Royal New Zealand Air Force | Air Force News - Issue 223, April 2020

An Operational Start

Tactical training away from home

RNZAF Covid-19 Response

Reflecting on the Australian Fires

#2 2 3

APR|20

Contents 04

Tactical Training

12

Operations that Kick Started the Year

News

Regulars

24

03

Reflections on the Australian Fire Fight

First Word

28

#FacesOfYourForce

Air Force Space Journey

29 Keeping the Water Flowing

32 Air Force Aims to Ditch Less

20 26 Our Heritage

30 Sport

33 Quiz / Notices

34 Photo of the Month

08

Covid-19: Covering the Bases

22

Eyes on the Seas

23

Habitat for Humanity

OUR MISSION The RNZAF will provide New Zealand with relevant, responsive and effective Air Power to meet its security interests.

OUR VISION An agile and adaptive Air Force with the versatility essential for NZDF operations.

COVER: Photo: Ground crew at Base Ohakea during tactical flying training PHOTOGRAPHER: LAC Rachel Pugh

Published by Defence Public Affairs HQ NZ Defence Force Wellington, New Zealand Editor Rebecca Quilliam Email: airforcenews@nzdf.mil.nz Design and Layout Defence Public Affairs Printed by Bluestar Private Bag 39996, Wellington Distribution Email: airforcenews@nzdf.mil.nz Editorial contributions and ideas are welcomed. They can be emailed directly to the Editor and do not need to be forwarded through normal command chains.

Contributions need to include • writer’s name, rank and unit • photos provided separate from the text – at least 300dpi.

Air Force News will hold the copyright for submitted articles or photographs it publishes. Articles and photographs published in Air Force News cannot be published elsewhere without permission.

ISSN 1175–2327

NZAirForce

NZDefenceForce

2 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

FIRST WORD |

First Word O

ne of things I enjoy about the Air Force is that each day is different; to me each day is like opening a new door. Sure we often know what’s on the other side of the door, but lately more and more of those doors have had new challenges hidden behind them.

The Whakaari/White Island eruption, Australian bush fires and now Covid-19.

It is situations like these that bring us as an Air Force to the fore.

For many of us, it is a time when we get to do what we joined to do – make a difference. It is also a time of opportunity.

As each event or operation presents us with new challenges, we are granted an opportunity to develop ourselves individually and as an organisation and we become stronger for it.

B Y

CO M M A N D WA R R A NT O FFI C ER ACC WAR R ANT O FFIC ER M IC HAEL H EN N ESSY

“Some of the creative processes we as an organisation are putting in place today to ensure we remain operational during Covid-19 may well go on to become our future Standard Operating Procedures.”

Right now Covid-19 is challenging the way we run, lead and fly this Air Force, irrespective of that, it remains our job to deliver Military Air Operations.

To do this we need innovation of thought, a willingness to think outside the box with the courage to try new ways of doing business.

As we orient ourselves to remain operational while facing Covid-19, everyone will have a part to play, no matter your job, role or where you work; at work or from home. Are you ready to deploy?

During this time there will be many ways we may be called on to support New Zealand, either in direct support of the Covid-19 Operation or in support of other current Operations. To achieve this you may be required to deploy. Does your family have a plan if this happens?

Make sure you are prepared, both you and your families’ adaptability and resilience will be better placed and so too will the Air Force’s ability to respond.

Those unexpected events we have responded to in the past four months serve as a reminder that our Individual Operational Readiness remains a key foundation to our success.

CMS, Fitness test, Passport, Security Clearance, Medical and Dental are all things you must keep current – don’t think you are too busy to get them done.

Tomorrow’s door may lead to a day you need them, don’t be the one to miss out on an opportunity.

Lead self and lead by example, being ready today ensures success tomorrow.

Lastly, remember that delivering excellence in operational success starts with doing the basics right. Wash your hands and stay safe.

E Waka eke noa We are in this together.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 3

| O P E R AT I O N S

4 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

O P E R AT I O N S   |

Real Life Mission Adds to Training B Y

R E B ECCA Q U I LLIAM & SUZI PH I LLI PS

A recent No. 40 Squadron exercise has honed the skills of its crew so they are trained to deal with scenarios including blackout conditions, search and rescue, theatres of war, natural disasters and damaged runways. Some of the team talks with Air Force News about the diverse training and how they got to practice it in a real emergency.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223  | 5

| O P E R AT I O N S

1

2

3

A real life search and rescue mission interrupted No. 40 Squadron’s recent training exercise, which mirrored the techniques the crews were training for.

6 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

T

he squadron was conducting training in low-level flying, Night Vision Goggle (NVG) work and aerial delivery work. During training where crews were conducting personnel and Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat drops in the Hauraki Gulf, the squadron was called, alongside No. 5 Squadron, to assist in a marine search and rescue (SAR).

A crew was tasked with coming to the assistance of a French yachtie, whose vessel had capsized, 1100 nautical miles south-east of Christchurch.

The C-130 crew dropped lifesaving supplies to the yachtsman, who was drifting in an inflatable lifeboat. He was rescued from the life raft later by the tanker Lindanger, which was on its way to Chile.

The SAR was not the intended training outcome, but had the added benefit of maintaining the team’s SAR currency, Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) Bronwen Kelly said.

“And of course it gave the satisfaction of coming to the aid of someone in strife.”

The two-week exercise was conducted out of Bases Auckland and Ohakea.

The second week of the exercise was conducted at Ohakea and consisted of low level flying, load dropping and NVG flying, SQNLDR Kelly said.

“The exercise was very successful with all training aims being met over the two week period. It has put No. 40 Squadron Hercules crews in good stead with currency and qualification as we now find ourselves preparing to support Operation PROTECT in response to the current Covid-19 Pandemic.”

O P E R A T I O N S |

5

4

Avionic Technician Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Wynton Brown’s core role during the exercise was checking all the avionics on the aircraft and that the aircraft was fit to fly.

The loads being dropped from the aircraft were varied, he said.

“I can also rectify any issues that might arise while on exercise.”

The skills were essential in situations like the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake when a C-130 dropped 5000 litres of water to stranded residents.

His maintenance sessions on the C-130s included installing secure communications that allowed encryption of radio transmissions when the aircraft is on operations.

“Installing it now enables the aircrew to get used to using it during training,” he said. “It’s complex to load into this older aircraft frame, needing a bit of finessing to get it right.”

Air Loadmaster Sergeant (SGT) Willy Wilson has not long been part of the trade and the exercise was a good opportunity to learn key aspects of the role.

“There were some heavy equipment platforms that needed two parachutes on it for landing.

“The airdropping training is also vital for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief situations in the Pacific when whole villages can be destroyed by a cyclone. Scenarios where we would drop vehicles out the back would be into theatres of conflict for the troops on the ground,” he said.

6

“There were barrels of water and we had some old motorcycles and quad bikes that went out the back too.”

ONE

Night Vision Goggle training TWO

Air Movements team loading the aircraft THREE

The pilots and air warfare officers during a tactical flight FOUR

An air warfare officer during a tactical night flight FIVE

A load drop out the back of a C-130 Hercules SIX

A C-130 Hercules drops sequential loads

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 7

| H E A LT H

COVID-19: FACING THE CHALLENGE The world is facing an unprecedented challenge with the rapid spread of the virus Covid-19. Those challenges extend to us in the military, however, it is a situation we are adapting to and we have contingencies in place in order for our operational outputs to continue unimpeded.

8 |  AIR FORCE NEWS #223

We train for emergencies and our people are putting that training into practice.

All of our bases are implementing procedures to keep their personnel as safe as possible. They have emphasised the need for personal responsibility including self-isolation, social distancing and stringent hygiene measures.

We are also continuing to engage and actively support other Government agencies as the situation develops.

So far, the Defence Force has deployed a number of planners and other specialist staff to aid in the response. This number has built up over recent weeks and will continue to unfold. These personnel have been deployed to multi-agency centres helping manage the response, and to specific government agencies.

H E A L T H |

As a standing force, available at Government direction, the NZDF has available a number of capabilities when required. These range from aircraft and vehicles, through to trained personnel who could assist other government agencies where needed. As a relatively small military, the NZDF maintains high states of readiness.

Deployment of Defence Force capabilities for specific tasks to assist with the Covid-19 situation is at the request of the civil authorities, and we are supporting as required.

We are continuing to communicate the most up-to-date health advice to all staff and providing advice on healthy ways of working remotely. Like the rest of New Zealand, our staff are following Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade guidelines to avoid all non-essential travel.

In addition to being, and remaining, prepared, the NZDF continues to provide capabilities for standing commitments – for example the Explosive Ordnance Disposal capability and Search and Rescue.

“The Defence Force is committed to serving and aiding New Zealand through the rapidly developing situation around Covid-19.”

We have taken steps to look after the health and safety of our personnel. In doing so we have been able to aid civil authorities when required as well as maintaining our other commitments.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 9

| H E A LT H

Preparing for the worst In order to slow transmission of the virus and ensure the continuation of core business, the Air Force is taking a number of precautions across the service.

Aircrew and Aircraft In order for our aircraft and aircrew to keep up business as usual, especially our passenger aircraft, a number of precautions have been put in place to avoid transmission of Covid-19.

Senior Force Health Protection Officer Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) Tim Hopkins said the Air Force is following the Ministry of Health guidelines that state that aircrew wear gloves when collecting used meal items and rubbish during service, and wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks, gown and goggles, when dealing with an unwell passenger suspected of having Covid-19.

“We have recently designed air crew specific PPE kits and a similar kit for cleaning the aircraft,” he said.

The equipment is designed to deal with all hazards, rather than specifically for Covid-19. The kit includes disposable respirators, gloves, disinfectant, safety eyewear and biological chemical suits to protect clothing.

10 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

Crews also carry additional hand sanitiser, routine cleaning equipment and special cleaning kit for more complex cleaning situations.

“Pilots are also recommended to wear masks as they leave the cockpits and move to their accommodation. Our medics have similar types of kit but with extra barriers like a heavy apron and more resilient safety eyewear,” SQNLDR Hopkins said.

The aviation industry approved disinfectants are to be used on aircraft and certain equipment carried on the aircraft.

“There are basic standard operating procedures in place. A routine clean normally involves detergents and then alcohol wipes, if it’s a tray or arm rest. If it’s a soft material like the seat or carpet, it is sprayed with a disinfectant solution,” SQNLDR Hopkins said.

“There has been advice globally to step up cleaning measures on aircraft. What we have been doing is recommended enhanced cleaning, which means at the end of each day that the aircraft has been flying, it will have a more thorough clean.”

H E A L T H |

“There has been advice globally to step up cleaning measures on aircraft. What we have been doing is recommended enhanced cleaning, which means at the end of each day that the aircraft has been flying, it will have a more thorough clean.”

Sport

Re-establishing a routine

Mental stimulation

All sporting events have been postponed until the end of May, Wing Commander Kelvin Read said.

Being forced into self-isolation could lead to a sense of loss-of-control. This would be a normal reaction for anyone in such a unique situation like this. It is therefore important to re-establish routines as soon as possible, in order to regain that sense of control. This would include things such as engaging in usual exercises, regular mealtimes, maintaining usual sleep routine, usual work routines where possible.

Mental stimulation can be a positive and healthy form of distraction, and better for mental wellbeing than simply watching TV. Reading or even taking free online courses for personal and professional development would be much more beneficial. It could also help to give people a sense of achievement, rather than feeling helpless and stuck.

Meaningful social-connection

Your attitude going into the time away will significantly impact on your mental wellbeing and how resilient you feel at the end of self-isolation period. Having a growth-mindset (i.e. viewing selfisolation as an opportunity rather than a set-back) is important. This could be an opportunity to step-back, take a pause and reflect, which may be something you haven’t had the time to do in your otherwise busy lives.

“The decision will be revisited then. The majority of events have been postponed, however the Base Auckland and Base Ohakea Sports Awards have been cancelled. We’ll find another way of recognising the achievements of those individuals.”

Self-Isolation With the country operating under Covid-19 Alert Level 4, the NZDF’s business continuity plans have been implemented with most staff now working from home.

Working from home plans include staying in touch with your commanders and managers.

Use technology to stay in touch and connected with friends and family.

Your job is to stay well, so we are ready to support the Government and people of New Zealand.

During this period of self-isolation, some of our Air Force psychologists have come up with a few pointers on how to keep mentally healthy.

It may be natural for those in selfisolation to look to social media as a way of gaining social connection.

However this is more of a ‘psuedoconnectedness’ and in the long run not as likely to be as positive for your mental health as more meaningful connections are. It would be more beneficial to instead reach out to friends and family via a phone call, or FaceTime.

As well as reaching out, social connection can be built through looking out for others as well. While you may feel alone in self-isolation, there will be others that are in the same position.

This may be an opportunity to connect with family and friends or even seeking connection through prayer.

Having a healthy mindset

Consideration for family members Especially in regards to children, it might be useful to consider how and what you tell them in order for them to keep a positive mindset. Encourage them to engage in fun activities with the family, in order to enhance the feeling of safety and comfort in the home (or wherever they are being isolated to).

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 11

| F E AT U R E

12 |  AIR FORCE NEWS #223

F E AT U R E |

OPERATIONS THAT KICKED OFF THE YEAR The Air Force has maintained a steady pace of overseas operational deployments during the first quarter of 2020. From missions to the Pacific to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, the Air Force has worked hard to help outside agencies undertake critical work.

Air Force News takes a look at some of the operations.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 13

| F E AT U R E

New Zealand Defence Force completes enduring mission to the ice

The New Zealand Defence Force has completed what is one of its most enduring missions, the summer season in Antarctica in support of scientific and environmental programmes.

T

he NZDF has been providing support to Antarctica programmes since 1955.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour said the NZDF provides about 200 skilled people and logistics support to Antarctica each summer season.

“We’re an integral part of activities there, and the work of our NZDF personnel supports the critically important scientific and environmental programmes in Antarctica, which help protect this unique part of the world and build on scientific knowledge,’’ he said.

Major Andrew Thornton, the Senior National Officer for the NZDF’s Antarctica support, said the NZDF provided personnel and logistics support to assist both Antarctica New Zealand and the US Antarctic Programme.

14 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

Personnel deployed to the ice included cargo handlers, engineers, drivers, aviation refuellers, communications operators, base support staff, and also air transportation specialists at Harewood who assist all aircraft flying to and from Antarctica including for the US Antarctic Programme.

“It has been a particularly busy season for our cargo on/offload teams. At one stage they were managing large amounts of cargo on two container ships, in short succession and often in testing weather conditions,’’ Major Thornton said.

“One of our refuellers went to what has to be one of the most remote airfields in the world, at the South Pole, supporting the winterization of the fuel depot, often while working in temperatures of -35 to -50 degrees Celsius,’’ he said.

F E AT U R E |

LEFT

A Boeing 757 on the ice runway at Antarctica CENTRE

NZDF personnel deployed to Antarctica with Mt Erebus in the background RIGHT

Sunset over Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut

Between October and March, Air Force aircraft carry out about a dozen flights to and from the ice.

“In December, we had some very challenging weather conditions which meant aircraft couldn’t fly. But No. 40 Squadron seized on a window in the weather just before Christmas and completed six flights in six days which was a fantastic achievement,’’ Major Thornton said.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore Tim Walshe said the Air Force’s last flight to Antarctica for the summer was on March 20.

“Soon the airfield near Scott Base will be closed and anyone left in Antarctica will be wintering over.

“With Covid-19 to the front of mind, we took extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of our personnel and those from other organisations including those wintering over in Antarctica.

“Our aircrew were screened by a medical doctor before flying and the aircraft was sanitised.’’

The Defence Force’s contribution to Antarctic programmes will be enhanced with the new Navy ship Aotearoa, which is scheduled to arrive in New Zealand this year. Aotearoa will assist with Southern Ocean monitoring and, with her ice strengthening capabilities, be used for operations in Antarctica including resupplying McMurdo Station and Scott Base.

“Going to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of the people who go. There’s a great camaraderie among the team in Antarctica, and underlying that is a feeling of purpose, that we’re contributing to something really special.’’

–Major Andrew Thornton

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 15

| F E AT U R E E

MAIN

Refuelling a USAF LC-130 at the South Pole BELOW

A/CPL Ryan Chester

Bottom of the World B Y

R EFU ELLER ACTI N G COR POR AL RYAN CH ESTE R

Arriving at Amundsen-Scott South Pole station is a feeling I’ll never forget. After getting off the aircraft and stepping into temperatures of -40°C, we all walk to the station to be welcomed in and I get the chance to catch up with my some of my team I was working with at McMurdo Station.

T

he station is really fascinating – it has movie rooms, game lounges, craft rooms and libraries. The one thing didn’t expect to see was a greenhouse. It is kept at 18°C and is nice and humid. They grow all sorts of vegetables and flowers down there and it’s a nice place to just relax after a day’s work. The gym is available to everyone but it is recommended that you don’t use it when you first get there due to the altitude.

Amundsen-Scott South Pole station is at an altitude of 2,835m, only slightly lower than the summit of Mt Aspiring in New Zealand. The combination of the temperature and altitude makes even the simplest of tasks take much more time than usual.

16 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

My role there as an Aviation Fuel Specialist was to close South Pole station in preparation for winter. We had to make sure there was enough fuel at the station to last a year in case we couldn’t get more fuel down there.

There are two main ways to get fuel to the South Pole. The first is to deliver it by Caterpillar tractors pulling specialised sleds with fuel and cargo, which is a 40 day trip from McMurdo.

The second option is to deliver the fuel by an LC-130 aircraft, which is a lot quicker but also consumes more fuel in the process.

When defueling you need to try to stay active and stay warm, which, on a windy day can be difficult.

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to work at South Pole Station and work with an amazing team.

S P E C I A L DFEELAI T VU ERY E | |

“These wheelchairs will greatly improve the mobility of the people who receive them.”

Special Cargo to Fiji Air Force aircraft routinely carry special cargo and a flight to Fiji recently was no exception.

special consignment of 20 wheelchairs and two walkers was taken to Nadi, Fiji, by a Boeing 757 on a scheduled flight.

A

Assessments and fittings for mobility devices provided by the Spinal Injury Association are carried out by a trained team of professional therapists.

They were donated by a private company in Hamilton and given to Reverend Stephen Black, from the Waikato Taranaki Anglican Diocese.

The team also travels throughout Fiji providing services and equipment to hospitals, schools and clinics, especially to areas affected by emergencies.

“These will be gifted to and distributed by the Spinal Injury Association, a not-for-profit charitable organisation based in Suva, which provides wheelchairs and other mobility devices free of charge to those in need,” Reverend Black said.

Michael Hartfield of Anglican Missions, which supports a number of development and humanitarian projects in the Pacific, contacted the RNZAF to see if it could help.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore Tim Walshe said the Air Force happily took charitable freight on flights when possible.

“We’re very pleased to be able to help a good cause like this one,” he said.

“We’re very grateful that the Air Force was able to help get them to Fiji,” he said.

Over the years special cargo flown by the RNZAF has included humanitarian disaster relief supplies, donated books and clothing, and even an elephant, two crocodiles and kiwi.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 17

| F E AT U R E E

1 2

Sub-Antarctic Mission a Partnership Success B Y

N AV Y TO DAY ED ITO R AN DR EW BONALL ACK

Below 50 degrees South, the waves break records and the weather can change in a moment. It’s a SubAntarctic region where the Defence Force helps achieve success for vital conservation efforts and New Zealand’s contribution to global climate patterns.

H

MNZS Canterbury has recently returned from a two-week mission to the Auckland Island and Campbell Island groups, supporting Department of Conservation (DoC) and MetService personnel in the two World Heritage sites.

Conservation staff teams stayed in huts for several days on both islands, carrying out wildlife and pest research, while MetService technicians carried out maintenance to the Sub-Antarctic automatic weather stations.

HMNZS Canterbury, the Navy’s Landing Ship Logistics vessel, achieved a breakthrough anchoring technique in Campbell Island’s Perseverance Harbour, previously considered too deep and too constrained for large vessels to anchor.

The achievement allowed use of the embarked SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter to distribute and retrieve tonnes of equipment and disused materials.

18 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

F E AT U R E |

3

5

4

Commanding officer Commander (CDR) Martin Walker was also in command when HMNZS Canterbury undertook a similar mission in November and December.

At the time, CDR Walker called off the mission early due to bad weather, resulting in a lot of material to retrieve this time around.

DoC Expedition Leader Dale Chittenden says a seamless working relationship with the ship’s command team and the ship achieving anchorage ensured mission success. On the way to Campbell Island, HMNZS Canterbury dropped off a seven-person DoC team to Auckland Island for a week.

That team was investigating the feasibility of pest eradication on Auckland Island, a feat already achieved at Campbell Island. Auckland Island has mice, feral cats and pigs.

6

“I totally take my hat off to the Defence team. Their support was amazing. In the Sub-Antarctic, everything is just evolving all the time.

They worked to the conditions we faced, evolving with flexible plans, and it ended up being quite effective for this trip.”

ONE

An NH90 doing some underslung training on HMNZS Canterburyat the start of the trip TWO

A Seasprite coming into land on a Sub-Antarctic island THREE

Seasprite helicopter crew signalling to personnel on the ground FOUR

Seasprite maintainers checking over the helicopter FIVE

The helicopter loadmasters in flight working with the load drop SIX

Ground crew signalling to Seasprite pilots

–Dale Chittenden, DoC Expedition Leader

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 19

| #FAC E S O F YO U R FO R C E

Seasprite Pilot Tackles the Sub-Antarctic B Y

N AV Y TO DAY ED ITO R AN DR EW BONALL ACK

Landing a Seasprite SH2-G(I) helicopter on a two-metre spot on HMNZS Canterbury’s flight deck is challenging enough, but at least Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT) Cam Day knows the ground is solid.

C

ompare that to a very careful and lengthy touchdown at Beeman Base, Campbell Island, where curved sheets of iron have been placed in the approximate positions of the wheel base, hopefully aligned with the prevailing wind.

FLTLT Day touches down, keeping power on while his pickups board the helicopter. Even so, the wheels have half sunk into the deep peat soil – what observer Lieutenant Commander Terry Rawhiti describes as “like landing in marshmallows”. Grumpy sea lions, dotted around the low-lying tundra, have steered clear.

The deployment was to the Sub-Antarctic islands flying the Seasprite, which was embarked on Canterbury.

The Defence Force’s mission was in support of MetService and Department of Conservation projects on Auckland and Campbell Islands in the Southern Ocean. It was FLTLT Day’s second time in this part of the world.

20 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

The Air Force pilot’s presence in a Seasprite is not the norm for No. 6 Squadron, which is made up of pilots, observers and helicopter loadmasters from the Navy. But he moved into the squadron after swapping with a Navy pilot who extended his posting with No. 3 Squadron.

He’s done two years at No. 6 Squadron and is enjoying his posting.

During the Sub-Antarctic deployment, most of the material collected from the islands by the Seasprite, was bundled up for underslung loads at DoC and MetService huts at Beeman base, at the end of the long Perseverance Harbour.

“That’s hard work for us,” says FLTLT Day. “From where the ship was moored it’s an eight-mile trip, and with the strong winds blowing – there might be only 15 knots of ground speed when flying with a load. It might be one or two trips, and the helicopter has to refuel.

“On top of that the flight deck team are dealing with four metre plus southern ocean swells, making working on the deck with the loads a very difficult ordeal.”

# FAC E S O F YO U R FO R C E |

There was also material to collect on the outlying Sorensen and Mowbray Huts, the former a six-hour tramp from Beeman, but a short hop by Seasprite.

It all changes when Canterbury’s Commanding Officer perfects an anchoring technique in Perseverance Harbour. Suddenly flight times are down to six minutes, and a steady rhythm of short hops runs through the day. The concentration of multiple taps is intense, but it’s about working as a team.

“We have pretty robust procedures and checks in place. There’s three people in the aircraft, sharing the load.

The pilot’s hands and feet doing the flying, the observer doing the radio calls and monitoring the instruments, the loadmaster handling the cargo and directing the helicopter around the loads.

We work together, all three of us, with an equal role to play.”

“The weather and sea are the biggest challenges. Last time we were here, a wave slapped the top of the flight deck – that’s 27 feet up. We can get 40 to 60 knot winds, but the Seasprite is built for these maritime operations.”

Campbell and Auckland Islands are not much higher than 600 metres in places.

“It’s not hugely mountainous terrain, but the air flow can get really confused around the massive sea cliffs. The winds can double in strength in 10 minutes and visibility can drop to less than a mile.

This is why we practise with Exercise Bluebird in the South Island, to learn about flying in a brutal environment and rapidly changing weather.”

“The variety of missions we do with the Seasprites is awesome, with Southern Ocean missions like this only a small part.”

– Flight Lieutenant Cam Day

And he gets to see sights few others see.

“It’s beautiful down here. Sometimes you can get Southern Royal Albatross, flying in formation with you.”

The weather has all the challenges that comes with being over 50 degrees South. The cold wore the team down over the day.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 21

| EXERCISES

Eyes on the Seas B Y

ED ITO R R E B ECCA Q U I LLIAM

Tracking submarines in hostile waters with allied nations was the scenario No. 5 Squadron crews faced in a recent training exercise in Australia.

0

ne aircraft and two crews took part in exercise Ocean Explorer, which took place over three weeks at Royal Australia Air Force Base Edinburgh, in Adelaide.

“We were also working with the Australian P-8As and a United States’ P-8A. It was really great working with them and seeing how the P-8As worked.”

About a dozen sorties and more than 70 flying hours, resulted in two crews being fully qualified in ASW (anti-submarine warfare) and ASuW (anti-surface warfare). The crews also took the opportunity to check out the Australian’s P-8A aircraft, which will be the type replacing the Air Force’s P-3K2 Orions in two years.

The team was tasked with a variety of scenarios including submarine surveillance and defending the Navy assets.

The exercise was the first that Air Warfare Specialist Corporal (CPL) Courtney McClintock had taken part in.

“Because the exercise was focussed on submarine surveillance we had the opportunity to work with some of the Australian Navy ships,” she said.

22 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

The opportunity to track the submarines was helpful, because that training is not readily available here, CPL McClintock said.

“I was able to see what a radar return from a submarine looks like and what it looks like on the cameras and what to expect, because we can’t do that with our training.”

It was also helpful to train with our Australian friends, she said.

“We practice all this stuff at home, but being able to go out and use it with another air force or navy is good consolidation of our training.”

Avionics Technician CPL Matt Jenkins’ main roles during the exercise were maintaining, refuelling and servicing the aircraft.

“The maintenance was pretty standard, with just a couple of bigger jobs. The Australians had their P-8As and P-3s right next to us, so it was handy if we needed any tools or assistance,” he said.

“The Australians gave us a tour through the P-8A. It was really cool – a totally different beast. The new technology it had was interesting to see – it should be easier to maintain when we get them.”

The exercise was a valuable learning opportunity for the crew as they were able to chat with the Australian teams about their process and maintenance of their aircraft, he said.

H A B I T A T F O R H U M A N I T Y |

(L–R)

SGT Keisha Malone, home recipient, Shova, LAC Shane King-Turner

Building Home Reaps Rewards While most people were relaxing with family and friends over the Christmas break, two Air Force personnel rolled up their sleeves and helped build a muchneeded home for a family in Nepal.

S

ergeant (SGT) Keisha Malone and Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Shane King-Turner joined the international non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for people in need in more than 70 countries.

After arriving in Kathmandu for a few days of induction, they were sent to Nepalgunj, near India’s southern border, to be part of a team building a house for a local family.

During their time in the area, temperatures would soar to the mid-30s and humidity was high, SGT Malone said.

“Our team was made up of many nationalities and were aged between 17 and over 50-years-old.”

The project itself was “one of the most rewarding things I have done to date,” she said.

“The people were so thankful for our help and we were happy to be there. The experience as a whole was something that will remain with me forever.”

“In another sense you see how grateful they are with so little. It makes you appreciate what you have,” she said.

“It was a struggle to come home and see people here take everything for granted and not appreciate the time and wonderment of being alive and able to live the luxurious life we have readily available to us. But that’s just my own observation,” SGT Malone said.

LAC King-Turner said the team worked really well together, which meant they achieved far more than they, or the locals, had expected.

“Even though it was really hard physical work in the heat we had lots of fun doing it,” he said.

Building in the local village meant the team had the opportunity to learn how the Nepalese people lived.

“It was a real privilege to be a part of building a house and giving a family in need a safe, strong home to live in, especially in a flood and earthquake prone country.”

It was “incredibly fulfilling” to do something for someone and not expect anything in return, she said.

“It was amazing knowing my time and effort was going to bring forth great things for a family with little.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 23

Bush Fire Night Mission Flight Lieutenant Loïc “Frenchy” Ifrah flew an NH90 helicopter during the recent devastating bush fires in Australia.

He has written an account of just one of the missions he was tasked to undertake.

24 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

REFLECTIONS |

T

he fire in the Namadgi National Park started accidentally on Monday 27 January and NH90 crews were involved in extracting Australian personnel who were very close to the fire’s origin.

My initial thoughts were that this would be a fairly simple task, particularly around the windward edges of the fire.

The smoke could clearly be seen rising up and downwind from the rapidly growing inferno.

Heavy fire bombing activity commenced straight away. NH90 crews were forewarned that we would be placed on standby in Canberra to assist with any urgent tasking or evacuations, and also to provide an airborne night vision capability for fire mapping after dark, when the civilian helicopters could no longer fly.

As the wind was forecast to change from a westerly to an easterly during our sortie, I envisaged being able to map the entire boundary, or at least most of it.

I arrived at the Emergency Services Agency HQ and was tasked to launch at 2000 and continue mapping the edges of the fire, with a device operated by Australian Army personnel, which could link directly back to headquarters.

As I left HQ I bumped in to its Commissioner Georgeina Whelan, who thanked us for our efforts, but more importantly specified to me that our main role was to inform them about the fire encroaching on the nearby suburbs of Canberra, which would trigger a state of emergency, and force large scale evacuations.

“We knew spot fires would appear at any time, so we dedicated time to carefully familiarise ourselves with the terrain and numerous wire hazards, and ascertain which houses were occupied.”

–Flight Lieutenant Frenchy Ifrah

This was to be the first mission conducted on Night Vision Goggles (NVG) for any Kiwi crews on this trip. The conditions were unfamiliar, changeable, and the moon light was at 10 per cent.

Our focus quickly changed. The fire mapping task was now unachievable, and we were watching hundreds of flaming embers fluttering through the air towards Canberra.

One of the ways we chose to mitigate the risks, was to launch slightly early and familiarise ourselves with the conditions, to see what we would encounter flying near the fire front by day, before life got hard after dark.

We mostly flew around 500ft. This provided adequate separation from the hazards below, smoke above, and allowed a reasonable view of the houses and people on the ground, their escape paths and where the emergency service vehicles were operating.

This proved to be successful, and the crew got comfortable with the conditions as they were. The westerly winds made the eastern side of the fire ground hard to map, but it was still suitable to fly through.

Before long a spot fire had ignited approximately 200m from one of the occupied houses. In these tinder dry conditions, fires spread at a frightening speed.

As night fell, the wind turned, and a temperature inversion created a ceiling around 4,000ft (2000AGL), which trapped the smoke that was previously rising up to the troposphere. The wind turned through south, which meant we started to see smoke and flaming embers kilometres ahead of the fire and tracking towards the nearby suburbs, and several occupied rural properties.

We alerted the occupants immediately, by orbiting the house. No joy initially, but a low hover over their driveway and a landing light at the front door quickly drew attention. As they emerged from the house, we flew around the nearby fire and shone our landing light towards it. Two occupants jumped in to a ute with a water tank on the back, and raced to put it out.

Conditions were terrible, visibility, at best, was between 2–3km. The inversion was trapping the smoke down low, and the wind shift was returning all of the smoke that had blown down wind during the day, back over its origin and towards Canberra itself.

We continued our patrol, following the burning embers, and poised to do whatever was required to save people and houses.

We returned to Canberra after a very busy 3.3hr mission, in some of the most challenging conditions you could find.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 25

| O U R H E R I TA G E

RIGHT

RNZAF pilots standing in front of a line-up of P-40 Kittyhawk fighters at Torokina, Bougainville, 1944.

BELOW

No. 14 Squadron pilots on the tarmac in front of a line-up of Aermacchi jet trainers at Ohakea, 1998.

Images: RNZAF Official

RNZAF photographic history now online B Y

CO M M U N I CATI O N S M A N AG ER M IC H ELLE S I M

“This is a huge step forward for the Air Force Museum, which will revolutionise the way the public can engage with our collections.”

–Matthew O’Sullivan, Keeper of Photographs

26 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

You can now browse and download thousands of images of New Zealand’s military aviation history, with the online release of digitised photographs from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s archives.

T

his new resource is the culmination of 25 years of behindthe-scenes planning and effort.

In 1995, the Museum purchased what was then a cutting-edge database, intended as an access tool for people to search for images via the Internet.

As it was required to be situated within the NZDF DIXS network, however, it wasn’t available to the general public, and people were still required to contact Museum staff to arrange reprints.

Since then, technology has progressed significantly. More modern scanning equipment has meant that historical photos can be digitised to a much higher resolution, while the digital structure of the old database became obsolete and unsupported.

When the Museum began reviewing and updating its IT system in 2015, the opportunity arose finally to realise the goal of making the photo archives searchable online. New image retrieval software was included as a key component of the new system, which now sits outside the internal network.

Matthew O’Sullivan has been the Keeper of Photographs at the Air Force Museum for over 25 years, and has worked on the digitisation programme almost singlehandedly over that time.

“We hope that people enjoy browsing the available images and encourage them to keep returning to see what’s new.”

Over 5,000 images are currently available online, which is an estimated 0.5% of the total collection, but more are being added daily. The photos give a fascinating window into the past – from World War I through to the early 2000s.

The new photo database can be accessed via the Museum’s website at: www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/ photographs

O U R H E R I T A G E |

LEFT

PLTOFF Charlie Haines working at the museum

Museum Deployment B Y

PI LOT O FFI C ER C HAR LI E HAI N ES

Pilot Officer Charlie Haines recently completed a threemonth stint at the RNZAF Museum at Wigram, while awaiting the start of his Wings course. He tells us about some of the insights he gained into what goes on behind the scenes to care for our Air Force’s heritage.

H

aving been a proud Christchurch local for all my life, I have always associated the RNZAF Museum with children’s birthdays and a rainy weekend. However, during the past three months I had the opportunity to work with the Collections Team and have discovered that there is so much more to the Museum than what is on public display.

The Collections Team rarely work in public sight, instead working in the old stores buildings, behind the hangars of the former Base Wigram.

The role of the team is varied, but fundamentally they ensure that all of the items that the Museum houses are catalogued and preserved, providing an accurate record of Air Force history for the public to access. The collection is immense – there are tens of thousands of items with more being donated on a daily basis.

The attention to detail and care taken with every item is significant. Each item is described, measured, photographed and then packaged to ensure that it is well protected and preserved. Sometimes additional research is undertaken so that accurate records can be kept.

I quickly learnt that there are specific techniques required to handle these items – having to wear white cotton gloves was the new norm.

My time at the Museum also provided an opportunity to undertake some of my own family history, with assistance from the Research Team. Pilot Officer Cyril Mulcahy was a pilot with 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF, flying Lancaster bombers towards the end of World War II. He flew a total of nine missions before being killed in action, and it was eerie reading the entry in 75 (NZ) Squadron’s records which described his last mission.

The RNZAF Museum is an invaluable resource – their work is meticulous, detailed, and often time-consuming, however, the results are a well catalogued history of the Air Force preserved for future generations to come.

My short tenure at the Museum has been a highly enjoyable experience and I would encourage anyone who has any remote interest in history to explore the Museum when they are next in Christchurch – it is time well spent.

I was predominately assisting with the memorabilia project which involves looking through all of the plaques, tankards, gifts, aircraft wreckage, aircraft models and aircraft props that have been donated over the years.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 27

| I N N O VAT I O N

Air Force Space Journey B Y

S PAC E A N A LYST PETE COOK

A

n urgent Request for Information has come into the Space Operations Centre. A classified satellite orbiting the earth somewhere above the South China Sea is tasked with gathering data. It is one of many in the constellation, its mission being to provide high resolution multispectral imagery of areas of interest that are often contested or dangerous. The images are captured, processed and sent back to the commander on the ground via intricate cross links, antennas, downlinks, and ground stations. Due to the timely intelligence, the mission is a success.

An excerpt from the new John le Carré spy novel? Or a new Bourne movie?

Surprisingly, neither; it is just some of the concepts, ideas and importantly, current realities that were discussed during the inaugural Introduction to Space course held at Base Auckland recently.

“No one wants a conflict that extends into space…but we must be prepared for when and if it does.”

– General John E. Hyten US Air Force Space Command

28 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

The two week event was the brainchild of WGCDR Leigh Foster, who also administered the United States Air Force National Security Space Institute course in New Zealand. It covered orbital mechanics, space law, propulsion, spacecraft systems, GPS fundamentals and space control.

Additional trips to Rocket Lab, Defence Technology Agency (DTA), GNZ and the University of Auckland Space Institute gave a national context to the key concepts.

Seven Air Force members and a civilian attended the course and will become the first cadre of space informed and educated personnel moving the Air Force into the future.

The course highlighted that both military and civilian life is highly dependent on the capabilities that space operations provide, from the use of satellite communications for Command and Control, to precise timing coming from GPS satellites used in banking and the stock market.

New Zealand has taken its first steps as a space-faring nation, with Rocket Lab launching from our shores and a Space Agency stood up in 2016.

The Enhanced Maritime Awareness Capability project is likely to choose space as one of its key elements, and decisions will need to be made around whether the Defence Force will use our own space assets or assets from another organisation, be that foreign government or commercial.

This course is a step in the right direction and as the space cadre begins to integrate into operations, the benefits will become paramount. As research projects within DTA and Auckland University progress, the prospects for collaboration in this domain are present.

The future of Defence Force Space is looking bright.

I N N O VAT I O N |

Bringing Lifesaving Water

The Ground Support Equipment trade has taken over maintenance of the Defence Force’s Water Treatment Plant, which is a system that delivers lifesaving clean water to disaster zones.

S

ergeant (SGT) Daniel Hartnett said the plant holds three portable bladders, each containing 10,000 litres of drinkable water. It has filters that chlorinate and treat the water, using ultraviolet light.

“If required the plant can also supply a small amount of reverse osmosis filtered water that can be used for medical use,” he said.

The plant also holds three 10,000L grey water bladders and 20,000L of raw untreated water.

The water treatment system can be used in any temporary camp environment, holding up to 180 people.

“It has previously been deployed to Australia on Ex Talisman Sabre and was born out of need in East Timor, during the conflict there in the 1990s.”

“It is ideal to be used in a Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) situation and 18–24 hours after being set up can provide 4,000L of water per hour,” SGT Hartnett said.

“It draws from streams, bores, ponds and lakes and can provide 6,000L per hour for fire emergency supplies.”

The system has been deployed to Christchurch in 2010 after a 7.1 earthquake struck the city.

It was also sent to Samoa after a devastating tsunami struck the island, killing 189 people and causing substantial damage to it and surrounding islands.

It is on constant 48-hour notice to move for any HADR situation.

It can be transported worldwide, but SGT Hartnett said it has mostly been deployed to the South Pacific.

“The kit is compact and easy to be broken down for transport while also being flexible to enable it to service a wide range of situations.

The Ground Support Equipment trade’s role now is to provide specialist/ technical advice for camp set up to command during recces, liaising with councils and Local Government to meet local policy and NZ regulations.

“We will also be involved in future development and research with Environmental Health,” SGT Hartnett said.

“It really is an extraordinary asset and is equipped solely to save lives.”

– Sergeant Daniel Hartnett AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 29

| SPORT

1

Pushing Past the Pain B Y

ED ITO R R EB ECCA Q U I LLIAM

Two Air Force personnel took on one of the country’s toughest races and both battled through the pain to reach the finish line.

M

SGT Senior suffered a couple of soft tissue muscular injuries, but the worst pain were blisters that developed inside the soles of her feet.

The distances varied each day between 45km and 90km – with the shortest distance 30km on the final day.

“I had to cut a little hole in them to allow them to drain. On one of the days we went through farmland, through muddy, stagnant bog and as soon as my feet hit that, it was like someone had shoved red hot pokers through my feet. It was excruciating.

edic Sergeant (SGT) Alex Senior and Flight Sergeant (F/S) Sandi Cooper competed in the 323km race, which started at the base of Mount Cook and finished at Oamaru. The trail passed by lakes, valleys and rivers over diverse terrain. It is run over seven days in stages.

One hundred and nineteen competitors started the race and 97 finished it.

“It’s completely different to any other type of race. Everyone is there to support each other. The first across the lines will wait until the last people come in,” SGT Senior said.

Her final time was about 86 hours.

Compounding the challenge of the distance and terrain, was the hot weather beating down on the runners, she said.

“It was in the high 20s, low 30s. There was nowhere to hide from it.”

30 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

“I was in agony for the last day, which was a 30km stretch. Afterwards, I couldn’t walk and had to have people carry me to the car.”

This year was the third and final year the race was being held. SGT Senior had attended it each year, but this was the first year she completed the course.

The achievement was recognised by her fellow competitors, who created a guard of honour as SGT Senior crossed the finishing line.

SPORT |

3

2

“Your body will give out well before your mind does, but you just have to keep saying to yourself ‘it hurts, but I just have to keep going’.”

F/S Cooper said the guard of honour for her colleague was “incredible”.

“It was like out of a movie. It was done organically with everyone jumping up and doing it. Alex showed an incredible amount of grit.”

F/S Cooper also had problems with blisters throughout the course.

“We were told our feet would swell up, but I didn’t realise by how much and on top of that I had blisters.

4

“It was probably a good five to 10 minute exercise to put my shoes on in the mornings and then once I got them on I had to take a few deep breaths to stand up and then a few more deep breaths before I started moving. For me it was overcoming that constant pain with every step I was taking.”

She was proud of the accomplishment, especially pushing through the pain barrier.

“I would wake up in the mornings and wonder how I was going to get up. But I did it, took one step at a time and soon enough I was 30km into my day.”

The celebration at the end of the ordeal was sweet, she said.

“I waited for Alex to come in, had a nice shower and went to the prize giving that night. It was great to celebrate with everyone who took part in the race, whether they finished or not. It was also good to celebrate and thank the volunteers who supported the event.”

The next challenge for her is to run the Berlin marathon at the end of September.

“I like road running, but it’s not quite as scenic. It’s a different challenge – more cardio as opposed to strength.”

SGT Senior said her next goal was to compete in a three-day race in the United States in October.

“Then next year the same sort of race as the Alps to Oceans is being held in Queenstown called the Southern Lakes Ultra, so I thought I’d give that one a go.”

ONE

Press ups before the start of the race with Mt Cook in the background TWO

(L) F/S Sandi Cooper being congratulated for finishing the event THREE

Runners getting patched up by doctors and physios FOUR

SGT Alex Cooper finishing through the guard of honour

AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 31

| S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

RNZAF aims to ditch less B Y

S EN I O R CO M M U N I CATI O N S A DV I SO R DAVE WI LLIAM S

The Royal New Zealand Air Force has its eyes on the sky, but also an eye on what it is leaving on the ground.

A

s part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s commitment to sustainability (Tuku Iho – or “passing on what you’ve received in at least as good as, if not better than, what you receive it in”) – we have been measuring what is being thrown out.

“The vision is to enhance and protect the Defence Estate through a wide range of measures. This includes the stewardship of our natural, financial, manufactured, intellectual, social and human capital,” says Environmental Sustainability Manager Fiona Thomson.

Teams of volunteers have dived through all the rubbish skips at each of the New Zealand Defence Force camps and bases (including HQNZDF) to determine what is being thrown out and how much.

One of the first goals is to reduce the amount of waste to landfill by ensuring the installation of well-labelled recycling bins on each NZDF site by the end of the year, and to support this with an enduring education programme.

RNZAF bases turned up some interesting finds. At Whenuapai it was furniture and household items, at Ohakea it was charcoal pellets, solvents, furniture and even three dead pheasants, while at Woodbourne it was a lot of plastic bags, batteries, hazardous chemicals and solvents.

Across all sites, they found hundreds of polystyrene cups, which are non-recyclable and never break down, food, children’s toys and a large quantity of diapers, among other surprising items.

Recycling bins are often not used properly and are contaminated with the wrong wastes, which means contractors cannot accept them for recycling.

NZDF produces at least 5,000 tonnes of waste each year and spends upwards of $2.2 million dealing with it – most of it going to landfill. The audit found across the Defence sites, more than half (53 percent) could have gone for recycling.

GET IN TOUCH Please flick us an email: sustainability@nzdf.mil.nz

32 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

Military organisations are not generally considered the most sustainable organisations – but as part of the Tuku Iho vision, NZDF is starting on a pathway to a more sustainable Defence Estate.

“Dealing properly with waste, or ‘putting the right thing in the right bin’, is one of the ‘easy wins’ which everyone can act on,” says Fiona.

As part of the Defence Waste Management Framework, which was adopted last year, the aim is to reduce waste to landfill by 53 percent by 2021 and reduce overall waste generation by weight by 50 percent by 2024. Further down the track, the goal is to reduce food waste by 50 percent.

People are also being encouraged to come up with their own ideas to improve NZDF sustainability. Environmental Sustainability Groups are being set up at each Defence site and everyone is encouraged to join, Fiona says.

“Personnel have told us that waste and recycling is their number one sustainability priority – they are on board, which is great,” Fiona says.

“NZDF is the guardian of a massive estate and we want to ensure that we pass it on in a better condition, so that we can continue to do our job for New Zealand.”

N O T I C E S & Q U I Z |

Notices AIRMAN CADET CLASS OF 1970 REUNION POSTPONED

NEW FORCE4FAMILIES WEBSITE AND DISCOUNT CARD

50th Reunion for 27th Intake RNZAF Airman Cadets at the Marlborough Club in Blenheim has been postponed due to concerns around the Covid-19 pandemic.

• • • •

Details around a new date will be advertised in due course.

For further information, contact Brian Graham (Guntha) at: briangraham222@gmail.com

HQ NZDF WINTER INTERNSHIPS 2020 The HQ NZDF Winter Reserve Force Internship

1.

Where was RNZAF No. 3 Squadron detachment located during the East Timor conflict?

NZDF community Support services Force Financial Hub Discount Scheme

2.

How many RNZAF operational squadrons saw service in the Solomon Islands, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Admiralty Islands during WWII: 16, 20 or 24?

The Integrated Wellness team has announced the launch of the new Force4Families website and alongside it the F4F online discount card.

3.

What is the name of the USAF Base at Guam?

4

The United States Air Force is reactivating the 356th Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.

What aircraft will they fly?

It can be used to connect with Defence families, as well as being a source of information for all NZDF members. It also hosts the refreshed Force4Families Discount Scheme. The new website replaces the plastic card with the introduction of the new online card.

5.

Does Brunei have an air force?

6.

The RNZAF operated an advance base in Tarawa through the 1960’s. In what island group is Tarawa?

7.

During what decade did the first F-18 Hornet fly: 1970s or 1980s?

Check it out today: www.force4families.mil.nz

Scheme will provide selected NZDF Reservists with an internship at a NZDF base across New Zealand.

Air Power Development Centre Quiz

8. During what year did production of the Agusta A 109A helicopter begin: 1976, 1981, or 1986?

9.

The RAAF has 18 air bases, name the two in South Australia.

10. Operation Scorpion was undertaken by RNZAF No. 41 Squadron during the early 1960s. What was it?

Interns will be placed where their individual skills can best be used and they will be exposed to opportunities to further a military or civilian career with the NZDF.

Think you can stump our readers?

Email quiz questions to APDC via ohapdc@nzdf.mil.nz

Applications available by email request to reserves@nzdf.mil.nz.

Deadline for applications is April 17.

More information at: http://reserves.mil.nz/default.htm

10. The air mobility detachment operating out of Korat, Thailand providing resupply missions to the 1st Battle Group of the 35th US Infantry.

4. The F-35A Lightning II. 3. Anderson Air Force Base.

2 24.

1. Suai.

ANSWERS AIR FORCE NEWS #223 | 33

6 The Gilbert Islands. The advance base supported long range patrols of No. 5 Squadron’s Sunderland aircraft.

5. Yes, the Royal Brunei Air Force primarily undertakes air mobility roles.

9 RAAF Base Edinburgh, and RAAF Woomera.

8 1976.

7

1970s, with the first flight undertaken on 18 November 1978.

| PHOTO OF THE MONTH

34 | AIR FORCE NEWS #223

B Y

S ERG E A NT SAM SH EPH ER D

As a photographer you always hope for nice golden light to help make the best photo possible when exercises are occurring at dawn or dusk. As it transpired, the cloud rolled in just as the sun started appearing above the Rimutakas, meaning I had to rely on the gaps in the trees to silhouette the soldiers as they fast roped down. The nature of photo documentary means very little is in your control, so you hope for the best, but are ready to adapt when things don’t work out that way.

AIR FORCE NEWS #223  | 35