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Our Graduates

AVTECH Graduates 09

The morning of 1 December 2009 saw 10 Avionic Technician (AVTECH) students graduate from one of the hardest courses the Royal New Zealand Air Force has to offer.

Class of 09-01 AVTECH graduates (L to R): LACs Bodie Johnson, Paul Manning, Amy Ensor, Andrew Sunde, Jason Read, Daniel Jones, Robert Peters, Richard Payne, and Hadley Tweedie. WB-09-0304-043.
Class of 09-01 AVTECH graduates

To celebrate the completion of their formal training, a graduation parade was held at Base Woodbourne. The parade was executed with the standard RNZAF flair, and Ground Training Wing’s Sergeant Jamie Reid read out the graduates’ accomplishments and posting locations with great pride.

Leading Aircraftsman Jase Reid was awarded the 50th Anniversary Cup for endeavour and, together with LAC Daniel Jones, achieved a distinguished pass.

Congratulations to all the 09-01 AVTECHs for completing five years of formal and on-the-job training—for some, this was a long time coming. Your careers will include travel to unknown lands, and will test your abilities as you continue to learn and grow as Avionics Technicians and Air Staff.

ARMTECH Course Graduates

On Thursday 19 November the 09/1 students from the Armament Technicians (ARMTECHs) Course graduated, after the successful completion of their Senior Armament Course.

09/01 ARMTECH Graduates (L to R): LAC’s Michael Walker, Daniel Ross, and Andy Christie. WB-09-0295-027.
09/01 ARMTECH Graduates

The 14-week course is the final step of three years training, comprising formal and on-the-job training. The course is designed to teach students about the more technical aspect of trade practices and procedures.

Small Arms fault diagnosis, a comprehensive electrical theory, practical phase and Explosive Ordnance Disposal training are a just a few of the phases that the students undertake.

To mark the occasion an armed parade was held in front of Ground Training Wing (GTW), and reviewed by GTW’s Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Nigel Sainsbury. Each student received a certificate and an Armament Coin to recognise their achievement as now fully trained Armament Tradesman. Leading Aircraftsman Daniel Ross was awarded The Auckland Wartime Armourers Association Trophy for achieving the highest average mark throughout the course. The Armament Training School staff congratulates the students on their successful graduation and wishes them well for their future careers as Royal New Zealand Air Force Armourers.

09/3 ACFTTECHS Course

The 2009 Aircraft Technicians (ACFTTECHs) course saw 11 RNZAF personnel graduate—with 10 receiving their National Certificate in Aircraft Servicing. They represent the growing trend from our organisation to formally recognise the skills of our personnel.

09/3 ACFTTECH graduates inside the cargo door of an old Boeing 727 at Air Training School, Woodbourne. WB-09-0280-008.
09/3 ACFTTECH graduates

This qualification recognises all those skills required to effectively work on a Squadron flight line such as flight line safety, operating level servicing, system replenishments, and aircraft ground handling. The graduates are now ready to step up as technicians and responsibly acknowledge the need for that professional attitude and focus towards any task set them.

Leading Aircraftsman Richard Maurice was awarded the 4TTS Cup for graduating ‘top of the class’, and LAC Byron Boon received the Instructors Cup for graduating with the best all-round ability.

We wish them well as they accept the challenge to maintain the high standards that drive our organisation from within.

09/2 SSUPSPEC Graduates

Six students from the Senior Supply Specialist (SSUPSPEC) course graduated on 12 November 2009 at Base Woodbourne.

The 09/2 Senior Supply Specialist Graduates (L to R): LAC Desmond Crighton, SGT Gideon Wych; and LACs Alcide Gosselin, Matthew Janor, Hayley Ireland, and Odessa Rukuwai. WB-09-0285-016.
09/2 Senior Supply Specialist Graduates

This is the final step in their journey to becoming fully qualified Royal New Zealand Air Force Supply Specialists—a journey that has seen them complete 17 weeks of Primary Trade Training, a minimum of 18 months on-the-job-training, a five week Air Movements Course at RNZAF Base Auckland, and a nine week Residential Course at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. Trainees are required to demonstrate their practical application in areas such as Logistics Warehousing Flight, Logistics Operations Flight and Supply Chain Management Squadron. Within these areas they are required to engage with Technical Personnel and Supply Staff to further develop their skills as Senior Tradesmen. At the conclusion of this course the students are qualified to load and unload aircraft, process passengers, and also will have gained vehicle qualifications. It is an essential role for all Suppliers and is a gateway to long-term and varied deployment operations. Leading Aircraftsman Hayley Ireland was presented with the prestigious AIRCDRE Baillie Award for being the most outstanding student from Advanced Trade Training who had excelled throughout the entire assessment period—no mean achievement. Reviewing Officer COMSW, WGCDR Wally Butt congratulated all the students on their achievement and wished them well for their future careers.

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