| 24 May 2005 - Navy ships support World Expo in Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Over 230 personnel from the Royal New Zealand Navy are proceeding to Japan where they will conduct a week-long defence diplomacy visit in support of the World Expo 2005, Aichi, Japan. HMNZ Ships TE MANA and ENDEAVOUR will be alongside in support of New Zealand Day, Friday 3 June 2005. A Kapa Haka group made up of personnel from both Ships will perform at the New Zealand pavilion at 6:00pm. Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Jack Steer will be meeting the ships in Japan. “The diplomatic presence of the New Zealand Defence Force in conjunction with a significant international event such as the World Expo 2005 helps increase the profile of New Zealand in Japan, and through this assists the Government in achieving their regional aims”. |
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| May 23 2005 - Army and Navy to assist with NZAID projects in Niue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 122 strong New Zealand Defence Force team deploy to Niue tomorrow from RNZAF Air Base Ohakea as part of Exercise Tropic Twilight. Tropic Twilight is a dual sponsored activity with both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the New Zealand Agency of International Development (NZAID). The exercise will assist with the rebuilding and development of the civil infrastructure with NZ AID funding after many buildings suffered extensive damage during Cyclone HETA. Army engineers from 2 Engineer Regiment and medical personnel from 2 Health Services Battalion based at Linton Military Camp and Navy personnel from the RNZN Hydrographic ship, HMNZS RESOLUTION will undertake a variety of civic tasks that have been identified by an earlier visit to the island. The exercise will also allow Defence personnel the opportunity to employ their specialist skills, conduct training, practise low-level operations in a tropical environment and promote closer relations with Niue. The main body will return to NZ June 17, 2005. Departure details: RNZAF Boeing 757 10:55 am RNZAF Air Base Ohakea Yesterday, a RNZAF C130 Hercules departed for Niue carrying additional stores, equipment and building material. The bulk of material was transported by commercial ship to Niue earlier this month. SUMMARY MFAT / NZ AID – NIUE There is a special relationship between Niue and New Zealand. Since 1974 Niue has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand, a status distinct from full independence. New Zealand has a statutory obligation under the Niue Constitution Act 1974 “to provide necessary economic and administrative assistance to Niue” Niue manages its own affairs in all respects except foreign affairs and defence. All Niueans are New Zealand citizens. Between 1901 and 1974 Niue was a dependent territory of New Zealand. NZAID, the Government’s international aid and development agency, provides assistance for Niue of approximately $8.25 million per year. Most of this ($5.75 million) is in the form of budget support and enables Niue to provide essential services to the population. In November 2004, the NZ Prime Minister and Niue’s Premier signed the ‘Halavaka Ke He Monuina’ Arrangement – outlining a $20 million (approx) strengthened programme of cooperation over the next 5 years. Cyclone Heta, struck Niue on January 5 2004 with winds gusting 300km/h and enormous waves. The main village, Alofi, was destroyed and the rest of the island devastated. The storm destroyed much of the Niue’s infrastructure including roads, the hospital and main wharf. Depopulation has magnified the impact of Cyclone Heta and rebuilding is proving an enormous task. Since Cyclone Heta struck in January 2004, additional funding of $4.5 million has gone towards: a. funding for heavy equipment (diggers etc) to clear debris; b. funds to build houses to replace government tenant houses damaged in cyclone. (These are needed for skilled professionals vital to Niue’s recovery and development); c. asbestos clearing from old roofs; d. repairs and re-roofing of damaged houses; e. recovery project manager; and f. assistance for the private sector, to meet needs identified by the Niue Private Sector Taskforce. Right now there is a real opportunity to secure Niue’s future. Private sector investment is taking place in industries including fishing, tourism and crops such as vanilla and noni. Tourism development, particularly, has significant potential, as Niue is an attractive visitor destination. Private investment plus Government support for growing commercial enterprise means a viable economic future is possible and realistic. TASK SUMMARY – NIUE AIRPORT APPROACH CLEARANCE Many large trees are growing in the approach fan to the west of Hanan Airport. These trees obscure the airport landing lights as aircraft approach from the west (the usual approach direction due to the pre-dominant south east trade winds). The Director of Civil Aviation has requested Army assistance in felling the large trees in order to clear the approach fan. A field engineer team of 10 personnel is expected to take 6 days to complete the task. This task provides excellent training value for the field engineer section, providing an opportunity to fell large trees within a tropical forest environment. The Clearance of the Airport Approach will assist the Niue Civil Aviation authorities in ensuring the airport conforms to NZ Civil Aviation Authority standards for International Airports. It will enhance safety for aircraft using the airport. All regular scheduled services currently land and depart during hours of darkness. INDUSTRIAL PARK KITSET BUILDING This task involves the construction of one of two “TOTALSPAN” kitset buildings that have already been funded (by NZAID) and delivered to Niue. Once construction is complete the two buildings will provide a light industrial park for local business that were destroyed by Cyclone HETA. This construction project will be undertaken in partnership with the private sector task force, and supported by the Public Works Department. It will also provide on-the-job training for local tradesmen, arming them with sufficient knowledge and experience to subsequently construct the second kitset building when in a position to do so. This task provides excellent training value for a construction team deployed within a tropical environment. The steel-stud kitset building presents a construction technique seldom used by Army engineers. It provides for the achievement of a number of apprentice competencies for carpenter, plumber and electrician apprentices. It provides the opportunity for field engineers with a basic carpentry qualification to further develop their construction skills. The project is expected to take 18 days to complete. The light industrial park is a very high priority project for Niue, and is seen as essential to re-establishing many small businesses, devastated by Cyclone HETA. It will provide new and functional premises for small businesses, in a more enduring location on higher ground away from the coast. This is seen as essential to rebuilding and stabilizing the local economy. MEDICAL SUPPORT TASKS There are four elements to the medical support tasks for Niue. They include the following: a. Medical support and relief to the Niue Health Clinic Staff, b. Community Health Team - village education and environmental health advice, c. First Aid Training for Government department staff, and d. Dental Assistance to Niue dental services. The local medical staff at the Niue Health Clinic is currently stretched to capacity. The provision of some temporary medical assistance at the Health Clinic in the form of one Medical Officer and two nurses will provide some welcome relief to the local staff. A Community Health Team would deploy to assist Public Health Officers with community based health education, as well as providing environmental health advice. A strong local demand for first aid training was identified during the reconnaissance. A first-aid training team would conduct first aid training for staff from various government departments, including the Public Works Department, the Electricity Department, the Ambulance staff and nurses at the Niue Health Clinic. The Niue dental services are currently constrained by lack of dental equipment. A dental team with deployable dental equipment well operate either at the Primary School or Health Clinic. These tasks provide excellent training value for each element of the medical team. The opportunity to work within a resource constrained tropical environment will test their flexibility and initiative. The nature of work will likely be very different to routine activity in support of NZ-based Army personnel. The local community will benefit through the provision of enhanced medical and dental services, community health education and first aid training for government department staff. SEA TRACK REPAIRS This task involves repairs and refurbishment work on six coastal sea tracks. The sea tracks are owned by local villages, but maintained by the Niue Tourism Board in conjunction with the Public Works Department. The sea tracks are important to the people of Niue to gain access to the lagoon and sea for fishing. They are also important to tourism, providing access to scenic locations for leisure and recreation. The Tourism Board considers the six sea tracks identified as the highest priority sea tracks for use by tourists. The sea tracks will be refurbished and repaired through the removal of large obstacles (rocks, logs and scrub) and the construction of over-ramps, paths, stairs and handrails. The majority of construction stores and materials have been imported from New Zealand, prior to the task commencement. This task provides excellent training value for field engineers deployed within a tropical environment. The sea track refurbishment will enhance the tourism opportunities on the island of Niue. The donation of two quad bikes and trailers with some light clearance and construction equipment will enhance the ability of the Niue Tourism Board to effectively maintain all of their sea track and scenic site locations for use by tourists. Improvements in these areas will help to stabilize the local economy through increased tourist activity on Niue. The sea track refurbishment will also increase local population access to the sea for fishing. VINIVINI TRACK CLEARANCE The Vinivini Track is a walking track through the Huvalu Forest Conservation Area. It has been considered one of the islands best tourist attractions prior to Cyclone HETA, providing an opportunity for tourists to experience undisturbed tropical rainforest. The track is approximately 7.4 km long, however 3.5 km of the track is now impassable to all but the most determined trampers (armed with a machetes). Many large trees have fallen along the track. In the disturbed areas, vines and scrub have grown amongst the fallen trees to create a tangle of vegetation more dense than the surrounding rainforest. It is proposed to employ field engineers to clear the track, restoring it to a condition that will enable easy tourist access along the length of the track. This will largely involve manual effort aided by chainsaws and scrub cutters. Clearance of the Vinivini Track is a significant task and currently lies beyond the resources of the Niue Tourist Department, who are responsible for maintaining the track. Clearance of the track will restore a significant tourist attraction, thus contributing to the local economy. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT REPAIRS The Public Works Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all the Government owned plant and equip on Niue. This includes dozers, graders, loaders, forklifts, trucks, an excavator, and quarry equipment. They also maintain the heavy crane, two lighters and search and rescue boat, all of which are essential to the monthly process of unloading cargo containers from the freight ship. The heavy equipment is maintained in a partially cyclone-damaged makeshift workshop as Cyclone HETA destroyed the main workshop. Much of the equipment has been adversely affected by the exposure to salt water during the cyclone. There is a shortage of repair equipment and the local staff has limited repair experience. An Australian mechanic (funded by AUSAID) is assisting the local staff. The two large lighters used to unload cargo containers from the freight ship are in poor state of repair. Considerable work is required to weld and rust proof the lighters to ensure they remain seaworthy and safe to operate. The local staff would benefit from some training in the operation and servicing of plant and equipment, as well as quarry management and development advice. Vehicle mechanics, maintenance fitters, plant operators and drivers will assist in addressing some of the problems caused by Cyclone HETA. The vehicle mechanics would assist in returning plant and equipment to operational service, providing some relief to the Australian mechanic as well as on the job training for local staff. The maintenance fitters would assist the local staff in effecting repairs to the two lighters, welding and rust proofing them to return them to safe seaworthy condition. The plant operators and drivers would provide training to local staff in operating and servicing plant and equipment. Fleet management and quarry management advice would also be provided in order that the local staff will be better positioned to manage these assets in the future. The plant operators and drivers will also be available to assist with other civic action tasks should they require plant or vehicle assistance from the Public Works Department. This task provides excellent training value for the equipment support personnel, placing them in a situation where they will need to improvise and adapt to local conditions, while interacting with local staff to pass on their knowledge and advice. The plant operators and drivers will have the opportunity to provide informal and on-the-job training to the local staff, as well as confronting the challenges of servicing equipment in poor state with relatively limited repair infrastructure. This work will have a significant benefit to the entire island of Niue, as the equipment operated by the Public Works Department is essential to the continuing functioning of the island. |
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| 23 May 2005 - Defence Industry Excellence Awards –Final Nominations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Final nominations will be taken by the New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry of Defence for the Defence Industry Awards of Excellence until an extended deadline of 31 May 2005. The awards recognise and reward exceptional service delivered to the New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence by New Zealand and Australian companies. They are two tiers for the awards, major capital projects and minor projects/ supply of ongoing goods or services. Companies may be nominated by themselves, Industry organisations, the Ministry of Defence or NZDF units. |
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| 19 May 2005 - NZ ARMY ON STANDBY IN BAY OF PLENTY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34 Army personnel, and ten UNIMOG trucks remain on stand by to assist in the flood ravaged Bay of Plenty area this morning. In the past 24 hours personnel and vehicles from 6 Hauraki Battalion Group and Auckland Northland Battalion Group, Territorial Force units, have provided assistance to the Police at check-points set up in Tauranga suburbs, used four UNIMOGs to evacuate 50 people from Papamoa, and supplied Army sleeping bags, blankets and stretchers to Bay Park, currently being used as a temporary evacuation centre. Army liaison officers remain at Civil Defence Headquarters in Tauranga and Whakatane. Members of the New Zealand Cadet Forces have also been assisting with the relief effort in Tauranga. |
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| 16 May 2005 - AIR FORCE INVESTIGATION COMPLETE: KING AIR LANDING AT HOKITIKA JANUARY 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The investigation into the Air Force King Air approach and landing at Hokitika on 23 January is complete. The investigation concludes that the instrument approaches and missed approaches were conducted professionally and strictly in accordance with published CAA procedures. The subsequent visual circuit was conducted safely and in accordance with the military operations exemption from civil meteorological minima. The report highlights that the aircraft was operated safely and professionally, and within the appropriate exemptions from Civil Aviation Regulations, said Air Force Flight Safety Officer, Flight Lieutenant Lisa D’Oliveira. “The aircraft was flown by a very experienced and qualified crew who were well placed to make appropriate decisions”, says Flight Lieutenant Lisa D’Oliveira. |
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| 16 May 2005 - Greek and New Zealand Defence Forces commemorate Battle of Crete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Representatives of the Greek and New Zealand Defence Forces will commemorate the 64th anniversary of the Battle of Crete in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial at 2:00pm today. Major General Dionysios Theodoritsis, representing Hellenic National Defence Forces and Vice Chief of Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal David Bamfield, ONZM representing the New Zealand Defence Force will lay wreaths. New Zealand Defence Force personnel will also make up a tri service catafalque guard at the National War Memorial. |
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| 10 May 2005 - Navy Lifeboat Accident Findings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A RNZN Court of Inquiry has completed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding an accident that occurred during a lifeboat drill on the Royal New Zealand Navy tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR on 16 August 2004 in Sydney. Twenty-two Sailors were in the lifeboat when it released prematurely from the ship and landed upside down in the water. Thirteen were injured in the incident. RNZN Maritime Component Commander Commodore Jack Steer who assembled the Court of Inquiry has accepted the Court’s findings and all sixteen of its recommendations will be implemented. No disciplinary action will be taken against any individual. Three main factors were identified which together contributed to the accident: 1. a faulty release mechanism 2. the absence of a correctly fitted safety indication guard 3. incorrect drills by the lifeboat crew The Court noted that it was the combination of all three of the factors occurring together that caused the accident. The Royal New Zealand Navy is taking the following specific actions to give effect to the Court’s principal recommendations: 1. repositioning safety and operating signs and developing or purchasing new training equipment 2. improving procedures for use of the ship’s lifeboats, including training procedures, lifeboat maintenance, and operation 3. reviewing policy and training for the operation and maintenance of all RNZN ship life saving equipment including the future PROJECT PROTECTOR fleet The Court noted that many of the ship’s company performed exceptionally well on the day in rescuing the injured sailors and that two in particular exemplified the RNZN’s core values of commitment, courage and comradeship by entering the water to rescue several of their shipmates. It also noted the valuable support provided by the Royal Australian Navy. |
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| 23 March 2005 - Nominations called for Defence Industry Excellence Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry of Defence are calling for nominations for the Defence Industry Awards of Excellence. The awards recognise and reward exceptional service delivered to the New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence by New Zealand and Australian companies. The criteria against which organisations are judged include: * Level of excellence in provision of goods or services to defence, * Degree of innovation demonstrated in providing the goods or services, * Excellence on an ongoing basis, and * Successful development of wider markets. Companies may be nominated by themselves, Industry organisations, the Ministry of Defence or NZDF units. The cut off date for nominations is Friday 20 May, 2005. There are two tiers to the award, one for major capital projects, the other for minor projects or supply of ongoing goods or services. In the past awards have been won by manufacturing and service companies, and for contracts ranging from major civil engineering projects to clothing suppliers and a travel agent. The awards will be presented at the Defence Industry Forum held in Wellington in October. |
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| 23 March 2005 - Lengthy farewell for Navy’s last steam driven frigate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flying a 122 metre long
decommissioning pennant, HMNZS CANTERBURY will enter Auckland Harbour on
Thursday 24 March, fire a gun salute at 09:42 am for the last time as a
commissioned Naval vessel, before berthing at Devonport Naval Base at
10:00am. The Auckland Harbour provides many vantage points for the
public to witness the final entry by HMNZS CANTERBURY. The decommissioning pennant represents the length of service of the ship - the last steam driven Leander Class Frigate in the Royal New Zealand Navy has completed 33 years of operational service. Under the command of Commander Peter Kempster, the crew of 247 Officers and ratings have recently taken HMNZS CANTERBURY on a Farewell Tour of her home port areas of Timaru, Akaroa and Lyttelton/ Christchurch. HMNZS CANTERBURY will decommission on 31 March 2005. |
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| 21 March 2005 - Strikemaster Jet takes to the Road | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A house removal truck will become a jet transporter on Wednesday March 23, when it is used to move a Strikemaster jet. The Strikemaster will be moved from RNZAF Base Woodbourne (Blenheim) to the Omaka Airfield, where it will form part of a ground display for this weekend’s Classic Fighters Airshow. A crane will be used to lift the aircraft over a fence and onto the truck, it will then be transported along State Highway 6 to the Omaka Airfield. It is the first time the Strikemaster has been moved on the back of a truck, a process that has needed careful planning from Flight Sergeant Deane Baunton. “We’ve had to remove the wing tip fuel tanks to keep the width under 11 metres. We will also be using a sling, which is especially designed to lift the aircraft,” said Flight Sergeant Baunton. The Strikemaster, which is over 10 meters long, with a wingspan of over 11 meters is used by the Aeronautical Training Squadron to train Aircraft and Avionics Mechanics. |
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| March 21 2005 - NAVY deploys to Asia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Navy tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR will depart Devonport Naval Base on Tuesday March 22, 2005 at 10:00am, to sail for a 4 ½ month deployment to Australia and Asia. HMNZS ENDEAVOUR will accompany the frigate HMNZS TE MANA on the Asian deployment, which sees the ships representing New Zealand in a variety of operational exercises, activities and Defence Diplomacy visits. Both ships will rendezvous in Australian waters on March 26. Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Lou Gardiner says “the deployment maintains the New Zealand Defence Force’s combat capability in a maritime environment. It also provides an opportunity for the New Zealand and allied navies to train together in combined operations, enhancing skills and interoperability while supporting regional aims and objectives of the Government of New Zealand”. TE MANA and ENDEAVOUR will take part in Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD 05, a maritime and air exercise in the South China Sea contributing to the security of the Asia Pacific region through the Five Power Defence Arrangement, of which New Zealand is a partner. In addition the ships will support New Zealand’s involvement in the World Expo 2005, Aichi, Japan with a week-long port visit timed to coincide with New Zealand Day, 3 June 2005. ENDEAVOUR and TE MANA will then proceed further north for diplomatic visits to Vladivostok, Russia and Shanghai, China before returning to Australian waters. |
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| 21 March 2005 - 19 Gun salute for Navy’s last steam driven frigate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Firing a 19 gun salute, HMNZS CANTERBURY will ensure that her last voyage into Wellington Harbour as a commissioned Naval frigate is a memorable one. HMNZS CANTERBURY will fire a 19 gun salute to the Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson, at 08:05am Tuesday 22 March. This will be returned with a 17 gun salute at Point Jerningham by 16 Field Regiment. The Regimental Sergeant Major of 16 Field Regiment, Warrant Officer Class 1 Kemp Solomon, is an ex-sailor who served on HMNZS CANTERBURY in 1974. |
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| 21 March 2005 - Naval Reserve Patrol Craft returns to Auckland after faithful service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HMNZS MOA will sail from Otago Harbour at 7:00pm Thursday 24 March for her final voyage in a Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve role. HMNZS MOA has been attached to HMNZS TOROA, the Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve Headquarters in Dunedin since 1984. She is departing the Otago region to embark on a new role as a training platform for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Commander Dave Jensen, Commanding Officer of HMNZS TOROA, says “Dunedin Naval Reservists have taken a great pride in MOA and have had many splendid achievements with her. We are sorry to see her leave but are looking forward with enthusiasm to playing a part in manning the Navy's new, larger, faster patrol vessels.” HMNZS MOA will be based at the Devonport Naval Base, Auckland. All Inshore Patrol Craft are returning to Auckland to fulfil training roles, after HMNZS CANTERBURY, a significant training platform, decommissions on 31 March 2005. The return of the Inshore Patrol Craft to Auckland is part of the Navy’s preparation for the seven new ships of the Protector Fleet. |
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| 14 March 2005 - Army support the presentation of Credentials at Government House | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A 25 person Guard of Honour and a Maori Ceremonial Group from the New Zealand Army will provide support to the Governor General of New Zealand, Her Excellency The Honourable Dame Silvia Cartwright, PCNZM, DBE, at a Credentials Ceremony being held at Government House at 1130, Tuesday 15 March 2005. Three Heads of Mission will present their credentials tomorrow. They are: HE Mr Molosiwa Selepeng, High Commissioner for the Republic of Botswana, resident in Canberra; HE Dr Ramesh Ananda Vaidya, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Nepal, resident in Tokyo; and HE Mr Ashraf-ud-Doula, High Commissioner for the People's Republic of Bangladesh, resident in Canberra. In addition, HE Mr Glyne Samuel Hyvestra Murray, High Commissioner for Barbados, resident in Ottawa will participate in the outdoor ceremony and lunch, having presented his Letter of Introduction to the Prime Minister on Monday 14 March 2005. The Maori Ceremonial Group will offer a wero to each Head of Mission, including offering them a ‘dart’ or small carved spear as part of the ceremonial challenge. A Karanga (call of welcome) and a haka will follow the wero. After a hongi is performed between the Head of Mission and the Government House Kaumatua, to symbolise the coming together of the overseas guest and the people of New Zealand, the Army Guard will offer a General Salute, while the appropriate national flag is unfurled. After the Head of Mission inspects the guard, their flag is brought down and they are escorted into Government House. |
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| 11 March 2005 - ARMY ENGINEERS SUPPORT “BLITZ BUILD 05” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 Army Engineers from the Linton based School of Military Engineering will put their trade skills to the fore in Auckland from 11-19 March when they participate in “Blitz Build 05” a Habitat for Humanity project. Cpl Lindsay Thomas and his team of 17 Carpenters, Plumbers and Electricians have worked on a number of other community based building projects previously and see this as a great opportunity to once again assist the community and at the same time gain valuable training experience. The Engineers will work alongside other skilled craftsmen and a large team of supporters on the construction of five new kit-set houses in Clendon, Manurewa. As part of the project, the families who are to shift into the completed houses are required to contribute 500 hours of their time into working on their own home and other Habitat for Humanity home building projects. Blitz Build 05 organisers say, “The driving force behind the organisation is its volunteers who offer up their time. We see this as an opportunity to provide Army Engineers an insight into modern housing construction skills and at the same time for all of us to gain benefit from the teamwork displayed by the Military”. Habitat for Humanity is a world wide not-for-profit organisation with a simple mission, “eliminate poverty housing”. Since its inception in 1976, Habitat has built over 175,000 houses in 100 nations, including New Zealand. The houses are simple decent homes and assist families out of poverty and into their own home. |
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| 11 March 2005 - New Zealand Army Driver Training Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terms of Reference for the review of Army driver training will include legislative compliance, safety, and driver progression rates. The review will also compare the Army driver training programme to national and international driver training methods. The Chief of Army, Major General Jerry Mateparae, directed the review after the recent fatal Unimog accident near Cromwell. Colonel Kevin Burnett, who commands the Army’s Training Group, is leading the review. He says, “We’ve taken a lot of time to develop the training regime that we currently have. We work hard to ensure that we meet all of our legislative requirements and we certainly wish to give the best possible training to our soldiers. “However, we believe it is important to investigate whether there is any commonality between recent vehicle accidents and whether changes to our driver training regime need to be made to ensure it meets world-class standards”. The Army-wide review, which began last week, is expected to take at least a month to complete. |
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| 11 March 2005 - Precautionary measures for Unimog Driver Training | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As a precaution the New Zealand Army has initiated an Army-wide modification to the ratio of supervisors to students during Unimog specific driver training. Effective immediately, in each Unimog cab, two students will be accompanied by either an Army driving instructor or an experienced supervisor/mentor at all times. Prior to this modification a student driver received initial driver training at a ratio of one driving instructor per two students until they gained their heavy transport licence (Class 2). The ratio then changed to one driving instructor supervising up to five students as the students gained further experience on the vehicle. “We have implemented this driver training modification on initial advice from the Court of Inquiry currently investigating the Unimog accident that occurred near Cromwell on 23 February. This will remain extant until the wider driver training review confirms exactly the approach we will take for the future,” said Colonel Burnett, Commander of the Army Training Group. The next Unimog driver training course is scheduled for April. |
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| 10 March 2005 - Navy mother and son to receive Long Service Medals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fifteen years ago, Chaplain Pauline Law and her son Lieutenant Commander Andrew Law (Kerikeri) joined the Navy and completed their initial training together. At 1030 on Friday 11 March 2005 they will both receive their long service medals from the Commanding Officer, HMNZS PHILOMEL, Captain Clive Holmes, in the Devonport Naval Base. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 March 2005 - NZ Defence Force hosts South Pacific Defence and Security Seminar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The New Zealand Defence Force will host a South Pacific Defence and Security Seminar from 10-24 March, at the Military Studies Institute, Trentham Military Camp. “The Seminar brings together police, defence, and security officials from 15 countries and regional organisations from throughout the South Pacific, including from the Pacific Forum Secretariat. Its aim is to broaden the region’s collective understanding of emerging security challenges in the South Pacific and to examine whole-of-government approaches to countering these threats” said Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson. Participating officials will discuss such issues as the strategic environment, international law, maritime surveillance, trans-national crime, disaster management and regional peacekeeping. The Seminar will be funded from the Government’s Pacific Security Fund. The fund was established in September 2003 with the objective of strengthening security in the Pacific through the provision of advice, training, and technical assistance. “The South Pacific region faces a diverse and increasing range of security challenges. Countering these challenges requires a regional approach involving the assets and skills of regional law enforcement agencies, military and government. The South Pacific Defence and Security Seminar is part of this process.” |
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| 9 March 2005 - NAVY BAND ON THE ROAD FOR WEST COAST CONCERTS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 members of the Navy Band from the Devonport Naval Base, will be performing three school concerts in Hokitika and one public concert in Greymouth on 15 and 16 March 2005. The Navy Band is in the Timaru/Akaroa and Lyttelton areas in support of the Farewell Tour for the Navy’s last steam driven frigate, HMNZS CANTERBURY Farewell Tour prior to decommissioning from operational service on 31 March 2005. The Navy Band has a two day break in the programme to travel across to the West Coast to perform for two schools and a public concert. In a hometowner twist, a Navy Band musician, Able Musician Craig Simpson, is originally from Hokitika, attended Westland High School, and is looking forward to performing a concert at his old school. Programme Hokitika Tuesday 15 March 1115 am School Concert Westland High 7:00 pm Public Concert Regent Theatre – gold coin donation to raise funds for theatre Greymouth Wednesday 16 March 0945 am School Concert Greymouth High 2:10 pm School Concert John Paul Second High School |
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| 4 March 2005 - Red Checkers Swoop in on Rotorua & Tauranga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Air Force’s elite aerobatics team, the Red Checkers will display over Rotorua and Tauranga on Monday 7 March. The team’s precision will wow the crowd as they fly upside down; perform loops and rolls as well as their hallmark mirror formation. Piloting the distinctive yellow and black CT-4 Airtrainer, the Red Checkers are all qualified flying instructors from RNZAF Base Ohakea. Media and members of the public are invited to watch the Red Checkers displays at the following times. Rotorua 12.15 – above the float plane jetty beside Lake Front Drive Tauranga – 6pm – above the Sound Shell at the base of Mt Drury Reserve. |
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| 4 March 2005 - NZ Army ready to beat businesses with their burly black boat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A NZ Army dragon boat team will compete in the corporate division of the Wellington Dragon Boat Festival this weekend, 05 - 06 March 2005. The NZ Army is one of five major sponsors for the festival and will have a recruitment display, including the recruitment bus and an NZLAV, situated at the waterfront over the weekend for anyone interested in learning more about life in the NZ Army. The NZ Army team has only recently been formed, however they have already enjoyed success when they impressed spectators and came first in their category at the Masterton Dragon Boating regatta in January. The corporate division will race on Saturday morning between 9am and 12noon followed by the Secondary School categories in the afternoon. The finals will be held on the Sunday. |
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| 3 March 2005 - NAVY’S LAST STEAM DRIVEN FRIGATE HELPS VESSEL IN DISTRESS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HMNZS CANTERBURY, who begins her Farewell Tour to her home port areas next week before her formal decommissioning on March 31, demonstrated she is still an operational part of the Naval Combat Force when she went to the rescue of a stricken vessel in the Port Jackson areas late last night. At approx 2130 last night as HMNZS CANTERBURY was taking part in night manoeuvres as part of Exercise TASMANEX, she responded to a call for assistance from a stricken vessel. Initial concerns were that the 32 foot MV SCENARIO was sinking fast and HMNZS CANTERBURY immediately despatched her Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) to assist the skipper and 3 crew onboard. On arrival, the vessel was found to have a gash on the side and taking on water fast with the level continuing to rise at an alarming rate. A crew member from HMNZS CANTERBURY with specialised carpentry skills was despatched to make emergency repairs to keep the vessel afloat. Water was pumped from the MV SCENARIO and once the water level was lowered, HMNZS CANTERBURY’s RHIB and the vessel ‘SUNFLOWER’, who had arrived to offer assistance, towed the stricken vessel into Port Jackson at approx 0100 this morning. Local farmers arrived at the beach to offer further assistance. The skipper and crew of MV SCENARIO remained overnight in Port Jackson and expected to make repairs to the vessel this morning. The rescue at sea was a very good example of a multi-agency operation with HMNZS CANTERBURY, Westpac Helicopter, Maritime Radio, Police Launch Headquarters and the vessel ‘SUNFLOWER’ all working alongside each other to offer assistance to a mariner in need. After ensuring the skipper and crew were safe and the vessel MV SCENARIO was secured, HMNZS CANTERBURY returned to the exercise area and along with the other ships involved in Exercise TASMANEX, made a Fleet Entry into the Auckland Harbour and is now berthed alongside at the Devonport Naval Base. |
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| 3 March 2005 - NZ Army Engineers Training in Wellington Harbour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 Army engineers from Linton Military Camp will be in Wellington Harbour today assisting the Wellington City Council remove a vehicle from the bottom of the sea floor next to Queens Wharf. The car, a mini, has been in the Harbour for a year and was located through a search of the sea floor earlier in the week. The engineers are specialist Army divers and will first vacuum the sea floor to remove the silt surrounding the vehicle. They will then use lift bags to raise the vehicle to the surface before craning the car out of the water at approximately 1pm today. All 10 Army engineers have completed a four-week voluntary diving course run by the Royal New Zealand Navy. It is a demanding and physically intensive course with a 50% pass rate. “It’s important that we have engineers trained to undertake underwater engineering tasks, such as setting up explosives and sub-marine building because what we do on land we must also be able to do underwater,” says the dive team’s commander, Captain Neville Mosley. Although the Army diving course is equivalent to the Police and Navy search and recovery courses there is a specialist component to ensure the engineers are competent in underwater demolition and construction. The engineers will be in Wellington until 9 March and plan to recover some cable out at Evans Bay as well as conduct a search to recover old cogs and boat moorings from the sea floor. |
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| 3 March 2005 - NZ Army Unimog accident – Memorial Services for Pte Ohlen and Pte Partington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Two Army Memorial Services will be held on Friday, 4 March 2005 for Private Shane Adrian Ohlen and Private David James Partington. Both Soldiers are missing presumed dead as a result of last Wednesday’s fatal NZ Army Unimog accident at Cromwell. Private Ohlen’s Memorial Service will be held at Burnham Military Camp at 2pm. Media interested in attending the Burnham Memorial Service must register with Lieutenant Megan Walsh on 027 676 5910. Private Partington’s Memorial Service will be at Linton Military Camp at 2pm. Media interested in attending the Linton Memorial Service must register with Captain Kendall Peacock on 021 182 2887. A Memorial Service and Funeral has already taken place for the third accident victim, Private Ashley Patrick Goodwin whose body was recovered at the accident scene. The New Zealand Army’s thoughts remain with the families and friends of the three soldiers. |
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| 2 March 2005 - Air Force Orion Surveys Cyclone Damage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| An Air Force Orion has today conducted a reconnaissance flight over Nassau. Part of the northern Cook Islands, Nassau has this week been battered by hurricane force weather conditions. The crew on board the Orion observed significant damage to most structures on the island and estimated most, if not all thatched structures were destroyed. The crew also estimated that ninety percent of the modern structures on the island had been damaged. The Orion, which initially launched on a search and rescue mission early yesterday morning is now on its way back to New Zealand. The aircraft is due to arrive at RNZAF Base Whenuapai early this evening. An Air Force C-130 Hercules has this morning left Rarotonga for Penrhyn, where it will drop off food, water and emergency shelters. |
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| 2 March 2005 - NAVY SURVEY VESSEL TO VISIT WELLINGTON | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HMNZS RESOLUTION, the Navy’s survey vessel, will berth alongside at Queens Wharf, Wellington at 10:00am Thursday 3 March 2005. HMNZS RESOLUTION is currently carrying out surveying operations in the Cook Strait for Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). She will make a three day visit to Wellington, departing Wellington at 10:00am Monday 7 March 2005 and proceeding back to her survey ground. The ship will not be open to the public on this visit. Particulars Length - 68.3 m |
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| 2 March 2005 - NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN NAVY SHIPS ARRIVE IN STYLE FOR NAVY OPEN DAY - Fleet Entry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Zealand Navy frigates, HMNZS TE KAHA, HMNZS TE MANA and HMNZS CANTERBURY along with Australian Navy ships HMAS MELVILLE, HMAS PARRAMATTA and HMAS MELBOURNE will form a ‘Fleet Entry’ into Auckland Harbour from 0930 on Thursday 3 March 2005, with a flypast from an Air Force P3 Orion scheduled for 0940. The ‘Fleet Entry’ marks the completion of Exercise TASMANEX which involved eleven ships and aircraft from the New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces as well as one British aircraft, all put through their paces in many varied serials designed to hone warfare skills in a number of scenario based activities. The combined fleet will be alongside at the Devonport Naval Base to take part in the Navy Open Day before returning to sea during the week starting Monday 7 March. Navy Open Day The Devonport Naval Base will be open to the public from 10 am – 4 pm Saturday 5 March 2005. The public will have the opportunity to tour Navy ships from New Zealand and Australia. The Navy is looking forward to hosting the public for the day and demonstrating the many exciting activities that are part of a challenging and rewarding career. Events planned for the day include: · Public tours through 9 Navy frigates/survey ship/landing ship/patrol vessels · RNZN Tanker and Diving Tender on display · Navy Seasprite Helicopter Display · Weapons Display · Damage Control (Fire) Display · Sea Cadet Display · Live Boardings · Physical Training Display/Abseiling · Navy Divers Display · Sword Drill Display · Navy Band Performances · RNZN Pipes and Drums Performances · Static Displays of all trades/branches/schools/photo boards · Food Stalls/Face Painting · Meet and talk to the personnel in your Navy |
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| 28 February 2005 - British Contingent Take Out Sub Hunting Competition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A 25 strong Royal Air Force (RAF) contingent has taken out the coveted Fincastle Trophy. Fincastle is the world’s longest running submarine hunting competition. Maritime Patrol Forces from Australia and Britain were pitted against the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No.5 Squadron, who hosted the competition at RNZAF Base Whenuapai. The keenly contested competition run throughout February involved the participant’s ability to detect, classify, track and engage a submarine by day or night. Flying a Nimrod, the RAF contingent won the Fincastle Trophy, while the British ground crew took out the maintenance competition. The New Zealand Fincastle team won the Fellowship Trophy for camaraderie and good sportsmanship. |
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| 25 February 2005 - NZ Army Unimog accident – Memorial Service and Funeral for Private Ashley Goodwin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A Memorial Service is to be held at Burnham Military Camp this Saturday 26 February 2005 at 2pm for Private Ashley Patrick Goodwin, Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment. Private Goodwin will also be farewelled with full military honours at a Funeral Service at the Motueka RSA on Monday 28 February at 11am, followed by a service at the Motueka Crematorium. Private Goodwin died as a result of a fatal accident involving a New Zealand Army Unimog vehicle on Wednesday 23 February 2005. The two other soldiers involved are still missing. The New Zealand Army expresses its deep regret at the tragic loss of life. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the three soldiers involved in the accident. |
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| 24 February 2005 - FIRST VISIT TO GISBORNE FOR NAVY FRIGATE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This weekend port visit by the Navy Frigate HMNZS TE KAHA, will mark the first ever time an ANZAC Class frigate has been in the port of Gisborne. HMNZS TE KAHA will berth in Gisborne at 1000 Friday 25 February and depart at 1000 on Monday 28 February 2005. The visit will also be an opportunity for the Commanding Officer, Commander Keith Robb, to return to his hometown in style. Commander Robb was raised in Mangapapa and attended Lytton High School. HMNZS TE KAHA, along with eleven ships and aircraft from the New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces as well as one British aircraft, is taking part in Exercise TASMANEX which involves many varied serials designed to hone warfare skills in a number of scenario based activities. The port visit to Gisborne will be a welcome rest and relaxation break for Commander Robb and his crew of 163 officers and ratings, before heading back to join the exercise at sea on Monday 28 February. Particulars HMNZS TE KAHA F77 Length: 118 m Displacement: 3,600 tonnes Complement: 163 (Officers and Ratings) Speed: 27 + knots Commanding Officer: Commander Keith Robb, RNZN Executive Officer: Lieutenant Commander John Butcher, RNZN |
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| 24 February 2005 - Army-wide review into driver training | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The New Zealand Army today announced that it would conduct an Army-wide review into driver training. The review will be benchmarked, to ensure that the New Zealand Army is conducting driver training to world-class standards. Terms of Reference for the review are currently being established and national and international experts may be approached to assist in the review. Chief of Army, Major General Jerry Mateparae said that the recent number of fatal vehicles accidents involving soldiers is of grave concern. “We believe it is important to investigate whether there is any commonality between the accidents. Once we complete the review we’ll then be able to determine whether any action is required to ensure we continue to meet New Zealand driving standards and our obligations to members of the New Zealand Army”, he says. A Court of Inquiry will also be conducted into yesterday’s fatal Unimog accident in Cromwell. One soldier is confirmed dead and two other soldiers are still missing. The New Zealand Police are have continued the search for the missing soldiers and Unimog today. |
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| February 24, 2005 - AIR FORCE CREW AND THEIR C-130 AIRCRAFT RETURNS FROM INDONESIA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 RNZAF personnel from the tsunami devastated Aceh Province relief operations will return home tomorrow night.
RNZAF personnel and their C-130 Hercules aircraft will touch down at RNZAF Base Whenuapai at 8:40 pm on Friday February 25, 2005, after nearly two months in Sumatra transporting humanitarian aid and displaced Indonesians from Halim and Banda Aceh. OPERATION SUMATRA ASSISTANCE BACKGROUNDER Introduction. In response to the 26 December 2004 tsunami, NZDF personnel and Force Elements (FE) were deployed to the affected region for a period of 30 days to provide immediate humanitarian assistance. 1st C-130 Operations (NSH 738) HQ JFNZ started planning 27 December 2004 to deploy a RNZAF C-130 to Indonesia. Ministerial endorsement was received from joint Ministers Burton and Goff in the evening of the 27 of December 2004. All planning for the deployment of the NZ C-130 was based on the aircraft working in conjunction with the ADF, which coordinated relief operations in Indonesia. The C-130 deployed from RNZAF Base Whenuapai at 1:00 pm on Tuesday 28 December 2004, having been tasked to be prepared to transport humanitarian assistance freight in the Indonesian area under the auspices of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Combined Joint Headquarters. The aircraft collected freight at RAAF Base Richmond (Water Filtration Equipment) to deliver to Medan. The aircraft was diverted to Halim mid flight due to limited ramp space at Medan. Additional payload transported during its’ deployment included relief workers and displaced Indonesians, Humanitarian freight, vehicles and emergency rations. An electrical fault caused a temporary delay in tasks, however was rectified within 24 hours. This C 130 returned to New Zealand on 08 January 2005, in order to conduct taskings within New Zealand. 2nd C-130 Operations (NSH 790) The second C-130 departed RNZAF Base Ohakea 02 January 2005 bound for Jakarta, and was farewell by Minister Burton and CDF. On board an air load team (ALT), maintenance crew, medical supplies and thirteen troops from the light medial team (LMT). An additional ALT team (x 4 pers) deployed by civil air NZ-Jakarta 06 January to support the C130 crew based in Halim. NSH 790 remained in theatre for the entire duration of Op Sumatra Assist, transporting Humanitarian freight, relief workers, displaced Indonesians, and media. It also facilitated the rotation of LMT personnel at the end of January, and the extraction of personnel at the end of February. This C130 has kept the maintenance crew working hard, however has completed all taskings as intended, albeit with some delays. Some stats from the RNZAF C130 Hercules. a. Humanitarian Aid into Banda Aceh: 430,000 lbs b. Relief workers and refugees transported: 1,477 c. Flights (Halim - Banda Aceh return): 29 flights B757 Operations (NSB 764) Op Phuket Assistance. On Wednesday 29 December 2004 a number of requests were placed upon the NZDF in relation to the Tsunami Relief effort. To meet multiple demands, Chief of Defence Force (CDF) authorized the employment of the B757 to conduct long haul strategic airlift between Australia and Asia, particularly Indonesia. An emergency response team of 16 NZ Police (Disaster Victim Identification Unit) and 2 MFAT officials were deployed into Phuket, along with NZDF Air Load Teams, Communications, Aeromedical Evacuation and Public Relations personnel. The B757 departed NZ on Thursday 30 December and arrived in Phuket on Friday 31 December, subsequently redeploying to Kuala Lumpur for further taskings. It conducted it’s first strategic air lift in support of Op Sumatra Assist on 5 January 2005, deploying ADF logistic support personnel into Indonesia. The B757 was released from support to Op Sumatra Assist and returned to New Zealand on 9 January 2005. Staff Officer Contingent The Senior National Officer (Lt Col Evan Williams) for the LMT, four staff officers and a Communications NCO were based in Medan throughout the Operation assisting HQ CJTF 629 with staff duties in support of the ANZAC Field Hospital in Banda Aceh and other ADF relief efforts in the area. Light Medical Team (LMT) The first Light Medical Team (LMT) of 31 personnel was deployed by civil air and C-130 to Malaysia over the period 1-2 January 05. Eighteen personnel deployed by Civilian Air from Wellington to supplement the 13 deployed by C-130 (NSH 790) from Ohakea. The LMT concentrated at RMAF Butterworth (Malaysia). The LMT departed New Zealand prepared for a 30 day deployment. All Op Sumatra Assist personnel were uniformed but unarmed. LMT comprised: a. An Officer Commanding (Major Charmaine Pene). b. Medical element (2 Medical Officers, 2 Nursing Officers, Environmental Health Officer (EHO), EHO Technical SNCO and 8 medics). c. Communications element (3). d. General Duties element (10). e. Drivers (2). f. Logistics personnel (1). The NZ LMT arrived as a small but functioning team (in terms of comms, medical, dvrs, logistics, etc) which was ready to work from Day One. In conjunction with the ADF the LMT established ANZAC Fd Hospital, increasing the hospital capacity from nil on arrival, to 25 beds. LMT personnel were accommodated in hard standing, on stretchers. All facilities were surrounded by mud and sewage, and earthquakes were a frequent occurrence. Meals were provided by the ADF ration packs, accompanied by fresh fruit and bread every three days. Work included a. Removal of mud/debris and cleaning of ANZAC hospital. b. Setting up functioning hospital services. c. General Ward Duty, including manning Infectious Diseases Ward. d. Working closely with Indonesian Medical Staff. Rotation of LMT(A) and LMT(B). Due to the intense work being conducted it was necessary to conduct a relief in place of personnel deployed on Op Sumatra Assist. LMT (B) departed Ohakea on Friday 4 February 2005, conducting a handover with LMT (A) in Banda Aceh. LMT (A) returned to Ohakea on Wednesday 9 February 2005. Withdrawal of NZDF personnel The period of immediate relief is now over and Aceh has entered the recovery and reconstruction phase, which is being managed by the UN, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) and a number of NGOs. The NZ Embassy in Jakarta confirms that both the NZDF Light Medical Team in Banda Aceh and the Air Loading Team and C-130 at Halim Air Base in East Jakarta have been fulfilling an essential role in relief efforts. While the NZDF presence has been greatly appreciated, and is seen as a timely response to a disaster of the magnitude experienced, it is recognised that the need for NZDF humanitarian support will soon be at an end and it is appropriate to withdraw in conjunction with the ADF. Reports from NZDF personnel in Indonesia indicate that the need for military assistance has dwindled now that UN civilian agencies are taking control and the ADF is planning to withdraw the bulk of its forces at the end of February. LMT (B) and some RNZAF personnel are due home early on Saturday 26 February 2005. The C130 and crew are due home on the evening of Friday 25 February 2005. Note: Dates may change due to aircraft schedules. Brief Notes LMT(A) First rotation 1 & 2 Jan - 9 Feb 05 LMT(B) Second rotation 4 Feb - 26 Feb 05 NSH 790 C130 deployed 1 Jan - 25 Feb 05, with some crew rotating on 4 February 2005. NSH 738 C130 deployed 28 December 2004 - 8 January 2005. RNZAF B757 deployed 30 December 2004 - 9 January 2005. Used to transport personnel (ADF & NZDF) and equipment during the early stages of the tsunami relief (Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) and then to move LMT from NZ to Indonesia and return. |
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| February 24, 2005 - NEW ZEALAND MILITARY RETURN HOME FROM BANDA ACEH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 59 Defence personnel from the second rotation of the Light Medical Team and RNZAF support personnel will return home this Saturday at 2:00 am from Banda Aceh. The Joint Force Commander, Major General Lou Gardiner, will welcome the contingent at RNZAF Base Ohakea early Saturday morning. "The Light Medical Team was part of the NZ Defence Force personnel deployed on Operation Sumatra Assist. Working alongside their Australian counterparts at the ANZAC Field Hospital, we truly appreciate the magnitude of their work and the progress they have made during their time on the ground," General Gardiner said. "Like all New Zealanders, I am very proud of the part the men and women of the NZ Defence Force have played in helping the people of Aceh. Given the progress of the relief operations, the NZDF is now able to commence withdrawing our emergency relief effort." The returning contingent of Navy, Army and Air Force personnel are from Navy Health Services, 2nd Health Support Battalion, 1st Battalion, 40 Squadron, and NZDF medical specialists from Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The C-130 Hercules which has been based out of Halim since 01 January will arrive at RNZAF Base Whenuapai tomorrow night at 8:40 pm O/c LMT(B)clears customs and MAF OPERATION SUMATRA ASSISTANCE BACKGROUNDER Introduction. In response to the 26 December 2004 tsunami, NZDF personnel and Force Elements (FE) were deployed to the affected region for a period of 30 days to provide immediate humanitarian assistance. 1st C-130 Operations (NSH 738) HQ JFNZ started planning 27 December 2004 to deploy a RNZAF C-130 to Indonesia. Ministerial endorsement was received from joint Ministers Burton and Goff in the evening of the 27 of December 2004. All planning for the deployment of the NZ C-130 was based on the aircraft working in conjunction with the ADF, which coordinated relief operations in Indonesia. The C-130 deployed from RNZAF Base Whenuapai at 1:00 pm on Tuesday 28 December 2004, having been tasked to be prepared to transport humanitarian assistance freight in the Indonesian area under the auspices of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Combined Joint Headquarters. The aircraft collected freight at RAAF Base Richmond (Water Filtration Equipment) to deliver to Medan. The aircraft was diverted to Halim mid flight due to limited ramp space at Medan. Additional payload transported during its’ deployment included relief workers and displaced Indonesians, Humanitarian freight, vehicles and emergency rations. An electrical fault caused a temporary delay in tasks, however was rectified within 24 hours. This C 130 returned to New Zealand on 08 January 2005, in order to conduct taskings within New Zealand. 2nd C-130 Operations (NSH 790) The second C-130 departed RNZAF Base Ohakea 02 January 2005 bound for Jakarta, and was farewelled by Minister Burton and CDF. On board an air load team (ALT), maintenance crew, medical supplies and thirteen troops from the light medial team (LMT). An additional ALT team (x 4 pers) deployed by civil air NZ-Jakarta 06 January to support the C130 crew based in Halim. NSH 790 remained in theatre for the entire duration of Op Sumatra Assist, transporting Humanitarian freight, relief workers, displaced Indonesians, and media. It also facilitated the rotation of LMT personnel at the end of January, and the extraction of personnel at the end of February. This C130 has kept the maintenance crew working hard, however has completed all taskings as intended, albeit with some delays. Some stats from the RNZAF C130 Hercules. a. Humanitarian Aid into Banda Aceh: 430,000 lbs b. Relief workers and refugees transported: 1,477 c. Flights (Halim – Banda Aceh return): 29 flights B757 Operations (NSB 764) Op Phuket Assistance. On Wednesday 29 December 2004 a number of requests were placed upon the NZDF in relation to the Tsunami Relief effort. To meet multiple demands, Chief of Defence Force (CDF) authorized the employment of the B757 to conduct long haul strategic airlift between Australia and Asia, particularly Indonesia. An emergency response team of 16 NZ Police (Disaster Victim Identification Unit) and 2 MFAT officials were deployed into Phuket, along with NZDF Air Load Teams, Communications, Aeromedical Evacuation and Public Relations personnel. The B757 departed NZ on Thursday 30 December and arrived in Phuket on Friday 31 December, subsequently redeploying to Kuala Lumpur for further taskings. It conducted it’s first strategic air lift in support of Op Sumatra Assist on 5 January 2005, deploying ADF logistic support personnel into Indonesia. The B757 was released from support to Op Sumatra Assist and returned to New Zealand on 9 January 2005. Staff Officer Contingent The Senior National Officer (Lt Col Evan Williams) for the LMT, four staff officers and a Communications NCO were based in Medan throughout the Operation assisting HQ CJTF 629 with staff duties in support of the ANZAC Field Hospital in Banda Aceh and other ADF relief efforts in the area. Light Medical Team (LMT) The first Light Medical Team (LMT) of 31 personnel was deployed by civil air and C-130 to Malaysia over the period 1-2 January 05. Eighteen personnel deployed by Civilian Air from Wellington to supplement the 13 deployed by C-130 (NSH 790) from Ohakea. The LMT concentrated at RMAF Butterworth (Malaysia). The LMT departed New Zealand prepared for a 30 day deployment. All Op Sumatra Assist personnel were uniformed but unarmed. LMT comprised: a. An Officer Commanding (Major Charmaine Pene). b. Medical element (2 Medical Officers, 2 Nursing Officers, Environmental Health Officer (EHO), EHO Technical SNCO and 8 medics). c. Communications element (3). d. General Duties element (10). e. Drivers (2). f. Logistics personnel (1). The NZ LMT arrived as a small but functioning team (in terms of comms, medical, dvrs, logistics, etc) which was ready to work from Day One. In conjunction with the ADF the LMT established ANZAC Fd Hospital, increasing the hospital capacity from nil on arrival, to 25 beds. LMT personnel were accommodated in hard standing, on stretchers. All facilities were surrounded by mud and sewage, and earthquakes were a frequent occurrence. Meals were provided by the ADF ration packs, accompanied by fresh fruit and bread every three days. Work included a. Removal of mud/debris and cleaning of ANZAC hospital. b. Setting up functioning hospital services. c. General Ward Duty, including manning Infectious Diseases Ward. d. Working closely with Indonesian Medical Staff. Rotation of LMT(A) and LMT(B). Due to the intense work being conducted it was necessary to conduct a relief in place of personnel deployed on Op Sumatra Assist. LMT (B) departed Ohakea on Friday 4 February 2005, conducting a handover with LMT (A) in Banda Aceh. LMT (A) returned to Ohakea on Wednesday 9 February 2005. Withdrawal of NZDF personnel The period of immediate relief is now over and Aceh has entered the recovery and reconstruction phase, which is being managed by the UN, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) and a number of NGOs. The NZ Embassy in Jakarta confirms that both the NZDF Light Medical Team in Banda Aceh and the Air Loading Team and C-130 at Halim Air Base in East Jakarta have been fulfilling an essential role in relief efforts. While the NZDF presence has been greatly appreciated, and is seen as a timely response to a disaster of the magnitude experienced, it is recognised that the need for NZDF humanitarian support will soon be at an end and it is appropriate to withdraw in conjunction with the ADF. Reports from NZDF personnel in Indonesia indicate that the need for military assistance has dwindled now that UN civilian agencies are taking control and the ADF is planning to withdraw the bulk of its forces at the end of February. LMT (B) and some RNZAF personnel are due home early on Saturday 26 February 2005. The C130 and crew are due home on the evening of Friday 25 February 2005. Note: Dates may change due to aircraft schedules. Brief Notes LMT(A) First rotation 1 & 2 Jan – 9 Feb 05 LMT(B) Second rotation 4 Feb – 26 Feb 05 NSH 790 C130 deployed 1 Jan – 25 Feb 05, with some crew rotating on 4 February 2005. NSH 738 C130 deployed 28 December 2004 – 8 January 2005. RNZAF B757 deployed 30 December 2004 – 9 January 2005. Used to transport personnel (ADF & NZDF) and equipment during the early stages of the tsunami relief (Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) and then to move LMT from NZ to Indonesia and return. |
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| 23 February 2005 - NEW ZEALAND ARMY UNIMOG ACCIDENT - CROMWELL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force has been advised of a fatal accident involving a NZ Army Unimog vehicle early this afternoon [Wednesday 23 February]. One person is confirmed dead and two others are missing . Minister of Defence, Hon Mark Burton and Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson express their deep regret at this loss of life and injury. Their thoughts are with the families of the personnel involved in this tragedy. The Unimog truck was conducting a driver training exercise north of Cromwell when it left the road and crashed in a river. The New Zealand Army will conduct a full investigation into the accident. |
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| 22 February 2005 - AMENDMENT VETERANS AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES BALLOT FOR GALLIPOLI COMMEMORATIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Please note the following veteran’s group has been added to the list of those eligible to apply: * World War II * 2NZEF Japan (J Force) * KOREA * the Malaya/Borneo/Indonesia campaigns * Vietnam * the WRNZNS, NZWRAC/NZWAAC or WRNZAF * the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps Veterans selected in the ballot will travel to Gallipoli with the official New Zealand delegation. Further details of the ballot including an application form can be obtained by calling 0800 483 8372 or at the Veterans Affairs website www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz Applications for the ballot will be accepted up until 5pm Friday 11 March 2005. |
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| 22 February 2005 - FRENCH NAVY SHIP TO VISIT AUCKLAND | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FNS JACQUES CARTIER will conduct a port visit to Auckland from 23 - 28 February 2005 and will berth at Devonport Naval Base at 0900, Wednesday 23 February 2005, departing 0900 Monday 28 February 2005. The purpose of FNS JACQUES CARTIER’s visit is for rest and recreation. Particulars FNS JACQUES CARTIER - Transport Carrier (BATRAL) Hull Number - l9033 Call Sign - FACJ Commanding Officer - Lieutenant Commander Herve DELO Complement - 4 Officers - 30 Senior Sailors - 9 Junior Sailors Length - 80 metres Draught - 3.65 Beam - 13 metres Displacement - 1580 tons Height - 27 metres |
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| 22 February 2005 - ARMY TERRITORIAL EXERCISE IN NAPIER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 300 Territorial Force personnel will exercise in the Napier region from Saturday 26th February until Sunday 6th March 2005. The Territorial Force exercise will also utilise the Army’s new light armoured vehicles (NZLAV) and Pinzgauer light operational vehicles (LOV) as well as Air Force helicopters. Troops and vehicles will be exercising in the vicinity of Roys Hill and State Highway 50; Fern Hill along the Ngaruroro River downstream from Poporangi Stream; Tutaekuri River downstream from Dartmoor; and the Tongoio forest area bounded by State Highway 2 and State Highway 5. Exercise personnel will be carrying weapons and will be firing blank ammunition. At times, pyrotechnics will also be used to create smoke and simulate small explosions. Members of the public are advised to take care when driving or moving through these areas as vehicles and personnel will be operating both day and night. |
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| 22 February 2005 - VETERANS AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES BALLOT FOR GALLIPOLI COMMEMORATIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anzac Day this year, 25 April 2005, marks the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings, the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 7500 New Zealand casualties, including 2721 deaths - one in four of those who landed. From the conflict grew the strong and enduring traditions of the Anzac spirit – the ideals of courage, endurance and mateship that are as relevant today as they were 90 years ago. Veteran’s Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) invites application from veterans to apply to join the contingent travelling to Gallipoli to mark the ceremony. Jessie Gunn, Director VANZ says that “Anzac Day has become a symbol of New Zealand’s commitment to past and present wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, and we feel it is important to reflect this in the make up of the New Zealand veteran contingent”. Veterans will be eligible for the ballot if they have served as members of the Armed Forces in: * World War II * 2NZEF Japan (J Force) * the Malaya/Borneo/Indonesia campaigns * Vietnam * the WRNZNS, NZWRAC/NZWAAC or WRNZAF * the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps Veterans selected in the ballot will travel to Gallipoli with the official New Zealand delegation. Further details of the ballot including an application form can be obtained by calling 0800 483 8372 or at the Veterans Affairs website www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz Applications for the ballot will be accepted up until 5pm Friday 11 March 2005. The Prime Minister has invited ten students, selected through an Essay Writing Competition, to accompany the official party to the commemoration. Details of the Essay Competition can also be found on the VANZ website. |
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| NAVY'S LAST STEAM DRIVEN FRIGATE TO BE FAREWELLED IN STYLE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HMNZS CANTERBURY, the last steam driven Leander Class Frigate in the Navy, will decommission in Auckland on 31 March 2005 after 33 years operational service. Under the command of Commander Peter Kempster, the crew of 247 Officers and Ratings onboard, HMNZS CANTERBURY will return to her home port areas of Timaru, Akaroa and Lyttelton/Christchurch from 11 - 21 March for her final farewell tour. Special events planned to celebrate and farewell HMNZS CANTERBURY include Charter Parades, Sports Tournaments, formal Beat the Retreat Ceremonies, local School Visits and addresses, overnight sailings for special guests, Navy Band and ships Maori Culture Group Performances, community work and Navy SeaSprite Helicopter displays to name but a few. One of the highlights will be the ship open days which provide the very final opportunity for members of the public to visit and farewell the last remaining steam driven frigate in the Navy, and to witness first hand the grace and charm of the only steam-driven frigate left of her era. Concurrent with the farewell visit to Lyttelton/Christchurch, a reunion of former CANTERBURY crew members will take place from 18 - 21 March. HMNZS CANTERBURY starts her Farewell Tour in Timaru on 11 March and will leave her home port of Lyttelton on 21 March in the style expected for a ship of her circa and operational history. She will leave Lyttelton for the very last time accompanied by a Maori Cultural Group Waiata, gun salutes, LPC tug water salute, small boat sea salute, aircraft flypast, and fireworks. HMNZS CANTERBURY will graciously farewell her home port with flags flying, band playing, guns banging and sirens blaring. 11 - 14 March Timaru 15 March Akaroa 16 - 21 March Lyttelton/Christchurch Background HMNZS CANTERBURY was launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne (the Princess Royal) on 6 May 1970 and was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on 22 October 1971, and will be retired from active service early 2005. HMNZS CANTERBURY is the last of the Leander-class frigates commissioned into service in the Royal New Zealand Navy and her decommissioning in 2005 will mark the end of the steam turbine era. Particulars of HMNZS CANTERBURY Length: 113.4 m Draught: 5.6 m Displacement: 3,182 tonnes Machinery: Two steam turbines driving twin shafts Speed: 30 knots Complement: 240 (Officers and Ratings) Pennant Number: F421 HMNZS
CANTERBURY FAREWELL VISIT PROGRAMME Timaru
Akaroa
Lyttelton/Christchurch
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| Friday 18 February 2005 - Air Force Swoops into Gisborne | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Air Force’s elite aerobatics team, the Red Checkers will display over Gisborne’s waterfront at 6pm on Thursday 24 March.
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| Thursday 17 February 2005 - Flying at First Light | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A rare visit from a Royal Air Force (RAF) Nimrod – the British Maritime Patrol Aircraft is in New Zealand to take part in the world’s longest running submarine hunting competition. Hosted by the New Zealand Air Force at Whenuapai, the Fincastle competition sees the Nimrod crew pit their skills against crews from New Zealand and Australia. The keenly contested competition involves participants' ability to detect, classify, track and engage a submarine by day or night. In addition, the exercise involves a forum for the development of procedures and tactics, and wider maritime surveillance and patrol training This morning the Nimrod and P3 Orion’s from New Zealand and Australia completed familiarisation flights off the east coast of the North Island, in the lead up to competition flights. A maintenance competition will also be run, with each nation judged on their flight line operations and engineering skills.
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| Thursday 17 February, 2005 - Commander United Nations Command visits New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General Leon J. LaPorte, Commander United Nations Command has arrived in New Zealand to participate in a series of meetings with government and defence force officials to provide an update on the United Nations Command's continuing efforts to maintain the armistice. General LaPorte assumed command of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea on May 1, 2002. General LaPorte is not giving media interviews during his visit but thanks you for your interest. |
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| Thursday 17 February, 2005 - Navy celebrates ties with Napier during Art Deco Festival | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Navy is participating in Napier's Art Deco Weekend, 17-21 February 2005 with Ships and the Navy Band. HMNZ Ships RESOLUTION and MANAWANUI and Australian survey vessel HMAS MELVILLE will be berthed at the Port of Napier. The Navy Band will perform several concerts throughout the weekend at a range of venues, and sailors from all three ships are parading through the streets at 1230, Saturday 19 February (see attachment). The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David LEDSON, ONZM will also be present at the weekend's events. He says "The Navy's relationship with Napier was borne from the same event that gave Napier its Art Deco Architecture - the Napier Earthquake of 1931, where Navy ships came to the aid of a stricken city... It is therefore very appropriate that Naval Ships are involved in a festival that celebrates the uniqueness of Napier created by this event and it also reinforces that the Navy will be there for any New Zealand city in a similar time of crisis." Unfortunately Ships will not be open to the public due to port restrictions. |
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| 10 February 2005 - Exercise Fincastle – International Competition with a Difference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Air Force’s Orion’s and crews are preparing to compete with the maritime patrol forces of Britain and Australia as part of Exercise Fincastle from 14 February to 2 March. The Air Force’s No. 5 Squadron will host this year’s Fincastle at their base at Whenuapai. This keenly contested competition involves participants’ ability to detect, classify, track and engage a submarine by day or night. In addition, the exercise involves a forum for the development of procedures and tactics, and wider maritime surveillance and patrol training. 5 Squadron’s ground crew will compete for the Lockheed Martin maintenance trophy and all participants compete for a sports trophy. Competition for the coveted Fincastle trophy will come from a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-3 Orion and 84 RAAF personnel, and 25 members of Royal Air Force (RAF) crewing and supporting a RAF Nimrod aircraft. “It’s important to take every opportunity to exercise with security partners so we can grow professional and personal relationships,” says No.5 Squadron Commanding Officer, Wing Commander John Lovatt. The Fincastle trophy was first competed for in 1961, it had been presented a year earlier in memory of an RAF air Gunner who was killed in action in 1943. |
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| After the tsunami -By Judith Martin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The stench and the sight of thousands of long-dead bodies in mass graves, was not something Private Stephen Van Deursen expected to experience so early in his Army career. The 20-year-old soldier, from Newlands in Wellington, is solemn as he describes seeing the lineup of long black trucks waiting to disgorge the Achenese victims of the Boxing Day tsunami and earthquake into a huge roadside grave. "It brought home the reality of tsunami I suppose. You can see it on TV, but until you get here…." PrivateVan Deursen is one of the 30- strong NZDF team in Banda Aceh, the area worst hit by the tsunami, helping get the devastated area back on its feet. The disposal of bodies is not his domain - that's left to the TNI (Indonesian military) - but the trucks and graves were unavoidable when he first arrived in Aceh. "I felt a bit overwhelmed at first, but then you just get on with it. It's good having mates here to talk to." As he pitches in to help the rest of his team with its main task of providing medical care to the sick and injured, he concentrates on the task at hand- helping the Kiwi medical team wherever he is needed - and is soon smiling and joking with the TNI soldiers he is working alongside. The NZDF team, made up of doctors, nurses, medics, and support staff such as communicators, drivers, and general duty soldiers, is weary. As contingent commander Major Charmaine Pene wipes sweat from her neck and puts her feet up for a five minute break, she looks around the still muddy but now bustling Anzac Hospital her team helped establish with their Australian counterparts, and recalls how, when she first arrived in Aceh, she wondered how the task ahead of her could be achieved. Pitching hootchies (makeshift tents) in the dark and rain in a sewage splattered patch of grass at a chaotic airport on the first night they arrived was nothing compared to what awaited them at the local hospital where they were to begin work. The first five days, Major Pene recalls, were spent scraping and scrubbing layers of sewage-contaminated mud, which coated nearly every surface throughout the wards. With little water and makeshift cleaning gear, the team, including its doctors and nurses, donned gloves and gumboots and began the long and grimy task. Their wards are shared with Australian medical teams, with one treating infectious diseases, and another providing resuscitation, x-rays, operations and surgical care. "We still had a few hours of cleaning to do, and they (patients) just started coming in - we couldn't turn them away - but we coped. It was a matter of having to," says Major Pene. The team has been working 12-hours shifts, after which they enjoy a two-minute communal shower before dining on an Army ration pack. A fresh evening meal is delivered about once a week. Sitting down to join her for breather after a morning spent treating patients in her infectious diseases ward, Captain Charmaine Tate, one of the team's two doctors, explains how the medical team's focus has changed and developed since it arrived. "At first we were dealing with really bad trauma as a result of the tsunami. Dozens of people were presenting with severely infected wounds, and conditions such as aspiration pneumonia where they had inhaled the bug -ridden tsunami water, and tetanus. The tetanus vaccination programme here is relatively new, so only the kids have been vaccinated. Tetanus is not a condition we see in New Zealand. We had to learn fast the best way to cope with these patients. Many doctors had input, and a good formula was eventually found that enabled many of these patients top recover well." The medical team brought a variety of antibiotics with it, and after consulting and sharing with the German, Singaporean, Australian and Belgium teams which eventually established clinics at the hospital, was able to successfully treat many of the very unwell patients. "The sharing of information here is very useful," she says. "The other teams have specialists we don't, such as dermatologists and various surgeons. We can get a lot of input to help treat our patients the best way possible." A veteran of medical missions to East Timor and Afghanistan, Captain Tate, 30, admits she, too, has had her darker moments since arriving amidst the devastation. "When I first got here I thought, 'what on earth can we do?' There were about 200,000 people dead in this area, and so many critically ill people. You'd try to treat them but then they'd sometimes die anyway, they were so badly injured and without medical care for too long. I considered it was kind of like climbing a mountain. You break it down into the next two metres or so, and help the person in front of you as much as you can, then move on to the next one. And you get your really high moments, like the baby we delivered a few nights ago that came out flat and not breathing, but ended up kicking, crying and happy. And the patients who smile and laugh with you when they're on the road to recovery. "We have to bear in mind that we have to eventually step out and hand all this back to the Indonesians. We're trying to get their doctors and nurses back in here, and teach them any new stuff they may need to know. You shouldn't come into an area, provide a capability, then leave and take that capability away with you. You have to set things up so they'll be on going. It's important to remember you're providing relief, but you're also providing a pathway for the local system to get up and running. "It must be difficult to return to work in the hospital when your home has been destroyed and your family killed or missing, and I guess that's our job to fill the gap. These are resourceful and resilient people. I believe they have the will to overcome this." In the resuscitation area behind the women, New Zealand Army doctor Major Paul Nealis, nurse Captain Rose Fraser and medic Corporal Lisa Pomana are tending a teenage boy who has had his arm ripped out in a silo accident. His distraught parents have brought the arm, still intact and unscratched apart from where it was ripped from their son's body, into the clinic. It cannot be saved, but the boy's life can. After administering drugs and stemming the blood flow, the boy is wheeled into the operating theatre where his wound is be treated by a couple of Australian Army surgeons. "Imagine surviving the earthquake and the tsunami and then have this happen. The poor kid. His prognosis is good though, " says Captain Fraser as she helps lift the boy onto a trolley. Charmaine Pene is obviously proud of the work her team, although now tired and ready to greet their replacements, has done. "We came here as a primary health care team, but on the way the picture changed. We thought we could be going out and about, but our focus was directed towards the surgical wards which was most appropriate for this environment." She, too, has served in many other medical missions, including East Timor, the Sinai, and throughout the Pacific Islands. Despite her experience, she says that Operation Sumatra, as the team's relief effort is known, has been the most arduous - but also rewarding - in her career. "Sure the conditions have been tough, but our training lets us cope with that. All the soil that is being tramped around here is 90 percent fecal contaminated, and I've got to admit I was worried for my peoples’ safety. But they're a self-disciplined bunch – they know to look after themselves. This Anzac hospital was the first medical organisation here with a full range of services. We've given the people of Banda Aceh their hospital back, and although we've lost a few, we've saved many lives. I think this team can feel good about what it has achieved." Sidebar: New Zealand army nurse Captain Georgina Parata-Turvey's mother never wanted her daughter to work in a war zone. "My brothers -yes. Me - no. But I did it anyway," says the Linton-based nurse who has served in East Timor, the Solomon Islands and in Papua New Guinea after a tsunami there several years ago. She returned to New Zealand from a mission in Afghanistan a couple of weeks before Christmas. One thing her mother did instill in her though was resourcefulness, and that has proved indispensable in her nursing career, says Captain Parata-Turvey. "She taught me how to get by, which I've got to admit has come in handy here." She led the establishment of the surgical ward, which was originally an eight-bed facility, but soon became a 15-bed unit. Most patients are accompanied by at times several family members "Water is in short supply, so I give them little plastic bags of water and soap so they can wash their relative." With her medics she salvaged what she could from the mud-caked debris outside - beds, trolleys, intra-venous poles, anything that would make life easier in the ward. She has got to know some of her patients well, and through an interpreter has heard their stories. "Jamahlia over there lost four of her daughters in the tsunami and her son is looking after her. She's gutsy, she'll be ok. Halayna in the bed by the door, lost all her children and her husband, her home and her left leg above her knee. You try to cheer them up, but sometimes they just need time to grieve. Wouldn't you?" |
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| 10 February 2005 - Exercise Fincastle – International Competition with a Difference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Air Force’s Orion’s and crews are preparing to compete with the maritime patrol forces of Britain and Australia as part of Exercise Fincastle from 14 February to 2 March. The Air Force’s No. 5 Squadron will host this year’s Fincastle at their base at Whenuapai. This keenly contested competition involves participants’ ability to detect, classify, track and engage a submarine by day or night. In addition, the exercise involves a forum for the development of procedures and tactics, and wider maritime surveillance and patrol training. 5 Squadron’s ground crew will compete for the Lockheed Martin maintenance trophy and all participants compete for a sports trophy. Competition for the coveted Fincastle trophy will come from a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-3 Orion and 84 RAAF personnel, and 25 members of Royal Air Force (RAF) crewing and supporting a RAF Nimrod aircraft. “It’s important to take every opportunity to exercise with security partners so we can grow professional and personal relationships,” says No.5 Squadron Commanding Officer, Wing Commander John Lovatt. The Fincastle trophy was first competed for in 1961, it had been presented a year earlier in memory of an RAF air Gunner who was killed in action in 1943. |
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| 14 May 2004 Sailors Deliver Special Packages | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sailors from HMNZS
Manawanui have presented books and stationery to a Tongan High School.
Ten boxes of stationery and used encyclopaedias were given to St Andrews
High School, during a recent port visit to Nuku'Alofa.
The supplies were donated by Auckland's Rangitoto High School. St Andrews High School principal, Colin Quincey a former Royal New Zealand Navy Commander, was delighted with the stationery. "School supplies are hard to come by and the donation is most appreciated," he said. Manawanui is currently on a two-month South Pacific deployment, visiting ports in Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu. She will then visit New Caledonia to take part in an exercise along side the French and Australian Defence Forces.
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| 12 May 2004 - NZLAV on the road again | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Island
motorists will see the Army's new Light Armoured Vehicle (NZLAV) on the
road again over the next four days in the Central Plateau and Tauranga
regions.
The exercise is part of the Army's driver training programme for the first NZLAV platoon from the 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment of Linton Military Camp. During the first two days the crew will also be visiting a number of local High Schools in conjunction with NZ Army recruiters. Experience on our public roads gives NZLAV drivers insight into the varying range of conditions they must master and ensures they are fully skilled to effectively operate the vehicles. The NZLAV is specifically manufactured for New Zealand's Army. It includes a fully integrated weapons platform with state-of-the-art sighting, navigation, and fire and control systems, and is a giant leap in technology compared to the M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier. |
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