Commendations
CDF Commendation
Mr John Dennehy was recently honoured by Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae at Defence Headquarters with a CDF Commendation for his enthusiasm, relationship building, diligence and dedication in the Risk and Assurance Unit.
CDF Commendation
John commenced his career with the Defence Force as an Internal Auditor in 1996 and moved up to Internal Audit Manager in 2004.
In 2005, John accepted the challenge of becoming the Treasurer for a period of about six months. During this period all of the functions in the Treasury and Corporate Payroll Unit were to transfer to the recently established Joint Logistics Support Organisation. John ensured excellent support continued to be given, while at the same time he did everything to make sure personnel were kept well informed of the impending change. John not only looked to maintain the service but also improve it where circumstances allowed. When the then Director of Risk and Assurance subsequently resigned, John enthusiastically accepted the challenge to take on this role until such time as a new Director was appointed. He held this acting role from August 2008 to May 2009.
John helped establish a very sound platform of professionalism and practice that not only had his team behind him but that now helps lift the Unit’s profile to a whole new level.
Height of Commendation
Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott presented Flight Sergeant Josef Hargraves with Long Service and Good Conduct medals at Base Auckland’s No. 40 Squadron’s ‘Jo’ room on 23 April 2010.
Standing tall
F/S Hargraves joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in January 1994 and, on completion of recruit and trade training, was posted to No. 40 SQN as an Aircraft Mechanic. Progressing through a Technicians course, he remained with No. 40 SQN until November 1999 when he was posted to No. 3 SQN Naval Support Flight. The lure of the C-130 was too strong though, and in August 2002, F/S Hargraves was awarded his Air Engineer brevet and promoted to SGT, followed, in January 2007 with promotion to F/S and designation as an aircrew instructor on the Hercules.
With the development of the C-130 Life Extension Project, F/S Hargraves was selected as a core member of the RNZAF Team conducting the development and Acceptance Test and Evaluation of the prototype aircraft operating from Edmonton, Canada and now from Waco in Texas. F/S Hargraves remains committed to the Project and will transition back to No. 40 SQN on acceptance of the prototype aircraft.
Outside of his primary duties, F/S Hargraves has exploited his notable height by representing both the Defence Force and RNZAF at basketball.