June 2006, Issue 71 [pdf 2.8mb, 40 - Royal New Zealand Air Force

V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E : W W W . A I R F O R C E . M I L . N Z
AIR FORCE
S W E
R O Y A L N E W Z E A L A N D A I R F O R C E N
J U N 0 6
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
BAMIAN
FLIGHT
SKYTRAIN
MORE
BOMBING
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THE FIRST WORD
WGCDR DAVE GREEN
COMMANDING OFFICER AIR BASE WING WOODBOURNE
I vividly recall the first time I set foot on RNZAF Woodbourne.
It was September 1976, minus 2 degrees, dark and raining. We
arrived in the back of a DC3, directly off Number 100 Airman
Recruit Course Grad Parade. We were rounded up and organised
by a screaming NCO (we thought we had left all these
behind at GSTS!). Rescuing our green canvas kit bags (2 each,
for the use of) containing all our worldly possessions, from
the puddles in which the thoughtful Movements Staff neatly
stacked them, we set off on a 6 mile route march. Crossing
the main highway (no tunnels in 1976, but not much traffic
then either) we marched into the Barrack Warden where some
kindly gent with the disposition of Attila the Hun issued us
blankets, grey, 5, sheets, white, 2, pillow, rock hard, 1, and case
pillow, 1. In a gesture of humanity, noting the burdens we had
to carry he offered to wait until morning to issue Counterpane,
1 each. What a guy.
From the Barrack Warden we marched round several barrack
blocks, ensuring that everything was completely saturated.
Eventually we arrived at our designated accommodation block
(Transit) told to find a bed (sprung wire base, foam mattress)
for the night. ‘Don’t unpack too much – you’ll be moving
tomorrow.’ Our kindly NCO then advised us that we had missed
out on dinner as nobody had been told that we were arriving
and the Mess was closed. No one asked how the Barrack
Warden and the Corporal knew about us; you just didn’t do
that sort of thing. Welcome to Woodbourne!
Our little group was sent to Woodbourne for Basic Engineering
training. Most adult recruits went to Hobsonville for
this course. We must have been special because we got to do
Basic Engineering with Airman Cadets at 4TTS. Taking up my
latest posting as CO Base Wing at Woodbourne I vow to resist
the urge to bring back the ‘Good Old Days’. It just wouldn’t
be the same without rain soaked Battle Dress, starched
PT whites, and Bata Bullets. But it is worth reflecting on
just how far we have all come within my own 30 year
career span. In the past three months since returning to
Woodbourne one issue flashes like a beacon, and it centres
on vacuum cleaners. ‘CO, will you approve the purchase of
an additional dozen vacuum cleaners please. We have to
put vacuum cleaners on each floor of the flats. It’s an OSH
issue – people might get hurt carrying the vacuums up the
stairs.’ I declined this request in the politest manner I could
at the time.
The Air Force of today is often accused of being softer
and less robust than it was in years gone by. Softened by
OSH, by EEO, reduced personnel numbers, Human Rights,
Bike Pants, and duvets on beds instead of blankets. Not
to mention Snow Freeze and Coke dispensing machines
in Airman’s Messes. Yet in the same breath as these
accusations are made, we are in an almost constant cycle
of supporting operational deployments. Individually we
have to work smarter in order to achieve our outputs with
reduced resources. We have to be better managers, cover
an increasing range of functions, meet greater compliance
issues. And here is the real gem – we achieve the results.
We do this and still make time to enjoy what we do.
When I joined the RNZAF 30 years ago, I thought that it
was a great organisation with a real sense of family to it.
Today’s RNZAF is not the same as it was then, but 30 years
later I think that I have seen enough to be able to say, with
unshakeable confidence, ‘This is a great little Air Force.’
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

OUR MISSION:
To carry out military air operations to advance New
Zealand’s security interests, with professionalism,
integrity and teamwork.
OUR VISION:
We will be an Air Force that is the best in all we do.
He Tauarangi matou ko te pai rawa atu i to matou
mahi katoa.
The offi cial journal and forum of the Royal New
Zealand Air Force established for the information,
education and enjoyment of its personnel and other
people interested in RNZAF and associated matters.
Published by: NZDF Public Relations Unit
NZDF HQ
Wellington
New Zealand
Telephone: (04) 496 0289
Fax:(04) 496 0290
Editorial authority: Ian Brunton
Editorial contributions and letters to the editor are welcome.
All contributions may be sent direct to Air Force News and do
not need to be forwarded through normal command chains.
Letters are to be signed with the writer’s name, rank and
unit although, unless requested otherwise, only the rank
and geographical location of the writer will be published.
The editorial staff reserves the right to abridge letters.
Anonymous, offensive or abusive letters will not be published.
Opinions expressed in Air Force News are not necessarily
those of the RNZAF or NZDF. Nothing in NEWS should
be taken as overriding any Defence regulations. Readers
should refer to the relevant Service publication before acting
on any information given in this periodical. No item is to be
reproduced, in part or whole, without the specifi c permission
of the editor.
www.airforce.mil.nz
JUNE 2006, ISSUE 71
Editor: Grant Carr
grant.carr@nzdf.mil.nz
Design and Layout: Steven Fright
steven.fright@nzdf.mil.nz
Proofreader: Katrina Randerson
Printed by: Keeling and Mundy Limited
PO Box 61
Palmerston North
PREPARED:
Base Auckland Air Force Photographer SGT Carl Booty
is prepared for action with both his ‘weapons’ while in
Afghanistan. His camera is the tool of his trade and all
members of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction
Team are required to carry their trusty Steyr rifl e at all
times. See pages 20-21 for more images.
AFN71 JUNE 06
LAC Kirsty Wills, RNZAF Auckland training with the Westpac
Rescue Helicopter. See pages 14-16 Top Class Medics.
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AK 06-0191-01
FEATURES
W/O OF THE AIR FORCE
It’s how we’re drinking.
CLIFF MANNING AWARD
Auckland’s Top Corporal
NEW AIR FORCE HAKA
DVD step-by-step guide
AIR LOAD TEAM TO SOLOMONS
Bolstering RAMSI
EX CROIX DU SUD
New Caledonia
HERCULEAN MISSION
No.40 Squadron exercise
TEN QUESTIONS
New Maori Co-ordination Offi cer
TOP CLASS MEDICS
Medical Unit in great hands
FIRE FIGHTERS GRADUATE
Basic Course
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26
28
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FAT ALBERT
Bamian foray
24 HOURS IN AFGHANISTAN
Down to business
AFGHANISTAN THROUGH THE LENS
A photographer’s view
BOMBS AWAY
Kaipara Air Range rocks
OASB UNCOVERED
How it all works
NEW CPL COURSE
Emphasising leadership
ADVENTURE TRAINING
Team building
RESISTANCE TRAINING
More on fi tness
A LOVELY COUPLE
Fairy Tale wedding
New Maori Co-ordination Offi cer W/O Doug
Wallace talks to Air Force News – page 13.
REGULARS
SPORT
IB basketball, JOIST, softball
WN 06-0201-01
OH 06-0234-02
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WN 06-0176-01
OUTWARD BOUND TO
REUNITE OLD FRIENDS
Watchmates out and about at Outward Bound.
After more than 43 years of providing adventure-based learning
and development programmes to New Zealanders, Outward Bound
is now looking to reunite former participants with their fellow
watchmates.
Outward Bound Manager – Opportunities, Darren Quirk, said the
organisation will help over 45,000 former course participants to
connect with old watchmates via a dedicated alumni section on the
Outward Bound website.
Past Outward Bound students are able to register on the organisation’s
website www.outwardbound.co.nz. In doing so, they can access
old photographs, search for watchmates, win prizes and learn more
about Outward Bound events.
HUEYS GO HOME
On 1 April 2006 the last six Multinational Force Observer’s (MFO)
UH-1 helicopters departed North Camp, Sinai, Egypt for Israel prior
to being shipped back to the USA. The UH1 helicopters, popularly
known as ‘Hueys’, have been in service with the MFO since 1982
and were originally fl own by the ANZAC aviation unit in support of
MFO operations of which many RNZAF personnel served. The current
Chief of Air Force AVM Graham Lintott also fl ew these helicopters
during his tour in the Sinai. The helicopters have been replaced by
UH 60 Blackhawks.
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
Mr Bryan Geurts, Fleet Manager Health at Army Logistics Executive
Trentham, points out that the picture of one of his products in the
Insight O6 article ‘The Hidden Hazard’ is the old Army insect repellent
spray that had been identifi ed as a fl ight hazard due to the alcohol
content. Mr Geurts says that ‘due to identifi cation of this hazard we
reformulated the product to make it fl ight safe. This product is now
one of the few fl ight safe insect repellents on the market and the only
truly alcohol free DEET product. This NZ made product is now sold
to Muslim countries and NZDF is receiving royalties on those sales.
An example of a problem being solved and creating its own market
niche.’ I stand corrected and pleased to see a Kiwi product leading by
example – Grant Carr, Editor
In our April issue (No.69) we inadvertently misspelled the name of
F/S Reg Dawson’s son (pg. 5). The correct spelling is Severne - that’s
with an ‘e’ on the end.
My sincere apology – Grant Carr, Editor.
TRUST US
Pilots are the third most trusted profession in New Zealand, according
to the Reader’s Digest’s annual opinion survey, just below fi re fi ghters
and ambulance offi cers and before nurses and doctors (see this
month’s article on our Medical Trade, pg. 14). Since the Air Force has
personnel in all these professional categories it’s a safe assumption
that we have somewhat of a clean sweep in the trustworthy stakes.
And hopefully that trust extends to all our other trades and professions.
Unfortunately journalists rank a mere 25th on the list below
taxi drivers and above real estate agents. Can you trust me on this?
Too right you can!
BUSINESS AS USUAL
Despite rising fuel costs it’s
business as usual for the Air
Force says Air Component
Commander AIR CDRE Richard
Newlands.
‘We continually monitor fuel
prices, both from New Zealand
and overseas sources, and
we receive a forecast of New
Zealand fuel prices up to a
year ahead. While the accuracy
of forecasts is subject to
the vagaries of a number of
external influences, we have
been expecting the fuel price
to continue to rise throughout
the current fi nancial year, which ends on 30 June.
‘To date actual fuel price rises have been broadly in line with those
forecasts, although for the remaining two months of the year the prices
will be a little above forecast. Nonetheless, while there will be pressure
on this cost element of the budget, we will be able to manage
funding to ensure that we maintain both training requirements and
our operational commitments,’ says AIR CDRE Newlands.
OH 04-0589-02
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

AK 06-0190-11
FIRST FLIGHT
At fi rst light members of the NZ Army’s 2/1 RNZIR board a RNZAF
Hercules at Darwin for the Air Force’s fi rst fl ight to Timor Leste’s capital
Dili. Air Force News will provide full coverage of New Zealand’s
response to the situation in Timor Leste in our July issue.
CHIEF DROPS IN
– WITH A SMILE
New Chief of Air Force AVM Graham Lintott is known to have a good
sense of humour – note the CAF Under Training badge he’s wearing.
He shares a joke with CPL John Harrison (left) and F/S Kevin Pope
during his fi rst offi cial visit to Whenuapai.
REAPING THE DIVIDEND
The interim dividend from the Armed Forces Canteen Council (AFCC)
for the 2005/06 fi nancial year totalled $22,753. The dividend, slightly
up on last year’s total, represents good trading conditions, the AFCC’s
commitment to competitive pricing and its recent upgrades of stores
and cafes.
The money has been distributed according to Base populations:
$
Auckland 9,206
Ohakea 5,852
Wellington 3,191
Woodbourne 4,054
TOTAL 22,753
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
AK 06-0151-03
NO 5 SQUADRON
DEPLOYS TO UK
No 5 Squadron will participate in the UK Exercise Neptune Warrior
06-2 Joint Maritime Course from 19 to 29 June. One P-3K Orion and
two crews will deploy to RAF Kinloss in Scotland for the exercise.
Neptune Warrior/Joint Maritime Course is an annual training activity
that provides joint and combined collective training for ships, aircraft
and battle staffs from a number of nations in a multi-threat environment.
The exercise is conducted in the sea areas and air space around
the north and west coasts of Scotland. Neptune Warrior provides
invaluable training for New Zealand’s Maritime Patrol Force.
The Fincastle Competition 2006 involving the maritime patrol aircraft
of Australia, Canada, NZ and UK, will be held concurrently with
Neptune Warrior. The Fincastle competition was last held in NZ
during Exercise Tasmanex 06 and was won by the RAF.
Before returning home No. 5 Squadron will also conduct a fl ying
display on each of two days at the Waddington International Air
Show 2006 at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire over the weekend
of 1-2 July.
SGT Carl Booty, RNZAF Senior Photographer,
handing over stationary to local school.
NO. 40 SQUADRON
DONATES STATIONERY
In June members of the Air Force’s No.40 Squadron gathered
together a box of stationery for the Bamyan Girls School. Despite
being called a ‘Girls’ school a large number of boys also attend this
school as it has a good reputation locally as a quality provider of
educational programmes. The Principal passed on this thanks through
our interpreter and mentioned that paper and pens were always in
short supply.
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W/O OF THE AIR FORCE
KEITH GELL
‘IT’S NOT THE DRINKING, IT’S HOW WE ARE DRINKING’
The Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC)
is currently running a national campaign titled ‘it’s just
a drink’. Their objective is for us as New Zealanders to
take a look at ourselves, in particular the way we are
drinking. As a nation we drink to celebrate, we drink
to commiserate, we drink because it is Friday and we
drink because it is the weekend.
In the Air Force we are no different, we like socialising
and we enjoy celebrating. For example pay night is still
a big event in our J/Rs club, as is Friday night in the
Officers and W/Os and SNCOs messes. There is nothing
wrong with this and long may it live, because that is not
the problem. According to the statistics 88% of men and
83% of women claim they are drinkers, again that is
not the problem. We are drinking less alcohol than ever
before and we are ranked 24 internationally.
So what is the problem? The problem is how we are
drinking. We, as New Zealanders, save it up for Friday
night and the weekends, and sometimes we over-indulge
where it affects our behaviour. What I want us to do as
an Air Force, is to ‘pinch ourselves’ and to take stock as
to where we see ourselves within the national campaign
currently being run.
We can have all the rules and regulations in place as
much as we want - however that will have no effect on
how we drink. It is the culture of drinking that we need
to focus on. We all need to do this, not just those in
command positions, but everyone, because at the end
of the day it comes down to you. In saying this it also
comes down to mateship, which is everyone looking
after everyone by providing the necessary support and
guidance. For example saying ‘you have had enough’
takes courage. This is all about mateship, especially
when you are trying to bring about alternative behaviours
for those who need it. It’s not about preaching the evils
of getting drunk, it’s about individuals owning their
behaviour, and it’s about living our values.
We, as a responsible organisation, also need to have
a look at ourselves collectively. We are all parents of
the Air Force and we have an obligation for each other
and those we serve. Your workplace culture is a good
place to start this. To push it along I have spoken with
the three Base Warrant Officers on this subject with the
desire of bringing this topic onto the radar screen at each
Base. The intention, as with the national programme,
is to not discourage people from drinking, but to own
their behaviour when they do have a drink.
So, the next time you watch the TV or read the papers,
take stock at what is being said by ALAC and have a
look at yourself. Celebrating success is important to us
and is part of our ethos. How we celebrate and to what
extent is where we need to look at ourselves. Rules and
regulations is another topic, we’ve already got enough of
them, it’s about our drinking culture. Think about it.
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

AUCKLAND’S TOP CORPORAL
Encouraging Base Auckland personnel to ‘get off their butts’ and
consider the benefits of fitness and a healthy lifestyle helped CPL
Jason Price, NCOIC within the Base Auckland Fitness Centre, to
win this year’s Cliff Manning Award.
The coveted annual award, effectively recognising Base Auckland’s top
junior airman of the year, is presented to the Corporal or Aircraftman (male
or female) who makes, ‘the greatest contribution to the overall effectiveness
of RNZAF Base Auckland during the previous 12 months.’
CPL Price says he was ‘really stoked’ to receive the award because
Physical Fitness Instructors (PTIs) don’t get a lot of recognition for their
work so it was ‘nice to get a pat on the back.’ It also came as a complete
surprise as he didn’t really know much about the award before he was
nominated. With all the factors associated with obesity and the shocking
news that over half of New Zealanders are overweight, he says RNZAF
personnel’s access to resources and facilities leaves no excuses for not
getting themselves in shape.
A keen rugby union player and supporter CPL Price is currently spending
much of his spare time coaching the Base Auckland team with the goal of
taking the Services Rugby title for Air Force in September. Watch out!
By all accounts CPL Price’s selection for the award was a relatively easy
choice given his involvement in a range of activities and his leadership and
commitment as an Auckland representative sportsman. As a PTI CPL Price
was well placed to make a significant contribution to the fitness, espirit
de corps and effectiveness of Base Auckland personnel.
Specifically his contributions included:
a. Management of the Base Remedial Fitness Programme, which is
aimed at bringing unfit personnel back up to our fitness standards. This
programme routinely involves outdoor classes commencing at early hours
in all weathers.
b. Responsibility for the organisation of the annual Village Green, Base’s
most participative sporting event, which promotes teamwork within all
sections and Base units. The 2005 VG involving over 250 competitors and
30 officials was hailed an outstanding success.
c. Earlier this year, CPL Price was responsible for organisation of
the Biggest Loser Challenge, which was an exercise and weight loss
programme modelled on the TV shows of the same name. As well as
competing amongst themselves to lose weight, through “Pricies” motivation,
Auckland personnel also beat RNZAF Ohakea’s averages and total
weight losses in an unofficial parallel competition.
d. CPL Price has an ongoing commitment to the operational effectiveness
AIR FORCE HAKA ON DVD
A
DVD with a step-by-step guide to the Air Force’s new Haka will be
available on Bases from mid-June says F/S George Mana, a member
of the steering committee that developed the guide. ‘The new Haka
doesn’t establish a Maori identity in the Air Force – we already have that – but
rather, it augments and strengthens our existing identity,’ he says.
The DVD shows the 36 movements that make up the new Haka and is
accompanied by a CD with documentation including explanation of its context
and meaning and a translation of the concepts. Initially two copies will be
supplied to each Base but more copies can be made. And while the DVD is a
do-it-yourself guide F/S Mana advises you might need to grab a member of your
Base Kapa Haka group to help you with the first couple of runs through.
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
C L I F F M A N N I N G
and deployability of Base personnel through Circuit classes for strength
and fitness and Recreational Activity programmes such as the inter-section
sporting competitions which promote both fitness and teamwork.
e. CPL Price’s skills in a number of adventurous activities including rockclimbing,
kayaking; and outdoor education see him regularly required to
assist with unit adventurous training deployments and, finally,
f. CPL Price’s coaching and application of skills in two rugby codes and
Base cricket greatly enhanced the performance of these teams at interbase
and local competitions.
CPL Price was presented with the award at a ceremony on Saturday 6 May
attended by Ian Ronalds, President of the Hobsonville Old Boys Association
(which initiated the award), Base Commander Auckland WGCDR Cummings,
HOBA members and members of the public.
Base Auckland OC
Education SQNLDR Andy
Anderson, summing up his
comments on CPL Price’s
performance, said:
‘Collectively, through
the improved performance
and morale of Base
personnel, CPL Price’s
achievements added up
to a very significant contribution
to the overall effectiveness
of Base Auckland.
CPL Price continues to
demonstrate excellent
personal standards as
an airman. He achieved
outstanding results in his
endeavours during the
past 12 months, and he
was therefore found to
be a very worthy recipient
of this prestigious award,
The Cliff Manning Trophy
for 2006.’
OH 05-0557-62
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ALT accommodation in a disused
building near the airfi eld.
New Zealand and Australian
military personnel were deployed
to bolster Regional Assistance
Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI)
numbers in the wake of April’s riots
in Honiara. There are currently
125 NZDF personnel serving in the
Solomon Islands. The Air Force
also deployed a four-person Air
Load Team (ALT) to Honiara’s
Henderson Air Field. ALT member
W/O Robyn Gell outlines the
team’s role.
The increased level of incoming and outgoing aircraft required to transport
and service the enlarged RAMSI contingent meant the RNZAF ALT was
deployed, at short notice, to supplement the Australian ALT already
in-country.
The RNZAF ALT’s role was to facilitate arriving and departing aircraft,
downloading passengers and freight and back-loading any passengers
and freight returning to New Zealand. The RNZAF ALT also assisted the
ADF in the facilitation of RAAF aircraft and ADF chartered civilian fl ights.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ALT
The RNZAF’s ALT consisted of W/O Robyn Gell (WP); F/S Steve
McCutcheon (OH); CPL Tracy Harrison (OH) and LAC Ross Mosely (Chch).
A normal day started with coffee and discussion of the day’s proposed
aircraft movements and payload details such as passenger numbers and
freight. These movements were fl uid and timings often changed due to
circumstances and other commitments. At one stage all ADF fl ights were
put on hold due to Cyclone Monica heading for Darwin.
Once fl ights details were confi rmed the ALT prepared equipment to
download the aircraft. Initially there was no material handling equipment
(MHE) and all downloads were done by hand. This was a tough and slow
task in the hot and humid environment. The fi rst few fl ights were enginerunning
offl oads/onloads (EROs). The lack of MHE required to download
freight in normal circumstances, meant freight had to be ‘combat’ offloaded.
This involves freight being pushed out the rear of the aircraft while
it is still moving along the taxi way.
L - R: CPL Tracy Harrison, LAC Brett Pearson
RAAF, LAC Ross Mosely, LAC Gary Francis
RAAF, F/S Steve McCutcheon and W/O Robyn
Gell at the Solomon Islands Memorial Garden.
The garden is dedicated to those men who
fought and who died on Guadalcanal.
Loading the B757 in Auckland.
AIR LOAD TEAM
TO HONIARA
FAST TURN AROUND
The fi rst few fl ights of the deployment saw all freight quickly moved
off the airfi eld and into the area of operation, in order to make way for
other incoming aircraft. Those early fl ights consisted of a variety of stores
including vehicles, communication equipment, rations, personnel, weapons
and ammunition.
After the initial push the number of fl ights reduced and the focus then
became resupply. The ALT estimated they moved half a million pounds of
freight and personnel during the fi rst few days.
After spending the fi rst night on the fl oor of the domestic terminal
passenger lounge, the ALT, using ‘Kiwi can do’ attitude took the bull by
the horns, contacted local airport staff and managed to secure a disused
building to setup camp for the remainder of their tour. It may have helped
that the Controller of Civil Aviation in Honiara just happened to be an
ex-RNZAF Wing Commander — Mr Bill MacGregor. This disused building
later became home for both the New Zealand and Australian ALTs.
Ration packs became the menu of the day with the usual delights of threeminute
noodles, satay beef, curried chicken, lamb and mint, cracker biscuits
and other unmentionable delicacies. ADF and NZDF ALT members debated
the relative merits of each other’s ration packs until it was discovered both
were made in New Zealand.
ANZAC DAY
It was particularly fi tting that the ADF and RNZAF spent the day working
side-by-side on ANZAC Day. A small service was held between the two
nations in the morning, where a moment’s silence was observed to
remember those who had gone before them. It may have been that they
were mourning the fact that they were unable to partake in the customary
rum and coffee that had always been synonymous with this day back home
due to it being a dry mission!
As operational tempo allowed, the RNZAF ALT offered their services to
the local airport authorities to help out in any way they could. This work
included rubbish clean up, general gardening and carrying out routine
maintenance on the airport equipment which had not seen a grease gun
or tyre pump for quite some time! This was done with much humour and
was designed to enhance relations with the locals and by way of thanks
for all the support they had provided the team during their stay.
RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND
Mission accomplished the ALT returned to New Zealand on 28 April.
Henderson Air Field has returned to business as usual. ALTs are still
deployed, but transit with RNZAF aircraft, load and unload freight and
passengers and then return to Base Auckland.
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
AK 06-0141-04

An Australian Sea King helicopter with
Iroquois parked behind on HMAS Maroora
and LCM8 landing craft in the water.
LT VICTORIA RENDALL
Alongside Army and Navy personnel, over 30 Air Force personnel were
involved in Exercise Croix du Sud (Southern Cross) from 22 April to 8 May
in New Caledonia.
The Air Force contributed two Iroquois, and the 31 people required to
maintain and fl y the frames as the primary contribution to Exercise Croix
du Sud (Ex CDS). Another four personnel were based at the Command
Headquarters in Noumea.
Starting with reassembling the aircraft, conducting test fl ights and
ceremonial duties for ANZAC Day the No.3 Squadron detachment had a
variety of taskings during the exercise. These also included deck landing
practice onboard Australian amphibious ships; dropping French troops into
the hills of New Caledonia; teaching Tongans disembarkation procedures
(on a simulated ‘aircraft’!); ensuring that connectivity was working
effectively with New Zealand, and the more mundane (but essential)
aspects of daily checks and regular maintenance.
Ex CDS is a signifi cant military exercise in the region. The fi eld training
exercise was based around providing military assistance as part of a
coalition force during a humanitarian evacuation of civilians from the
mainland and outlying islands.
The majority of military people involved were re-located by boat, bus
and helicopter to a remote ‘tent city’ on the east coast of New Caledonia
for fi ve days to conduct the successful evacuation of civilians as per the
planned scenario. Returning to Noumea, there was a short period for
debriefs, clean up and preparation of the Iroquois to be packed back in
the Hercules for RTNZ.
Conducted biannually in New Caledonia, this year’s exercise also involved
military personnel and equipment from New Zealand, New Caledonia,
Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.
It was an opportunity to develop interoperability between the nations, and
test the command structures at a Joint Headquarters, as well as allowing
for integrated training in a multi-national environment.
Other New Zealand Defence Force participants in Ex CDS 06 were:
• Survey vessel HMNZS Resolution, with an embarked team capable of
conducting surveys in the littoral zone;
• Infantry Platoon, from 3rd Land Force Group, based at Burnham; and
• 11 augmentees in roles at the Exercise Headquarters, and onboard
HMAS www.airforce.mil.nz Manoora observing amphibious AFN71 operations.
JUNE 06
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EX CROIX DU SUD-
NEW CALEDONIA
Two French Puma helicopters make their approach
to land onboard HMAS Manoora, 29 April, with FNS
Jacques Cartier and HMAS Tobruk following behind.
The Pumas were embarked onboard to assist with
troop movements during the initial phase of an
evacuation scenario of Exercise Croix du Sud.
The two No.3 Squadron Hueys
overfl y a disused mine shaft.
9

10
Southland Times reporter Tracey Roxburgh braved
the G-forces and kept down her breakfast for this
account of riding aboard a C-130 Hercules during
last month’s No.40 Squadron tactical low-level flying
exercise Skytrain, operated out of Oamaru.
It’s 12.30pm and I’m having diffi culty speaking.
Words are being slurred and the brain is fi rmly parked in neutral so
while I’m trying to ask semi-intelligent questions, it’s not working.
If I didn’t know better I would say I was inebriated. I begin to apologise
stating it’s probably because I got up at 5am and the lack of sleep is
catching up on me.
New Zealand Air Force SQNLDR Glenn Davis breaks into a cheeky grin
and says, ‘Nope, it’s the G-force. It nails you.’
Two hours earlier I arrive at the Oamaru Airport to be greeted by razor wire
fences, orange road cones and very offi cial looking signs making it quite
clear civilians aren’t welcome. Ignoring them I drive into the New Zealand
Defence Force zone where I’m greeted by SQNLDR Davis, handed a pair of
bright orange ear plugs and told we’re leaving in fi ve minutes.
I ask if I’ll be needing my notepad.
‘No ... you won’t forget this.’ At this point I spy my mode of transport
for the impending journey. A mammoth grey beast of a thing parked up on
the tarmac. That mammoth grey beast moves out of the way and I see a
second version, which makes the fi rst look like a Tonka toy.
Meet the C-130, Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules. My heart stops
and I’m told now would be a good time to insert the ear plugs – ‘just
FGOFF JENNA ROBINSON
A C-130 Hercules
aircraft is fuelled up
ready for another fl ight.
A twin-engined Casa fl own by French
Marines based in New Caledonia.
squeeze, roll and put them in.’
Unfortunately my hands have taken on a life of their own, so the fi rst
problem is managing to get the ear plugs out of the little plastic bag.
Fifteen minutes later I’m on board the Hercules, seated in a canvas deckchair-type
contraption, secured against the side of the plane, still trying to
master the squeeze, roll and insert technique. I’m handed a helmet, which
doesn’t look terribly sturdy, and not one but two white paper bags.
Sick bags if you will.
The look on my face clearly speaks volumes and I’m told by Load Master
Eve Ripo to ‘double bag -- they have a tendency to leak after a while.’
Great. I begin to ‘double bag’ aware the crew members seem to be taking
a perverse joy out of my shaking hands and possum-in-headlights stare and
am buckled in with a lap belt - like the helmet I don’t believe it’s suffi cient
to save my life in the worst case scenario.
Exercise Skytrain was based at Oamaru for 10 days last month, involving
300 RNZAF aircrew, maintenance and support personnel, with assistance
from the New Zealand Army.
The 50-tonne aircraft fl ies at 75m above ground, reaching speeds of
400kmh in what the Defence Force calls ‘tactical low-level fl ying.’
Their mission is to drop ‘loads’ within seconds of a given time and within
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

FGOFF JENNA ROBINSON
Supply parachutes drift to the
ground after drop off by a C-130.
FGOFF JENNA ROBINSON
metres of a target on the ground, but fi rst drilling manoeuvres in valleys,
following a fl ight plan mapped out the day before.
The loads weigh about 16 tonne each and include an ex-army four-wheeldrive.
I’m told it’s been dropped several times, but it still works well enough
to be driven back on to the truck which will load it on to another Hercules
for its next excursion. This training mission involved aircraft and crew from
New Caledonia and Singapore - the hills and valleys in the South Island
are like nothing the foreign crews have ever seen, so the training is even
more benefi cial to them.
SQNLDR Nathan McDonald said the Hercules are regarded as ‘people
movers’ and their primary job is to deliver relief where needed – while
based at Oamaru, one Herc was deployed to the Solomon Islands, with
two full crews on board.
That relief also includes food and fi rst aid for disaster-stricken countries,
which is where the load drop training comes to the fore.
The fl ight crew drill valley fl ying, the aim is to fl y undetected to their
target, ‘drop the load and get out really quickly.’
Hercules aren’t the most inconspicuous aircraft, but as SQNLDR
McDonald explains, by the time an enemy force saw the plane, it would
be too late to do anything about it. ‘Combat off-loads’ were another part
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
The large orange ‘thingee’ is a Raised Air Marker (RAM)
used to help identify the drop zone for the aircraft. It
gives a 3D perspective that draws the aircrew’s eyes to
the drop zone letter pegged out on the ground.
FGOFF JENNA ROBINSON
of the training, where the aircraft spends the minimum amount of time
possible on the ground for situations when they drop artillery.
Those manoeuvres were something I was about to become very familiar
with. It’s a funny thing sitting sideways in an aircraft when it’s about to
take off, sick bags in one hand, helmet in the other.
It’s even funnier when it starts to taxi and you fi nd yourself thrown
sideways but your arms are otherwise occupied so you can’t grab on to
anything. Thus, my journey on the C-130 begins.
I am told not to be ashamed if I need to use the sick bags – ‘it wouldn’t
be the fi rst time.’ However, in the next breath SQNLDR Davis says if I do
need to use them I will never live it down. The gauntlet had been thrown.
Motivation enough.
The belly of the Hercules is impressive -- it can seat almost 100 passengers
if it’s not fl ying over water, in which case there needs to be room for life
rafts, so fewer passengers. It looks to be lined with silver padding, the fl oor
has rollers running the length of the plane and sitting in the middle of it are
three loads, to be dropped at different points during the fl ight.
The noise inside the plane is deafening, even with ear plugs now safely
inserted, so crew seem to rely on hand signals to communicate with those
not hooked up to the ‘comms.’ That, or they yell at each other.
11

12
After about 10 minutes someone yells at me to put
my helmet on and go for a wander around the plane.
I decide I’m more than happy just sitting with my lap
belt safely fastened, thanks. Wrong answer.
So, helmet on I feebly attempt to pick my way
through the loads and the rollers to a little portholetype
window with two sturdy bars either side,
SQNLDR Davis tells me to hang on to the bars and
enjoy the view. I’m now standing directly in front of
an emergency exit door. Altitude has a tendency to
do funny things to me and I have the urge to open
the emergency exit.
Fortunately at that point I’m aware I’ve begun
to lean backwards, I look out the window and fi nd
myself staring at the sun, three seconds later and I am
pushed hard up against the silver padding, looking at
the ground which doesn’t seem to be too far away.
Still clutching my sick bags it all seems harmless
enough, I even think I could let go of the vice-like
grip I have on the wee white bags and put them in
my pocket. Then the G-force gets me.
One second, I’m standing up enjoying the view, the
next my knees have buckled, I am kneeling against
the emergency exit, still hanging on to those bars.
Unable to stand, I’m laughing hysterically and it’s as
if my bodyweight has doubled and another person is
standing on my shoulders. Classy.
Eventually I regain my composure and clamber back
to a standing position, but the rocking and rolling
has begun.
For what seems like an eternity I am periodically
thrown forwards and then hanging on for dear life so as not to fall
backwards. My stomach is constantly dropping, almost like when you’re
driving and go down a steep hill you didn’t see coming. I decide it’s best
not to let go of the sick bags.
I am taken into the ‘fl ight deck’ (note for civilians, don’t call it a cockpit,
they don’t like that) where apparently it’s a bit easier on the body.
The fi rst thing I notice are the hundreds of controls, buttons and knobs of
all descriptions. Again I have the urge to push some of them.
The second thing I notice are the windows. Some of them appear to be
cracked. This is not helping my churning tummy. The Hercules have just
celebrated their 40th birthday and are about to be completely stripped and
re-vamped with state-of-the-art technology. The fi rst will be done overseas
and will take two years, at the same time spares will be made for the others
and the four remaining C-130s will take a year each to be revamped.
I am directed to stand behind the pilot and am shown two more metal
bars to hang on to and it’s not long before they, too, are at the mercy of
my vice-like grip. Instead of being thrown backwards and forwards, I am
being thrown from side to side, we appear to be sickeningly close to the
hills in the valleys and my face is still clearly speaking volumes as I look
around to fi nd the aircrew laughing at me.
Next I’m taken back to the belly of the plane to watch the fi rst drop
- the back of the Hercules has opened up as Load Master Ripo waits for
instructions from the navigator in the fl ight deck for when to release the
load. When the lights in the back of the plane turn from red to green, it’s
bombs away, the load goes hurtling out the back and within seconds a
parachute is deployed and it fl oats to the ground, where another crew is
ready to pick the load up. Among them is a mechanic, with equipment to
mend farmers’ fences ... for when they miss the target.
By now we are in Ashburton and I’m about ready for a rest, as we go
hurtling towards a paddock I think someone is reading my mind, the plane
touches down with a bang before promptly careening off again.
After what seems an eternity, but was in fact only two hours, we arrive
safely on the ground back in Oamaru. I feel like I’ve just run a marathon
and wander from the fl ight deck to the back of the plane, where I see the
fi nal load right at the back of the plane.
Apparently I missed the second one being dropped -- I presume that’s
when I decided to sit down and focus on a point in the distance to ensure the
sick bags remained empty. Load Master Ripo directs me to sit on a container
facing the back of the plane and hang on to a strap. We’ve come to a full
stop and I don’t understand what’s happening, but I do as I’m told.
Another crew member comes up beside me and tells me to hold on ‘tight’
to the other side of the container, he then proceeds to sit behind me, grabs
my shoulders and pulls me backwards. I’m more than a little confused, but
it’s about to become abundantly clear.
Once again, the Hercules fi res up, goes fl ying forwards and consequently
I also go fl ying forwards. The fi nal load, at my feet, goes hurtling out the
back of the aircraft and I have horrifi c images of me following suit ... I am
very grateful I’m being held back. This was a combat off-load.
Back on solid ground, my knees are still shaking and I have fi nally removed
the orange ear plugs -- much easier to get out than put in. Another civilian
on the fl ight with me, former All Black Ian Hurst, is buzzing. He tells me
fl ying is one of his pastimes, but that doesn’t have a patch on what we’ve
just experienced. I’m led towards the lunch tent where hamburgers are on
the menu, stomach still churning I politely decline.
My sick bags remained empty during the fl ight and my reputation is still
intact. I would like it to stay that way.
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

TEN QUESTIONS FOR
W/O DOUG WALLACE
THE AIR FORCE’S NEW MAORI CO-ORDINATION OFFICER (MCO)
1. What does your new role entail?
I co-ordinate all Maori cultural activities that impact on Air Force
outputs. They range from ceremonial activities such as parades to cultural
awareness training and liaising with outside Maori organisations. Basically
if Command have a Maori cultural issue or query then I address it on Air
Force’s behalf.
2. The recent Change of Command Ceremony for CAF had a
signifi cant Maori ceremonial component. Is that an indication the
RNZAF’s bi-cultural policy is working?
It’s one indication and probably the most visible. However, at both the
CAF and CDF’s Change of Command Ceremonies I witnessed something
that really spoke volumes for our bi-cultural policy. The departing CAF,
the in-coming CAF and the departing CDF all opened their speeches with
a Maori mihi (greeting). When I heard the three highest ranking people
in the Air Force speaking Maori (albeit short and simple) I knew then that
the policy was working.
3. What other changes can we expect in future or what changes
would you like to see us introduce?
I’d like to see more people follow the CAF’s example and make the
effort to learn basic mihi (greetings) - especially senior offi cers. Army
run programmes specifi cally for their senior offi cers. I’d like to introduce
something along the same lines for us.
4. What can non-Maori do to help build bi-cultural awareness in
the Air Force/society?
Just keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to ask questions about any
aspect of the Maori culture that they don’t understand. Awareness leads
to understanding, which in turn leads to the realisation that embracing the
Maori culture will enhance the Air Force culture to the benefi t of both.
5. What are the biggest challenges/obstacles facing biculturalism
in the Air Force?
The biggest obstacle would have to be opposition to changes. For some
it’s comfort in the way things have always been. For others it’s a fear of
what they don’t understand.
6. Where do you see the Air Force, in terms of bi-cultural
awareness in say 10, 20 years time?
I see the Air Force being a lot more attractive as a career option and not
just for Maori. Numbers of Maori in the Air Force will increase to closer
refl ect NZ society. We will have a lot more speakers of the language and
a large percentage of them will be non-Maori. Everyone will have an
understanding of the culture and NZ history and the Maori culture will be
fi rmly imbedded into Air Force culture. The centrepiece of it all will be a
well supported and actively utilised Air Force marae!
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
OH 06-0234-03
7. How are Maori structured as a group within the Air Force and
what role do they play?
The MCO position is cultural advisor to CAF and functions on behalf of Air
Force. Each Base has a Maori Liaison Offi cer (MLO) who acts as cultural
advisor to CO ABW and functions on behalf of that Base. The MCO and
MLO’s together form a council called the Maori Advisory Group (MAG) and
implement Air Force Maori cultural policies. Each Base has a Maori Cultural
Group (MCG) to provide ceremonial cultural components as required.
8. How does the Air Force commitment to bi-culturalism compare
with other Services – Army and Navy? Are we behind, ahead or
equal? What about other organisations?
There are far fewer Maori in the Air Force than Navy and Army and our
bi-cultural policy is much younger. Yet we are more than capable of holding
our own beside them and in some aspects we’re even leading the way.
The same can be said of other organisations as well.
9. Is the Air Force a more attractive/comfortable place for Maori
these days than it was several years ago and are we recruiting
more Maori?
Defi nitely. Prior to 1999 the sight of a Maori powhiri on a parade alongside
a 100 man guard of honour was a rarity if seen at all. Today it’s an accepted
aspect of the way we do things and an indication of where we are heading.
Consequently, the past few years have seen a steady increase in Maori
recruiting and it’s still rising.
10. Are there any other comments/observations you’d like to make
on this subject?
I’d like to acknowledge the many others that helped develop and promote
our bi-cultural policy, who include: AVM Lintott who, as OH Base Cdr in
1999 gave a fl edgling OH and Air Force MCG his support and much needed
momentum; Ms Myra Cotter whose guidance as Air Force MCG tutor kept
the group from faltering; WGCDR Bosch who set up the Maori Advisory
Group (MAG); all the MAG members whose work at ground level set the
base for the policy to stand upon; policy designers Mrs Laura Gillan and Mrs
Sally Duxfi eld, who took the MAG from strength to strength; SQNLDR Dave
Samuels who joined the team specifi cally to help develop the policy; AVM
Hamilton who, as CAF put his full support behind the policy; and fi nally my
predecessor W/O PJ Smith who tirelessly carried the ball, implementing
the policy as the face of the new bi-cultural Air Force.
13

14
TOP CLASS MEDICS
Highly trained, multi-skilled and fully competent. Rest assured that
while on deployment NZDF personnel are in the best of medical
hands. The RNZAF’s ‘top class’ medics are trained to a very high
professional standard and are fully competent to diagnose, treat and
respond appropriately to most medical situations. Grant Carr talked to
F/S Russell Clarke about the RNZAF Medical Trade.
Despite rumours to the contrary the RNZAF Medical Trade – with 45
personnel including 41 medics, two doctors and two administrators
- is thriving, says Auckland-based medic F/S Russell Clarke. Its
development of an extensive training programme for medics and expansion
into setting up a Boeing 757 Aeromedical Evacuation are further proof that
the trade is now fi rmly entrenched, he says.
But there was a time, back in 2000, when the trade’s future was less
secure. A Defence-wide review of medical services, the Defence Medical
Review (DMR) was aimed at working out just precisely what were the
user requirements for medical and dental services within the NZDF. The
RNZAF decided to suspend recruiting medics until the DMR was complete.
Unfortunately the uncertainty around the trade’s future saw many good
medics leave for further education or more secure jobs in the ambulance
and other medical services.
A fi rm directive from then CAF AVM John Hamilton stopped the rot and
recommitted the RNZAF to a medic trade within the Service. Recruiting
new medics began in earnest in 2002. Up to six new medics are now
being recruited annually bolstered by Service transfers from Army and
Navy and some re-enlistments. The biggest problem facing the trade now
is retaining senior medics so they can pass on their considerable skills to
new recruits.
The main advantages of having a Service-based Medical Trade, says
F/S Clarke, are that ‘we can keep a close eye on the medical standards
of our Service personnel. Time is not wasted on going to see a General
Practitioner (doctor) and we can also monitor what medical conditions and
medications RNZAF personnel have. It also benefi ts our personnel to have
continuity of care when dealing with medical conditions or issues. We have
very stringent follow-up procedures in place to make sure personnel get
a high standard of follow-up medical care.
‘It also means that when we deploy overseas and in the fi eld within New
Zealand, the squadrons know us as another Air Force personnel/medic
and how we operate.’
EXTENSIVE TRAINING
The RNZAF medic’s training is both unique and extensive in that it covers
many specialist medical occupations.
Like doctors (although obviously to a lesser extent) our medics are taught
to diagnose and treat and are taught basic nursing skills.
‘Like paramedics we cover pre-hospital emergency care. We learn
basic laboratory skills (drawing blood and taking swabs), like Laboratory
Technicians. We also learn about Environment Health and Occupation
Health and Safety as these are roles we pick up while deployed
operationally overseas, says F/S Clarke.
Medics must fi rst complete a Junior Medics Course (JMC). This is
a fulltime course completed at Burnham Army Camp’s Joint Services
Health School (JSHS). The three-month course covers such subjects as
Responsibilities of the Medic/Medical Assistant, Basic Health Sciences,
the Diagnostic Process, Administer Basic Emergency Care, Manage Minor
Medical/Surgical Conditions, Perform Patient Care and Assessment
Procedures, Pharmacology, Basic Preventative Medicine Measures and
Medical Administration.
Medics are then posted to an RNZAF Base Medical Flight where they
spend the next 40 weeks working under supervision and are mentored
by a senior medic. They have a task book and assignments as well as an
Anatomy and Physiology exam they must pass before going on to complete
their Intermediate Medics Course (IMC).
The three-month IMC is also at Burnham’s JSHS and covers, in greater
depth, the same subjects as the JMC.
Medics then spend 10 weeks attached to a civilian hospital - currently
Christchurch Public Hospital - where they work in the Emergency
Department, Theatre, Post Op (caring for patients directly after surgery),
General and Orthopaedic wards. They complete a task book including
certain procedures and assessments during this training.
After civilian hospital training medics go on to complete civilian
ambulance training. Fulltime for fi ve weeks they are attached to a civilian
ambulance service - currently with the St Johns Ambulance Service in
Christchurch. They are mentored by an experienced Advanced Paramedic
and get procedures and assessments signed off in their task book.
Once all this training is completed the medics can operate under the
Defence Medical Treatment Protocols (DMTPs) as qualifi ed medics. The
DMTPs are issued by the Director General of Defence Medical Services
(DGDMS) and allow medics to administer medications without the direct
supervision of a doctor. Medics have to complete annual competencies to
stay current to use the DMTPs, if they do not complete these competencies
they cannot work unsupervised.
Medics then go on to complete the Diploma in Military Medicine (DMM).
This is civilian qualifi cation and is run by the Auckland University of
Technology (AUT) and JSHS. It is made up of fi ve modules: Biological and
Social Science (9 weeks in duration), Diagnosis and Treatment (8 weeks),
Emergency Care and Disaster Medicine (6 weeks) and the Practice of
Military Medicine (3 weeks). After the completion of the Emergency Care
and Disaster Medicine module medics are reclassifi ed to Senior Medics and
can deploy on sole charge (without a doctor) on exercises and operational
deployments.
After medics have completed their Diploma they are encouraged to go
on and complete other tertiary medical education. ‘We currently have one
medic who has completed their Bachelor in Health Science Paramedic
(Advanced Paramedic qualification) and is currently completing an
Aeromedical Retrieval and Transportation Diploma,’ says F/S Clarke.
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

www.airforce.mil.nz
A mock casualty being treated by an RZNAF
Medic during a aircraft crash exercise.
The Medical Unit carries out exercises on
a regular basis to keep medics skills up in
dealing with large numbers of injured people.
DAY-TO-DAY WORK
Routine duties include completing sick parade. This is when medics
interview Base personnel who require treatment for a variety of sicknesses
or illnesses. They diagnose, treat and arrange follow-up treatment if
necessary. Other day-to-day duties include completing medical boards,
checking emergency medical equipment and emergency medications.
They also provide medical cover to exercises, parachute drops and
squadron adventure training programmes. ‘The work is very exciting with
the unpredictable happening on a regular basis. After the medics have
completed their training they need to consolidate what they have learned
in the classroom and put it into practice at Base Medical Flights. The end
goal of all this work is to have operational RNZAF medics who we can
send overseas into an operational environment without a doctor or nurse.
They must have the confi dence, experience and knowledge to deal with
any medical emergency on their own without medical help for a long period
of time,’ says F/S Clarke.
‘They receive some of the best medical training and experience that New
Zealand has to offer. They study at the Auckland University of Technology
(AUT) to gain their DMM and some have even gone on to complete
degrees in other health sciences, such as Paramedicine or Nursing. Once
they have these qualifi cations they must complete annual competencies
to stay current to practice.
To maintain their skills and gain experience they also get to work in civilian
medical establishments. We have a number of training agreements that
we are currently reviewing and improving. These include medics working
on civilian ambulances in major cities throughout NZ and medics working
and training in Auckland City Hospital. Forward AME (Fwd AME) medics
will complete one shift a week working on the Westpac Rescue Helicopter
in Auckland. AME medics and nurses will get to work with South Pacifi c
Air Ambulance (SPAA) and Child Flight Air Ambulance completing national
and international transfers of patients.‘
AFN71 JUNE 06
TRI-SERVICE MEDICAL TEAMS
BMFs have a very close working relationship with Army and Navy medical
services. All medics attend the tri- JSHS in Burnham.
The Air Force currently has a Flight Sergeant and a Sergeant teaching
at the school. Air Force medical courses are also tri-Service and accept
other Service medics on both fi xed and rotor wing Aeromedical Evacuation
courses. Big operational deployments, like East Timor, Solomon Islands and
Afghanistan are composed of tri-Service medical teams.
So, are you interested in a career with the Air Force’s medical trade?
You need to be able to work in isolated and extreme areas, be able to
work on your own in stressful situations, and be able to think outside the
square when things go wrong, like being at 38,000 feet, with a patient, in
the Boeing and having an equipment failure or your patient’s condition is
deteriorating, warns F/S Clarke. But if you like to travel and to help people
who are less fortunate than you it’s a great job and very rewarding.
‘You will basically become a jack-of-all-trades in the medical fi eld and
must have the confi dence and ability to lead people. When things go
wrong and they will, people and command will look at the medic for advice
and decisions. They must be able to think on their feet and multitask to
overcome stressful situations. One of the big problems we have is medics
want to be able to run before they can walk. Medicine is a huge fi eld and
takes years to learn and master before you can safely practice.’
AEROMEDICAL
EVACUATION CAPABILITY
Another positive outcome of the RNZAF Medical Trade’s ‘revival’ has been
the rebuilding of the RNZAF Aeromedical Evacuation capability.
Aeromedical Evacuation is the movement of a casualty or patient from
one location to another using a fi xed wing aircraft. Before the DMR
the RNZAF provided an Aeromedical capability to the NZDF and the
NZ Government.
‘We completed an average of 25 – 30 Aeromedical Evacuations (AMEs) a
year. Most of them were to South Pacifi c islands to retrieve New Zealand
nationals who were sick or injured and needed more defi ned medical care
back home. This was really exciting and rewarding work for medics and
the RNZAF as a whole. These missions were usually time critical for the
patient and all RNZAF personnel would pull together to make sure the
patient had the best outcome.
‘Completing AMEs is also very exciting and rewarding work for RNZAF
medics, one minute you would be at work completing your normal day
and the phone would ring and we would be off somewhere to pick up
someone who needed life saving surgery. RNZAF medics have assisted
in the evacuation of injured civilians after the Bali bombings, cyclones
in the Pacifi c and the tidal wave that devastated the island of Sumatra,’
says F/S Clarke.
AK 06-0122-19
15

16
To carry out AMEs, medics, doctors and nurses must complete the RNZAF
AME course run by the Aviation Medicine Unit (AMU). The three-week course
covers aviation physiology, considerations before fl ight, in fl ight monitoring
and care, loading, preparing aircraft and equipment. This course is a tri-
Service course and we also have civilian doctors and nurses who complete
the course.
In November 2004 OCAF signed off on the Boeing 757 AME capability. The
Boeing 757 AME capability will be able to transport three High Dependency
Patients (Intensive Care patients) and three Medium Dependency Patients
(MDP), a total of six stretcher patients. No jet aircraft in the Asia Pacifi c
region can currently carry that many stretcher patients at any one time. A
757 AME work party was formed to see how this could be best achieved.
The 757 AME work party are expecting delivery of the fi rst 757 AME
prototype soon. This is a very exciting and major achievement for the
RNZAF AME capability as it has been run down and neglected over the
past 10 years.
FORWARD AEROMEDICAL
EVACUATIONS (FWD AME)
Related to the AME capability but with more of a military focus, the Fwd
AME is the movement of battlefi eld casualties, by helicopter, from a forward
position rearward so they can receive life or limb surgery. The feedback for
RNZAF medics who deployed to East Timor was they needed more specifi c
training in this area. The new course was designed by the AMU and TDHQ
in Woodbourne. A lot of data and information from East Timor was used to
look at what areas medics needed to be up skilled in. The Fwd AME medics
will complete a winchman’s course and HEUT training completed by No.3
Squadron and then they have an intense medical phase to complete the
course. This course is unique, as there is no other course of this type run in
New Zealand. The course will be run at the AMU and is also a tri-service
course allowing Army and Navy medics to complete it.
The new Fwd AME course still covers things that were taught on the
SAR medics course as supporting national SAR is still one of the RNZAF
outputs. The Search and Rescue Medics course was designed in the
1980’s to support the NZ Police in Search and Rescue. It was designed
around injuries and conditions people might suffer from after being lost
in the bush for a long period of time. Also back in those days there were
no rescue helicopters to carry out this support so No.3 Squadron used to
complete this role. The RNZAF still support the NZ Police in this role but
on a less frequent basis. The new Fwd AME course will replace the old
SAR medics course.
AK 02-0434-07
Sgt Mike Cocker and
Major Linda Lampen-
Smith on Fwd AME
duties in East Timor.
AK 02-0434-04
Medical staff transport
a seriously ill patient to
an RNZAF aircraft to be
evacuated back to NZ
from an Island in the South
Pacifi c for more specialist
care and surgery.
JOINING A DYNAMIC TEAM
Medics are one of the fi rst people to be deployed in times of need. It could
be disaster relief after a tidal wave, cyclone or earthquake or completing
an AME of a seriously ill person out of the islands. The travel opportunities
are endless both in New Zealand and overseas. Medics also deploy
to numerous hot spots around the world and we currently have medics on
deployment in Afghanistan. Other places medics have deployed to include
Bougainville, East Timor, Solomon islands, and Iraq. It is very exciting and
rewarding job and after nearly 20 years in the trade I still enjoy travelling
and helping people. The rewards are written all over the peoples face
who we help, even though they can’t communicate with you, a smile or
the nod of the head is enough to make all worth while. I have numerous
happy and sad experiences but I always feel like we make a difference.
A lot of the places we deploy to have very basic medical care so I learnt
very early on in my career you can only do so much. You have to be very
multi skilled in the medicine to be a functional RNZAF Medic and very
adaptable to changing situations.
You must be able to work in very extreme conditions with limited equipment
and supplies. I remember one night delivering a baby on a mud fl oor
hut under torchlight, with my battery running out and wishing so much that
the village had power. We managed to deliver the baby so it all worked out
well in the end. Another time was when we assisted in the Bali bombings,
we arrived about 3 days after the bombing and up lifted a lady who had
massive burns from the blast. Her burns had not been dressed for three
days and she had been given no pain relief at all, they ran out of pain relief
very quickly. One of the fi rst things we did was take care of her pain and
give here some fl uids, as she was very dehydrated. Then we fl ew her to
Australia for specialized medical care in a burns unit and to see the look
of joy and a big smile on her face when we where loading her into the
ambulance in Australia was priceless. It made all the years of training and
practicing for some thing that worth while.
If you like a challenge and like to make a difference then being an Medic
in the RNZAF is for you. The training is intense and takes about fi ve years
to be fully trained but the benefi ts are huge.
RNZAF Medics on a UN deployment to Iraq.
The medics accompanied UN Chemical, Biological
and Nuclear inspection teams on inspects after the
fi rst Gulf War. The deployment AFN71 JUNE was 06 for six months www.airforce.mil.nz
and they lived in Baghdad during this time.
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LAC Tim Wilson receives his certifi cate
from GPCAPT Pollock.
Caroline Mitchell
Two Air Force ACs won awards when the Basic Fire Course 06/1
graduated at Linton Army Camp on 12 April after 13 weeks of intense
training. The Best Academic Student award went to AC Aaron Higgins
from Woodbourne. The Most Improved Student was AC John Cameron
also from Woodbourne.
Friends and family watched on as the group were presented certifi cates
and awards, followed by an impressive display where they showed various
fi re fi ghting and rescue techniques.
GPCAPT Pollock, Director of Air Force Training, reviewed the parade
and presented certifi cates and awards. ‘As an aviator I hope not to meet
you but it is a comfort to know I will be in confi dent hands,’ he said after
viewing the display. He noted that the fi re fi ghters have a critical role
within the military and praised them for the work they do.
LAC Tim Wilson from Ohakea said, ‘the course was brilliant and we
learnt heaps. The aircraft fi re training really brought a real time element
into it and made you appreciate what you’ve been taught.’
Students on the course also included Senior Fire Fighter Lotu from Samoa
who was on a mutual aid programme with New Zealand, and SGT Kiape,
who volunteered to attend the course, from Papua New Guinea.
Fire fi ghters rescue a patient from a
vehicle which has been pulled apart
with the Jaws of Life, making the job of
extracting the patient easier.
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
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AC Higgins receives the Best Academic
Student award.
AC Cameron receives the Most
Improved Student Award.
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17

A RNZAF C-130 Hercules makes a ponderous
but safe landing on Bamian’s rough airfi eld.
18
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FAT ALBERT’S BAMIAN FORAY
Flying the Air Force’s bulky C-130 Hercules,
affectionately known as ‘Fat Albert’, into Afghanistan
demands excellent training, full concentration and
confidence in your abilities. But for No.40 squadron
flying into ‘difficult’ places is just part of normal
operations. Pilot FLTLT Andy Scott describes the
flight into Bamian airfield.
The fl ight to Bamian takes just over 3.5 hours with the last 10 minutes
being conducted at low level. This is obviously the portion that
disturbs some of the passengers and has caused many of them
to be sick over the course of these fl ights. So many that we do not keep
track any more!
On deciding whether or not to fl y low level, the crew will take into account
the prevailing weather conditions, threat level, intelligence updates and
common traffi c routing, before deciding which method of transit will be
the safest for the day’s conditions. Contrary to popular belief the main
purpose of fl ying low is not to make the passengers sick, but to provide
the most tactically sound way of getting from A to B. When you’re the fat
kid who is not very fast at running you have to learn to be sneaky to avoid
getting caught!
The crew’s initial Tactical Flying Qualifi cation is gained at Exercise
Skytrain, with advanced tactics then honed on regular courses.
The terrain around Bamian is up to 16,500ft, which can provide problems
in inclement weather when trying to get below the cloud base safely. The
main issue this has for us is the aircraft handling and performance characteristics.
The altitude means that the true airspeed of the aircraft is a
lot higher than normal so it takes a lot longer to slow the aircraft and the
turning radius is a lot larger than it would be at sea level. This is something
that could potentially catch out inexperienced pilots. We ensure all crews
are fully briefed prior to departure. The temperature has a huge impact on
C-130 operations out of Bamian also, as the heat of the summer means
that the engines will only put out about 60% of their sea level power. This
means that the payload we can carry out of Bamian in summer can be up
to 10,000lb less than in winter.
The threat of ground to air fi re is still a major issue with any fl ight into
Afghanistan. There is still an enormous number of Man Portable Surface
to Air Missiles (or MANPADS) unaccounted for in Afghanistan. The threat
of one of these being used against an aircraft is still very real and so the
aircraft is fi tted with Countermeasures, to combat this threat.
The time spent on the ground can be anywhere from 15 minutes to 2
hours depending on the amount of cargo we have to offl oad and timings
for the next leg of the mission, as some airfi elds still have designated slot
times that you have to arrive within.
No fuel is available in Bamian so we often need to go to one of the
main coalition bases to get a refuel before proceeding back to our
staging base.
The cargo we carry is in direct support of all NZDF missions in
Afghanistan, so we carry everything from passengers to construction
equipment to high explosives.
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‘When you’re the fat kid who is not
very fast at running you have to learn
to be sneaky to avoid getting caught!’
The actual runway at Bamian is very rough. It is a semi prepared gravel
strip, however the size of the gravel and the amount the strip is prepared
varies enormously along its length, with the fi rst and last 1000ft at each end
being effectively unusable. This coupled with the large drop offs at each
end and off each side, plus the proximity of houses and a small hill within
75 ft of the centreline of the runway make it one of the more impressive
places we land a C-130. A lot of damage has been done to the aircraft over
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

the course of the fl ights into Bamian, ranging from cut tires to pierced skin,
blown hydraulic lines and damaged brakes and aerials. However No.40
Squadron Maintenance have put an enormous amount of time and effort
into protecting the underbelly and keeping the critical systems serviceable
before and during each of the deployments.
If you asked me six years ago whether I thought I’d be fl ying a 130,000lb
plane into a dirt strip at 10,000ft elevation, I’d probably have considered
it interesting. With over a quarter of my hours on the C-130 fl own in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom, our idea of normal may be
somewhat different!
A RAF C-130 aircraft that caught fi re at an airfi eld in the Southern Afghan
province of Helmand on 24 May underlines the inherent danger of operating
aircraft in a hostile and rudimentary aviation environment. There were no
injuries to the passengers and crew after the fi re, which happened after
a tyre burst as the aircraft was landing. The aircraft and its cargo were
totally destroyed by the fi re. A Teleban spokesman claimed responsibility
for destroying the aircraft but RAF offi cials say it was most likely a tyre
burst on landing that sent debris up into the engine causing the fi re.
A cargo aircraft carrying US anti-narcotics agents crashed at the same
airfi eld last month when a vehicle drove onto the runway. Five people
were killed.
500 kg of munitions makes a big
boom, and a big hole in the ground!
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
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CPL Johns with
some of the munitions.
24 HOURS IN
AFGHANISTAN
CPL JAMES JOHNS
Less than 24 hours after getting off the Hercules at Kiwi Base, Bamian,
Afghanistan I was off to do my fi rst EOD task. NZPRT had stockpiled some
old munitions. After collecting a left-hand drive Toyota 4x4 I met up with
the rest of the team - comprising SSGT Dennis Wanihi (NZPRT EOD), Capt
Paul Garrod, our photographer, two medics, two US Army personnel, two
Afghani National Police, and an interpreter – we took 15 minutes loading
the munitions and set off for the range, on the outskirts of Bamian.
After moving several donkeys out of the area, we then set about
building a stack of munitions which included rocket propelled grenades
(RPG), mortars, rockets, grenades, small arms ammunition, anti
personnel mines and a large Yugoslav anti-tank mine; all up close to
500kgs of munitions.
As part of the preparation we needed to fi ll sand bags and prepare
the C4 explosive charges. This was all completed reasonably quickly
but safely due to the nature and age of some of the munitions. Capt
Garrod and I then connected the detonator to the charges and armed
the fi ring system, prior to joining the remaining team members back at
the safety point 1300 metres up the valley.
We climbed up a small ridgeline with several stops to catch my breath
as I discovered the joy of exercise at high altitude (2600m above sea
level), fi nal safety checks were completed and the charges were fi red
resulting in a perfect detonation.
We drove back to the demolition site and carried out a fi nal check
of the area for any unexploded munitions, and then headed back to
Kiwi Base.
Less than two hours later Capt Garrod and myself were off again,
this time to destroy a 40mm grenade on the range which had failed to
function. After having to move a group of locals to a safe point this
was quickly disposed of and we returned again to camp.
I haven’t even unpacked! If these 24 hours are anything to go by, I
can’t wait for the next 6 months, I’m sure time is going to fl y.
19

20
This local man’s weathered face reveals
Bamian’s harsh climate and lifestyle.
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AFGHANISTAN
THROUGH THE
Base Auckland Air Force Photographer SGT Carl Booty
deployed with the eighth rotation of NZDF personnel
to Bamian in April. He’s since been busy creating a
photographic record of the deployment, the local people
and the rugged terrain around the central Afghanistan
province. On these pages are some of the images he
has sent back.
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Local Bamian children.
Lunchtime for these Bamian bazaar street market stallholders.
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LENS
School girls lean out of window at the
Shina Akhzarat School for Girls.
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

Walking through the Bamian’s Bazaar, PTE Louis
Brell (right) and PTE Ramon Mahu (left) on patrol
with local Afghan National Policeman.
KIWI4 Engineers (centre) CAPT Matthew Tihi with LCPL
Douglas ‘Dougie’ McLeod talk to locals.
KIWI4 team member CPL Peter Bladon
keeps watch as he stands in archway.
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
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Three amigos. At the Band E Amir Lakes (L-R) L/Cpl
Douglas McLeod, SPR Brendon McNabb and S/SGT
Brendon McDonald stand in front of a waterfall.
The head to toe women’s burka is still
a common sight in Afghanistan.
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Bamian province is famous for its
history and archaeological ruins.
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22
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The Mk82 General Purpose 500lb bombs
dropped by No.5 Squadron’s Orions make
an impressive noise when they detonate
on land. As someone quipped, ‘you wouldn’t want
to be standing too close to that’. Even from a safe
distance the shock-wave can be felt on your body.
‘It’s like fi reworks going off, only a thousand times
more powerful - enough to make my camera shake,’
says photographer AC Rachel Main who was at the
Kaipara Air Range for No.5 Squadron’s high explosive
bombing trials over 15 to 19 May.
The isolated Kaipara Air Range, on a closed
beach west of Wellsford, was the site of land
target bombing – quite different from the previous
March exercise when the squadron was bombing
smoke markers at sea. The land drops, with solid
objects to aim for, provide a better reference point
for accuracy.
And, while the March bombings were aimed at
A P-K Orion drops a 500lb high explosive
bomb on the Kaipara Air Range.
A
W AY
!!!
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pilot and crew currency the latest round was more
a trial of the weapons. Again, the high explosive
bombs are carefully prepared by No.5 Squadron
Armourers at Base Ohakea before being loaded onto
the Orion and fl own north to the range.
Three sorties were conducted with four bombs
dropped during multiple runs on each sortie for a
total of 12 bombs dropped. Of those there were
three unexploded bombs (UXBs) and one partial
UXB. The bombs have a .25 second delay between
detonation and the main charge with the Nose
Arming Vane (NAV) needing to spin up to 1800rpm
in order for the bomb to arm. It is thought the UXBs
were caused by the NAV not spinning up to the
required 1800rpm and subsequently not arming. As
a result the drop profi le was changed – higher and
faster – allowing for a smoother drop, better overall
results and less UXBs.
A bomb detonates on the target.
Personnel set up the targets for
bombing on Kaipara Air Range.
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

THE RNZAF OFFICER AND
AIRCREW SELECTION BOARD
What is the OASB
Held twice yearly at RNZAF Base Auckland and located at Hobsonville,
the RNZAF Offi cer and Aircrew Selection Board (OASB) brings
together civilian and Service applicants who have applied for a
wide variety of Air Force positions. The board selects candidates to fi ll all
regular force RNZAF Offi cer and NCO Aircrew positions.
But what happens for two weeks during the school holidays each April
and September at Hobsonville and how are the fi nal selection decisions
made? SQNLDR Glenn Davis went behind the scenes of 04/06 OASB
to fi nd out how it all works.
THE RECRUITING LINK
www.airforce.mil.nz
Potential Air Force Flight Stewards
work through a problem.
The Air Force OASB is often described as the longest job interview ever,
with the selection process beginning long before candidates are welcomed
by recruiting staff to the PERSEL barracks. The process is tailored for
Service and civilian candidates explains the Director of RNZAF Recruiting
SQNLDR Shaun Sexton.
At least four months before the OASB, vacancies for direct entrants and
Service applicants are established by the Directorate of Personnel in Air
Staff and then advertised in the national media, Base routine orders, on
the RNZAF website and in the Air Force News.
Civilian candidates apply through RNZAF Recruiting Offi ces in Auckland,
Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. They
are selected to attend the OASB based on their academic qualifi cations,
work experience and an interview with a RNZAF Recruiting Offi cer. Those
AFN71 JUNE 06
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Former RNZAF Flight Steward Tracey Bedford
types up the selection board reports
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applying for Pilot, Navigator or AEOP also sit the Aircrew Aptitude Tests.
A recommendation is then made to Recruiting Headquarters in Wellington
regarding each applicant’s suitability to attend the OASB.
For Service personnel the process is slightly different. Service applicants
are either nominated by command or they apply through their command
chain. They must meet the same educational and testing standards
as civilian applicants. Applications are processed through respective
command chains to the Director of Personnel who makes the fi nal OASB
attendance decision.
Candidates attend the OASB in groups of eight, although due to last
minute withdrawals for medical or personal reasons, or other unforeseen
events, it is not unusual for groups to drop down to six or seven by start
time. A small number of candidates turn up and then on day one decide
that it is not for them, says SQNLDR Sexton.
‘This does create administration issues but nothing that can’t be overcome.
They are usually civilian candidates who have had uncertainties
for some time but it is not until they see the OASB set up before they
really decide that it is not for them. This happens on only a few occasions
though. By the time they get to PERSEL they have a pretty good idea of
what they want to achieve’.
THE BOARD
Coming onto an Air Force Base can be a bit of a shock for some says
SQNLDR Sexton so we arrange for the candidates to arrive at PERSEL the
day before their selection board starts. This allows time to brief the candidates
and for them to meet Recruiting staff and other group members.
Day one starts with a morning of aptitude and personality testing. Pilot
applicants are also tested on the SMA-4 to determine their suitability for
fl ying training in the RNZAF. While not the only selection measure, the
SMA-4 (a test to measure hand, eye and feet co-ordination while coping
23

24
SQNLDR Harley James observes a
group of OASB candidates .
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A candidate prepares to tackle the SMA-4.
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with a distraction task) plays a signifi cant role in determining whether a
candidate will be selected for pilot training. However, explains SQNLDR
Emma Davis, the Director of Air Force Psychology, a candidate’s performance
on the cognitive measures of pilot aptitude is equally important
in assessing their suitability for fl ying training. The assessment by the
psychologist for all branches explores their academic ability, branch
motivation/orientation and personality suitability for the role they are
applying for.
‘The SMA-4 originates from the RAF and versions of the test continue to
be used by a number of militaries around the world. The version used by
the RNZAF is currently being upgraded with new hardware and software
and should be ready for use at the next board in September’.
For the next two days the candidates come under the watchful eye of
two assessing offi cers (Team Offi cers – TO’s). TO’s come from all offi cer
branches of the RNZAF and are comprised of senior fl ight lieutenants,
squadron leaders and wing commanders. It is the TO’s role to assess
the candidates in a range of different outdoor and indoor exercises
and comment on observed behaviours against a list of dimensions. The
dimensions include written and oral communication, relations with others,
decision making, group infl uence, initiative, determination, stability under
pressure and reasoning/planning ability. Each exercise is designed to test
a range of dimensions across different scenarios.
THE ROUND TABLE
A group attemps to solve an outdoor exercise
using only wood, rope and teamwork.
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After the group assessment has been completed, TO and psychologist
interviews are conducted. This completes the selection assessment for
each candidate and the Director of Recruiting convenes a ‘Round Table’
discussion. Civilian candidates are sent off to complete fi tness testing
and the assessing psychologists and TO’s present their reports on each
candidate. It is remarkable how close each assessment is considering
that the TO’s and psychologists are basing their assessment of candidate
performance on different measurement tools, says SQNLDR Sexton.
‘The biggest and most common gap occurs when a candidate has not
performed well in the aircrew aptitude tests. While the TO’s might highly
recommend a candidate, the psychologists cannot recommend the candidate
in this instance. These candidates are often considered for non-pilot
roles or ground offi cers if they have the required qualifi cations’.
BOARD CONCLUSION AND SELECTION
The OASB is not the fi nal stage in the selection process. All candidates
are interviewed by the Director of Recruiting and advised whether they
have been successful at this stage of the selection process. For those
who are not successful some feedback is provided and other enlistment
options explored (if they are civilian candidates).
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

All candidates who are progressing to the next stage of the selection
process have their fi le and Board reports sent to Air Staff for further
consideration at the OASB Review Board. The Review Board is chaired
by the Director of Air Force Personnel and consists of the Director of
Career Management, the Director of Air Force Psychology, the Director
of Recruiting and, when required, selected senior offi cers who provide
specialist advice to the Review Board team.
At the Review Board, OASB performance, medical and fi tness information,
specialist advice and, for service applicants, command comments
are considered; all candidates are ranked within each branch or trade
for allocated vacancies.
There are four possible outcomes for candidates who make it to the
Team Offi cers WGCDR Leanne Woon and
SQNLDR Harley James monitor a group activity.
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WGCDR Leanne Woon oversees
classroom problem solving.
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www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
Review Board stage – successful and offered a position in the RNZAF,
miss in competition but will be reconsidered at the next Review Board,
unsuccessful from the Review Board and advised to re-apply in the future
or unsuccessful for offi cer and aircrew positions. Once the Review Board
decisions have been made offers of service (contracts) are written by DCM
and Recruiting HQ and sent to successful candidates. Air Force careers
are started for civilian applicants and careers head in a new direction for
Service personnel.
The September OASB vacancies have been advised on www.airforce.
mil.nz already. Branches applicable to Service candidates will be made
available soon. Keep an eye on Base Routine Orders for both commissioned
and NCO aircrew opportunities.
A candidate chairs a discussion
during an indoor exercise.
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25

26
TRAINING REVIEW PUTS LEADERSHIP
AT THE HEART OF NCO COURSES
A ‘fundamental shift in leadership training’ is how Course
FLTCDR FLTLT Mike Cannon describes the inaugural
06/1 Promotion Course for Corporals, held last month
at Base Woodbourne.
And these changes are no half-hearted measures or mere tinkering
around the edges. Terms like ‘fundamental shift’, and ‘radically
reviewed’ are just that. They indicate a whole new forwardlooking
training regime is in place, with leadership at its very heart.
Simply put the aim is to have Warrant Offi cers and NCOs reclaim the
workplace leadership position they once occupied. It has the support
of Offi cers, Instructors and, according to their feedback, a majority of
Warrant Offi cers and NCOs.
‘These people are the future and we have a responsibility to protect
the organisation’s future. By giving them the tools to take ownership of
their future career development they are empowered to fulfi l their rank
responsibilities. Anecdotal evidence is that the rank of CPL had become
devalued to the point that they were essentially a senior LAC,’ says FLTLT
Cannon.
Previously the CPL’s course was a mere nine day course conducted on the
CPL’s own base. The new course, developed after exhaustive consultation
and stringent course redesign work by NCO Project Manager Mr Brian
‘Bunny’ Warren, goes much, much deeper. For a start it is a resident course
at Woodbourne and has been quadrupled to four weeks.
The review has been over two years in the making but is now at the
practical stage. At the start of the review a debate developed as to whether
our NCOs and Warrant Offi cers were receiving adequate and appropriate
training for their leadership role. Recognising the importance of this issue
CAF in 2004 directed that explicit training be designed to ‘tool’ Warrant
Offi cers with the relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes required to
empower them to fulfi l their rank responsibilities.
The changes to the course are the result of a wide-ranging review of NCO
Training that ensured they were being trained to meet RNZAF needs at ‘the
right level, for the right person, at the right time, by the right people.’
Fear of failure and the unknown are two of the biggest obstacles course
members face, says FLTLT Cannon. ‘The last time they were in Woodbourne
was probably on a trade course with a different mindset. The CPL course
can be a mystery to them. Once they discover its not a threat they warm
to the course material and get involved.’ And the four-week course also
means less distractions, better training outcomes and the opportunity to
establish effective networks among members. The result is simply a well
rounded, confi dent and more informed CPL, he says.
That’s not to say the course can’t be refi ned. ‘The PROMCPL was the fi rst
delivery of the NCO Training Review. We are big enough to say we’re not
100 percent happy with it but a robust evaluation process means we must
have got something right. The fi rst PROMSGT is almost complete and is
also going well and we will shortly launch the F/S course. The big ticket
item is the W/O course. We haven’t had one before so it’s a major policy
shift but the initial driver for the review,’ says FLTLT Cannon.
AIR FORCE NEWS ASKED KEY PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN TEACHING THE
NEW COURSE WHY THEY BECAME INVOLVED AND HOW THEY FIND THE JOB
W/O Phil Webley, Chief Instructor
I had held my current position as FLT CDR Auckland Fire Flight for over 5
years and was actively looking for a change. NCO Training has been a huge
change for me as I had never held an instructor’s post before and had been
entrenched in the Auckland way of doing business. I fi nd the job very enjoyable
and I’m slowly getting used to the fast pace and variety.
F/S Greg Spark, DS1 & PROMSGT Director
Being part of NTF has fulfi lled one of my personal goals which is to have
some infl uence in the development of the RNZAF’s future. The NCO training
review has been challenging to say the least. The challenge has been not just
to deliver the new continuum but also to do so from a position of strength by
improving my own knowledge of the leadership models.
F/S Paul Anderson, DS2 & PROMCPL Director
Having come from a technical background where everything is done IAW
something it is pleasing to see a process that is giving our NCO’s tools and
skills that will enable them to effectively lead others and handle the variety
of tasks that the modern Air Force asks of personnel.
FLTLT Mike Cannon, FLT CDR
What we deliver must be relevant to the modern RNZAF workplace. The
courses we have delivered so far are a promising start and I am conscious of
the hard work put in by NTF staff and many other RNZAF people. The balance of
staff we have means that there is a huge amount of knowledge and experience
to be passed on. It is entirely up to the individual how they apply it.
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

06/1
LAC Deane Wilson was on the
first New PROMCPL Course.
Here he gives an account of
the course and what he got
out of it.
Do I really have to go back to Woodbourne?
How come I have to do a four-week
course when everyone else has only
done a nine day course?
How many people have had those thoughts
since hearing about the change in the way CPL
Qualifi cation Course is being run?
Does anyone know the answer to these
questions? You are probably sitting there going
‘no, I have no idea’. I challenge you. You really
do know the answer!
Who is out in the workplace doing a majority
of the work? Who deals with the new troops at
work? Who ensures the job gets done effi ciently
and that everyone is working as part of a team?
That’s right, that’s the job of a Corporal!
So how many people out there know how
to effectively lead your new troops? Do you
know what leadership means? What are your
responsibilities as a CPL? What do you do if one
of your troops needs your help?
I can imagine all the answers fl owing through
your head, some from experience and some
from the imagination, but in order to ‘be an Air
Force that is the best in all that we do’ how do
we really go about being ‘the best in all that
we do’?
One area that has been identifi ed as needing
improvement is ensuring that our CPLs - the
backbone of our workforce - can do the job that
is expected of them. In order to achieve this, the
new four-week CPL Promotion Course held in
Woodbourne was born. So what does this new
course entail? Eighteen of us turned up on the
13th March to fi nd out just that.
From the outset of the course you are
immediately thrown into the concept of
leadership. Now this is a new area for all of
us. What leadership responsibilities do we
have? Isn’t that the job of someone else? Isn’t
leadership just sitting in your offi ce and telling
your baggies what to do?
These thoughts were immediately challenged;
we were exposed to an intensive two weeks
of leadership theory and practical exercises,
we utilised various styles of leadership and
methods of getting the best out of your troops.
Sure you can sit there and tell them what to do,
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 JUNE 06
CPL PROMOTION COURSE
CPL Wilson leads by example, putting
skills learnt on the PROMCPL course
into practice.
AK 06-0186-01 AK 06-0186-03
but in order to get the best job done and keeping
your personnel happy there are ways and means
of going about this process.
The fi rst two weeks is devoted to leadership.
We covered effective planning, initiating,
controlling, supporting, informing and
evaluating. We learnt what qualities a leader
needs and how to utilise these qualities to get
the best from our team. Our skills developed
and our confi dence grew as we attempted to
master the techniques that would enable us
to keep the team informed, motivated and
fully utilised. The scenarios steadily fl owed,
beginning with minor tasks around the CRTS
area and concluded with our Phase Practicals
at the Wairau River and Taylor Dam area. Each
scenario was given one and a half hours, and
require the full attention and control of the
leader for the entire duration.
By the end of the Leadership Phase everyone
had developed these skills and made them their
own. Although we had all been given the same
information, everyone developed their own style
of leadership, each neither better nor worse
than the other.
The following two weeks was spent covering
all the aspects you need to know as a CPL.
These areas covered everything from Drill,
Law, Counselling, Service Writing, Informative
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briefs etc. We also got to have a bit of time
with personnel from the Air Power Doctrine
Centre and DCM so we could fi re all our curly
questions at them.
For anybody out there with hesitations about
attending the new course, we recommend
you put those behind you. The skills learnt on
course are highly valuable and delivered by
NTF instructors who are very professional and
approachable. They encouraged humour and
discussion within the group. The course was
directed at treating you like a Corporal and
putting the onus on you to act like one.
In the four weeks we all developed some good
comradeship and built on our ‘networking’. The
facilities were of a high standard with each
person having an individual room with your own
LAN computer. A lounge is attached to the wing
and when you’re not working it’s time to relax
and watch a few DVDs and chill out.
We all enjoyed the course and hope to
put our new developed skills to use back
on the work front. So look out Air Force the
new breed of RNZAF CPL is about to hit your
streets running.
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28
FUN AND CHALLENGING
Fun
F
and challenging but with a modicum of physical
and mental demands - these are the key elements
of the Air Force’s Adventure Training courses.
The courses, which most units try fit into their work
schedule at least once a year, are one of the most
effective methods of building stronger teams.
The emphasis is less on competition and more on
developing the unit’s cohesion through team activities
and fun. And the activities can involve just about
anything – from kayaking to rock climbing. FLTLT Craig
Searle from Base Auckland’s PE and RT section says
most units organise the details of their own adventures
but it’s a good idea to contact a Physical Training
Instructor (PTI) in the planning stage. ‘We can assist by
organising packages and we’ve got plenty of contacts.
We just make organising it a bit easier.’
Most units certainly enjoy the chance to get out of the
workplace environment, to support each other and to
enjoy them selves while they do it, he says.
TONGARIRO CROSSING
RNZAF
Recruiting combined their Recruiting
Offi cer’s Conference with a spot of team
building on their adventure training
course. F/S Tracey Buchanan describes their adventures.
Finally the RNZAF Recruiting staff had a break in their busy schedule to
complete their adventure training and conduct their fi rst Recruiting Offi cer’s
(RO) Conference for 2006.
The team met at RNZAF Base Ohakea on Tuesday 7 February, before travelling
to National Park to stay at the National Park Backpackers, on SH1.
On arrival at the Backpackers, a Recruiting Offi cer’s Conference was
held in the local Conference Room (aka back room of the local tavern).
This was the fi rst time all staff had met and attended an RO Conference,
as normally it’s restricted to only Offi cers or Warrant Offi cers. After
some lengthy discussion, positive outcomes and the agenda complete,
the team adjourned to the backpackers for some socializing out in the
garden area.
Leading from the front, DREC and a few of his helpers cooked an
extremely moreish evening meal. On a quiet night most staff opting to
go to bed early, to get ready for the 7-8 hour stroll through the Tongariro
crossing the next day.
Alas, when we woke the next morning to all the staff’s disappointment
the weather was turning for the worst. Re-evaluating and ever fl exible,
we changed our plans to conduct only a short 3-4 hour walk, and set off RNZAF Recruiting Staff at Tongaririo waterfall. Absent was MACR
in two groups, only to meet about 30 minutes later at a waterfall, where W Moulai who took the photo.
the usual photo opportunity was taken.
Some staff took the opportunity also to have a mid winter swim – yes, relations with people from around the world. A visit to the local tavern
I know it was February but boy was it cold. ‘I guess you won’t dare me and a pool competition saw the aircrew members of the party cooking the
to do something again! Will you Sir?’ Hats off to both silly people who evening meal. Some members of the party were still keeping up interna-
braved the icy waters. As MACRW Moulai commented ‘a word of caution, tional relations by learning German till the wee small hours of the morning.
only use the photo of the half naked, very white body in the waterfall, as Or maybe it just sounded like they were speaking German.
I believe we may have to pay royalties to Peter Jackson, after all Golem The next day was an early start by all to pack and leave for canoeing and
could never have become a star if it wasn’t for this superb look alike.’ kayaking down the Whanganui River with Wades Landing Outdoors. After
From the waterfall, some staff opted to return to the back packers via a very long and winding road trip to reach the river and boats, W/O Kutia’s
the lower tracks, while the keener members of the group continued on fear of water started to kick in. After the safety briefs and conquering the
upwards to the Lower Lakes, fi ghting of the clouds, cold wind and drizzle, initial rapid, the screams (which were heard for miles) subsided, and all
not to mention the constant chatter coming from W/O Kutia and F/S members of the party settled into a leisurely (approx 20k) paddle of the
Doolan-Tindall.
Whanganui River. The weather shone and the experience for many of
Staff enjoyed their lunch before heading back down the track to return the fi rst time kayakers was thoroughly enjoyed. Those who were more
to the Château in search of a well-deserved cappuccino. Not long after experienced certainly gave great support and encouragement as members
their return the torrential rains came down.
were passing the grade 4 rapids (well, they looked big). DREC gave a very
The rest of the day was spent warming up and enjoying socialising with good historical commentary of the river and will eventually be forgiven for
other members from the backpackers, or rather building closer international saying ‘it’s just around the corner.’ Yeah, right.
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F/S Dolan-Tindall (CRRO) and FLTLT Michelle Christie (DRRO) leading
from the front, ‘hold on boys, aren’t you supposed to be paddling?’
When a 15-strong group of HQ 485 Wing personnel went adventure
training over 3 to 7 April they were determined to ‘have a go’ and
wring the most excitement out of their brief respite from their Base
Auckland offi ce.
According to F/S Colin Edie ‘have a go’ became the group’s philosophy.
‘No one around here can remember if HQ 485 have ever had adventure
training before, so the time was right to get into it! The aim of this adventure
training was to foster and develop confi dence, team building and morale
amongst personnel. The intention was to extend personnel’s physical and
mental ability/fortitude and to develop self-confi dence by participating in
a range of activities. These aims were met with most personnel ‘having a
go’ at activities they had never done (or even heard of) before. This was a
fun and effective way of stretching ourselves while getting to know each
other and build team work.’
The group, which included civilian worker Miss Jane Kimber who had
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AFN71 JUNE 06
The day fi nished with a jet boat sprint to the start point, transport back
to Ohakea and a well-deserved BBQ and quiet evening at the sports bar.
Yeah right - W/O Theodore was there, and nights are never quiet with
him around.
Overall the adventure training was well organised and it gave recruiting
staff the chance to meet each other, build up their teamwork and understand
of the workings of each offi ce.
Thanks to FLTLT Fisher for arranging all logistics for the event and to DREC
and DPERS for allowing recruiting staff to actually meet and build the team
rapport so necessary in today’s working environment. It was an opportunity
to also give W/O Kutia possibly her last taste of adventure training within
the Air Force. As the longest serving airwoman, the recruiting staff and
the Air Force will miss her when she leaves.
MACR Ceilidh Martin, F/S Mike Anderson,
FLTLT (Now SQNLDR) Lisa D’Oliveira about to
try out the Swoop. ‘This is going to be a blast,’
says Ceilidh, but Mike isn’t so sure. Everything is good. ‘Easy, I just pull this rip cord and …’
‘This is ok, I think!’
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Let’s Go Mountain Biking (L-R): FLTLT (Now
SQNLDR) Lisa D’oliveira, SQNLDR Marie
Peters, MACR Ceilidh Martin, SQNLDR Cliff
Carter, F/S Colin Edie, WGCDR Keith Graham,
W/O Huggy Lowe, WGCDR Leanne Woon. ‘Bring it on,’ screams SQNLDR Cliff Carter.
volunteered to look after meals, spent a comfortable week based at the
Blue Lake Holiday Top 10 Park, a mere 10 minute drive from Rotorua.
Activities included riding The Swoop, mountain biking in a local forest;
high/low climbing ropes at Whakatane, river sledging, kayaking on Lake
Tarawera; a short 4WD experience courtesy of Off Road NZ; and waterskiing,
wakeboarding and ski biscuiting (a biscuit-shaped ring pulled behind
a speed boat) on the lake using the Base Welfare Fund’s boat.
‘We didn’t manage to fi t in the blokarting (small land yacht), due to a
lack of wind; but as you can imagine we weren’t too upset and made do
with hot pools or golf instead,’ says F/S Edie.
A highlight, for some, was The Swoop, effectively a large swing that
is hauled to a height of about 40 metres and, once the rip cord is pulled,
launches you at speeds up to 130kph. ‘If that doesn’t scare you, not much
will,’ says F/S Edie.
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29

OH 06-0230-20
30
INTERBASE
BASKETBALL
SQNLDR Coromandel Tawhaio
Six metre Cook Strait swells, Desert Road closures, earthquakes…
no worries for the basketball players gathered at Ohakea over 17-19
May! Unlike the weather the on-court action was hot!
In the men’s comp, AK’s fast-break and perimeter shooting game paid
dividends. Pre-tournie favourites WB looked to have the edge in terms of
the inside game. OH’s Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde personality meant they could
not be discounted, and documentary and photographic evidence shows
that the defending jump ball and singing star champions from WGTN gave
every game a good crack.
OH 06-0230-36
Unfortunately for WB the loss of players returning to work before the
fi nals, proved too much of an obstacle in the face of a determined and
comprehensive tournament winning performance from AK. Tournament
MVP, AC Ben Gardiner stood out over the entire weekend, likewise tournament
Rookie AC Aaron Smith is a player to watch in the future.
The women’s competition produced, arguably, the most exciting games
of the tournament, with 5 of 8 games being decided by 7 points or less.
AK fared best in pool play despite a one point loss to a last second ‘buzzer
beating’ out of bounds play from OH, who only narrowly missed a fi nals
spot on points count-back.
In the fi nal WB came out strong with MVP FLTLT Joss Adlam and AC
Brenda Moohan capitalising from medium and short range.
LAC Mandy Fitzgerald and AC Olivia Davies combined to give AK fast
break and perimeter scoring options to keep the scores close. In the end
some clutch free throw shooting saw WB not only win the free throw
trophy, but close out the valiant effort from the AK girls.
Congratulations to Ohakea for a great tournament, Women’s Rookie,
AC Bella Fruean, Sportsmanship winners AK(M) and WB(W), and Trivial
Pursuit Champions, ‘The Old School Godfather Legend Dogs AKA WGTN
(with props from Ben, Nate-Dog, and Searlo).
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

www.airforce.mil.nz
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AFN71 JUNE 06
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RESULTS
DAY 1
Men
AK 71 vs. OH 58 Ben Gardiner (AK #10)
SB 36 vs. WB 63 Dayne (WB #8)
AK 47 VS SB 37 Yonesh (SB #9)
WB 57 VS OH 20 Aaron (WB #4)
OH 60 VS SB 38 Steve rodwell (OH #10)
POD1 = Ben Gardiner (AK #10)
Women
WB 51 VS AK 58 Bella (WB #6)
AK 37 VS OH 36 Grete (OH #7)
OH 12 VS WB 36 Nicci (OH #9)
POD1 = Bella (WB #6)
DAY 2
Men
WB 54 VS AK 68 Ben Gardiner (AK #10)
OH 50 VS SB 12 PCP (OH # 13)
WB 57 VS AK 77 Searly (AK #6)
OH 53 VS WB 63 Nate Barrack (WB #11)
POD2 = Nate Barrack (WB #11)
Women
OH 33 VS WB 48 Holly (WB #10)
OH 33 VS AK 32 Grete (OH #7)
AK 49 VS WB 45 Olivia Davies (AK # )
POD2 = Mandy Fitsgerald (AK # )
FINALS DAY
Men
OH 60 VS SB 44 Biscuit (SB)
AK 78 VS WB 51 Simon (AK)
POD3 = Tam (AK)
Women
OH 37 VS OH 17 Chaz (OH)
AK 41 VS WB 48 Brenda (WB)
POD3 = Brenda (WB)
Sportsmanship, AK for the men, WB for the women
Free throw cup, Woodbourne.
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31

32
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FLTLT Trev Hammond
This year’s Junior Offi cer Interservice Sports Tournament (JOIST)
tournament took place at Waiouru Camp over 5 to 7 May. Three
teams, comprising Offi cer Cadets and Junior Offi cers from Army,
Navy and Air Force met at the Camp Marae to begin what turned out to
be a hard fought battle of skill, courage and stamina. The competition saw
the teams in a round robin event that included mixed netball and touch
rugby, an endurance race and a scramble track relay race. In addition,
rugby was played to contest ownership of the Weka Trophy.
That afternoon the bid for the JOIST trophy began with a hard fought
battle of mixed netball against Army. Unfortunately, and despite great
goal shooting by OCDT’s Aaron Butler and Nathan Barrack, ably supported
by their team mates, Air couldn’t close the gap that had been created by
OCDT Carolyn Freeman, OCDT David De Graaf and OCDT
Tim McAlevey dig deep during the endurance race.
2006
Army’s early fl air.
Next, and with many of the same players who had fought so hard during
the netball game, the opposition was again Army, this time on the touch
fi eld. Everyone played extremely well, OCDT Robbie Harlow captaining the
Air Force team. The match was very close, with a single defensive error
by Air Force allowing Army to go one point up late in the second half. The
fi nal score was 7-6 to Army.
The team was beginning to hurt but without breaking stride it prepared to
face Navy for the Weka Trophy. What an awesome spectacle this game was,
and an awesome effort by the Air team, that was fi elding ten players who
had never touched a rugby ball before. Team captain, OCDT Robbie Harlow,
led from the front, and provided inspiration and words of encouragement
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

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throughout the game. The coaches, OCDTs Roscoe Paterson and Aaron
Butler, did a fantastic job with a team that relied heavily upon their courage
and determination to pull through and eventually score a try late in the
second half. The fi nal score was 56 – 8 to Navy, but Air still felt like winners
on the day. It was an awesome game, full of grit and determination.
The next day Air took on Navy at netball and one touch rugby indoors, due
to the appalling weather conditions. Air took an early lead in a game which
was played in extremely good spirits by both sides and saw them triumph
over the opposition. The netball game was played at an exhilarating pace
and saw Navy displaying some adept footwork and goal shooting skills.
Air dug deep with most goals coming in the second half of the game, but
this turned out to be too late to close the gap Navy had created. FLTLT AJ
Young was a noted player in this game, having never played before and was
described by the team captain, OCDT Carolyn Freeman, as a natural!
The most gruelling event of Air’s day was the endurance race. Three
teams of ten people, starting fi ve minutes apart and carrying a huge log,
two torsion bars and fi ve vehicle tyres negotiated a three kilometre course
over a ridgeline at the back of Waiouru Camp. Then, after dumping the
equipment, had to tackle a physically and mentally demanding combat
assault course. The weather was appalling and the course tough but even
the team members who weren’t competing in the event ran every step of
the way, offering encouragement to their team mates. It was a monumental
effort that saw Air achieve a fi nishing time of 39 minutes. Navy fi nished in
42 minutes and Army in 35 minutes. The team captain, OCDT McAlevey,
(fi rst name?) displayed great leadership through encouragement and
guidance. As team manager it was a moving event to watch, and an
The endurance
race’s fi nish line.
Air Force’s OCDT Barrack gets the
better of Army at the lineout.
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AFN71 JUNE 06
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The 2006 Air Force JOIST team.
inspirational one that forged a great sense of unity throughout the Air
Force team.
The fi nal day of the tournament began early with the scramble track relay
race, after a sociable evening in the Offi cer Cadet School Mess. Teams of fi ve
negotiated a steep and winding hill track for 400 metres, before traversing
a ridgeline and descending steeply to the start line where the next team
member was waiting. It wasn’t to be an Air Force race as the team came
in third to Navy who lost out to Army. The Air Force time was 11 minutes
16 seconds whilst the Army romped in at ten minutes 32 seconds. Air had
some very fast team members, in particular OCDTU Shane Huisman, who
completed his lap in one minute and 50 seconds - very impressive. OCDT
Mark Wing, the most ‘senior’ member of the current IOTC intake, also
gave his all.
The fi nal event of the tournament was rugby - Army versus Air Force. It
was described at the prize giving as ‘an event fi ercely competed for’. The
Air team was depleted somewhat through injury but once again every
member of the team fought to the very end and on a few occasions even
looked like scoring a try. The fi nal score was not offi cially recorded but Air
did come second. Another impressive captain’s performance saw OCDT
Robbie Harlow and the team do themselves proud and hold their heads
high. OCDT Roscoe Patterson took to the fi eld in the fi rst half and gave a
hint of days gone by when he had previously played rugby, representing
the NZDF. In all, it was a hard-fought game controlled by Army, but an
entirely impressive performance by the inexperienced and depleted Air
team - well done fellas!
Manager’s Note:
As the manager of the Air Force team I would like to thank Army
for hosting this year’s event, and also Navy and Army for competing
in the true nature of sport within the NZDF. Winning is important but
so is competing fairly and with integrity. Thanks to you both.
Finally, to the Air Force team. I was immensely proud to be
associated with you throughout the tournament. The way in which
you competed and supported each other was tremendous and
showed without doubt the calibre and sense of unity that is present
within the RNZAF. Congratulations on a great performance, let’s get
out there next year and do it all again!
FLTLT Trev Hammond
33

34
THE BENEFITS OF
RESISTANCE TRAINING
Base Woodbourne Physical Fitness Officer, FLTLT
Brett Tourell, continues in a regular series of
articles about fitness and recreational training.
We have all seen the pictures. Those
men with arms so big you wonder
how they could ever scratch their ear
should the need arise and ladies with legs that
look more at home on the fi rst placegetter from
Race 8 at Wingatui.
Now this may not fl oat everyone’s boat but
the well-documented benefi ts of weight training
should defi nitely not be overlooked and you do
not have to aspire to be Mr/Mrs/Miss Hardbody
to see them!
The benefi ts of a simple resistance-training
programme are numerous and include:
Increased Metabolic Rate - Strength training
increases the body’s basal metabolic rate,
meaning you will burn through more calories by
just sitting there!
Increasing and Restoring Bone Density - Inactivity
and aging can lead to a decrease in bone
density and brittleness. Studies have clearly
proven that consistent resistance training can
increase bone density and prevent Osteoporosis
- very important for all of us but especially for
the ladies!
Increased Lean Muscle Mass and Muscle
Strength, Power, and Endurance - everyone
can benefi t from being stronger. We can work
harder, we can play more, and feel simply more
physically able.
Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation and Recovery
- A wide variety of injuries can be prevented by
strengthening muscles and joints. Rehabilitation
and recovery are also improved with a carefully
prescribed resistance training program.
Improved Balance, Flexibility, Mobility and
Stability - Stronger and more resilient muscles
improves our balance, which means more
comfortable living & fewer falls or accidents.
Decreased Risk of Coronary Disease - Participation
in a consistent resistance training programme
opens the door to a number of associated health
benefi ts including decreasing cholesterol and
lowering your blood pressure.
Enhanced Performance in Sports or Exercise
– Off to Interbase? With the proper resistance
training programme, your performance can
unquestionably be improved, and in some cases
dramatically so.
Aging Gracefully - There is no more important
reason to making resistance training a
consistent part of your life, than to ensure you
age gracefully. Physical activity keeps us alive
and vibrant. Resistance training ensures we are
strong enough to participate in aerobic activities,
outdoor recreation, and sports. Strong seniors
can lead the way and set the example for the
rest of the Air Force. Their stronger bodies are
more resilient, are injured less by workplace, life
or recreational activities, and are able to heal
more quickly after an injury.
Feeling Better and Looking Better – You get
out what you put in!! Resistance training can
sometimes be hard work, otherwise we would
all have washboard abs and arms of steel, but
there is no denying the satisfaction one gains
from a good solid work-out. Stronger muscles
and joints can have a dramatic impact on posture
and leaner toned muscles tend to make everyone
feel better about their appearance. This all
leads to improved self-esteem and increased
self-confi dence. Something I am sure we could
all do with a dose of!!
So come on… get down to the Gym and see
your friendly PTIs. It will not cost you a cent,
just a bit of time and effort and let’s face it
when was the last time you saw such a good
investment opportunity!
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

www.airforce.mil.nz
AND
Article by SGT Chris Mitchell
2006
marked the 25th Anniversary of an annual
civilian softball tournament known as “Fun in the
Sun”. Traditionally this tournament is run at the
completion of the softball season, as a social event where teams can
get away from the competitive side of the game and back to the fun and
camaraderie that brought them to the sport in the fi rst place.
This year saw 63 teams from all over New Zealand meeting in Hastings
for a weekend of softball and socializing and in a joint venture between
the RNZAF Softball Association and Central Recruiting saw a composite
Air Force side attending the event for the fi rst time. Personnel from
Woodbourne were treated to fi rst class travel to the North Island, in the
form of a Huey ride in conjunction with a No.3 Squadron training sortie
thus enabling trainees to minimise the time that they were away from
their courses.
The weather throughout the tournament was generally fi ne, with the
‘Sunny Hawkes Bay’ living up to its reputation. Five games were played
by the Air Force side. No wins were recorded by the team, however this
was not unexpected as the team of blokes and sheilas were playing in the
men’s grade and the team was selected each game by drawing names and
AFN71 JUNE 06
‘SUN’
WERE THE WINNERS ON THE DAY…
Team ‘Bring it On!’ from left:
AC A. Smith, Mr P. Martin, LAC
J. Jellyman, CPL C. Cubitt, AC C.
Williamson, LAC D. Orum, SGT
C. Mitchell, AC S. Gubb, CPL M.
Mikaere, CPL A. Collier, AC R.
Hunt, R. Buchanan, CPL J. Geary,
AC J. Ensor
WN 06-0190-01
positions from a hat! This ensured that everyone was suitably outside of
their comfort zone and we could forget all aspects of competitiveness and
get on with the fun. Most of the teams that we played against saw that
we were there for the enjoyment of the event and responded in kind, with
some interesting rules being played! These games were enjoyed not only
by the players of both teams, but by umpires and spectators alike.
F/S Tracey Buchanan from the Central Recruiting Offi ce attended the
event, as it was an opportunity to reach a different audience than was
normally targeted in regular recruiting activities. F/S Buchanan was
proactive throughout the tournament, handing out Information Packs,
Tattoos and generally fi elding queries from people of all ages, many of
whom were surprised to learn that the age limit for joining was no longer
applicable. Hopefully a future Blacksox player was enticed into a career in
the Air Force and can take over the reins from our ageing NZ Representative,
SQNLDR Clayton Willocks!
Overall the tournament was a great success, both as a public relations
exercise and for the introduction of new players within the Air Force. The
Air Force was shown to be active both in the community and on the sports
fi eld. My thanks go to all who were involved in the tournament.
35

36
They make a lovely
couple. SQNLDR Rob
Stockley and his new
wife Liz opted for an on-Base
wedding when they exchanged
vows on Saturday 4 March at
Base Ohakea. Base photographers
Brad Hanson and Sam
Shephard were on hand to
record the fairy tale event and
SQNLDR Stockley says he was
very pleased with the result.
And from all of us – all the
best wishes, Rob and Liz, for
your future.
LOVELY COUPLE
DEFENCE’S VIDEO GEM
It’s great when you stumble on a resource you never knew existed.
Trentham Camp Library operates a little gem called the Defence
Videotape Facility, which I discovered recently when I was researching
the Great Escape. The facility offers a huge range of videos and DVDs free
to all NZDF Service, ranks and grades. It’s a great medium for training as
well as self-learning. And if, like me, you’re a fan of good documentaries,
discovering this resource is like stumbling on half-buried treasure.
Mr George Pearson, a self-described ‘military historian’, has been
involved with the facility for many years and writes fulsome descriptions
of each new video or DVD. The facility, he says, began in the 1950s holding
VISITORS FROM CHINA
High-ranking offi cers from the largest military in the world, China’s
People’s Liberation Army (PLA), visited Trentham recently to learn
from the New Zealand Defence Force.
The director-general of the Military Training, International Co-operation
wing of the PLA of China, Director General Senior Colonel Liu Yang, visited
the Defence College on 19 April, accompanied by four other PLA offi cers,
including Captain (Navy) Li Jinliang, Director, Training, Naval Training
Base, PLA Navy.
During their fi ve-day visit to New Zealand, the PLA offi cers visited
Trentham for briefs from the Military Studies Institute and the NZDF
Command and Staff College.
The People’s Liberation ‘Army’ refers to China’s 3.25million -strong
defence force, which has Army, Navy and Air Force branches. Although
the New Zealand Defence Force is vastly smaller, the Commandant of the
Defence College, CAPT Gwyn Rees, says size doesn’t matter.
‘The People’s Liberation Army is very keen to modernise and reform the
very traditional systems that they have had since the end of the Second
World War, and are visiting western countries to gather ideas. They value
GRANT CARR
16mm fi lm but these days it is open to all Services and has thousands of
titles available on a wide variety of subjects - from terrorism to travel and
history to Hollywood movies. He stresses that the collection is not run in
competition with any commercial video outlets and is purely for training
or personal interest of NZDF employees.
And you don’t need to visit Trentham Camp library to access the
Facility’s catalogues. It’s all available on-line at the Army’s Intranet site
http://awi-teams/army_publications/videolibrary/
You can even order your video or DVD with an on-line order form. What
could be easier?
New Zealand and Australia, in particular, because we’re modern militaries
– it doesn’t matter what size [military] we are, we all confront the same
sorts of problems, and they’re here to see how we manage our professional
military development and education.’
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz
WN 06-0014-42

RIDING NEW ZEALAND’S
F/S Jacqueline Doolan-Tindall
One thing about taking up a new sport …
beware of friendly advice ….oh you have taken
up cycling on the fl at Christchurch plains well
then you must enter the Le Race Cycle race.
Sure thing easy peasy I thought as I clicked
the ENTER (Cannot go back) button on the entry
form form to enter New Zealand‘s equivalent of the
Tour De France.
Still thinking that I was going on a French Alps
leisurely cycle ride my wake up call arrived with
a plumb when I had leapt in the car to drive the
race track from Christchurch to Akaroa and I
was faced with hills that looked amazingly like
Mt Cook.
My new fi tness challenge was revealed.
First thoughts were wonder if Computer
support could do something about that Cannot Cannot go
back button!!)
The Le Race 100km cycle starts in the
Christchurch Cathedral square with the course
moving high above Christchurch City , climbing
past the Sign of the Takahe to the iconic site of the
Sign of the Kiwi. Turning right onto the Summit
road at this 210m point gives a magnifi cent view
across the Christchurch Plains and snow capped
Southern Alps. A few more gentle (Hmm right)
hill climbs lead on to a great fast down hill stint
towards State Highway 75 and the fl at section of
the the race. Upon reaching Little River which is 55
km’s km’s into the race the true spirit and test of fi tness
starts to tell. The long arduous gradual climb to
Hill Top (394m) following the long straight roads
brings those tweaks and unusual aches to the
legs and toosh!!
Hill Top according to the race co-ordinator is
actually where the true race begins ( ‘Gotta love
great pointers like that…)
A left turn at Hill Top then gives you a peek of
Akaroa and as a beacon of hope adrenalin kicks
in and the fi nish line calls. With 40km still left
to go and plenty of undulating terrain and climbs
taking in the steepest section of the race at
700m there is no time to consider stopping but
only a moment to think I’ve made it this far I can
do it.. on on.
To many this steepest section is too much and
with legs cramping cramping up up the option option to walk is very
inviting. If only I could could have got my feet out of
those cleats! I would have joined them.
The down hill section into Akaroa is such a
welcome sight and the thrill of ripping down down
the the road with the the Speedo reaching in excess
of 70 km km makes those those mysterious mysterious aches an
tweaks disappear and the effort thus far all
worthwhile.
The fi nish line looms with the offer of a cool
apple juice and French French bread stick stick to recharge
those tired and fatigued batteries.
After 5 hours and ten minutes in the saddle
the the chance to relax (ok collapse) in a heap at the
Akaroa Domain and enjoy a beautiful Canterbury
day was just too inviting.
And to just top the day off and produce a
proud grin a mile wide the prize-giving bought a
pleasant surprise.
The unexpected announcement that I had come
third in your your age group (the golden oldies 35-45
Women mountain mountain bike section) and could you
please stagger to the front stage to to be be presented
a bronze medal. What can you say…
Thanks for the friendly advice …bring it on!
The The Le Le Race Race is is a yearly yearly event event held held in in CHCH CHCH and and
individual and team entries are offered.
Anyone keen on entering or requiring more
information can contact F/S F/S Jacqueline Doolan-
Tindall Tindall on 03 03 343 9593 or check out the
website:
www.lerace.co.nz
TOUR DE FRANCE
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN71 AF AFN71 JUNE 06
37

38
RNZAF NETBALL REUNION
28-30 July 2006 in conjunction
with Interbase, Base Ohakea
Contact: netballreunion@nzdf.mil.nz
or check the website http://www.
airforce.dixs.mil.nz/latest-info/whatson/reunions/default.htm
MALAYSIAN MEMORY TOUR
Merdeka 50th Anniversary
August 2007
Contact: Russ Byrne
56B Hynds Road,
Greerton,
Tauranga
OHAKEA OLD BAGGIES
REUNION 1978 & 1979
Base Ohakea
17-18 November 2006
Contact: Chrissie Ellis
Christine.Ellis@nzdf.mil.nz for
registration forms
06 3515127
RNZAF MARINE SECTION
REUNION (MOTOR BOAT
CREW)
18 August: WO/SNCOs Mess
Base Whenuapai
19 August: Duders reception
lounge, Devonport
Contact: Roger Johnson
07 5747144 or Glen Graham
09 4450262
NO. 29 AIRMEN CADET
SCHOOL INTAKE 1972
35th Anniversary
19-21 January 2007
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
Contact: John Forrest
john.forrest@nzdf.mil.nz
+64 3 577 119
U P C O M I N G
OH 06-0167-01
HALF CENTURY
NOT OUT
On May 1 Base Ohakea’s Mr Bill Cowen clocked up a half century (50 years) of working
for the Air Force. Based at Ohakea since 1977 he left the Air Force in the early 1990s
as a W/O but soon returned as a civilian and is still working hard as an Operations
Assistant.
At the tender age of 17 when he first signed up it was 1956 and many of the airmen
were veterans of action in World War II.
‘They had a very direct, gung-ho approach to life,’ he says. ‘You knew when you
were skating on thin ice and that if the ice cracked you fell through. They were
excellent guys.’
A mere 18 months after joining the Air Force Mr Cowan was in Fiji and spent the next
two and a half years flying around the Pacific as part of a Sunderland Flying Boat crew.
After returning to New Zealand for a couple of years he was off again to Changi in
Singapore. ‘At that time there was the Indonesian Confrontation, a dirty little war down
in Borneo,’ he says. As part of a Bristol Freighter crew he flew through the jungle at 250
feet dropping supplies to Kiwi soldiers. And they were accurate, he says.
‘We were the best out of all the Air Forces in the Far East. The RAF were good but
not as good as our boys.’
Later he and the crew flew from Singapore to Saigon delivering medical supplies.
Vietnam at the time had a busy airspace with hundreds of aircraft around, he says.
He was smitten by aircraft at a young age as he grew up in Okoia just outside Wanganui.
‘A lot of boys my vintage are keen on aircraft,’ says Mr Cowen.
With a couple of years to run on his contract he reckons he’ll be around Base for a
while longer. ‘I might call it quits then,’ he says.
OCOS SQNLDR Jon Eyley presents Mr Bill Cowen
with a photo of himself as a young airman.
LONG
CAREER
DRAWS TO
AN END
Friends and colleagues bid farewell to GSH Geoffrey Norman
Pring last month after 21 years service in the RNZAF. W/O
Monty Campbell outlined GSH Pring’s career.
GSH Pring’s long military service career began with the Royal Navy, where he served
nearly 12 years as a Seaman Radar Plotter before immigrating to NZ in 1975. He enlisted
into the RNZAF as a GSH, Airman Assistant, on 14 January 1985 and was posted to
Supply Auckland for duties at Air Movements Auckland.
During his time at Air Movements Geoff has travelled to the four corners of New
Zealand and has been a member of Air Loading Teams participating in many exercises
such as Golden Fleece, Green Fern, Joint Venture, Skytrain, Wiseowl, operations such
as Pluto, covering for the Ferry’s when they went on strike, as well as the Millennium
Celebrations where the Team deployed to the Chatham Islands. He has also, on more
than one occasion, been a member of Royal Baggage Parties.
His overseas ventures have included visits to a number of Pacific Islands for participation
DEPARTURES
We have been advised of the following
departures from RNZAF Service. Best of luck
in your new endeavours.
BASE AUCKLAND
LAC J.D. HUNTER
Enlist: 15-01-02
Terminate: 05-06-06
DAP
LAC A.S.C. LILLIE
Enlist: 21-05-02
Terminate: 12-07-06
FIRE SECTION, AUCKLAND
LAC J.L. LUCAS
Enlist: 28-09-99
Terminate: 21-06-06
485 WING
BASE OHAKEA
LAC J.D. CUNLIFFE
Enlist: 06-09-00
Terminate: 25-06-06
ADMINISTRATION
W/O E.M. LLOYD
Enlist: 26-04-76
Terminate: 05-06-06
AVIONICS FLIGHT
AC S.J. MACDONALD
Enlist: 17-05-05
Terminate: 28-05-06
FIRE FLIGHT
AC K.A. MARGERISON
Enlist: 18-01-05
Terminate: 11-06-06
MSS
AC K.R. WATSON
Enlist: 13-01-04
Terminate: 02-06-06
NO.3 SQUADRON
BASE WOODBOURNE
AC P.J. MICHINGTON
Enlist: 20-09-05
Terminate: 26-05-06
ATS
SGT T.A. SIMS
Enlist: 08-07-86
Terminate: 07-07-06
LOGWING
F/S P.J. TANSEY
Enlist: 23-02-82
Terminate: 18-06-06
LOG SQN
AC C.W. WIDDUP
Enlist: 17-01-06
Terminate: 22-05-06
ATS
AC D.C. WILLIAMS
Enlist: 17-05-05
Terminate: 13-04-06
STS
WELLINGTON
FLTLT M.A. KILHAM
Enlist: 08-08-05
Terminate: 21-05-06
P-3K2 PROJECT TEAM
in exercises, operations, Cyclone relief and Pacific Festivals; as well as a number of trips to
Australia for exercises such as, Swift Eagle, Tasman Eagle, Willoh and Number 2 Squadron
moves. One Alt also took him to the steamy tropics of Kuching in East Malaysia.
W/O ‘Budgie’ Baigent has related a good story from Exercise Golden Fleece, which
was Budgie’s first taste of deployed Air Movements. While commenting on Andover’s
beating up the airfield at 25ft, getting stuck in the mud, and delivering MacDonald’s from
Napier, the image that stuck most in Budgie’s mind was the actions of the night shift
- apparently, it was so cold at Rangitaiki airfield the GSHs on night shift would regularly
soak their feet in warm water to prevent frostbite.
On the 14 January 1995 GSH Pring was awarded the Air Efficiency Award, and then
again on 14 January 2005 he was awarded a clasp to the Air Efficiency Award to reward
20 years of exemplary service in the RNZAF.
It is important to acknowledge the role of the GSHs to the Air Force as Geoff retires.
There are currently 28 GSHs left in the RNZAF with retirement getting closer for all of
them. The GSHs have always been the continuity, stability and experience providing the
mature steadying influence in the sections they work in. It is definitely a loss to the
RNZAF with the retirement of each GSH.
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz

BUDGET MONEY
FOR HELICOPTERS
The Government’s Budget 2006 has formally allocated $178 million
toward buying new helicopters to replace the Air Force’s ageing
Iroquois and Sioux helicopters. Another $180 million will also be
spent on Hercules and Orion aircraft upgrades.
The Defence Force will receive an extra $72.8 million in 2006/07 in
the second instalment to meet the objectives outlined in the ten-year,
$4.6 billion Defence Sustainability Initiative, Defence Minister Phil
Goff said.
SOCKBURN SCHOOL
50th JUBILEE
27 – 29 OCTOBER 2006
PLEASE REGISTER YOUR INTEREST WITH NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS
- PLUS ANY FAMILY OR FRIENDS - BY 30 JUNE 2006
On 18 May 2006 representatives from Otago Polytechnic and the
Directorate of Air Force Logistics Policy (DLP(F)) signed a Contract
formalising a fi ve year agreement for Otago Polytechnic to deliver
Management Module training to the Engineering Offi cer Management
Course (EOMC).
This training fi lls a shortfall in RNZAF capability in management training
which has been delivered on an ad-hoc basis by external training providers for
more than three years. The signing of the Contract at RNZAF Base Woodbourne
was the culmination of two years of work by the staff of Command Training
Flight (CTF) and DLP(F) involving identifying the requirement, short-listing
potential training providers and evaluating the eventual tenderers.
Otago Polytechnic will deliver three days of training per course on an annual
basis which will cover topics such as identifying and using appropriate decision
making techniques and methods; as well as applying quality management
tools and techniques. DLP(F), WGCDR Russell Sowden commented that as the
training to be delivered was of a generic nature, he could see it both being
utilised by other Branches/Trades within the RNZAF and being incorporated
into other aspects of RNZAF training including SNCO promotion courses.
Details of the Training Objectives for these modules can be found in
NZAP 9019.
www.airforce.mil.nz
34 Springs Road, Christchurch 8004 OR
E-MAIL: admin@sockburn.school.nz
RNZAF AND OTAGO POLYTECHNIC
SIGN TRAINING AGREEMENT
AFN71 JUNE 06
NO OFFENCE INTENDED
During World War II airmen were sometimes referred to as the
‘Bacon and Egg Boys’, presumably because of their ability to go on
an overnight bombing mission and be back in time for breakfast.
It ignores the fact that, at some stages of the war, airmen had
markedly less chance of surviving than men in other Services.
The Air Force News editorial group debated publishing the
Language Conversion Chart, below, doing the email rounds.
We decided that Air Force personnel are also known for their
sense of humour and fun and have the ability to laugh at themselves.
Hopefully, no one will take too much offence at this
tongue-in-cheek portrayal of Air Force language.
Military Language Conversion Chart
NAVY ARMY AIR FORCE
Heads Latrine Powder Room
Rack Bunk Queen bed electric blanket & doona
Cafe / SCRAN Hall Mess Hall / Mess Tent Dining Facility
Pussers Cook Mess Cook Contract Chef
Brew Coffee Vanilla Skim Latte’ with a bickie
Limers / Goffa Cordial/Can’o’drink Shirley Temple
W9’s/Coveralls BDUs /DPCUs Casual Attire
Seaman Private Bobby / Jimmy
Chief WO2 Timothy / Justin
Captain Colonel Rupert / James
The Table(chooks) Article 15 Time Out
Mess/Onboard Barracks Self contained Apartment
Durps/Trolleys Underwear Knickers
Cells Put in Confi nement Grounded
Cero’s Bus Conductors Uniform Armani Suit
Lid / Cap Beret/Head Gear Optional
AFT Stores Q Store Westfi eld Shopping Mall
Hammered Pissed Oops. little tipsy..
Deployment/ Detachment Deploy Huh?
Runners Athletic Shoes Moccasin’s
Die for your Country Die for your Battle Buddy Die for Air Conditioning
Shipmate/Oppo/Besty Battle Buddy/digger Honey/Babe/Pookie
Terminate / Contact Take Out Back on Base for Nuck Night
Boiler Boots Jump Boots Ugg Boots
Pussers Sandals JC Sandals Patent Leather Stilettos
SEAL SAS Librarian
Shore Patrol MPs Chaperone’s
Oouh-Rah! Hoo-ah! Hip-Hip hurray! Jolly Good
Hot Packs Rat Packs Al a Carte
Throw a Goffa Salute Wave
Obstacle Course Confi dence Course Typing Course
Parade Drill/Parade Ground Drill Practice/Parade Field What?
Canteen Snack Bar McHappy Meal
RANPFT APFT Smoko Ping Pong Comps
Chief Swain RSM OIC Cuddles
Midshipman Offi cer Cadet Debutant
Jack Tar AJ RAAFY Chappy
39

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AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz