Exercise Longlook 2010
Recently, 31 New Zealand Defence Force personnel (12 NZ Army, 9 RNZN and 10 RNZAF) deployed on Exercise Longlook 2010—an annual, short-term exchange of selected Junior Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers between members from each of the Services of the United Kingdom (UK), Australian, and New Zealand Defence Force.
The main aim of Exercise Longlook is to allow individuals to gain a detailed understanding of how the other Forces work, and to aid interoperability on future joint operations. There is also the added benefit of exposing personnel to a different culture, giving them a life experience that will not only develop them as an individual, but broaden their military experience and professional knowledge. Personnel, currently on Exercise Longlook 2010, share their experiences from both sides of the world.
The Experiences of an NZ Longlooker
F/S Gavin Kotua
During my Longlook experience in the UK, I spent time at two Royal Air Force (RAF) Development Training Centres (similar to our Adventure Training Centres)—Fairbourne, Wales and Grantown on Spey in Scotland—to experience how and why the RAF conduct Adventure Training (AT) type activities.
I discovered that the RAF use adventurous activities and experiential learning to provide a safe medium to develop valuable leadership, personal and team attributes. With the high operational tempo experienced by the RAF in Afghanistan, the attributes developed during AT form a vital aspect of their military training.
To achieve this, all trades participate in a week’s ‘expedition’ during their initial training. The centres also cater for individual units who wish to participate in AT, with Fairbourne mainly providing services for ordinary ranks, and Grantown supporting officer training. Both centres are staffed with a mixture of Physical Training Instructor (PTI) instructional staff and civilian support staff, and offer a similar mix of activities to the RNZAF.
My week at Grantown began with a briefing and lecture on team work, leadership and the management models employed by the RAF. This emphasised the reason for participating in the weeks activities and showed how experiential learning can be directly related back to the workplace and the operational environment. The next day, I met the group I would be with for the week. Following the customary ice breakers, we were then off for some training. As this was an Initial Officers Training Course, all of the planning and organisation—what we were going to do, where and how—was completed by the students with assistance from the PTI.
The mission for the week was to travel as far and gain as much altitude as possible during a three day expedition. My group chose canoeing down the Spey River from Aviemore to the coast and to the Atlantic—a distance of just on 100 km in three days! The river was similar to the Rangitikei River in the Manawatu, with grade 1 and 2 rapids, and we successfully reached our goal without any major incidents.
On completion, the important part of the process began—the review and transference to the workplace. We held discussions on what took place during the activities—what emotions were experienced and how this affected the group, leadership and a realisation of individuals’ strength and weaknesses (emotional intelligence).
This Longlook experience achieved two aims for me. One, it emphasised to me that the RNZAF’s AT programmes currently provide a valuable learning experience, and two, there is huge potential to further develop the delivery of this service for RNZAF personnel.
The Experiences of a UK Longlooker
By FLTLT Jon Smith (RAF)
I began the Longlook exchange working as an Air Movements Officer at RNZAF Base Auckland, which provided the opportunity to handle all RNZAF transport and get a good insight into how air movements were conducted. After only six weeks of working at the section, I witnessed the deployment of troops to the Middle East, VIP flights—including one for the Prime Minister—and myriad exercise aircraft. Of note, I was also fortunate to be allowed to assist in the movement of 30 Kiwis from Auckland to Masterton, a thoroughly enjoyable experience. In addition to the standard work in Air Movements, I was also able to participate in Adventure Training (AT) at Rotorua. This was a Base-wide, multi-activity exercise that was focused on teamwork and leadership. Having undertaken numerous AT exercises in the RAF, I was highly impressed with how this training was conducted; particularly in the way that junior personnel were developed. I will certainly look to incorporate elements of my New Zealand experience in to any future training I conduct with Unit personnel back in the UK.
Visits to other RNZAF bases, including Joint Forces, is another key part of my exchange to gain a broad understanding of how Air Movements, and Logistics are managed. I am also due to deploy on Exercise Tropic Twilight to Tuavala, to see first-hand how an Air Load Team operates. Such a trip also provides me with an opportunity to visit a remote Pacific Island, which for a Brit is a very special opportunity, and one that will no doubt be a highlight of the exchange.
One thing that has been quite poignant during the exchange is the number of similarities between our two organisations; not just in ways of operating, but in terms of culture, sense of humour and ethos. This has made my transition very easy and I can understand why so many of my fellow Brits have joined the ranks of the RNZAF.
Moreover, I have also been very impressed by the flexibility and attitude to change that I have observed in the people I have worked along side. It has been particularly interesting to observe the utilisation of multi-skilling across the Logistics functions of the RNZAF.
My experiences on Exercise Longlook have been the highlight of my 10 years Service in the RAF. In my opinion, New Zealand is a very special place, with an Air Force that delivers a great deal with limited resources.