Four Queen’s Birthday Honours
Four Air Force Officers were recognised in last month’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
They will each receive the newly instituted Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD). The four Air Force officers were among nine NZDF personnel honoured on the list with the DSD.
The others were: PVT Jonathan Fatu (New Zealand Army); LT CDR Robert Mills (Royal New Zealand Navy); LT COL Brett Rankin (NZ Army); CPL Darren Te Whata (NZ Army); CPL William Watters (NZ Army).
AK-06-0148-66-tn.jpg image of SQNLDR Shane Meighan with camp dog "Kiwi" in Afghanistan.
Nelson airman SQNLDR Shane Meighan who served with the New Zealand Defence Force in Afghanistan was named as one of the first recipients of the Distinguished Service Decoration on June 4.
Royal New Zealand Air Force SQNLDR Shane Meighan served as the Development and Reconstruction Project Officer with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT) in Bamyan, Afghanistan from April to October 2006.
His decoration was for working with available New Zealand and United States funding sources to achieve an unprecedented amount of quick impact projects and construction activity to meet the needs of the local population of Bamyan.
His commendation also notes that he established strong working relationships with local officials to build capacity by introducing project management processes and providing guidance in creating and maintaining data bases.
‘His legacy in development work will be valued for many years to come,’ his citation reads.
SQNLDR Meighan said he was honoured to receive the medal.
‘The decoration isn’t just for me. The whole eighth rotation deployment to Afghanistan did a fantastic job delivering projects to the Afghan people.’
The decoration will be officially presented by the Governor General at a ceremony later this year.
OH 03-0300-08-tn.jpg image of SQNLDR Rankin.
South Auckland airman SQNLDR Jim Rankin was named as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Decoration on June 4 for a lifetime of service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
During his career SQNLDR Jim Rankin has had full responsibility for flying instruction standards throughout the New Zealand Defence Force in his roles as Commanding Officer of the Pilot Training Squadron and the Central Flying School.
The decoration acknowledges his ‘instrumental role in developing and managing the standards and organisation to support RNZAF display flying activities, including leading the Red Checkers Formation Aerobatic Team’.
‘His expertise is also widely acknowledged in the civil flying community where he is closely involved with the professional development of civilian pilots and instructors through a variety of training and development work sponsored by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority.’
SQNLDR Rankin said the award was totally unexpected.
‘My daughter got the mail and said, “Here’s one for you dad, from Government House”. It’s surprising to be recognised like this when I work with such a lot of talented people in an area I’ve always enjoyed.’
The decoration will be officially presented by the Governor General at a ceremony later this year.
WN 06-0064-05-tn.jpg image showing P-3K Orion upgrade project, WGCDR Mike Yardley reviewing the flight deck in NZ4204 with all flight instruments removed.
Wanganui Air Force Officer GPCAPT Michael Yardley’s hard work on the Orion aircraft upgrade project was recognised on June 4 when he is named as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Decoration.
GPCAPT Michael Yardley has led the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) element of the P3K Orion Systems Upgrade Project over four years from it’s inception to the successful completion of critical design reviews.
His citation states that 'his ability to demonstrate robust linkage between policy objectives and operational requirements was fundamental to successful advancement through the projects approval process.'
‘Once the project moved into the acquisition phase, the professional and constructive relationship he developed with the contractor became a key factor in the success of the project.'
‘He advanced a significant project, which will result in the Orion’s being capable of effectively supporting a range of government agencies including police, fisheries and customs, in addition to allowing the aircraft to conduct multiple roles.’
GPCAPT Yardley said the citation was testament to the hard work of his team over the past four years.
‘The skills and attitudes of all the people in my team and those I’ve worked with are what have made this complex project possible.’
The decoration will be officially presented by the Governor General at a ceremony later this year.
A Karori Air Force Officer will be named as one of the first recipients of the new Distinguished Service Decoration on June 4 for his work on the Air Forces Helicopter Capability Project.
WGCDR Nelson has led the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) element of the Helicopter Capability Project over the last three years.
His citation notes that, ‘As a pilot from outside the helicopter role, he has had the added challenge of acquiring the professional knowledge and confidence of those in the role to effectively progress the project.
‘He also worked tirelessly to develop effective and professional relationships with NATO Helicopter Industries, the prime contractor for the NH90 advanced medium utility helicopter.
‘These relationships have translated into smooth dealings with the contractors on one of Defence’s most expensive acquisition projects.
‘His endeavours will result in the NZDF receiving very capable aircraft and set the stage for helicopter operations, providing critical support to Land Forces, Special Forces, government agencies and security partners, both in New Zealand and overseas, for at least the next three decades.’
The decoration will be officially presented by the Governor General at a ceremony later this year.
The announcement on Monday 21 May of a new medal, the Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD), is a major step towards acknowledging the commitment of Defence Force personnel throughout New Zealand and on overseas missions, says the Chief of Defence Force LT GEN Jerry Mateparae.
The new medal will recognise distinguished and meritorious service by regular, territorial and reserve members of the New Zealand Defence Force, including service in an operational
environment, or in support of operations.
‘At a time when the New Zealand Defence Force has more than 700 of its personnel on operations or deployments, the DSD is an important addition to the New Zealand Honours system,’ said LT GEN Mateparae.
The first recipients of the DSD will be announced in the upcoming Queen’s Birthday Honours list on Monday 4 June. Recipients will be entitled to use the initials ‘D.S.D.’ and will receive their awards at the regular investitures at Government House.
The DSD will be equal to the previously awarded Queen’s Service Medal.
The new medal will be made of Sterling Silver. The obverse design is a representation of eight blades of a Kotiate (lobed club) in a circle with a Royal Crown in the centre. The front four blades are in frosted silver, the rear blades are polished silver. The reverse bears the inscription ‘For Distinguished Service’ in English and Maori. The ribbon is Prussian blue and red, the colours of the British Distinguished Service Order ribbon, with two narrow yellow stripes that signify achievement.