Chairman’s Report 2007

It is, once more, my privilege to present the 2007 Chairman’s report on behalf of your committee.

Committee members, Spats Nelson (Secretary), Peter Burch, Peter Culpan (website), Frank Cave, Bill Laing and Vern Reynolds and I have held 3 meetings during the  year to keep the affairs of the association progressive and tidy and maintain good links with 5 Squadron. I thank them sincerely for their loyalty and commitment.Gats Pleasants is our ‘volunteer’ Newsletter Editor and he needs your support to make our occasional newsletters interesting and appreciated. His contact details are easily found.

Chief among tasks has been the distribution, sales and accounting for the book "Kiwi Orions",an excellent history, launched a year ago to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the P-3 Orion to RNZAF service with 5 Squadron. Initial sales have been quite satisfactory and in accord with expectations but the impetus must be maintained if we are to reach our target. Over 300 of the 1000 print have been sold so far and the first substantial repayment to the underwriter, the RNZAF Central Fund, has been made. Small stocks are held by 5 Squadron and each of the committee members to try to extend the sales coverage in the community. CO 5 also intends to include them in his inventory of gifts to overseas deployment hosts when appropriate. I know there are many ex-service personnel, families, allied forces personnel and enthusiasts who would very much enjoy owning this book. If more members of the Association agree to take responsibility for selling, say, 10 each we would soon reach the point where the debt is repaid and all remaining income would accrue to support the squadron. You can register your willingness to assist through the website, or directly to any of the committee members.

The squadron has had several useful deployments and exercises this year. In April and May they exercised impressively with ROK Navy P-3s and Type 209 submarines in Korean waters, visited VP6 (JMSDF Fleet Air Arm) at Atsugi air base Japan, patrolled in the Yellow Sea towards the Russian Pacific coast and soon after participated in the FPDA exercise Bersama Shield from Penang and Butterworth. En route they executed a national right, under the UN Status of Forces Agreement, to transit through the JMSDF base at Kadena, Okinawa. Participation in a PWO week from RAAF Richmond gained valuable sub time with Collins Class in July. September will see a deployment to RAF Kinloss to participate in Exercise Neptune Warrior followed by representation duties at the 90th anniversary commemoration of NZ Division battles at Paschendaele (Jul – Sep 1917). In October a further deployment is planned to Japan under the UN Peace Support Initiative.

This year has also seen practical development of multi-role capabilities with the excellent surveillance and intelligence gathering equipment now in P-3K service. These include overland roles with the NZ Army and border security tasks, including in-shore work, with other Government agencies. Monthly Norpat missions continue as in our days. It is also noteworthy that SAR missions have been less than budget this year and the 406MHz ELB has very effectively reduced search time in all cases of its use in distress situations. We congratulate the squadron on its spirit and excellent operational performance and assure it of our ongoing support.

Of historical note, some recent landmark changes to RNZAF aircrew trades and ranks will meet with mixed emotions among some of us traditionalists! Master aircrew are now simply WO’s, and Navigators and Air Electronics trades are now combined into an "Air Warfare" trade. (Officer or Specialist) The latter is a consequence of new technology employed. The Air Navigator trade is 80 years old and the first civil air licences in the world were awarded to Air Navigators. Civil Pilot licences then followed!

The 5 Squadron RNZAF Trophy for outstanding personal contribution to Squadron effectiveness will be awarded at this year’s annual dinner on 15th September. It will be my honour to present it on your behalf to the worthy nominee who fully deserves our accolade.

While the membership status of the association is sound there are many past members of the squadron who are not yet signed up and I urge you all to be active in referring past companions to the website www.5sqnassn.org.nz and recruit them to join. Spats Nelson is working hard to update the database of members, and potential members, and will appreciate any assistance you are able to give to this ongoing task. And of course nominations and volunteers for the committee are always welcome. The duties are interesting and not onerous.