Security in the Pacific
- CAF’s inaugural Air Power Conference a huge success
The RNZAF’s inaugural Air Power Conference, held at Te Papa, Wellington, over the period 23-24 September 2008, was a huge success.
Conference audience
The overall theme for the Conference was Security in the Pacific: Air Power’s Future Contribution, and it was attended by some 300 people. Initiated by CAF AVM Graham Lintott, it was his hope that the Conference would ‘ensure that the path we have ahead is well-matched to the ever changing security environment’. Presenters from both here and abroad ably realised this intention and provided their perspectives regarding the security challenges in our immediate region. Judging by the positive responses received from many of the attendees, the Conference appears to have gone very well.
‘I’m delighted not only by the number and who attended but also by the quality of the presenters, who were of a very high standard. It was nice to see so many past RNZAF personnel engaging with present ones on issues about our Air Force. The whole event went very well and, for that, credit must be given to WGCDR Tim Walshe and all of his team from across the RNZAF. It is my hope that this event will become a regular event in the RNZAF calendar.’ said CAF.
Opening Address
The Honourable Rick Barker, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Defence, spoke about the role of the New Zealand Defence Force including advancing defence and foreign policy goals and objectives in the Pacific, placing the theme of the conference concerning the future contribution of air power to security in the Pacific in context. He reiterated that we want a secure neighbourhood, and New Zealand has special obligations in advancing good governance, economic well-being, and preservation of the environment.
New Zealand’s long term interest in the Pacific
Attendees register for conference
Mr Simon Murdoch, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, emphasised the importance of the Pacific to New Zealand because our identity and welfare are intertwined through geographic proximity, cultural and constitutional linkages, and economic interests.
Mr Murdoch reinforced the challenges faced in the Pacific ranging from governance issues and trans-national crime to economic fragility and natural disaster. And then he gave us a good list of key objectives of New Zealand foreign policy, ranging from security and stability to economic growth and Pacific ‘outreach’ to the rest of the world. All the challenges he proposed require multi-agency factors. He added that ‘the NZDF is absolutely paramount amongst other New Zealand agencies that can contribute’. He then thanked CDF for the part played across the whole spectrum of Pacific security engagement (from hard to soft power).
Industry Support
Mr Neal Garnett (Chairman of the New Zealand Defence Industries Association) and colleagues presented views on ‘Innovative Industry Supporting the RNZAF’. They provided good examples of industry support to air power. He noted that ‘commercial industry provides the RNZAF with vital enabling functions and industry support, and their continued engagement is much appreciated by the RNZAF’.
Air Commodore Gavin Howse
Air Power and the Pacific
Senior Air Force leaders, led by Air Commodore Gavin Howse RNZAF Air Component Commander HQJFNZ, provided views on the contribution of air power to future security in the Pacific. Shared themes included the complexity, volatility, and uncertainty in the global environment. They recognised the current pre-eminence of maritime surveillance as a role in the region and the critical need for comprehensive whole of effort approaches. They also agreed on the importance of:
- network enabled operations
- broad use of the electro-magnetic spectrum
- friendship and trust
- being ready and responsive
- working within resource constraints, and
- cultural understanding including language and doctrine training.