Commendations Medals and Citations

CAF COMMENDATION:

The Chief of Air Force Commendation is awarded to all ranks and civilian employees of the Royal New Zealand Air Force for outstanding zeal and devotion to duty.

W/O Dale Kutia received a CAF Commendation for her work in the Wellington Regional Recruiting Office. The Commendation noted ‘a high level of technical and administrative proficiency in her recruiting duties’ and her ability to strike a rapport and build a strong relationship.

F/S Craig David Pitman’s Commendation recognised his expertise ‘in desktop publishing processes with a reputation for producing high quality and artistic documents.’

Left image: F/S Pitman receives his commendation from CAF AVM Graham Lintott.

F/S Rebecca Ruth Pickering was recognised for being ‘instrumental in the success of the RNZAF’s contribution to, and participation in, New Zealand Defence Force Operations and Exercises.’

During his deployment to Afghanistan Acting F/S Scott James Rye’s tasks and duties included ‘the provision of specialist intelligence support to a variety of New Zealand and Allied military forces conducting operations in Afghanistan.’

RNZAF LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL:

is awarded to Airmen of the Regular Air Force of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who have completed fifteen years service, whose character and conduct have been irreproachable and who are recommended by their Commanding Officers.

SGT Sean Jason Trotman was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct medal wef 15 April 2007. SGT Trotman enlisted in the RNZAF in January 1990 as an Avionics Mechanic BE. He has served with numerous Squadrons including No.75 Squadron and has participated in exercises in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. He is currently working to develop the integrated Logistics Support aspects of the introduction into service of the B757 Modification Programme.

CLASP TO THE RNZAF LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL:

Clasps are awarded for each additional fifteen years service to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, which is awarded to Airmen of the Regular Air Force of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who have completed fifteen years service.

W/O Michael William Black joined the RNZAF on 30th of May 1977 as an Aircraft Mechanic under training. W/O Black was first awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct medal on 30 May 1992.

In October 1999 W/O Black became the Base Air Logistics Information System manager and from there to the role of NCO in charge of the Woodbourne Technical Support flight in charge of the Engineering Documentation Centre, Air Logistics Information System, and Library Sponsor Cell.

In recognition of 30 years unbroken service, W/O Black is awarded a clasp to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with effect 30 May 2007.

CLASP TO THE NEW ZEALAND ARMED FORCES AWARD:

Clasps are awarded for each additional fifteen years service to the NZ Armed Forces Award medal, which is awarded to regular officers of the New Zealand Defence Force who have completed fifteen years service.

GPCAPT Ian Clifford Gore enlisted into the RNZAF in January 1976 and was awarded the New Zealand Armed Forces Award wef 13 January 1991.

In June 1991, he was awarded the Air Force Cross, recognising his professional, devotion to duty and services to the RNZAF, particularly in conjunction with Project KAHU.

In 1998 he was posted to Air Command in Whenuapai, as Assistant Air Commander (Support), and promoted to GPCAPT.

His current appointment is Director Strategic Commitments at Headquarters, New Zealand Defence Force.

SQNLDR David Brent Henderson enlisted in the RNZAF on and his attitude to training and the RNZAF. 17 January 1977 and completed Aircraft Trade training in 1980 and NZ Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering in 1981.

In April 2004 SQNLDR Henderson was posted to the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering as AE2; he was subsequently posted to the Armament Trade Review Project in Oct 05 and now holds the post of Staff Officer Armament within the Directorate.

NZ OPERATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL:

Instituted in 2002 to provide distinctive New Zealand recognition for those who have been awarded a campaign medal or who have served seven days or more on operational service since the end of Second World War.

NZ GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL (AFGHANISTAN) PRIMARY:

This medal was instituted in 2002 to recognise New Zealand personnel (both military and non military) who served in Afghanistan from December 2001. There are two qualifying geographical areas for the award. The ‘primary’ operational area is within the borders of Afghanistan itself, while the ‘secondary’ operational area includes areas of other countries in which forces were based to participate in the operation. Different medal ribbons denote the primary and secondary areas.

AIRCDRE Kevin Roland Short was awarded the GSM (Afghanistan) Primary wef 01 August 2006 and the NZOSM wef 07 August 2006.

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION PRIZES FOR 2006:

AVM Klitscher (Rtd.) came forward to present the Association’s prizes.

LACDT Stephen Allen Booker. To qualify for this award LACDT Booker gained the highest overall rating of the eight tech personnel who completed training under the NZDT scheme in 2006. This rating is based on the aggregation of the two principle areas of RNZAF trade training and NZDT training. In his trade training LACDT Booker achieved excellent passes in his Mechanic and Technicians courses. LACDT Booker showed positive personal and leadership development during NZDT adventurous training activities, and achieved an “A” average in his Auckland University of Technology exam results.

Through out his career there has been consistent positive comment on his academic ability, his determination to succeed,

LACDT Amanda Jayne Fitzgerald. To qualify for this award LACDT Fitzgerald gained the highest overall rating of the two non-tech personnel who completed training under the NZDBS This rating is based on the aggregation of the two principle areas of RNZAF trade training and NZDT training. In her trade training LACDT Fitzgerald achieved excellent passes in her Supply and Senior Supply courses. LACDT Fitzgerald showed positive personal and leadership development during NZDT adventurous training activities, and achieved an “A” average in. her Auckland Polytechnic exam results.

Throughout her career there has been consistent positive comment on her academic ability, her determination to succeed, and her attitude to training and the RNZAF.

Right image: LACDT Fitzgerald receives the RNZAF Association prize from AVM Klitscher (Rtd.)