
Test. The remaining attributes of muscular
strength, agility and speed are desirable,
but are not tested directly.
Operational Fitness Test (OFT)
The OFT comprises the following two elements: A timed 5 km march, carrying an evenly distributed weight of 20 Kg, which is representative
of a helmet, flak jacket, Steyr, 120 rounds of ammunition, webbing, 1.5L water, and a first aid kit. This tests cardio-respiratory fitness,
and is an indicator of general locomotion, core (abdominal) stability, and the ability to carry operational equipment.
Time: Male
Age
Time: Female
(F1)
(F2)
(F1)
(F2)
16-29
42:00
44:00
44:30
46:30
30-39
44:00
46:00
46:30
48:30
40-49
46:00
48:00
48:30
50:30
50 +
48:00
50:00
50:30
52:30
Continuous push-ups. While being easy to administer, push-ups provide a reliable indication of the upper body and abdominal
muscular endurance required for general camp duties. Training for push-ups also assists in maintaining bone strength and appropriate
body composition, essential if we are to remain healthy as we age.
Repetitions: Male
Age
16
Repetitions: Female
Repetitions (F1)
Repetitions (F2)
Repetitions (F1)
Repetitions (F2)
16-29
40
30
22
16
30-39
33
23
18
13
40-49
28
18
16
11
50 +
22
12
12
8
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
A scene of intense concentration on the
flight deck as the team take the C-130
through tactical moves.
A TACTICAL MISSION
Air Force News editor Grant Carr hitched a ‘bumpy’ ride aboard a No.40 Squadron
C-130 Hercules on a TACEX training flight out of Base Ohakea.
It’s Sunday 10 September and I’m warned
that the steady northerly wind over the
North Island will make the flight ‘a little
bumpy’ - not the best weather for tactical
flying.
But, with breakfast safely digested and a
couple of sick bags tucked discreetly into
the pocket of my flying overalls I’m game
for a flight aboard one of two No.40
Squadron C-130 Hercules aircraft during
last month’s Tactical Conversion Training
Exercise (TACEX).
The basic tenet of tactical flying is quite
simple, explains FGOFF Phil Randerson.
‘The idea is to deliver air drops at a
specified time onto drop zones using
geographic landforms like river valleys,
ridges and mountains to “hide” the
aircraft.’ The tactical aspect of the two
hour flight means taking the C-130
Hercules through seemingly nimble
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
IMAGE COURTESY MR PETER CLARK
easily be replaced. Retention of personnel
in this category will be considered on a
case-by-case basis, and be based on
an assessment of the individual’s unique
value to the Service against the resulting
limitations on employment.
A Restricted Fitness Test, which addresses
only the health and public image portions
of the RNZAF fitness requirements, will be
used to assist in the assessment of personnel
in this category.
IMAGE COURTESY MR PETER CLARK
TAC E X: TAC T I C A L T R A I N I N G
A pre-flight map briefing in Auckland
manoeuvres, banking at up to 60 degree
angles and getting within 250 feet of
the ground. In a real world scenario we
are avoiding the ever-present danger of
anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-air missiles
(SAMs), radar and other aircraft. It’s
this training that comes into its own in
potentially ‘hostile’ environments like
Afghanistan.
For this TACEX the Squadron planned
to use all three Air Force Bases – the first
phase started out of Whenuapai on 4
September, moving on to Ohakea over
6-12 September and phase three out of
Base Woodbourne for advanced tactical
scenarios and some mountain flying
ending on 15 September. Squadron
personnel also hope to do some night
flying from Base Ohakea but FGOFF
Randerson explains that, in the absence
of night vision goggles, ‘the focus is to
practise tactical night approaches to
an airstrip using tactical night lighting,
while introducing night visual minimum
Continued over
17
TAC E X: TAC T I C A L T R A I N I N G
18
altitude flying.’
While the overall focus is on tactical skills
the exercise, like just about everything
the Air Force does, also involves a large
and diverse support group including
Maintenance, Communications, Air
Movements, Operations, the Cargo Para
Bay, and the Army’s 5th Movements
Company (Linton).
Before the flight there’s a ‘ramp brief’.
It’s a chance for the C-130’s 7-person
crew to ensure everyone knows the route
and timings.
I find an unobtrusive spot on the flight
deck and count myself lucky. Up here I
can see where we are going which helps
to alleviate some of the nausea of motion
sickness. Soon we are flying northeast
toward Waiouru Army Camp. We come in
as if to land on what appears, from the air,
to be a tiny strip. After two approaches the
landing is aborted. There’s just too much
wind shear for the risk. Now we are looping
around in a wide arc to approach a couple
of drop zones near the west coast. There’s
constant commentary by Captain SQNLDR
Pete Saunders, picking out landforms
and telling pilot FLTLT Brendan Walter
where to take the aircraft. As we squeeze
down a tight river valley past a forest of
A TACTICAL MISSION
the Manawatu’s giant wind turbines I can
feel the G-forces. Also on the flight deck
were SQNLDR Matthew Hill, as a QNI
instructing the sortie’s navigator FGOFF
James Laurence and Flight Engineer SGT
Josef Hargraves.
As we approach the Raumai drop zone
I stumble back to the aircraft’s cavernous
belly to watch as Loadmasters F/S Kim
Wright, SGT Steve Knapton and SGT
Nathan Hodges open the back door and
ready the loads. I’m wearing a safety vest
that’s hooked up to an overhead line. It’s
reassuring to know I can’t accidentally
career out the yawning back door. When
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
the lights turn from red to green it’s
‘bombs away’ time. The Loadmaster cuts
the last tie and within seconds the load
rolls itself out the back of the aircraft and
deploys its parachute. We go around
again and drop a second load and I
follow along the empty ramp for a bit of
‘ramp surfing’ - not bad for someone who
once had a fear of heights. Unfortunately
the loads are well off target. Caught by
the wind they land a couple of fields
away. No doubt Army’s 5 Movements
personnel will be cursing. Let’s hope the
loads haven’t broken any fences.
Ohakea isn’t far from the drop zone and
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
GOING, GOING, GONE Top: The Loadmaster cuts the last tie.
Middle: The load rolls out the back door. Bottom: It’s gone in seconds.
we soon touch down with a bump and
my two-hour flight is over. It’s lunchtime
but I decide not to partake.
No.40 Squadron is arguably the Air
Force’s busiest Squadron and must fit its
training schedule into an equally busy
operational programme. Operational
tasks take precedence. The task is made
harder because one of the fleet of five
C-130 Hercules is currently in Canada
receiving a major upgrade. And so it was
that the final leg of TACEX, flying out of
Base Woodbourne, was cancelled due
to a need to have a C-130 on standby
to take the former Tongan King back to
Tonga. A similar thing happened in May
during Skytrain* when a C-130 had to be
deployed to the Solomon Islands.
* Skytrain is similar to TACEX, except
that for Skytrain the Squadron sets up a
camp at a remote air field.
OH 06-0488-24 CPL NICK CLARKE
This image and inset: The two Hercules get as close as 150 feet (50 metres) during
formation flying. Photos courtesy of aviation photographer
Mr Peter Clark (Email: [email protected])
OH 06-0488-03 CPL NICK CLARKE
WN 06-0283-02 GRANT CARR
WN 06-0283-01 GRANT CARR
TAC E X: TAC T I C A L T R A I N I N G
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Safely back
on ground at Base Ohakea.
19
OH 06-0459-37
Exercise Wiseowl’s open day on Saturday 9 September had a festive air
as it attracted thousands of Hawke’s Bay locals keen to get an up close
and intimate look at their Air Force. ‘It’s a great turnout,’ commented
Chief of Air Force AVM Graham Lintott on the enthusiastic crowd.
Soaring above Heretaunga Street, the Royal New Zealand Air Force had celebrated
Hastings City’s 50th Anniversary the previous day with a flypast over the blossom city and
a jazz performance by its Central Band members, led by FLTLT Owen Clarke.
OH 06-0459-06
An Air Trainer at sunset.
The Air Force made the most of Hawke’s
Bay’s hospitality as its student pilots deployed
on their first ever major exercise. Around a
hundred personnel lived and worked at Bridge
Pa Aerodrome from 4 to 14 September on
Exercise Wiseowl.
The regular Wiseowl exercises are held at
provincial New Zealand airfields. Working
away from home, Wiseowl gives the student
pilots their first taste of working in the ‘field’
and flying in unfamiliar territory. The students
were on the Air Force’s world class ‘Wings’
course and are normally based at the Flying
Training Wing at Ohakea.
Flying the distinctive yellow and black CT4
Airtrainers, nine students and their instructors
buzzed over the hills of Hawke’s Bay. The
main focus for the students was formation
flying, so residents within 100 kilometres of
Bridge Pa saw pairs of planes flying together
throughout the day.
On the ground the Air Force personnel
lived and worked out of tents at Bridge Pa.
The camp was self sufficient, with a field
kitchen, medical facility, administration
unit, communications centre, as well as a
maintenance centre for the aircraft.
As well as the two-seater Airtrainers, there
was a C-130 Hercules, Iroquois and Sioux
helicopters and Kingair for the public to look
through. There were ground displays by the
Air Security dogs, Air Force fire-fighters and
armament section – while in the air there was
an array of aerobatics to thrill everyone.
All photographs by AC Sam Shephard,
CPE.
OH 06-0459-70
WISEOWL
OH 06-0459-11
WISEOWL
TOP: A camp group photo including pilots and their instructors, fire fighters, medical, Air Security, and set up team. LEFT: During the camp set up LAC Roger
Gardiner wires up the lights. RIGHT:Jasmine and Olympia Gedye aged 6 and 3 years try out the helicopter helmets.
THE AIR FORCE’S STUDENT PILOTS
20
As student pilots with the Air Force, the nine
young Pilot Officers at Exercise Wiseowl were
literally on top of the world.
But it’s not an easy ride for the nine on the
demanding ‘Wings Course’.
For two weeks they left behind the comforts
of home to live in a tented camp on an airfield
in Hastings.
Exercise Wiseowl is a biannual training
exercise designed to take the students out of
their comfort zone.
For the students on the latest ‘Wings’ course, it’s
their first opportunity to fly the distinctive yellow
and black Airtrainers outside of Ohakea.
For the first time they have to deal with
unfamiliar terrain and new voices from the
control towers, all while living in a self-sufficient
camp.
Exercise Wiseowl is part of the initial 34-week
course at the Pilot Training Squadron.
PLTOFF Mary Woolston from Wellington
says the highlight of the course to date
has been the chance to face new flying
challenges.
We’ve been flying in formation over
clouds and we’ve flown over Mt Ruapehu.
It’s been an exciting time.’
Since she was a child PLTOFF Woolston
has dreamt of a flying career and by joining
the Air Force has allowed those hopes to
become reality.
PLTOFF Michele Manderson, from
Alexandra, says she wants to become a
pilot mostly because of the opportunities
to travel and to make new friends.
‘Who wouldn’t want to be a pilot? I
love to fly and doing something you enjoy
as a job, you can’t ask for much more.
Perfect!’
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
PLTOFF Rob McKenzie from Waimate
is a former New Zealand Army soldier who
says he wouldn’t have it any other way - the
Air Force is his ‘ultimate lifestyle’.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
Morrinsville’s PLTOFF Scott Nicholas
says he wants to become a pilot for the
various challenges it brings and for the
opportunities to travel.
‘My career with the Air Force so far has
allowed me to travel to places in the world
that you simply can’t buy tickets for at travel
agents - Antarctica and Afghanistan, for
example. As far as life experiences go
you can’t beat it, and all while being paid
to do it!’
Whakatane born PLTOFF Steve Ramsey
joined the Air Force because he wanted ‘a
career full of opportunities, challenges and
satisfaction’. And like his fellow students
flying solo for the first time was a course
highlight. He says the Air Force lifestyle is
‘Great!’
21
AK 06-0339-02
NEW GENERATION OF CAPABILITY FOR RNZAF
DEPLOYED CIS DELIVERED...
CLOCKWISE (FROM LEFT): Dog Handler CPL
Glenn Ormsby with Air Dog Rocky.
Post flight debriefs.
Army chef PTE Jr. Omahoy whips up another
culinary delight.
No.3 Squadron wow the crowd with their
acrobatic display.
Air Traffic Controller FLTLT Matt Lalley watches
over the airfield.
THE AIR FORCE’S STUDENT PILOTS
22
Methvyn-born PLTOFF Aaron Lloyd (L)
says the highlight of the course to date was:
‘My first solo flight in the Airtrainer. It was
a completely different experience, which
forced me to have complete awareness of
what was going on.’
Christchurch PLTOFF Craig Thornley
says: ‘I’ve had some great opportunities to
travel. There’s been lots of hard work, but
it’s made up for by the chance to do things
I never could have done.’
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
says WGCDR Alexander.
With an expected operational life of 10 to 15 years, the LOVs
are a direct replacement for the Land Rover V8 vehicles bought
in 1990. The CIS fit of the new RNZAF LOVs represents a major
upgrade in capability, as systems already purchased under the
NZDF Tactical Mobile Communiciation System (TMCS) project
will be used. The result? A vehicle which is totally interoperable
with all players.
RNZAF CIS LOVs and personnel can be deployed rapidly
with a standard initial capability for up to 48 hours operation.
Deployments for more complex tasks over extended periods can
then be planned as required. The LOV is air-transportable by
C-130, but will be driven mostly on NZ roads.
Initially the LOVs will go to Base Auckland for design and
installation of their new CIS fits. This will be a collaborative effort
requiring the support of many trade groups, but notably Avionics
and CIS Technician staff of the Operational Communication
and Information Systems Flight at Base Auckland. Two LOVs
will remain in Auckland, one will go to Base Ohakea and the
two others will go to Woodbourne where they will be used by
Ground Training Wing to ensure CISTECH personnel are fully
trained in their use. The NZ Army will maintain the LOVs as
part of their vehicle maintenance programme, and also provide
driver training.
Although the Land Rovers gave excellent service, the increased
payload of new requirements called for an agile platform capable
of transporting and delivering sophisticated capability. WGCDR
Alexander says the Air Force’s CISTECH personnel are looking
forward to using the LOVs. We can’t say we blame them!
339-06
North Shore’s PLTOFF Stuart Anderson
says the highlight of the Wings Course so
far was: ‘flying in a three-ship formation
over Mt Ruapehu en route to Whakatane
for an impromptu two day training trip …
and all the aerobatics!’
he purchase of five brand new Light Operational
Vehicles (LOVs) ushers in a new era of mobility for the
RNZAF’s Communication and Information Systems (CIS)
Branch.
The 718K C2 series hard-top variant Pinzgauers will, once fitted
out, be used to deploy the Air Force’s CIS capability in the tactical
role, says LOV project manager WGCDR Steve Alexander. These
new communications platforms will be used to directly support
RNZAF air operations, but are also capable of supporting a range
of other NZDF commitments including Civil Defence.
WGCDR Alexander says the LOVs will allow the Air Force to
‘rapidly deploy a significant CIS capability which will be preconfigured for immediate use on arrival’ The LOVs will be fitted
with HF and VHF radios for air-ground-air use, and will have
‘reachback’ capability to New Zealand from other parts of the
world. Small satellite communications systems to support Local
Area Networks (LANs) in the field can also be carried to provide
access to DIXS and other IT-based operational planning tools in
common use throughout units of the NZDF.
The hard top variant has rear doors in addition to the two side
doors, allowing access to all parts of the vehicle. ‘We needed a
vehicle that allows deployment of communications equipment
and up to five personnel, safely, in all conditions. The LOV fits
that bill,’ says WGCDR Alexander.
An added but necessary extra is air conditioning. ‘We worked
out the thermal units generated by the equipment and had
those specifications taken into account at the factory. Our
experience is that, in extreme heat environments, the inside of
the vehicle becomes intolerable for personnel. What is more,
such high temperatures causes electronic equipment, especially
commercial off-the-shelf products, to just die’. For this reason,
air-conditioning has been adopted as an NZDF specification’,
AK 06-0
PLTOFF Joshua Brinkmann, a
one time Dux of Paeroa College, says
becoming a pilot was a lifestyle decision.
‘I couldn’t stand having to work an office
job where you’d be stuck inside all day, so
I figured flying planes would be pretty cool
and the Air Force was the most appropriate
way of being able to do this.’
T
OCISF personnel in front of their new vehicles - AC Davy Carr (left) and LAC Aaron Oxenham.
23
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
OBSERVER
GROUP GOLAN
DAMASCUS
(OGG-D)
In last month’s Air Force News SQNLDR Andrew Greig gave
us a personal view of the Lebanon conflict. This month we
caught up with his NZDF colleague SQNLDR Tua Atkinson
working for the UN just across the border, in Syria.
24
Where are you located and what sort of
accommodation are you in? Do you have
any family with you?
I am situated in Syria, a neighbouring
country to Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Turkey
and Iraq. All, with the exception of Iraq,
are part of the UNTSO mandate. I live two
weeks of the month in a flat I share with two
other UNMO’s (Chinese and an Estonian)
and the other two weeks are spent on OP
with one other UNMO from my team.
The OPs are located inside the Area of
Separation (AOS) – a demilitarized zone
between Syria and Israel along the disputed
Golan Heights region. The accommodation
in Damascus is perfect for what we need
and it’s akin to a student-flatting situation it’s a place to crash and relax between OPs.
It’s comfortable and I have a huge room,
which opens out to a small but cosy balcony
area, which makes for a good area to crack
open a Lion Red and watch the sunset.
The downside is the three trips lugging
military and personal kit up and down
five flights of stairs each time you transit
between Golan Heights and Damascus.
The accommodation at the OP provides the
basics and we have no complaints. Power
is provided by two generators; washing
water is supplied twice a week by the
United Nations Disengagement Observer
Force (UNDOF); and, we provide our own
food and take turns with the cooking. Your
reputation is judged by your culinary skills
as much as by your ability as an UNMO so
most of us are brilliant at four meals each
and that’s about our lot. My wife (Julia) and
daughter (Holly) stayed in Wellington but I
wish to make at least two trips home over
12 months to see them as my daughter is
two now and is growing so fast. We have
long video conferences on Skype when I
am in Damascus as every internet café has
Skype. It really diminishes the kilometres
separating us. It’s almost like talking face
to face.
Describe your day-to-day job before the
Israel-Hezbollah conflict? How long have
you been posted there?
My day-to-day job consists of either staff
duties such as Duty Officer in Damascus
or Golan, but primarily involves observe
and report activities. As unarmed military
observers our role is to observe and report
any violations of the 1974 Agreement on
Disengagement between Syria and Israel.
Our Area of Responsibility includes an
Area of Separation, which stretches from
the Syrian/Lebanese border in the north to
the Syrian/Jordanian border in the south.
It also includes an Area of Limitations,
which extends 25km from the AOS line on
the Syrian side. Syrian forces are limited as
to how many personnel, tanks or artillery
pieces are permitted in certain zones. We
conduct fortnightly inspections of every
military position and do regular patrols to
ensure these restrictions are being adhered
to and report any violations if and when they
occur. We also undergo regular training
exercises and frequently patrol or inspect on
the Israeli side with the UNMO’s stationed
in Tiberias.
As Team Leader of ‘Team Citadel’ - which
is responsible for the two northernmost OP’s
- I also have other tasks and responsibilities
associated with running and managing
our duty roster and the ten other UNMO’s
in my team. They are all professional,
experienced officers, with a mindset focused
At the Hermon Hotel (a UNDOF position) overlooking
Syria and Lebanon. SQNLDR Atkinson on left.
on the job and some members are here
for their second or third tour so it’s a good
environment to be a part of. I have been
posted here since mid-May 2006 and
will likely spend my entire twelve month
tour here in Syria.
Has your job changed since the fighting
started? If so, how? Has the immediate
threat level increased?
The job has not changed as a result of
the conflict. Our mandate dictates the
role we play in this region and all that
had changed for us was an increase in
operational tempo and tension levels. By
that, I mean there were more incidents to
observe with OP71 in particular being
able to hear and view artillery fire as
Syria’s only rugby team.
Making a radio check from the shelter.
well as aircraft moving between Israel and
Lebanon. Other OP’s, of which there are
five in total on the Syrian side, could also
hear shelling. We refocused on what was
required for force protection and shelter
life as this was forced upon us on several
occasions. Four guys in a two person shelter
wears thin pretty quickly but fortunately most
shelter warnings only lasted 2-4 hours on
average so we didn’t have to draw straws
for beds. The threat level has naturally
increased although it took some time for this
to occur in Syria. Even though the ceasefire
is in effect we are at a higher threat level
than before the conflict.
What is your relationship to the local
people? Are there refugees from the
fighting? How are they coping?
Our relationship with the locals is great.
You could not find a more hospitable or
welcoming people. Because the UN has
been here for many decades the locals,
particularly the villages surrounding the
AOS, have grown up with UN integrated
into their society. As such, we are treated
with respect by the adults and receive waves
and smiles from the hordes of children.
When I am in Damascus I go to train
with the only rugby team in Syria, which is
something I never thought I would see in this
country. They have to play other teams in
Lebanon, Jordan or Dubai so they are pretty
committed and very keen to learn.
When the conflict started there was a
flood of displaced Lebanese arriving in
Damascus. This all happened on our
doorstep as most UNMO’s live by the
Meridien Hotel and the many embassies
located in the immediate area. A lot of
Syrian families opened their doors to
strangers to show support. Those that stayed
seemed to be catered for but many flew out,
particularly other nationals. Damascus is in
the position where it currently plays host to
an estimated 500,000 Iraqis and now a
large Lebanese influx.
What, in your opinion, will happen in
the future?
I hesitate to say what I think will happen
in the future. There are too many
variables, differences of opinion, inherent
disagreement, cultural, and religious
influences – just to name a few – that
make it an all to difficult task, and I am not
qualified to offer an appraisal. What I do
hope I live to see, is the day the OPs are
disbanded and the need for UNMOs and
a UN presence is gone from Israel, Egypt,
Syria, and Lebanon. This event will mean a
long-standing peace has prevailed in these
Middle Eastern countries and we can go
home and leave them to live in peace.
Do you think NZ will be asked to contribute
to a multi-national peacekeeping force
(given our experience in the region)?
Yes.
Any other thoughts/comments/
observations?
I have one observation. Losing four fellow
UNMO’s out of a small pool of 153 is a
sobering experience and thankfully New
Zealanders were not amongst the dead.
The guys in Lebanon and Israel experienced
close firing and direct hits on their positions
and those with families in the mission
understandably had heightened anxiety but
during this conflict, even after the bombing
of Patrol Base Khiam, I was not aware of
one Military Observer who did not feel
an overwhelming desire to be where their
comrades were now under extreme life
threatening conditions. Talking to UNMO’s,
particularly those with families in the
mission, they were torn between doing what
99% of people around the world would do
instinctively – stay with your family and be
safe; or, do what in our military mind is
right – rush to the aid of our brothers. It
reinforced to me our different characteristics
and mind set - we should relish, value and
take pride in being in that 1%. Our training,
instilled teamwork, abilities and discipline
define us and I am very proud to be working
alongside people of this ilk.
I would also like to add that this is a great
part of the world to work and live in. For
military experience; from an historical and
cultural perspective; and for life experience
this mission must rate as one of the best so
if you’re a commander release your keen
officers – the long-term gains surpass the
short-term loss in staffing.
YOU
can now access this and other feature
articles on the NZDF website at:
www.nzdf.mil.nz/news or www.airforce.mil.nz
Team Citadel.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
25
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
LO G I S T I C S
AK 06-0465-03
AK 06-0465-07
AK 06-0396-01
AK 06-0465-06
LO G I S T I C S
LOGISTICS IMPLEMENTS
BATCH MANAGEMENT
AK 06-0465-04
Batch Control - data at your fingertips.
T
26
WGCDR Dave Yorston,
Project Director
he Batch Management project has been quietly running within
Logistics for the past year and is nearing completion.
Initiated by AFO(T) 28/2005, a team of RNZAF personnel
have been working with civilian contractors from Management
Toolbox Limited to implement batch management across
the RNZAF’s aeronautical inventory. As batch management
becomes an integral part of business as usual within Logistics
and the contractor plays a lesser role in the project, it is timely
ALL PHOTOS:
CPL PAUL FIRTH
AK 06-0465-05
Batch Control - AC Corinne Almeida operating at the supply carousel.
to reflect on the project and its achievements as much of the
work has occurred behind the scenes and had little visible
impact outside of Logistics.
Batch management of aeronautical inventory is a process that
supports our airworthiness principles by providing traceability
of spares from manufacture to installation on our aircraft.
The RNZAF’s airworthiness processes are designed to ensure
that the right component or part is fitted to the right aircraft
hence the ability to trace potentially faulty spares provides
an increased measure of confidence in the airworthiness of
the aircraft fleet. While this has traditionally been the case
with serialised items, non-serialised items have not had the
same rigid control until now. Historically, manufacturers or
regulatory authorities have advised the RNZAF of faulty spares
by referencing the manufacturer’s batch number which then
required a significant amount of activity to determine and
identify the location of the recalled spares. By implementing
batch management processes, the RNZAF has significantly
augmented its ability to trace recalled spares saving a
considerable amount of time and effort. Functionality within
the RNZAF’s inventory management system (SAP) is being used
to enable this traceability of spares.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
ABOVE LEFT: Batch Control - LAC
Roz Sutton labelling overseas
receipts in the Transit Section.
ABOVE: Batch Control - No.5
Squadron supplier (left) LAC Gabriel
Akai hands over stores to AC
Cranker.
LEFT: Batch Control - AC Clay of
No.5 Squadron demonstrates the
end of an era for the aeronautical
spares trays.
FAR LEFT: The new batch control
label adjacent to a supplier’s label.
www.airforce.mil.nz
To date, the RNZAF has implemented batch management
across 86.2% of its inventory. Conversion of the final 13.2%
is closely linked with the implementation of JEMS (Joint
Engineering Management System) as some of the inventory
cannot be batch managed until ALIS (Air Logistics Information
System) is switched off due to differences in the way SAP and
ALIS record ‘units of measure’ for some stock lines. Conversion
of other stock lines is awaiting the application of resources by
the SAP Support Group (SSG) who are currently focused on
JEMS as their number one priority.
Implementation of batch management
principles and processes has brought about
some important changes within Logistics. To
accurately record the batch number during
the SAP ‘issue’ transaction, Supply personnel
need to be aware of all stock movements to
ensure all stock movement involving batched
items is recorded in SAP. To achieve this,
the practice of Technical personnel holding
small quantities of inventory within their work
areas (called bay stock) has had to cease.
Technical personnel must now demand all
aeronautical stock through a work order.
Also, unrestricted access to the Forward
Support Sections (FSS) has had to be removed. This involved
a significant cultural change within the Logistics community as
the new procedures were implemented and has also presented
a challenge to the Supply personnel to maintain the high levels
of spares availability afforded to Technical personnel through
the use of bay stock and free access to the FSS.
Another important change associated with batch management
is the introduction of bar-coding to optimise accuracy of batch
recording. With the implementation of JEMS, SAP will auto
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
select and auto issue the batch number associated with a spares
request hence it will be important that Supply personnel pick the
correct batch from stock. To achieve this, all batched stock will
be bar-coded so a scanner can verify that the batch on the issue
slip and the batch on the item match each other. Unfortunately,
this functionality has been delayed due to the implementation of
JEMS but should be available soon after JEMS goes live. The
project team is also investigating other uses for bar-coding and is
passing this information on to HQNZDF for consideration where
there is tri-Service applicability.
Other than the final conversion of the
inventory to batch management and the
introduction of bar-coding, very little of the
project deliverables remain outstanding.
Some further training of staff is required
and further discussion with TDHQ and GTW
is required to embed the new processes
in primary trade training. Also, on-line
reporting tools are under development
to measure batch management policy
compliance. Ad hoc reporting to date
suggests that compliance is very high
showing that the new processes are working
well and therefore are providing the desired
increased confidence in the airworthiness of the aircraft fleet.
As these items have been passed from the contractors to the
RNZAF to manage, all that remains for me to do is thank
Management Toolbox Limited and the RNZAF members of the
project team for a job well done.
Anyone with queries relating to batch management are
encouraged to contact one of the following project team
members; F/S Adam Pokia (AK), F/S Viti Flanagan (AK) or F/S
Age Duncan (OH).
27
EXERCISE AEMULUS
WN 06-0265-02
EXERCISE AEMULUS
EXER CISE
A STUDENT’S
PERSPECTIVE
‘Chance Favours the
Prepared Mind’ Tao Zsu
06/02 IOTC Students
T
28
AEMULUS
inadvertently packed some Whiskas by
mistake, but after some debate on the use
of chillies in cat food, we chowed down
and put our heads down for the night.
Next morning we were divided into two
groups, one group stayed in the bush,
while the other group cammed up and
tried to approach the area whilst remaining
undetected. This was an opportunity to
practice camouflage techniques and
tactical movement. After practicing to
look like a tree, we moved onto a ‘Target
Identification and Firing’ exercise using
blank ammunition. Needless to say we
all now felt that we were Marine Snipers
and could stop a tank with a well-aimed
shot. Next was a navigation exercise in
the high country. Didn’t get lost - bonus.
Once again we set up camp for the night
and set up sentries to keep watch for the
enemy. Lo and behold, at an unruly hour
in the morning we were contacted from
the south, and with lightning efficiency
we packed up camp and were heading
north at high speed to set up an all
round defence. Intelligence then reported
increased enemy activity in the area (no
kidding) and we were tasked to move to
RNZAF Dip Flat and conduct a sweep and
clear operation of the area. Once this was
completed, a vehicle control point (VCP)
and defensive perimeter was set up using
the good old Mk1 sand bags and barbed
wire. A defensive strategy was devised and
the course settled in for what was about to
be a very long night. Our ground defence
tactics were about to be tested to the limit
for the final time.
It started just before last light with enemy
probes around the perimeter. A few trip
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MOTIVATION: SGT Lamb motivates
the students with some direct intervention.
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TEAM WORK: 06/2 IOTC students tackle the 12ft wall, completing it in record time.
flares were set off and the occasional
grenade thrown. Simulated RPG and
mortar fire peppered the position. With
steadfast discipline the team resisted
the urge to empty a magazine at the
‘terrorist’ wearing the wig, being the
main instigator of the heckling and
abuse, and maintained their strict Rules
of Engagement (ROE), ‘Fire only if fired
upon and clearly identify your target’.
Then, in the early hours of the morning
a thunderous explosion was followed by
an equally piercing ‘STAND TO!’
A crackling of enemy automatic fire
was heard off to the right followed by
the section commander issuing Fire
Control Orders and Target Identification
in return. Every round fired by the enemy
was retorted by accurate and controlled
fire from the defending sections. Flanks
were tested but they held firm. Ammo was
low but the sections held their positions.
The fire fight built up to a crescendo of
small arms fire but quickly died down.
The enemy was finally subdued and was
rendered combat ineffective. Dip Flat was
once again safe.
Exercise Aemulus proved to be a great
vehicle for providing the IOTC students
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ON WATCH: OCDT McInnes maintains a vigilant watch on Sentry Duty.
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he RNZAF Initial Officer Training
Course (IOTC) is designed to teach
and test potential officers in both dayto-day taskings and operational duty.
For this reason, IOTC is divided into two
modules. Module one is designed to cover
the fundamental military skills required by
all RNZAF personnel, whilst module two
is based around the more specific duties
of the commissioned officer. For Direct
Entrant (DE) Officer Cadets, Exercise
Aemulus is a culmination of the skills
learnt during module one and offers the
chance to put them into practice. For the
Commissioned From Ranks (CFR) Officer
Cadets who join the course at the end
of module one, it is a harsh reminder
that one does not always deploy to a five
star hotel.
At the crack of dawn, the course was a
blur of green conducting pre-deployment
administration. The Unimog ride to the
Area of Operations (AO) was about as
smooth as a Herc ride into a hurricane, but
the team was brimming with anticipation
for what was to come and remained
undeterred. Upon arriving at the AO,
commonly known as Dip Flat, the course
met its first challenge, the confidence
course. Swinging on ropes and walking
on wires was a real opportunity to test
ones personal limits. The Flying Fox was
without a doubt the highlight of the day.
Adrenaline aside, we then set off for a
camouflage and concealment exercise
involving members of the course walking
down set paths and trying to identify preplaced objects in the surrounds. This tested
our scanning ability, an important skill in
the tactical environment.
We settled down for the night in our
houchies and cracked open our ration
packs. For some this was their first
experience to eat from Rat Packs. Chilli
Beef seemed to be the flavour of the
night. Some asked the question if we had
BUILDING CONFIDENCE:
OCDT Gregory takes on a confidence
course exercise.
the opportunity to apply the theoretical
knowledge in a range of varying situations
and circumstances. Having this practical
experience will provide us the basis for
further development in core military
skills within the RNZAF and potentially
an operational environment, as well as
giving us some yarns in the bar.
URGENT: Team Tango Alpha
demonstrate urgency during the
gruelling Navigation Exercise.
29
AV I AT I O N M E D I C I N E U N I T
AK 04-0369-01 AC TIM OLDFIELD
AVIATION MEDICINE UNIT
From the Past to the Present
FLTLT Lara Blackmore
Nature’s blueprint of the human did not include wings, but it seems
that She left something lurking deep inside, which was to respond
compulsively to the graceful soaring of birds, apparently hanging
effortlessly in the sky. Man had already invaded the aquatic
environment of the fish and other creatures of the sea, not without
its hazards, as the more adventurous probed ever deeper, the
gloomy domains of the ocean. Then, wiping the water from his
eyes, he gazed skywards and deserting the security of Mother Earth,
man challenged the mysteries of that third dimension… and he
flew, seeking to follow the effortless, soaring of birds, demonstrating
aerodynamic perfection as they glided across the restless sea,
wingtips clearing wave crests by mere centimetres.
The AMU’s stately
home, Clark House
in Auckland.
Golden, B. (1997) Joint Venture: Aviation Medicine in New Zealand.
Premier Print Services Ltd. pp. ix.
A
30
s technology advances in leaps and
bounds, aviation engineering follows
along and applies these discoveries
creating machines with enormous
capability. Unfortunately, the capability
of the other half of the equation, the
human being, remains relatively static
and while we may be evolving it is at a
rate many millions of times slower than
our technological counterpart.
This conundrum is not new; in the
1800s the creation of the hot air balloon
exposed the first aviators to extreme cold
and hypoxia. Ever since, researchers
and aviation medicine doctors have been
striving to unravel the mysteries of the effect
of flight and altitude on the human body
and create the tools to give the human
being a fighting chance of keeping up
with his or her machine. Collectively this
scientific discipline is known as aviation
medicine and human factors.
In the early days of this relatively youthful
discipline, the RNZAF can proudly claim
that it led the advance in the development
of aviation medicine in this country and
has in fact made significant contributions
in the greater scientific environment. The
RNZAF’s Aviation Medicine Unit was
formed at Wigram in the 1950s and due
to the acceleration in technical advances
in aviation during the Second World War
found itself with a plethora of fascinating
if not ominous challenges. In the 1960s
AMU became weary of its repeated
excursions to Whenuapai and so in 1966
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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moved to its current location, the historic
Clark House, built around the turn of the
century, in Hobsonville. Besides providing
aviation medicine instruction to aircrew,
accident investigation and aviation
medicine policy, AMU staff were also
involved in numerous research projects
investigating toxic hazards, noise levels
in and around aircraft, aircrew clothing
and equipment and survival gear, fatigue
in airline pilots, problems of gliding and
parachuting, aircrew anthropometry, and
escape from aircraft. It was at this time
that medical boards for the selection
of RNZAF aircrew were introduced and
these were conducted at AMU.
From 1977, AMU was known as the
Defence Environmental Medical Unit and
employed staff from all three Services.
DEMU was regarded as a centre of
excellence for research concerning the
environmental stressors that Service
men and women were exposed to
in the military environment. Staff at
DEMU also looked at ways to mitigate
these stressors and improve physical
and mental performance. At this time
DEMU continued to forge relationships
with outside organisations, for example,
during 1978, the decompression chamber
was used to treat three children and one
adult suffering from whooping cough.
It was at this time that DEMU began its
relationship with the Royal New Zealand
Special Air Service providing altitude
indoctrination to its free-fall course
students. The staff at DEMU had ever
evolving research interests in areas such
as aerodynamics, climatology, effects
of oxygen deprivation, decompression
sickness, cabin pressurisation and aircrew
equipment assemblies.
In the beginning of 1990 DEMU had
a staff of fourteen. In 1991 the unit
reverted back to AMU and by 1994
the number of staff had been reduced
to just four. AMU has fought back
to a current establishment of six but
continues to battle as a shadow of the
vigorous and sophisticated research
institute it once was. These days, AMU
is probably most famous for housing
New Zealand’s only hypobaric chamber.
Installed in 1968, the chamber is able
to create an environment simulating the
decrease in atmospheric pressure that
results on exposure to altitudes. The
chamber is a training device that allows
aircrew to experience the effects of
hypoxia at 18,000 and 25,000 feet with
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the expectation that
they will recognise the
symptoms of hypoxia
in the operational
setting. The chamber
has also been used in
the past to familiarise
maintenance crews
with the physiological
effects of pressure
changes that they will
experience during
ground pressurisation
AMU Medics take part in a skills competition between NZ,
Australian and English teams.
runs. In June 2002,
all operations of the
respected relationship that AMU has with
chamber were stopped to allow AMU and
other militaries worldwide through the Air
engineering staff to assess the structural
and Space Interoperability Council. Staff
integrity, maintenance procedures and
use these ties to obtain first class advice
inherent safety of the chamber as well as
from aviation medicine experts.
the effectiveness of hypoxia training. After
So what of the future of AMU? Perhaps
much expert advice and research we have
our next biggest challenge will be the
recently been given the green light to go
realisation of Project Takitini and the
ahead and reopen the chamber and put
relocation of AMU to Ohakea. With this
in place any changes that need to be
will bring the transfer of the hypobaric
made to chamber operating procedures.
chamber and the need to sort through the
There are a few modifications to be
physical history of AMU, all of which is
made, but assuming all goes well, we
stored at Clark House. In the meantime,
will be back up and running by the end
while we chip away at the challenges and
of this year.
problems brought to us today we wait
Obviously AMU is more than one large,
in anticipation of the next technological
immobile pressure vessel. These days
advancement to test our capabilities as
AMU is also responsible for providing
human beings.
aviation medicine policy and advice,
If you are interested in reading more
instructing aircrew in aviation medicine
about the history of aviation medicine
and human factors, assessing and
in New Zealand I strongly recommend
processing recruit medical information,
that you take a look at Joint Venture:
first aid training, specialist aviation
Aviation Medicine in New Zealand
medicine training of medics, crash
by Bruce Golden. This book gives a
investigation and the maintenance of
thorough and interesting account of
aviation medicine related resources and
the developments in aviation medicine
literature. AMU has an extensive library
from Richard Pearce’s 1903 attempts at
containing many historic publications
flight to the mid 1990s just prior to the
and subscribes to several peer reviewed
book’s publication.
scientific and medical journals which are
Copies of this book are available from
frequently used by Defence personnel. Of
the AMU library.
great advantage to the RNZAF is the well-
AK 05-0075-06 CPL NANCY COX
Tama Tu Tama Ora. He who is Alert, Survives
AK 04-0369-02 AC TIM OLDFIELD
AV I AT I O N M E D I C I N E U N I T
The AMU’s hypobaric chamber is the only one in New Zealand.
31
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FACING PAGE: 140 Massed
Band members on stage.
TOP: Guest vocalist Bella Kalolo
belts out an Aretha Franklin
number.
LEFT: The Two Imps on
xylophone - LAC Dayle Jellyman
and CPL Grant Myhill.
OH 06-0465-36
ABOVE: The massed bands’
Drum Corps get the audience’s
toes tapping.
RIGHT: A young member of the
audience briefly upstages Director
of Music FLTLT Owen Clarke.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Scottish
dancers do their highland fling
thing.
BOTTOM LEFT: Bold as brass.
Highly polished instruments for a
polished performance.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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OH 06-0465-64
second part of the show led the audience
in Rule Britannia and, of course, Land of
Hope and Glory. This was interspersed
with some lightning operation by The Two
Imps on xylophone - LAC Dayle Jellyman
and CPL Grant Myhill,. the Drum Corps
received its usual enthusiastic applause
and the rubbish bin drummers had
everyone tapping along.
After the Retreat Ceremony which
featured the Wellington College Chorale
giving a beautiful rendition of For the
Fallen, the Massed Bands performed
a rousing Finale which included the
audience in their version of The Village
People’s YMCA.
Everyone leaving the Michael Fowler
Centre late that afternoon had wide smiles
on their faces. Every year FLTLT Clarke
creates a programme to be enjoyed by all.
And, judging by the increase in younger
members attending this year, the word is
out that this concert is not to be missed.

OH 06-0465-69
literally left holding the baby. Nick, who
announced he was about to become a
father in three weeks, took the baby sitting
task in his stride!
Nick also had some fun with the younger
members of the audience leading them in
a march around the stage. Three of them
also had their big moment in conducting
the Band. FLTLT Owen Clarke, Director
of Music, always in complete charge, was
momentarily upstaged as conductor.
After the interval the band numbers
swelled to 140 in total on stage – members
from Base Auckland, Ohakea, and
Woodbourne joined the Central Band.
The Massed Bands also played a variety
of music including compulsory Proms fare:
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 and
Fantasia on British Sea Songs.
Guest vocalist this year was Bella Kalolo,
an accomplished jazz and classical singer,
who performed Think (an Aretha Franklin
number) in the first part of the concert
and had everyone rocking, and in the
OH 06-0465-15
32
Dot Lepine
Once again the members of the Central
and Massed Bands of the RNZAF had
the audience clapping and whistling in
appreciation at the Air Force Proms. The
event, attended by the Governor General
and Commander-in-Chief His Excellency
Mr Anand Satyanand, was held at the
Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington on
Sunday 3 September 2006.
Compere and brass band fan Nick Tansley
kept the audience of all ages entertained
through a very varied programme of music
and fun.
The first part of the concert showcased
the Central Band of the RNZAF which
played a variety of music from Glenn
Miller, a James Bond Medley to Othello
– a portrait in five movements.
SGT Murray Mansfield, piper par
excellence, introduced the audience
to his 5-month-old daughter who was
suitably dressed in tartan, before playing
a Scottish tribute while Nick Tansley was
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AN AFTERNOON AT
THE AIR FORCE PROMS
33
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Henderson High School students get up close and personal with
No.6 Squadron’s Seasprite helicopter.
GSE TECHS
GET THE
Pupils from Whenuapai Primary gather to meet the stars.
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The Mini-Bash Team (L-R): LAC Brent Groves (AK); F/S Richard Burn (AK); SGT Joe Stapleton (AK); CPL
John Buckler (OH); LAC Bart Silvester (WB); FLTLT Paul Cockerton (AK); SGT Julian Millar (AK);
AC Miles Nevin (OH).
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AC LOUISA GRANT AK 06-0404-06
FLTLT Paul Cockerton
demonstates his archery skills with
CPL Buckler in the background.
Who rescues the rescuers? CPL John Buckley gets
stuck in the mud.
34
FLTLT Paul Cockerton
Service before self is a term that is
synonymous with the image and ethos of
the RNZAF, but if you can have some fun
along the way? Well, that is just good
planning! There are numerous examples
each week of members of the NZDF putting
others before themselves by doing charity
and community work and promoting the
good name of their Service.
The Variety Club Mini-Bash 2006 is
another worthy example. This three-day
event, and the larger 10-day main Bash
in summer, are ideal events for GSE
Techs to get outside of their cosy hangar
environment, help to do some good deeds
and even carry out some deployment and
further trade training…yes, you read that
correctly. Although it is great to meet
people from different walks-of-life, brush
shoulders with New Zealand’s superfamous (well, some people from Shortland
Street), the chance to carry out some field
training is the main justification for RNZAF
participation.
Training for Ops is the daily routine for
flying Squadrons & OSS but how do you
simulate this for GSE Techs? To really get
them to think laterally, try to get them to
repair a 50-year-old converted fire engine
that is blocking a single-track road 40
miles from the nearest garage (a garage
that only sells fuel between 10 and 11
o’clock on the second Tuesday of January).
In this situation, there is no help other than
your mates within radio contact and you
have to use what tools were crammed into
the van before you left Base…and it works!
The fire engine eventually carries on along
the route, but it is not long before the next
vehicle radios in for assistance…. With
that said, we must ‘come-clean’ and admit
that the only vehicle that needed rescuing
by tow-rope was our own van that got
bogged down in our host’s lawn!
As you can imagine, it was not all work.
Various companies and venues along
the route set up ‘fun stops’ so that the
Basheres can let off a little steam (and
so can the vehicles). A couple of these
stops included blindfolded trust exercises
involving bare feet, raw eggs and mouse
traps at Hobbiton, archery in a vineyard
where it was obvious that the safest place
to stand would be in front of the target
and a ride on a Segway where the only
question was, why? Surely you would
look less ridiculous dancing naked in
Queen Street.
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So who are these people, and why do
they drive around in such unreliable heaps
of…customised vintage machinery?
They are Variety Club Bashers. The
Variety Club fundraise all throughout
the year, the Bashes are just 2 of the
Club’s fundraising events, and handout
grants and equipment to deserving
and desperate children across the
country. During the Mini-Bash 2006 over
$50,000 in grants and equipment was
handed out from Waitakere to Waikato.
At Henderson High School, SGT Joe
Stapleton and GSH Doug Lee, both from
MSS AK, helped to refurbish the school’s
Parekura Unit which is a unit dedicated to
the education of special needs children.
This particular unit was re-opened by
one of the pupils whose stepfather was a
Variety Club Basher until he was tragically
stabbed to death a year ago. The effect
that this fundraising has on the children
and families was graphically displayed
in Cambridge where $16,000 was
presented to one severely disabled child
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to enable him to buy a reclining support
chair. The emotion and gratitude shown
by his mother was quite humbling.
Gratitude of a less emotional, but
suitably heartfelt, nature was heaped upon
the RNZAF by the Bashers and organisers
for the mechanical support provided by the
team. The team consisted of members
from Auckland, Ohakea and Woodbourne
and even a new Kiwi (ex-RAF) engineer
who seemed to be using the event as a
guided tour of the Central North Island.
The team, superbly assisted by admin
support from Auckland, helo support from
No.6 Squadron and some of the Bashers
who provided accommodation for us,
enjoyed the experience and returned to
Whenuapai both mentally and physically
spent. Now we will regroup and start to
prepare for the main Bash in the summer.
Let’s just hope that some of the vehicles
visit the garage (or scrap yard) between
now and then, but I would guess that the
temporary repairs will still be there in 6
months time…bring it on!
AC LOUISA GRANT AK 06-0404-15
RNZAF Base Auckland and Whenuapai
Primary School hosted the Variety Mini Bash.
A Whenuapai Primary School student shows
off her goodies bag.
35
W O O D B O U R N E H A L F M A R AT H O N
PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTORS
WOODBOURNE
HALF MARATHON
F/S Lindsay Norriss
On Sunday 20 August Base Woodbourne
TOP: Nelson’s Rebekah Sussex 1:43:38, First
Senior Women, 37th overall.
ABOVE: Eleven year old Blenheim runner Alex
Wratt 2:18:49, First Junior Men, 99th overall.
BELOW: Almuth Waechter from Renwick
1:32:24, First Veteran women, and 14th overall.
WB 06-0170-03
ABOVE: Jason Watts 1:18:28, First Senior men
and First overall (Blenheim)
BELOW: Blenheim’s John Kennedy 1:20:15,
First Veteran Men, and Second overall.
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ALL PHOTOS: MISS REBECCA KELLEHER WB 06-0170-01
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F
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36
conducted its annual half marathon. The
Woodbourne Half Marathon and Fun
Runs are organised by the Woodbourne
Adventure Sports Club as a fundraising
event and also to provide a half marathon
in the area that local runners can enter. The
only other half marathon in Marlborough is
the Onamalutu Half Marathon, organised
by the Woodbourne PE & RT Section, on
a Wednesday in April.
The Woodbourne Half Marathon was
originally organised by the Woodbourne
Harrier Club in the mid 1960’s, during
the 80’s it was taken over by PE & RT who
used recruits to marshal and man the
aid stations. In the late 90’s it was taken
back by the Harrier Club/Adventure Sports
Club. The course has changed several
times over the years, but it is one of the
few half marathons that has been run
continuously for over 40 years.
This year over 250 people took part in
the various events. The course for the half
goes through the vineyard to the west of
the airfield, up the Brancott Valley, over
farmland on the Wrekin farm and then
back down the Omaka Valley on Brookby,
Dog Point and Godfreys Roads. The
5km fun run encompasses the Montana
Vineyard to the north west of the Base, with
the 10km fun run being 2 laps.
The first RNZAF runner in the half was
Brad Marra in a time of 1:25:21, to finish
6th overall (see captions for times).
The 5km Fun Run was won by Ben Tombs
in a time of 0:20:31, the 10km was won by
Jeremy McKenzie in 0:36:53 and the Half
Marathon Race Walk was won by Sharon
McDonald in 2:19:48.
Runners entered from most parts of
the country and seven came down from
Auckland (including Kerre Woodham who
is training for the Auckland Marathon).
We had one international entrant from
Melbourne.
The running of the event was helped with
good support from local sponsors, SAFE
AIR, Mitchell Sportspower, Spokesman
Cycles, Peak Fuel and Blenheim New
World.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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Anna Norman
rom the lips of Mr John Fairhurst
the cliche ‘Once a PTI; always a
PTI’ was thick with meaning.
The former Physical Training
Instructor (PTI), PTI senior instructor
(1974-77), and now chief executive of
the YMCA told the 2006 graduates of the
Physical Training Instructor Primary Course
how the friendships and camaraderie
formed on their course will last them a
lifetime.
One of his most enduring friendships is
that with former Air Force PTI, SQNLDR
Murray Rendall, who helped establish
the Joint Services Physical Education and
Training School in Hobsonville over 40
years ago.
Mr Fairhurst was one of the first students
at the school, which is now based in
Woodbourne and continues to produce
PTIs who go on to make a significant
difference in the health and fitness of New
Zealand’s airmen and women, sailors,
soldiers, and police officers. This year
there were five Air Force, two Navy, and
10 Army personnel graduating from the
bi-yearly, seven-month primary course.
CPL Matt Williams described the course
as ‘very trying. It’s the hardest thing I’ve
ever done; but it’s going to be worth it,
standing on that parade ground today.’
SQNLDR Rendall inspected the marchout parade inside the school’s gym. He
told the crowd gathered that before the
Joint Services Physical Education and
Training School was established, training
was on a very ad-hoc basis. ‘I would try
to change things, and an Army or Navy
NCO would come up and say, “I don’t
think we should be doing that”. “Why?”
I’d ask. “Because we’ve been doing it for
50 years”, they would answer.’
Then he got the opportunity to establish
the school and a joint services physical
training school was set up – saving onethird of the cost of running separate PTI
training for each Service.
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WB 06-0184-36 MISS REBECCA KELLEHER
LET’S GET
PHYSICAL
Front Row L-R: SGT Greg O’Connor (instructor at JSPE&RT); AC Daniel Hurndell (new PTI); CPL
Debbie Giddens (new PTI); SQNLDR Sarah Woodhouse (OCSTS); F/S Jase Trevarton (NCOIC PE&RT
at AK); SQNLDR Kelvin Read (Trade Sponsor for PE&RT)
Back Row L-R: CPL Leo Wiapo (new PTI); FLTLT Brett Tourell (FLTCDR PE&RT at STS); SQNLDR (rtd)
Maurie Rendle (developed and commanded the first Joint Service PE&RT school);CPL Matt Williams
(new PTI) and AC Chris Turkington (new PTI).
“‘That will satisfy the politicians”, they thought,’ he says. ‘Well, it was an opportunity,
and it started a tradition. This is still the best basic physical training course of any in
New Zealand,’ he told the graduates. ‘With what you’ve got out of this course, and
your personalities, you are going to make a huge difference in hundreds of people’s
lives.’
For many, graduation day was as much a relief as a celebration of their success in
making it through the demanding course. However, their journey to becoming a PTI
started earlier. ‘It’s an 18-month cycle until they can put their caps on, so when they
do it’s a special moment,’ says Army’s Senior PTI, WO1 Marcus Fowler.
For CPL Williams, the journey was even longer. ‘I did the APTI [Assistant PTI] course
in 2000, but then I dislocated my knee. I always wanted to become a PTI; it’s the only
thing I’ve wanted to do, to teach health and fitness.’
Not content with just a career change, CPL Williams decided to change his Service at
the same time. He had spent 10 years in the Army; but he says being based in Auckland
he became as much ‘purple’ as ‘green’.
‘Being in Hobsonville I was used to working in a tri-Service environment, and the
Air Force were all really good to me,’ he says. ‘It’s the same job, just a different
uniform!’
Like the other four Air Force graduates, CPL Williams will be based in Woodbourne
initially, training the new recruits. ‘I’m really looking forward to getting out there and
putting what I’ve learnt into practice,’ he says, adding that he is keen to help get Air
Force personnel up to the level of fitness where they can pass the revised Air Force
Fitness Test, which he understands will be challenging for many.
The keen sportsman – he was the Defence Surfing World Champion at the 2002
Supergames – says he wasn’t expecting the course to involve such a large amount of
theory. The JE PE and RT School’s Senior Instructor, Staff Sergeant Greg Mildon, says
it is important that PTIs understand the body, in order to treat it – otherwise you are
dealing with a loaded weapon.
‘That’s the value of the PTIs, because the more knowledge and understanding we have
about the body, the safer and more effective the training will be. A lot of the people
have the misconception that we’re going out there and running people ragged, but
it’s not like that at all – it’s about staff training.’
SSGT Greg Mildon says that in the past seven months the graduate PTIs have
completed theoretical study into anatomy, physiology, fitness testing, and sport and
recreation management. This theory has been translated into practical outcomes: classtaking, testing fitness, and running recreational events and training programmes.
37
A HARD FOUGHT BATTLE
Results:
WB 06-0185-14
25 August
Women:
NZDF 106 (won) v Eastern Bays 37
NZDF 71 (won) v Whangarei 30
Men:
NZDF 76 (lost) v Auckland 78
NZDF 79 (lost) v Waitakere 82
26 August
Women:
NZDF 50 (won) v Waitakere A 45
NZDF 68 (won) v Waitakere B 38
Men:
NZDF 77 (won) v Whangarei 65
NZDF 85 (lost) v North Harbour 87
27 August
Women:
NZDF 35 (lost) v Auckland Blue 57
NZDF 52 (won) v Auckland White 20
Men:
NZDF 69 (lost) v North Harbour 77
INTER-SERVICES NETBALL 2006
WB 06-0192-25
epic encounter, the lead changed hands
numerous times until the NZDF fell just
short of victory. Despite the 69-77 loss,
the team showed great courage and
determination.
The NZDF Women then faced off against
Auckland Blue who, like them, had
come through the tournament unbeaten.
Although the women’s draw was a round
robin, this game was to decide who would
take top honours. The NZDF women fought
fiercely before succumbing to the eventual
winners of the women’s competition.
With the afternoon game proving to
be confirmation for second place and
a coveted invitation to the National 3rd
Division Championship, the NZDF Women
got off to a flyer and were securely in charge
by half time, never looking back. They won
52-20, which secured them a well-deserved
place at the 3rd Division Champs.
NZDF personnel named in the tournament
team were Mr Simon Morris and ODR Tim
Doyle (Men’s), and SSGT Sue Koopu and
SSGT Sharon Wichman (Women’s).
AK 06-0363-07
LAC Jones
Old rivals and fresh faces came together
when the NZDF basketball teams converged
on RNZAF Base Hobsonville in late August,
to prepare for the 3rd Division Regional
Basketball qualifying tournament.
During the three days, coaches covered
the tactics and plays required to be a
successful team. The training camp also
enabled both teams to bond, on- and
off-court.
Before the tournament, the teams were
addressed by chair of the NZDF Sports
Committee, COL Russell, who presented
their new caps with NZDF badges and ties
or scarves.
The competition kicked off with the NZDF
Men’s team battling hard in their two
games, losing narrowly by two points to
an Auckland side fielding two junior Tall
Blacks and three points to a Waitakere
side comprised of capable former first and
second division players.
The NZDF Women’s team, on the other
hand, issued a stern warning to their
opponents with an explosive 106-37
win first up, and a convincing win in the
afternoon against Whangarei.
Day two saw the NZDF Men show up
hungry for a win. In true NZDF fashion, they
showed a great indomitable spirit, winning
against Whangarei with OMT Adam
Harford having a great game, contributing
15 points and 13 rebounds. The men then
went down fighting, losing by two points
scored in the last second by North Harbour
who fielded two accomplished, naturalised
Americans. ODR Tim Doyle, scoring 37
points, was outstanding for NZDF.
Pushed all the way by Waitakere A, the
NZDF Women’s team came up against their
toughest competition to date. However, they
managed to maintain their unbeaten form
and won in overtime by just five points.
On the final day, the NZDF Men played
North Harbour in the semi-final. In another
NZDF Women in action
FATHER AND
SON FIRST
AK 06-0361-01
38
In what could be a first W/O Paul Davies (right) and his son AC Brendon Davies
were both selected members of the 2006 NZDF Basketball team. They are pictured
here in their NZDF uniform. W/O PCP Davies is a legend in basketball. With over
30 years playing at the top level – we don’t have room for his resume here but it
includes just about every Air Force tournament, Inter-Services and much more.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
and archrivals, Australia. After being tied
at full time, Lovila Paki shot the winning
goal to carry Army through to the finish
line with a well deserved win.
Outstanding tournaments by both
FLTLT Tania Leadley and LAC Andrea
Connell saw them both selected for the
NZDF team – well done!
Mixed Competition
This year ’s inter-Service netball
tournament saw the first and much
anticipated mixed (gender) competition
take place. Mixed netball has grown in
popularity over the past four years at
inter-Base level and the inter-Services
team saw the selection of five new caps
into the squad, including the incoming
OIC RNZAF Netball, SQNLDR Skip
Burroughs.
Army and Navy have also supported the
growth of mixed netball but unfortunately
Navy were unable to provide a team for
the inter-Service competition. Instead the
Blenheim Police rallied and enabled a
TOP: The mixed team in action.
ABOVE: The Air Force netball teams.
SGT Dale Forsythe
and CPL Chevelle Ataera
Women’s Competition
Inter-Services netball 2006 was held at
RNZAF Base Woodbourne from 28 August
to 1 September. Surprisingly, this is the first
time that the tournament has been held in
the South Island and Marlborough turned
on fantastic weather for the week.
The Air Force women’s team, showing a
balance of experience and youth, gathered
for their training camp on the 25 August
which was to be the start of a very hectic
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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seven days.
Despite every player displaying total
commitment the team was unable to secure
a win against extremely tough opposition.
Nevertheless they acquitted themselves well
with improvements in every game especially
from the five new caps. There were sufficient
flashes of brilliance on display to suggest that
it is only a matter of time before the Air Force
Women’s netball team will have its day.
Reigning champions, Army, ran out winners
beating Navy in a final reminiscent of the
great netball clashes between New Zealand
round robin tournament to take place.
The training camp provided an
opportunity for the Air Force team to ‘gel’
both on and off the court. Coach, SGT
Wai Paenga, and Assistant Coach, LAC
Lydia Savage, capitalised this chance
to foster a united team. Credit to the
coaches and managers for their efforts
throughout the tournament.
Close scoring games were not enough
when it came to a point differential at the
end of the tournament. The Blenheim
Police considered themselves ineligible to
play in the finals and withdrew resulting
in Army winning the tournament. An
exhibition game was played in lieu of a
final between the Air Force and Army,
another close score.
Well done to the Air Force Mixed team
for displaying a high level of netball and
sportsmanship. In particular to CPL
Chris Watty who received the award for
the Most Valuable Player of the Mixed
Competition.
Congratulations to the following Air
Force players who were named in the
NZDF Mixed Netball team; SGT Wai
Paenga (Coach), CPL Chevelle Ataera,
CPL Maria Grason, CPL Chris Watty, LAC
Lydia Savage and AC Bevan Whyte.
39
BOOK REVIEW
REMEMBERING OUR HISTORY
MAGICAL MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCE
MOTORCYCLES IN NEW ZEALAND
by Tim Chadwick
Published by Grantham House
Publishing (Email: gstewart@icionz.
co.nz)
Colour and black and white
RRP $29.99 (GST Inclusive)
On the face of it, this book looks just
like any another paperback packed
with pictures of motorcycles that you
can usually find in the ‘bargain pile’ at
Whitcoulls.
However, on opening this one, you are
taken on a magical motorcycle experience
that will appeal to everyone from the very
young to the older more hardened bikers of
times gone by - male or female. It includes
all the different motorcycle disciplines from
sidecars to scooters and from scrambling
to speedway as well as everything else
in between. Every page has snippets of
motorcycle facts that would challenge the
most knowledgeable minds on motorcycles
in a pub quiz. For example who knew
that in 1949 a Matchless motorcycle
made it from Auckland to Wellington
on 2 gallons and one point seven pints
of petrol? Or who can remember that
famous Kiwi motorcycle “The Mountain
Goat”? Most households will recall Burt
Munroe “The Worlds Fastest Indian” and
the motorcycle entrepreneur John Britten.
This book lists them all. In amongst these
interesting nuggets of knowledge are
cleverly decorated pages that have a mix
of colour and monochrome photographs
depicting nostalgia alongside some of the
more bizarre motorcycle fashions of the
day. A real font of motorcycle information
cleverly dispersed throughout the 80
pages keeping the readers interest right
to the end.
Because the book crosses the age
barriers it also rekindles treasured two
wheeled memories through the likes of
famous Kiwi motorcyclists. As a kid I
remember pretending to be Ivan Mauger
sliding the rear tyre of my brothers moped
during a 180 degree turn on a gravel
patch at the end of our street. I am sure
everyone who reads this book will have
similar memories of a two wheeled nature.
The book really does expose the Kiwis love
of motorcycling and amplifies the cultural
mix of British, European, American and
Japanese machinery all fighting for their
place in the hearts of the Kiwi motorcycle
enthusiast.
Tim’s careful research, enthusiasm and
love of all things motorised has managed
to produce a book that appeals to anyone
and everyone who has experienced the
freedom of two wheels. You can’t help
but smile as you flick through the pages
recalling fond memories and picking
up unusual motorcycling facts that will
always impress your mates. A real jewel
in anyone’s book case.
Legin Yrubsnias
S TA F F CO L L E G E
VISITING THE CHINESE
AIR FORCE
RNZAF students from the NZDF Staff College
in front of a Chinese Air Force J-7 and
J-8 from left to right: WGCDR Carl Nixon,
SQNLDRs Mike Lefebvre, Digby Webb, Mark
Cook, Sammy Clark, GPCAPT Peter Guy
(Defence Attache), and SQNDLR Al Jenkinson.
S
40
everal officers from the RNZAF visited
the People’s Liberation Air Force (PLAF)
24th Division near Beijing recently.
The visit was part of the NZDF’s
Command and Staff College (CSC)
Senior Staff Course Overseas Study
Tour that visited military bases and other
government agencies in Beijing, Shanghai,
and Urumqi in August.
SQNLDR Clark said the two-week tour
also included a two day visit to New
Caledonia en-route to China and is part
of the international relations and strategic
studies modules of the seven month staff
course. He said a highlight of the trip
was visiting Urumqi in Xinjiang Province
which is very much off the usual foreign
delegation visit itinerary. The province
includes the Gobi desert and borders nine
other countries including Kazakhstan and
Mongolia.
The 28 students and directing staff were
joined by members of other New Zealand
Government agencies including Foreign
Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.
Of course it wasn’t all fun with the
students being kept academically focussed
by Dr Beth Greener-Barcham from Massey
University who provided academic support
for the students’ personal reflection
journals to be submitted to the university
on return to New Zealand.
Aside from the diplomacy and academics
the delegation managed to squeeze in
some exciting visits to the Great Wall,
Terracotta Warrior Museum, and Forbidden
City during their time in China.
None of this was possible, however,
without the excellent support from New
Zealand’s Defence Attache in Beijing, GP
CAPT Peter Guy and his wife Kathy, and
No.40 Squadron’s Boeing Flight crew
that provided truly professional support
throughout the visit. Even a former CO
5 SQN is now a convert to the transport
fleet’s superb service!
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
I
spent 15 months in Iceland as a fitter/
armourer with the Squadron looking
after the umbilical cord of lend-lease
shipping. The convoys were carrying vital
supplies across the North Atlantic to the
UK and thousands of Merchant Navy lives
were lost as they came under constant
attack by the German Navy.
I was then posted to 617 Squadron
in the UK. The Squadron later became
famous for its ‘dam buster’ raids on the
Mohne and Eder dams, sinking the Tirpitz
battleship in a Norwegian fiord and other
daring raids like the attacks on submarine
pens along the French, Belgian and
Netherlands coasts.
It was a priviledge to have met some
of these very gallant men and to have
loaded up their aircraft with ‘special’
weapons designed by Barnes Wallis.
One of these special weapons was called
the Tall Boy. If you could call a bomb
beautiful, this was indeed one to admire.
It had a body of toughened steel and a
point sharp enough to prick your finger.
The tail fin was designed to spin at terrific
speed enabling the bomb to penetrate up
to twenty feet of concrete.
One day Barnes Wallis gave the
armourers a lecture about an unusual
boat designed to be dropped from a
modified Lancaster bomber and we
went off to work on this unusual load.
The boat, about five metres long, looked
incongruous hanging from the aircraft.
Our job was to maintain the unusual
dropping gear and electro magnetic
release mechanism. The boat’s bows were
to be filled by a new powerful explosive
and it was to be dropped near the target
with a lone Marine onboard whose job
it was to guide it to the target.
At the station near Devon I met many
of the brave Navy and Marine men
who became known as the Cockle Shell
Heroes. We watched them prepare for
their daring raids by rehearsing their
abseiling skills and guiding their one-man
submarines.
The day came to tow the boat from the
quayside up to Haldon Moor above the
township where the Lancaster and Barnes
Wallis waited. A group of us loaded it up
and climbed aboard the aircraft. Despite
shuddering the Lancaster took off and
circled toward the drop zone just off the
end of the deserted Pier of Teignmouth.
A Marine, geared up in wet suit and
flippers, squeezed through the hole in
the modified fuselage and dropped into
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
www.airforce.mil.nz
Most of us are aware of Kiwi filmmaker Peter Jackson’s plans to
retell the story of the Dam Busters.
Central to that story was the skip
(bouncing) bomb designed by
innovative British aeronautical
engineer Sir Barnes Wallis. But
bouncing bombs weren’t the
only innovation dreamed up
by the redoubtable Sir Wallis.
Air Force News reader and
RAF Fitter/Armourer, William
‘Sandy’ Hilder describes his
involvement in another Barnes
Wallis project – the drop boat.
Bill Hilder at home.
DROP
BOATS
AND
TALL
BOYS
Sir Barnes Wallis
‘We heard the loud click of the release
mechanism and the Marine’s scream as
the boat dropped.’
the boat. We heard the loud click of the
release mechanism and the Marine’s
scream as the boat dropped. We gaped
through the open bomb doors and, much
to our relief, saw three large parachutes
open as he glided down to the sea. After
releasing the parachutes he started the
engine and drove the boat back to the
quayside. It had all been a resounding
success.
Mr Hilder is a member of the RNZAFA’s
Hibiscus Coast Branch. His story was presented
by Branch past President Mr John Marks.
41
SHELLEY BAY REUNION
10-11 MARCH 2007
IN WELLINGTON
Contact: Bart Bartlett:
[email protected]
WRNZAF REUNION
No.37 Recruit Course
May 1964
All interested contact the
following:
Jean (Nairn) Nix, 11
Marshwood Place, Christchurch
8004
Rebbecca (Pavala) Dower 31A
Kashmir Avenue, Upper Hutt
5018
Wiki Ward-Holmes
[email protected]
Colleen Towgood
[email protected]
GOLDFISH CLUB
New Zealand Branch
What: The Goldfish and
Caterpillar Clubs
Annual Reunion
Where: at the Pineland Motor
Lodge, 245 Fenton Street,
ROTORUA
When:
3-5 November 2006
Members should make their
own bookings. For more
information contact: The
Secretary Harry Saunders, Ph:
09 422 3489, 37A McKinney
Road, Warkworth RD1 0981.
DEPARTURES & ARRIVALS
BASE AUCKLAND
SGT L. STOKES
SGT D.A. JOBUN
Enlist: 10-03-97
Enlist: 03-11-99
Terminate: 10-10-06
Terminate: 12-11-06
Base Medical,
ASSU
Whenuapai
CPL C.C. MAYES
SGT B.J. WHITE
Enlist: 15-04-97
Enlist: 09-01-96
Terminate: 14-11-06
Terminate: 12-11-06
No.5 Squadron
No.40 Squadron
SGT B.J. PRESTON
A/SGT D.A. WILLIAMS
Enlist: 30-09-97
Enlist: 01-07-98
Terminate: 20-11-06
Terminate: 17-09-06
No.5 Squadron
Base Medical,
Whenuapai
BASE OHAKEA
SQNLDR W.I.
AC D.J. HYNDS
Enlist: 13-01-04
Terminate: 17-09-06
OSS ASY
THOMPSON
SGT T.M. KARAKA
Enlist: 29-06-93
Terminate: 11-09-06
ABW Ohakea
Enlist: 01-05-89
Terminate: 01-10-06
Flying Training Wing
WELLINGTON
A/CPL L.V. MAHONEY
Enlist: 2-05-01
Terminate: 19-11-06
No.3 Squadron
LAC L.W. MULGREN
Enlist: 19-09-00
Terminate: 09-10-06
No.3 Squadron
LAC W.J. DYER
Enlist: 15-04-97
Terminate: 31-10-06
OCAF, Airstaff
SQNLDR M.F.
SALVADOR
Enlist: 17-01-77
Terminate: 25-09-06
HQJFNZ
MALAYSIAN MEMORY TOUR
Merdeka 50th Anniversary
August 2007
Contact: Russ Byrne
56B Hynds Road,
Greerton,
Tauranga
RESEARCH CURATOR
MOVES ON
A
fter six and a half years at the Air
Force Museum Jane Provan leaves
on 27 September to pursue other interests,
including an overseas trip.
Jane started at the Museum in 2000
initially as a Collections Assistant, having
been a volunteer there where she worked
in the photographic archive. Jane was later
appointed as the Research Curator.
Jane is usually the first port of call for
enquiries about the RNZAF; these come
from within New Zealand, from overseas
and also within the NZDF by letter, fax,
email, telephone and in person. To answer
these enquiries Jane uses the Museum’s
research library, the research collection,
the internet and various other sources to
provide information to the enquirer.
Not surprisingly, Jane has developed
a considerable depth of knowledge
whilst in her job and has dealt with
all manner of enquiries. She has an
engaging manner with the public which
has helped her to establish a good
rapport with them. As well as dealing with
enquiries Jane has been responsible for
the curatorial care of the written archive
of the research collection. This includes
personal collections, manuscripts and
ephemera, logbooks, flight authorisation
books, maps, art works, technical drawings
and publications, journals, and many other
paper-based objects. Jane particularly
enjoys the hands-on nature of exhibitions
work where she has been an important
member of the project team.
We all wish Jane well for the future and
appreciate the contribution she has made
to the Museum.
NEW EXHIBITIONS OPEN
A new, and rather different, exhibition opened at the Museum on 22 September. Entitled
‘Impossible Mission’, it is aimed at the younger visitor especially those of primary school
age to early teens. Initially the intent was to display some rather quirky objects from the
collection, but the concept grew into displaying objects around themes of camouflage
and concealment, deception, aerial reconnaissance and communication. It features
camouflage clothing, escape and evasion items, gun camera footage, stereoscopic
viewers, Morse code, to name a few. There is a lot of interactivity built into this exhibition
and it will be well tested during the forthcoming school holidays. Impossible Mission
will run until February 2007.
OHAKEA OLD BAGGIES
REUNION 1978 & 1979
Base Ohakea
17-18 November 2006
Contact: Chrissie Ellis
[email protected] for
registration forms
06 3515127
NO. 29 AIRMEN CADET
SCHOOL INTAKE 1972
35th Anniversary
19-21 January 2007
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
Contact: John Forrest
[email protected]
+64 3 577 119
U P C O M I N G
42
CELEBRATING
40 YEARS OF
THE ORION
0800
AIRFORCE
Find out what’s so great about a career in the Air Force
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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A smaller display entitled ‘From Shipwreck to Sunderland – The Minerva Reef Rescue’
opened on 29 September. This tells the amazing survival story of a group of Tongan sailors
who were shipwrecked on the Minerva Reef in July 1962, and who were finally rescued
after 102 days on the reef by a No.5 Squadron Sunderland from Lauthala Bay.
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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Back in May this year the Museum’s new
Exhibitions Coordinator, Tanya Ewins,
flexed her design skills and produced five
impressive banners covering various aspects
of the Iroquois’ service in the RNZAF over
the past 40 years. These banners were used
to support the celebrations at Ohakea in
June. Flushed with success she then tackled
the production of five more banners, this
time featuring the 40 years of service by
the Orions. Readers who attend the No.5
Squadron celebrations of this milestone
at Whenuapai on 30 September will get
to see the banners. Many hours of design
work went into producing them, and CAF
and DCAF have already had a brief preview
during their recent visit to Wigram.
After the No.5 Squadron event the
banners will be returned to the Museum and
will go on public display in December.
43
44
AFN75 OCTOBER 06
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