// Ground Training Wing

Located at Base Woodbourne, the Ground Training Wing (GTW) is primarily the Air Force's New Zealand centre for training personnel who are employed in non-flying trade duties.

The main building at GTW was constructed in 1995 and can be compared with the best  Polytechnics in New Zealand.  It is a two-storied building containing 148 rooms and can accommodate 350 students at any one time.  GTW also has an aircraft hangar, recruit training facilities and a field training camp located in the upper reaches of the Wairau River.

Up to 2,800 students may attend courses at GTW annually.   There are 18 different trade groups, and as many as 50 courses may be in residence at any one time.

Staffing of GTW is with 21 officers and 115 other ranks and civilians. GTW has a Headquarters which provide command and training systems support.  Within the Headquarters are the following cells: 

• GTW Headquarters
• Training Plans
• Test Bank
• Training Evaluation
• Psychological Services
• Instructional Techniques training, Training Design and Training Management Courses, and Junior Education Officer Courses
  

The rest of GTW comprises four squadrons:

COMMAND AND RECRUIT TRAINING SQUADRON (CRTS)

The Squadron is responsible for three main areas of General Service Training. These are:

Recruit Training:

The initial basic military training for personnel entering into the Non Commissioned ranks of the RNZAF.  An eleven week training programme where the essentials of discipline, teamwork, general service training and military skills are taught.  

Non Commissioned Officer Training:

Sergeant's Qualifying Courses (SQC) and Flight Sergeant's Qualifying Courses (FSQC), with focus on supervision, command and leadership training, using general service skills as the vehicle for training.

Command Training:

This Squadron provides training and service education for officer cadets and junior officers.  Four courses are conducted as follows:

• Initial Officer Training Course (IOTC)
• Flight Commander Course (FCC)
• Summary Discipline Course (SDC)
• Engineering Officer Management Course (EOMC)

AERONAUTICAL TRAINING SQUADRON (ATS)

This Squadron provides the basic, primary and advanced training for RNZAF technical tradespersons.  It has two training flights:

Basic Training Flight (BTF), providing:

• Basic Aeronautical Engineering: introductory level aeronautical engineering training to all personnel destined for technical careers in the RNZAF.
• Primary and Advanced training for:
  • Metalwork Trade
  • Machinist Trade
  • Safety and Surface Trade

Aircraft Training Flight (ATF), providing:

• Primary and Advanced training for Aircraft Mechanics and Technicians.
• Specialist Post-Graduate Training in -
  • Engineering Officer Management
  • Helicopter Basic Systems
  • Airman Aircrew Specialist (aircraft systems)
  • Aircraft Structures refresher courses
  • Aeronautical Technical Administration

ELECTRO-TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SQUADRON (ETS)

This Squadron provides the primary and advanced training for personnel destined for Avionics and Operational trades in the RNZAF.  It has two training flights:

Electro-Technology Training Flight (ETF), providing:

• Primary and Advanced training for Avionics Mechanics and Technicians.
• Specialist courses in areas such as:
• Microprocessor theory
• Navigation fundamentals
• High reliability hand soldering
• Air Engineers

Operational Training Flight (OTF), providing:

• Communication and Information Systems
• Armament
• RNZAF Air Security

SUPPORT TRAINING SQUADRON (STS)

This Squadron provides training for the RNZAF non-technical trades.

Primary and Advanced trade training for:

• Clerk Administration
• Logistics Supply Specialists
• Motor Transport Drivers
• Physical Training Instructors (for Navy, Army and Air Force)

Post Graduate courses;

• Junior Administration, Logistics Supply Specialists and Personnel Officers
• Personnel Management Information System User Course
• Four Wheel Drive Vehicle Training

STS also provides teaching support to the other training squadrons; specifically:

• Education Services Flight - Video production cell, computer-based training cell, hard copy production and publications library.
• Educational services to GTW and Base units.
• Physical Education and Recreational Training Flight - Physical Education training for all students at GTW, and for Base personnel. Training in recreational sports and outdoor activities for students and Base personnel.

OTHER FACILITIES

Domestic accommodation and catering facilities for GTW students are located around the Woodbourne Base. There are also recreational facilities, gymnasiums, a swimming pool, sports grounds and social clubs, all used by the students during their stay at GTW.

The Aeronautical Training Squadron also has a mini Air Force of retired Devons, Strikemasters, Sioux and a Boeing 727, which are used as instructional airframes by different technical trade groups as they learn aircraft maintenance procedures.

For information on RNZAF Careers and course training opportunities, check out our Careers section.