Welcome to 2008!

In fact by the time you open this edition and read this article we'll well and truly be into the year.

Image right: AIRCDRE Steve Moore, Deputy Chief of Air Force (DCAF). OH-08-0030-03-tn.jpg.

Hopefully everybody was able to follow CAF’s advice contained in his Christmas message to enjoy a well-earned relaxing holiday, but with a few BBQ cards passed out at the obligatory gatherings around the country.

No doubt 2008 will bring with it the usual number of personal and professional challenges, not the least of which are those associated with the acquisition and in some cases introduction to service of our new and upgraded aircraft. Of course hand-in-hand with this will be the ongoing demands connected to the current operational tempo. With the certainty of these challenges it is timely to remind everybody of the importance of a good work-life balance.

While we cannot ignore the fact that the year will require a not insignificant commitment from us all, we equally cannot ignore the need to ensure there is time for our families and other life interests. As the adage goes, we should work to live, not live to work. When it comes to workload, often we are our own worst enemies in that we are reluctant to say no to a task. Credible though this may be we need to make sure that we are not unnecessarily overloaded, and in doing so we may have to accept that some tasks will not be completed. On occasion we may have to have the courage to say no.

In his Christmas message, AVM Lintott alluded to a concerted effort this year into ensuring our people are treated the way they want to be treated, and that leadership is the crux in accomplishing this. I am looking forward to playing my part in those endeavours.

After spending the past few years in non-Air Force positions, it’s great to be back in an Air Force appointment, and I’m really looking forward to seeing for myself the great work that’s being accomplished around the Bases.

As Chief of Staff at Headquarters Joint Forces, each day I was extremely proud of the efforts of “light blue” in the Headquarters, as well as the stupendous efforts of those on and supporting NZDF operations. I was privy to many accolades directed towards RNZAF personnel from some fairly senior and important people – both military and non-military, New Zealanders and foreigners – accolades that once again reinforce the commitment, professionalism and teamwork of those in the RNZAF.

A common theme was that when dealing with the Air Force, people get on and do what is required of them with no fuss or bother. This is great and I hope that it doesn’t change as I believe it reflects a healthy Service – one in which people are obviously proud of their part in what we do. AVM Lintott, in his Leadership Vision last year gave us a licence to deal with issues that may have been bugging us for years; to change things for the better.

We need to ensure we take advantage of CAF’s generosity, and I would like to think we can get ourselves in a situation where we look forward to coming to work each day knowing that each and every one of us has a valuable, and valued, contribution to make to the Service, and the Service plays a similar role in each of our lives.

So 2008, here we come. Have fun.