// Hobsonville ATC Turns 40
By PLTOFF Nicola Robinson NZCF
‘It’s New Zealand’s best kept secret’.
Receiving a promotion
But when No. 30 (Hobsonville) Squadron of the Air Training Corps turned 40 years old in November, it let anyone who cared to listen know that The New Zealand Cadet Forces were here, going strong and planning to be a part of the community well into the future.
The Squadron celebrated its birthday with a formal parade and Dining In on November 29th, 2008. Unit Commander, SQNLDR Patrick de Vos van Steenwijk, NZCF hosted CAF AVM Lintott as the reviewing officer and Minister of Defence, Hon Dr Wayne Mapp as a VIP guest.
The parade was held on the tarmac of No. 40 Squadron, RNZAF, with over 90 cadets from the Squadron parading in two flights accompanied by the Air Training Corp standard.
About 300 guests attended the parade including past members of the Squadron, parents of current Cadets, past Unit Commanders and supporters.
Cadets rehearsed for many weeks in the build up to the big day and their efforts paid off as they successfully executed a march past while paying complements and the advance and review order, all in perfect time to the RNZAF Bands beat.
The anniversary parade
At the conclusion of the parade the Squadron opened its doors to host an Open Day where guests got the opportunity to tour the unit’s current home at Whenuapai. Mr Craig Walker of Craig Walker Building Removals, an avid and long time supporter of the unit, took great pleasure in viewing buildings he had donated completely renovated and set up as functioning classrooms. No 30 Squadron has been lucky enough to call RNZAF Base Auckland home for the past ten years, a milestone which was also recognised at the birthday celebrations. Their location on Base has had a positive affect as it has an unusually high number of cadets leave to enlist in the military. Last year alone at least half a dozen joined the RNZAF, New Zealand Army or the RNZN.
In the final part of the celebrations, Henderson RSA hosted a Dining In for 253 people, with the CAF as the special guest. At the Dining In the unit took advantage of AVM Lintott’s presence to make promotions and hold their annual prize giving. CAF took the opportunity to scout potential talent for future careers in the RNZAF, discussing the University Scholarship Programme with many. The Squadron’s war cry, ‘30 STAUNCH … DAMN STAUNCH’ rang in your ears and sent a chill down your spine as you left for the evening.