Spend a Day with CAF
What is it like to be Chief of Air Force? Most of us will never know, but a lucky few can get a glimpse into a day in the life of our Chief and find out what goes on in the superterrestrial world of the fifth floor of Defence House. Air Force PR Assistant Anna Sussmilch reports.
CAF sits down with some of the recruits from CRTS at Base Woodbourne. (WN-08-0035-03-tn).
Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott said the idea of ‘Spend a Day with CAF’ was one he got from former Air New Zealand CEO Ralph Norris and is a concept that puts him in touch with Air Force personnel from every level of the Service.
LAC Amy Hahn was the first person to spend a day with the Chief and her first thought was one of disbelief. ‘As I had never heard of this happening before, at first I thought it was a joke, along with the rest of the office! When I found out it was true I was nervous yet at the same time I was stoked. Since I was the first person to be chosen to spend a day with the CAF, I wasn’t sure about what to expect so I just decided the best way was to be open minded and take it as it comes.’ Reflecting on her day, LAC Hahn said a highlight was learning about the wider Air Force. ‘Being able to see what goes on behind closed doors, and to be privileged enough to be involved in the big picture events of the Air Force as opposed to the day-to-day work at a Base level.’
FGOFF Alec Hutchings spends the day with CAF AVM Graham Lintott. (WN-08-0035-02-tn).
Air Force News caught up with FGOFF Alec Hutchings during his day on the fifth floor of Defence House. ‘It has been interesting to see this side of the organisations and the discussions that go on in Air Staff that you don’t see at Base,’ said the young officer.
When CPL Jonathan Irving spent a day with CAF, he attended an official reception which he said was a real highlight. ‘Arriving at a formal function with AVM Lintott, his wife and W/O Gell - I don’t think I’ll be making an entrance like that again,” he said.
Air Force News was lucky enough to spend a couple of days with the Chief that included an outing on day two to Base Woodbourne. The day started with a flight from Air Movements at Rongotai to Base Woodbourne. It was a bit of an outing for CAF’s office with Personal Staff Officer to the CAF, SQNLDR Adam Houston, CPL Jessica McEwan – CAF’s driver, now based in the Sinai, his EA Mr Jonathan Collins and this lucky writer all getting away from our desks for a day.
CAF reviews a parade as part of the MAEROMWR graduation. (WN-08-0035-04-tn).
The first event on the agenda was a review of the Aeronautical Metal Workers’ Graduate Parade. This was followed by morning tea and the chance for CAF to meet with the graduates. Afterwards was a visit to Command and Recruit Training Squadron where SQNLDR Phill Bedford highlighted some of the new initiatives they have started. One initiative is on Fridays with the blue uniform eschewed in favour of the different coloured overalls worn on operations. ‘It shows visually how each of the trades are part of a wider team,’ said SQNLDR Bedford. CAF later talked with some of the recruits as they cleaned their rifles and imparted some of the wisdom he had gained during his 35 years with the Air Force. During lunch CAF continued with his meet and greet, this time with the young people on the IOTC whose initial shyness soon gave way to inquisitive questions. After lunch there was a tour of Ex Skytrain and calls paid to the visitors from the Air Forces of Singapore and France who were also taking part in the exercise. The latter afternoon was a more formal affair with the presentation to six personnel with citations and medals, highlighted in the April/May issue of Air Force News. Given the hot Marlborough day, there was general relief when the bar opened at the SNCOs mess for a refreshing drink or three! All too quickly it was time to board the King Air and return to Wellington, and to reflect on a day spent meeting the many personnel proud to show CAF an Air Force they were proud of.