RNZAF Active Reserve Launched
By CAF AVM Graham Lintott
Chief of Air Force, AVM Graham Lintott.
The RNZAF currently has a Territorial Air Force comprising predominantly of Band members and Air Traffic Controllers, who, to date, have served us very well in those two specific areas. However, over the past few years I have been very keen to establish, within the RNZAF, a workable Reserve capacity as another way to overcome our personnel shortfall across all trades and specialisations.
Those of you who attended the Air Force Leadership Forum in Ohakea in June this year may recall my rather passionate commitment to have this capacity well and truly established before my tenure as CAF finishes. I sincerely hold the view that the RNZAF has reached a point where it can no longer ignore the immense benefits that can be had from a Reserve structure.
In May this year, the Air Force Leadership Board (Management) agreed to a Reserve concept that was developed to meet the needs of the RNZAF. With input from various parts of the RNZAF, HQ NZDF and even the RAAF, that original concept has now evolved into a framework which the AFLB-M has endorsed for release as policy. This has been done some five months ahead of its original start date of January 2009 – an impressive achievement indeed. Well done to all concerned and in particular to WGCDR Alec Shariff, who has led this project through to completion.
Band members.
The RNZAF Active Reserve (AR-F) is designed with a great deal of flexibility and, as with any new initiative, the success of the programme will only be as effective as the commitment of its users – the Units. While more details of the programme are available in the AFO (T), the key elements are as follows:
- AR-F personnel will be used to relieve the pressure of personnel shortfall.
- There will be a ceiling of 125 AR-F positions established across the RNZAF in addition to current numbers.
- It will be open to all trades and specialisations.
- It will be open to Units to use as and when they want but they will need to bid for funds.
- The initial target AR-F group will be ex-RNZAF (Service) personnel, who will need minimal training to become proficient at doing assigned Unit tasks. So spread the word!
- Like everyone else in uniform, AR-F personnel will also be subject to AFDF while on duty.
Needless to say, I am very pleased to announce that the AR-F is to be implemented with immediate effect throughout the organisation. The programme is specifically aimed at providing Units with another option to overcome the personnel shortfall to meet their annual outputs. It is my intent that the AR-F will become an integral part of our team as we work towards being an Air Force that is the best in all that we do.