Defence Portfolio
Briefing to the Incoming Government 2005
Roles and Organisation of the Ministry of Defence and the NZDF (continued)
The Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Chief of Air Force (CAF) commands the RNZAF and sets its strategic direction. CAF is responsible for ensuring the operational preparedness of the RNZAF, including the requirement to raise, train and maintain the operational units which are assigned to the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand for the conduct of operations and joint exercises.
As part of his overall responsibility CAF provides the supporting aeronautical logistics, training, personnel and career development and management, plus associated corporate support services required to operate the Air Force. The Air Staff, a component of Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, carries out policy formulation, capability planning and development, and financial management for the Air Force.
The CAF is also required to raise, train and maintain the operational units of the Air Force. The operational units of the Air Force are assigned to the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand for the conduct of operations and joint exercises.
Air Force Capabilities
The Maritime Patrol Force comprises No 5 Squadron equipped with six P-3 Orion aircraft based at RNZAF Base Auckland. These long-range patrol aircraft contribute to a wide range of Government Outputs, including the conduct of maritime surveillance of New Zealand's EEZ, the Pacific region and the Southern Ocean, search and rescue missions, and maritime air operations. The Squadron maintains two Orion aircraft ready to deploy on operations and to undertake emergency tasks.
The Fixed Wing Transport Force comprises No 40 Squadron operating five C-130H Hercules and two Boeing 757 aircraft operating from RNZAF Base Auckland. The Squadron is prepared to conduct strategic and tactical military air transport operations, including aeromedical evacuation. The Squadron maintains two C-130 Hercules aircraft ready for deployed military operations and one Boeing 757 for strategic (non-deployed) transport tasks.
The transport fleet plays an essential role in supporting NZDF operational deployments and exercises through the transport of military personnel and equipment. The Hercules bears the brunt of the air deployment task as the only aircraft in the inventory capable of carrying large equipment, and being able to fly into many deployed locations. The Hercules are also occasionally used to carry out tasks on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, particularly within the South Pacific, as well as meet government's humanitarian air support tasks.
The Boeing 757 aircraft entered RNZAF service in 2003 in the strategic transport role. Both aircraft are planned to be upgraded by conversion into a combination freight/passenger configuration, beginning in 2006. These modifications will significantly increase their air transport capabilities.
The Rotary Wing Transport Force comprises No 3 Squadron, which operates 14 Iroquois utility helicopters from RNZAF Base Ohakea. The Squadron undertakes a wide range of military tasks, including the conduct of tactical air transport in support of the other Services, counter-terrorist operations, plus a range of government directed civilian support activities, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance missions. The Squadron maintains up to six Iroquois helicopters ready to be deployed on operations. In recent years the unit has deployed for extended periods to Timor Leste as part of a United Nations Force (1999 - 2002), and to Solomon Islands (July 2003 - July 2004) as part of a combined operation with Australian and South Pacific forces. The Squadron also holds two helicopters on standby within New Zealand for rapid response and search and rescue tasks. Helicopter training is undertaken on five obsolescent Sioux helicopters
The Naval Support Flight, which in the near future will be established as a fully independent Squadron under the command of CAF, operates five SH-2G Seasprite helicopters in support of Navy operations. It is shore based at RNZAF Base Auckland. The helicopters are maintained and supported by the Air Force, while the Navy pilots who operate the aircraft are trained by the Air Force.
Organisation of the Air Force
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- CAF retains full command of the RNZAF and is responsible for managing the Air Force's capability to deliver operational outputs.
- COMJFNZ is responsible for the operational command of all assigned force elements on Output Class 16 operations and for mutually agreed joint and combined training.
- The Seasprite Helicopters are part of the Naval Combat Forces. The Air Force trains the pilots, observers and crewmen and maintains the aircraft.
Chief of Air Force - Air Vice-Marshal J.H.S. (John) Hamilton ONZM, MVO
Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Hamilton joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 12 January 1971 as an Officer Cadet in the University Officer Cadet Scheme, General Duties (Pilot) branch. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree he commenced his pilot training in January 1974, graduating in the rank of Flying Officer.
AVM Hamilton commenced a Sioux Helicopter Basic Course in April 1975 followed by a Sioux Operational Conversion Course. He was subsequently posted to No 3 Squadron as an Observation Flight Pilot. In April 1978 he undertook an Iroquois Course and in August that year, was posted to No 3 Squadron as an Iroquois pilot.
AVM Hamilton was posted to Australia in January 1979 as the RNZAF exchange officer with No 9 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force. On his return to New Zealand in February 1981, AVM Hamilton was posted to No 3 Squadron Detachment at RNZAF Base Wigram.
In August 1981 he commenced a Flying Instructors Course followed by a Helicopter Flying Instructors Course. He was promoted to Squadron Leader in June 1982 and posted to the appointment of Utility Flight Commander No 3 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland. On 15 December 1983, AVM Hamilton was posted to No 76 Advanced Staff Course at Royal Air Force Bracknell. On completion of his course, he was posted to Air Staff, initially as Plans 1, and then as Plans 2.
AVM Hamilton was appointed Personal Staff Officer to the Chief of Air Staff from November 1986 until his posting to RNZAF Base Auckland as Commanding Officer Number 3 Squadron, in January 1989. From June 1990 until June 1991, he attended the USAF Air War College. In October 1991 he was posted to the appointment of Commanding Officer Operations Wing, RNZAF Base Auckland. AVM Hamilton took up the post of Senior Air Staff Officer, OPHQ, at RNZAF Base Auckland in July 1993.
On 10 January 1994 AVM Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Group Captain, and appointed Assistant Chief of Air Staff Programmes and Projects. AVM Hamilton was then posted to the appointment of Officer Commanding RNZAF Base Ohakea on 10 December 1996. On 2 December 1998 AVM Hamilton was promoted to Air Commodore and appointed Air Officer Commanding RNZAF Air Command.
With the establishment of the Joint Force Headquarters in July 2001, AVM Hamilton was appointed the Air Component Commander. He was appointed Chief of Air Force on 25 February 2002 and promoted to Air Vice-Marshal.
AVM Hamilton was appointed a Member of the Most Loyal Victorian Order (MVO) on 20 October 1981. He was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the New Years List 2001.
