The Association chairman, Gordon Ragg, presented the 5 Squadron Association Trophy to this years (2007) recipient, FLTLT Geoff Pierce.

FLTLT Geoffrey (Geoff) Pierce is awarded the 5 Squadron RNZAF Association Trophy for the outstanding work effort he has made as an AEO, an instructor and for his achievement and initiative in redesigning the Air Warfare Specialist Course so that the Squadron Training Flight would be able to achieve a greater output of Air Warfare Specialists.

Throughout most of 2007, 5 Squadron has been critically under-staffed for Air Electronics Officers and Air Electronic Instructors / Categorising Officers. FLTLT Pierce has made a superior effort to help cover this shortfall. He has selflessly and without complaint committed significant amounts of his own time so that the Squadron could put up full crews to meet its operational outputs to Government. In June 2007, he had to be taken off flying duties for a week because he had flown 150 hours in twenty three days, the maximum allowable hours for a thirty day period.

As well as a busy flying schedule, FLTLT Pierce has also completed outstanding work as the Air Electronics Training Officer and as an instructor. As part of the strategy to build the Squadron’s crew numbers, FLTLT Pierce has led the redesign of the Air Electronics Operators’ Course. Under his own initiative he stepped beyond what was originally a rescheduling exercise for the Air Electronics Operators’ Course. He coordinated a team that significantly redesigned the course while still, ensuring the training would be more direct and effective. In doing so they identified seven weeks of theory, 148 B200 King Air and 164 P3K Orion flying hours that could be saved out of the course. These savings have been turned back over to the respective operations flights, allowing a direct increase in operational output. The financial savings alone from his efforts are worthy of merit.His high level of work output and example has inspired others within the Air Electronics Section and the Squadron. His no-nonsense, results focussed manner extracts the optimum from his staff and raises the standard of output for all. His leadership has helped the Squadron to keep meeting its outputs even though it remains 33% undermanned. In this he has led from the front, often taking on roles and completing tasks significantly above those normally expected of a Flight Lieutenant.

Flight Lieutenant Pierce has demonstrated professionalism, integrity and devotion to duty. His distinctive accomplishments are a credit to him and are in keeping with the recipient of the 5 Squadron RNZAF Association award for 2007.

L.C CUDBY, ONZM, NZGD

Wing Commander

Commanding Officer

The award includes:

1 The Trophy (an acrylic moulding in the form of a curling wave)

2 A blue leather bound ’Register of Recipients’

3 A bound personal copy of the citation

4 An engraved plaque.

Items 1 & 2 are retained in the 5 Squadron display cabinets after presentation.

Items 3 & 4 are for the recipient to keep.The bound citation & trophy Engraved Plaque

The rate of book sales has slowed to a trickle. It is important that all Association members put in an effort in to help sell this book.  

If you don’t have your copy yet it’s time to buy and support your Association.

You may even like to hold extra copies to sell on behalf of the association or even to give away as Christmas presents.

For details on how to order a book please go to the Association’s website download and print the form, fill it in and send it to the Secretary. Of course if you are not an internet user that will be rather difficult so in that case write to the Secretary with your order.

Cost of the book is $34.00 (NZ) with postage (all NZ dollars) :  

The Association AGM was held on the 15 September 2007 at 5 Squadron Headquarters.

24 members attended and 23 apologies were received.

Chairman Gordon Ragg

Secretary Barry Nelson

Committee Peter Burch, Peter Culpan, Vern Reynolds, Morris Waters & Gats Pleasants.

5 Squadron Historian:

CO 5 SQN, WGCDR Logan Cudby, requested that the Association look within its ranks for a number of members who would be willing to make up a working group to research, organize and catalogue the squadron's history (both official & unofficial), trophies and memorabilia. These articles of the squadron’s past have become quite disorganized and the squadron itself does not have the manpower resources to allocate to this task.  

Would you be willing to spend time at 5 SQN HQ to attend to this issue. 

Obviously the working group would need to be drawn from members who reside in the Auckland region.

On a personal note: Due to RNZAF work commitments and obligations I have to other committees, I now find I am in a position where I have taken on more work than I can handle. I am not performing up to expectations as the Secretary of the Association and have tendered my resignation 

Would someone like to put their hand up and take on the role??????  

It would ideally suit someone who has retired.

http://www.5sqnassn.org.nz/index.html (keeping in touch)

http://www.nzdf.mil.nz

http://www.airforce.mil.nz

http://www.airforce.mil.nz/operations/airforce-news/ (To read the “Air Force News” magazine)

Email addresses:

President Gordon.Ragg@xtra.co.nz

Secretary spats.nelson@nzdf.mil.nz or spats.nelson@xtra.co.nz

Editor graeme.pleasants@nzdf.mil.nz or gats@clear.net.nz

Webmaster culp@paradise.net.nz

A small tale from one - JOHN HOPE

Personal from Lauthala Bay went to Nausori to do an inspection on Fred Ladd’s Dominie. When the job was complete, Fred invited us up for a test flight.  

One of our more forward fitters asked Fred to do a ‘beat up’ of Lauthala Bay—”Oh no” said Fred— the COs there!!

We strapped in for what we thought was going to be normal circuits and bumps, but Freddie had other ideas. We went up the Rewa river looking for any boats with a sail up but there were none to be found. Not to be perturbed Fred headed up the coast, turned 180 and came across a cane field at very low altitude. We were quickly approaching a row of trees with a gap above a small dwelling. Undeterred Fred headed for the gap, tipped the kite on its side and slide through. 

 I think I opened my eyes again when the aircraft wheels caressed the Nausori runway.

John Hope

THE CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS BLUFF OYSTERS

In the late 1960’s I was on detachment to Laucala Bay, to relieve an ill SAS SNCO.  I declined the offer, as it was the last night to frequent the “Golden Dragon” in Suva. I told him that he and his family could do with a treat.

On my last day a certain Flt Sgt and myself were the last to leave the aircraft on the mooring. As we were leaving he noticed, in the framework, a tin of the South

Island goodies. He offered me half, but as I was leaving for NZ the next day I declined the offer, as it was the last night to frequent the “Golden Dragon” in Suva.

I told him that he and his family could do with a treat.

To cut the story short, on arrival back in NZ I was greeted by the ‘Sheriff of Hobsonville’, John Elder, and accused of the heinous crime, which I of course denied, as I was innocent.

Later I complained to Flt Lt Charlie Jennings of my treatment as my wife and children were waiting for me as I was given the 3rd degree in the 1st line hangar. He was told, apparently, to keep out of Provost business. To cut the story short, the moral of this is you don’t DOB in your fellow NCOs.

P.S. Sorry Base Commander I did not eat your oysters and will not admit to putting the ‘10 bob’ Bob Singh taxi fare on your mess bill.

I left the Air Force after serving my last 3 years on 5 SQN, Teal Hangar and joined the NZ Police with a clear conscience.

Per Adua Ad Astra.

Don Munro