Exercise Anzac Exchange
‘G’day mate’ was soon replaced by ‘Kia ora’, for one Australian Air Force fire-fighter, who headed off to New Zealand recently for three months on Exercise Anzac Exchange.
CPL Darren Stokes
CPL Darren Stokes, a fire-fighter from RAAF Base Amberley, saw the exchange information on the Australian Defence Intranet, which he checks on a regular basis for any information that may be relevant to himself or his workmates. CPL Stokes then got in contact with W/O Revell of the RNZAF Fire Service, who he found was ‘extremely informative’.
Exercise Anzac Exchange is for personnel at junior officer, SGT and CPL level, and involves a reciprocal exchange between the Australian Air Force and the RNZAF. Ten members from each Service are selected annually for the exchange. CPL Stokes submitted an application explaining why he should be selected and successfully sold his good points. ‘Excellent supporting comments, to help my case, were also written by my supervisor FSGT Dave Kefford,’ CPL Stokes said. ‘Along with FSGT Kefford, both Base Amberley and Defence Support Group Amberley have also fully supported me in this endeavour.’
CPL Stokes arrived in Auckland in mid-September. He was then attached to the Ohakea Fire Station, where he observed a fire-fighters course and made a positive contribution. He was also able to observe training techniques and methods at both the Wanganui and New Plymouth Fire Stations. Along with CPL Stokes, there are nine Australian Air Force personnel on this exchange. ‘This is a wonderful opportunity to visit the New Zealand Air Force and exchange information and techniques in fire-fighting,’ said CPL Stokes.
CPL Stokes joined the Air Force in 1990 and became a fire-fighter in 1997. He then had a short break from the Permanent Air Force (PAF) in 2006 and was with the Active Reserves for 12 months, before returning to the PAF again. ‘With the exchange, I was seeking a better understanding of the New Zealand culture, in particular the Maori language and history, NZ Military, and RNZAF fire-fighting techniques,’ he said.
During his career and with this exchange, his fiancée, Karen, has been fully supportive. ‘She is aware of what can be gained from such an experience,’ he explained. ‘It will be a challenge looking after our two children by herself while I am away, but I have plans to fly her over to New Zealand while I’m there, for a well-deserved break.’
Since CPL Stokes applied for the exchange, it has generated a lot of interest from other members of his Australian fire section. So, no doubt we will be seeing more of our Australian “mates” in the near future. It’s good to see that the Anzac spirit is alive and well “Down-Under”.