New Zealand Defence Force

Innovation of the Year 🏆 When Corporal James Daly realised there was no training facility to simulate live firefighting training, he set about building one. He spent the next three years creating a programme that will revolutionise training for his trade and could potentially be picked up by Air Forces around the world. Corporal Daly’s work has earned him this year’s Innovation of the Year award. The computer programme covers all three types of firefighting – command and control, for the people who make decisions; drivers, sitting in a cockpit with a steering wheel, pedals and a joystick driving around the airfield, and applying water or foam to a burning aircraft; and the work done by the firefighters. “A lot of Air Forces don’t use simulators because of the high costs involved. An example of a driving simulator that is on the market, it’s over $1,000,000 and mine costs a fraction of that. The simulation I’m building isn’t on the market – nobody has done it before." ~ Corporal James Daly Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/evTx46mv #Force4NZ #NZAirForce

Marching with pride🇳🇿 The strong connection between our Army and the Banks Peninsula town of Akaroa has been celebrated with the reaffirming of a charter with our Royal New Zealand Engineers. Around 70 sappers, or military engineers, from Burnham Military Camp’s 3rd Field and Emergency Response Squadron, 2nd Engineer Regiment marched through Akaroa on Thursday, marking 50 years since the unit obtained the Charter of Akaroa. “We are proud to continue to develop the relationship that is now more than 50 years strong, and hope that the connections develop further into the future.” ~ Major Mike Lawry, Officer Commanding Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/geRekWDa #Force4NZ #NZArmy

Gunner to represent at prestigious US Academy 💥🇺🇸 Warrant Officer Class OneRichie Bray has been selected to attend the United States Sergeant Major’s Academy in Texas for a 10-month course, which he says is a huge honour. WO1 Bray has spent the majority of his career with 16th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery, where he’s currently posted as the Regimental Sergeant Major, a key leadership position. The Sergeant Major course is regarded as one of the leading educational programmes for non-commissioned officers. “To see my application come to fruition is both exciting, energising and daunting at the same time as I will truly be standing on the shoulders of giants, both serving and past.” Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gTQj8Mxs #Force4NZ #NZArmy

The new workhorse utility vehicle 🛞 From 2027 Ngāti Tūmatauenga, our New Zealand Army, will receive sixty brand new utility vehicles in a significant boost to New Zealand Defence Force capabilities. In a signing ceremony at Defence House on Wednesday, Secretary of Defence Brook Barrington finalised a contract with Spanish military vehicle manufacturer UROVESA – their vehicles are 4th Generation, proven robust in theatre in several continents and with a high track record of serviceability.   It is the latest stage of the Protected Mobility Capability Project (PMCP), which has already seen our NZ Army acquire new operational vehicles in the form of the Bushmaster and Polaris fleets.   The delivery of the first 60 utility vehicles will bring40 VAMTAC CK3 medium and 20 VAMTAC ST5 light variants for operational roles. We’re incredibly excited that we’re one step closer to having these vehicles in our possession and I know our soldiers will be itching to get these out onto our training areas and putting them through their paces.” ~ Lieutenant Colonel Brendon Jones, PMCP Capability Integration Lead Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gc-di5Jb #Force4NZ #NZArmy

Hands across the Tasman 🤝 Australia is New Zealand’s closest neighbour and only ally. Our strong defence and security partnership is the result of a very long history of mutual cooperation, collaboration and engagement. Now more than ever, collaboration between our two countries is vital in promoting regional stability in a changing and more challenging strategic environment. This week, the Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, met with his Royal Australian Navy counterpart, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, to sign the ‘Tasman Navy Framework’ – a strategic dialogue for engagement. “This is a framework that will advance specific combat capabilities, personnel initiatives and interoperability. It will also serve to improve coordination between our navies and achieve meaningful outcomes.” ~ Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding #Force4NZ #NZNavy Defence Australia

STORY📰 A New Zealand Army soldier who helped train a cohort of recruits to the stage where they were themselves able to train Ukrainians in the United Kingdom has been rewarded for his efforts with a Defence Meritorious Service Medal. Warrant Officer Class Two Murray Macaulay, a 28-year veteran, was awarded the DMSM alongside three other New Zealand Defence Force personnel who earned Chief of Defence Force Commendations for their recent work which went above and beyond what was expected of them. “It was a really good experience to go overseas and train people who wanted to be trained and had a real need for it.” ~ WO2 Murray Macaulay Read more ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/dmsm-nov-24 #Force4NZ

STORY📰 Ushering a new fleet of aircraft into our Air Force is a job that rarely crops up, but it was a role Wing Commander Gareth Russell was eager to tackle. The C-130J Transition Unit (JTU) Commanding Officer said he would have been honoured and proud to be tapped on the shoulder as commanding officer of any unit, let alone one responsible for bringing a new aircraft in. “The C-130 is such an important platform for New Zealand and has been involved in every major operation, mission and deployment since the 1960s. Everyone understands introducing a new capability has it challenges, but being part of the next evolution and delivering this key capability for New Zealand is pretty amazing.” ~ Wing Commander Gareth Russell Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/efqYpMJ3 #Force4NZ #NZAirForce

Tohu Awards 2024 🏆 The awards, run by the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC), acknowledge the employers who support part-time NZDF personnel, allowing them to attend training and development opportunities so they may effectively supplement our Regular Force members when required. The Tohu Awards also celebrate employers who support the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) programme and its graduates. The LSV programme supports youth in developing skills to seek employment and make positive, long-term contributions to their community. Congratulations to our 2024 award winners and thank you to those who nominated organisations that show their support for our people and the role they play in our Defence Force. Read more ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/tohu-awards-24 #Force4NZ

UPDATE📢 Work will start soon on the removal of fuel and other pollutants from HMNZS Manawanui, which sank last month off the coast of Samoa. We have engaged the services of New Zealand salvage companies Pacific 7 Limited and Bay Underwater Services NZ Ltd to undertake the removal, recovery and safe disposal of the fuel and other pollutants currently on board HMNZS Manawanui. Read more ⬇️ #Force4NZ #NZNavy

STORY📰 Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies has awarded high-level commendations to those involved in the immediate response to the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui last month. “I wish to convey my appreciation to all those involved in the response to the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui. We have awarded commendations to recognise the many and varied contributions made by numerous people in the immediate response. These efforts are very much appreciated, and I would like to thank everyone on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force.” ~ Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Tony Davies Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g3NM5fKf #Force4NZ #NZNavy