Exchange Programme brings two Air Forces closer
In a move aimed at significantly boosting the close relationship between our two Air Forces the Royal New Zealand Air Force has developed a meaningful exchange programme with the Republic Of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
The programme, announced by CAF AVM Graham Lintott, was one of the key outcomes of last year’s visit by the CAF RSAF, where both Chiefs saw people to people meeting and exchanging ideas on similar organisational issues as the best way of enhancing the RNZAF-RSAF relationship. The programme, which is called the RNZAF- RSAF Professional Exchange Programme (PEP) has a governing set of Terms of Reference (TOR). The TOR was signed by the two Chiefs in Singapore in February 2008.
Our Chief of Air Force AVM Graham Lintott is very keen to ensure that the PEP achieves its aim and has provided some guidance as to how the programme should be managed in the RNZAF. In broad terms the key features of the PEP are:
- it aims to promote goodwill and understanding between the personnel of the two organisations;
- it is open to all RNZAF personnel and the nominations process will be managed by
DCM (F).
RNZAF personnel wishing to participate in the PEP can only do so in targeted priority areas, which currently are in five distinct areas:
- Professional Development and Personnel Regeneration Requirements.
- Capability Introduction.
- Projects that the RSAF have done or that the RNZAF is about to start.
- Individual and Collective Training; and
- Any general activity that in the assessment of DCAF would advance the RNZAF-RSAF bilateral relationship.
At this stage the inaugural PEP is scheduled to start in July this year, with an exchange of ten RNZAF personnel visiting the RSAF for two weeks. The two Chiefs’ aim is for the first exchange to be as successful as possible for both sides and a reciprocal visit of RSAF personnel is scheduled for mid 2009.