First For OSG
OSG Command Mere Pounamu
- Change of Command Parade
Base Ohakea witnessed the first Change of Command Parade for the Operational Support Group (OSG) on 10 December 2009.
GPCAPT Shaun Clarke handed over Command of the OSG Group to GPCAPT Russell Sowden, which was signified by the official handing over of the OSG ‘Command’ Mere Pounamu.
Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott and Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore Gavin Howse were in attendance. The parade was unique in several aspects as both military and civilian members of the OSG Headquarters and the Operational Support Wing Ohakea, paraded together as one.
In his farewell address, GPCAPT Clarke said:
“We are all—in the Air Force in general, and in Operational Support Group and on this Base in particular—surrounded by the ghosts of our ancestors. Our history and values are deep. They place huge expectations on us to perform—to be the very best we can be. Congratulations on what you’ve achieved so far, but don’t stop trying. Louise and I are going to miss this Group and Base hugely—you’re our kind of people, serving a cause higher than yourselves, doing it with everything you’ve got, and having great fun along the way”.