New Year Honours for NZDF Personnel

AVM Lintott, named recipient of Officer of the NZ Order of Merit

On 31 December 2007 it was announced that thirteen NZDF personnel will receive New Year Honours. Details of awards and recipients follow:

To be an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM):

Air Vice-Marshal Graham Brian LINTOTT    
Chief of Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Air Vice-Marshal Lintott was named Chief of Air Force (CAF) in May 2006, having previously held the appointments of Air Component Commander, Acting Commander Joint Forces New Zealand and Assistant Chief Strategic Commitments and Intelligence at Headquarters NZDF.  As CAF, he is noted for his strategic vision in guiding the RNZAF through a period of intense transformation, guiding the planning and introduction into service of over 30 significantly upgraded or new aircraft over six fleets, and redefining and developing new trades and structures to support the new capabilities being introduced.  His strengths in meeting these challenges include strong skills in strategic leadership, a high level of affinity with people, the ability to clearly and consistently communicate the direction and activities required to steer the RNZAF through this period of transformation, and sound skills in strategic planning.  He consistently demonstrates the ability to clearly think through issues and consider a wide range of options. Based on his considerable operational experience and knowledge, the RNZAF continues to contribute to the force development process to ensure that future capabilities for the RNZAF and the NZDF are fully met. AVM Lintott stands out among his peers for his sound leadership and the ability to motivate his people to achieve outstanding results in periods of sometimes turbulent change.

To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)

Air Commodore Terence Michael GARDINER
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Air Commodore Gardiner has been at the forefront of efforts to modernise and upgrade the Defence Force’s management capabilities.  As Deputy Chief of Air Force 2003/04, he did much to improve management processes throughout the RNZAF, leading to increased efficiency in the organisation.  Subsequently, as Assistant Chief Resources, he led the Defence Force input to a review of defence capability and resourcing - essentially a complete redefinition of Defence’s spending priorities.  This work was taken up by the government, culminating in a major defence funding package aimed at sustainability. Air Commodore Gardiner was then tasked with overseeing of the many management changes and efficiency and effectiveness projects which made up the sustainability programme.  This was perhaps the biggest management challenge the NZDF had faced in many years. Considerably improved organisation capability and management procedures have delivered much improved decision making processes. His work has set in place an ongoing programme of continuous improvement that will serve the NZDF well for many years to come.

To be an Additional Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)

Able Combat Systems Specialist Rene Hamuera RANGI
Royal New Zealand Navy
Able Combat Systems Specialist Rangi served in Afghanistan from Oct 2006 to April 2007 as a driver with Headquarters International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Kabul.  Although a junior-ranked sailor with limited driving experience in a military situation, he quickly developed into a highly competent driver, with a strong and positive influence on his work environment. He drove with skill and courtesy – the latter being a challenge in Kabul’s snarled vehicular chaos – always providing his passengers safe and reliable transportation, remaining polite and co-operative with local motorists.  He was acutely aware of the high threat environment in which he worked and he significant hours to studying maps, routes, and satellite imagery. He sought resources and training to improve situational awareness and mission planning and conduct.  His skills and leadership were displayed to best effect during the visit by the Minister of Defence to Kabul in April 2007, when he contributed significantly to planning the visit, as well as being lead driver.  He very proactively trained new drivers, contributing to their rapidly gaining the ability to drive without a co-driver. A naturally gifted diplomat, his efforts, although unofficial, personal and spontaneous, exemplified the best face that ISAF strives to present to the Afghan public.

To receive the Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD):

Air Vice-Marshal David Anthony BAMFIELD, ONZM  
Vice Chief of Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force
Air Vice-Marshal Bamfield was appointed to the Vice Chief of Defence Force role in February 2004.  In essence, he set up the role, bringing effect to the recommendations of the Hunn Review.  Over the last four years, AVM Bamfield has worked to translate the government’s defence policies and priorities into effective and practical strategic plans, statements of intent, and output plans.  He established the required relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other stakeholder government agencies and has provided oversight and development direction for a range of NZDF or joint NZDF/MOD programmes, including the Defence Sustainability Initiative, the Defence Planning Framework, the Resource Allocation and Management Programme, the Defence Strategic Plan and the Defence Estate Strategic Plan. With the MOD, he has provided management at the strategic level of New Zealand’s defence relationships and major international deployments, notably with Australia, the USA and key Asian and Pacific partners.  In doing so, he has established and maintained a high level of confidence by the whole of government framework in the NZDF.  His forthcoming retirement in February 2008 will mark almost 42 years of outstanding service and performance.

Staff Sergeant Brenton Lee BEACH    
Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
Staff Sergeant Beach commenced voluntary employment outside of his normal working hours at the Queen Elizabeth II Museum in September 1998.  He was formally posted to the Army Museum at Waiouru in October 2000.  He has been the ‘glue’ that has held the Museum together for a long time.  His life is the Museum and the Museum is his life.  During seven years in the Museum Staff Sergeant Beach has held the appointments of Senior Custodian and more recently Corporate Services Manager.  In both these appointments he has consistently demonstrated dedication and commitment.  He has also been a tireless worker in producing literally hundreds of hours of oral histories on returned Servicemen and women.  Most of these lengthy interviews have been conducted during his annual leave periods.  Highly qualified experts in the profession have rated him as one of New Zealand’s leading oral history interviewers.

Warrant Officer Marine Technician (Electrical) David Murray CHISNALL
Royal New Zealand Navy
Warrant Officer Chisnall, in his role as Base Emergency Services Officer, initiated several projects that resulted in significant improvements to the ability of HMNZS PHILOMEL and the Naval Base to respond to emergency situations.  This includes a shared services approach to oil spill contingency plans which will increase the Navy’s capability to respond to oil spills and reduce the risk of environmental damage.  This work was put to good effect when a dockyard crane accidentally fell into the sea and all required emergency services were co-ordinated smoothly.  He has worked with the New Zealand Fire Service to produce a Tactical Fire Response Plan, which will provide for a quick and accurate appreciation of a fire anywhere on the Base.  This will allow for an effective management of fires in secure areas, protect assets and safeguard people living and working on Base.  He was also a key member of a team that reviewed safety procedures after four New Zealand Customs personnel were injured during fire-fighting training.  This review found previously unidentified training hazards and equipment limitations.  His recommendations to remedy these have resulted in a much safer training environment.
    

Commander Richard Lance COOK    
Royal New Zealand Navy
Commander Cook held the appointment of Chief Staff Officer Operations at Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (HQ JFNZ) during 2006, a position normally filled by a Colonel equivalent officer. This period was characterised by a busy operational tempo that required the Operations Branch within HQ JFNZ to dedicate an inordinate amount of time to support operationally deployed forces, all in the face of staff shortages within the branch. His commitment to the effort was immeasurable.  His leadership ensured that HQ JFNZ provided appropriately responsive support to deployed missions.  This was achieved by working consistently long hours, both during the normal working week and at weekends maintaining contact with the various missions – compounded by an array of time-zone differences.  He was always at pains however to ensure that he was inconvenienced by the time-zone differences, rather than mission personnel.  He displayed considerable capacity, as well as meticulous planning and organisational skills to effectively respond to the numerous daily operational demands.

   
Wing Commander John William LOVATT    
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Wing Commander Lovatt assumed the role of Senior National Officer with the second rotation of No. 5 Squadron to the Middle East in August 2003 as part of New Zealand’s contribution to Operations there.  During this deployment, he developed a number of niche roles for the detachment. In November 2003, he became the NZDF’s Liaison Officer to the US Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain, where he continued to represent New Zealand’s interest with innovation and enthusiasm.  He assumed command of No. 5 Squadron in May 2004. Over the two and a half years he held this post, Wing Commander Lovatt implemented significant and enduring improvements which enhanced the RNZAF Maritime Patrol Force’s specialist capabilities.  He demonstrated dogged determination to provide the most effective outputs from his resources.  He also faced a number of challenges which he embraced with compassion and aplomb, one example being the genuine and caring way he led the Squadron through the loss, resulting from motorcycle accidents, of three young airmen under his command.

Warrant Officer Class One Mark John Richard MORTIBOY   
Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)
WO1 Mortiboy holds the appointment of Master Driver at the Land Operations Training Centre. In this role he drew on his long experience in his trade, and his experience as a soldier, to meet the difficult circumstances resulting from a number of tragic deaths of young Army drivers and the consequent detailed focus on driver training within the Defence Force.  He has remained unrelenting in his commitment to advancing and implementing safe driving practices, both for peacetime training and on operations. WO1 Mortiboy maintains a passion for open and transparent training practices.  His sensitivity and genuine concern in dealings with the families of the deceased soldiers and with the other soldiers involved in the accidents were remarked upon during a coroner’s inquest.  He has been a strong advocate driving policy development and decision making and subsequently played a leading role in implementing changes to the way Army drivers are trained.

Corporal Sean Anthony NGATAI    
Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)
Corporal Ngatai deployed to Timor Leste from November 2006 to May 2007, as part of the NZDF contribution to the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF).  His role was to provide integral logistic support to Victor Company, 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.  His workload effectively doubled when another store man returned to New Zealand without replacement.  Due to the dispersed nature of the tactical operations being conducted by Victor Company, he spent significant portions of his day negotiating the volatile suburbs of Dili, in order to ensure that essential logistic supplies reached the forward infantry sections as they conducted patrols and operations throughout the city.  On a number of occasions, he was also required to coordinate New Zealand specific logistic support to Victor Company elements deployed outside Dili.  This required complex liaison with other logistic elements of the ISF to ensure the platoons received their expected equipment and stores.  He was persistent in following up outstanding stores issues in an effort to make life more comfortable for his comrades, no matter how insignificant the issue appeared.  His provision of timely and effective support greatly contributed to the operational accomplishments of Victor Company in Timor Leste.

Lieutenant Timothy Andrew O’DONNELL
Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
Lieutenant O’Donnell, in the rank of Second Lieutenant, served as Platoon Commander in Timor Leste from November 2006 to May 2007, as part of the NZDF contribution to the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF).  His platoon was conducting a security patrol in April 2007 when it encountered a crowd of approximately 1000 Fretilin supporters returning from an election rally in Dili.  The crowd, escorted by UN Police officers, halted on the outskirts of Manatuto, fearing attacks from opposition political supporters.  While the platoon was endeavouring to secure a safe route, the UN Police began moving the Fretilin supporters across a bridge toward Manatuto. The crowd was then ambushed by some 600 opposition supporters throwing rocks and firing steel darts and arrows.  Under the hail of projectiles, the Police escort was quickly overwhelmed and withdrew, leaving the Fretilin convoy stranded on the bridge.  He made a quick decision to intervene in the melee, which meant that his platoon also came under attack.  Eventually, his platoon managed to push back the attackers and secure a bypass route around Manatuto for the Fretilin convoy, which safely circumnavigated the town without loss of life or serious injury.  Soon after ISF reinforcements arrived on the scene to assist in restoring law and order to the town.  Without the decisive intervention of his platoon, it is likely that the situation could have deteriorated resulting in a number of fatalities between the rival political supporters.

Major Terence Albert Joseph O’NEILL
Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
Major O’Neill has served as Officer Commanding, Recruit Company for the past four years.  In this capacity he has had a direct and positive influence on the personal and professional development of thousands of New Zealand Army personnel, both recruits and unit staff.  He has at all times demonstrated and promoted the fundamental core values of the New Zealand Army (Courage, Commitment, Comradeship and Integrity).  He has led a challenging command with a combination of the correct degrees of empathy and sharp discipline.  He also planned and implemented the introduction of the Enhanced Basic, a training regime that will allow the New Zealand soldier to operate in a complex environment through the use of sophisticated equipment, systems and tactics.  The effect that the Enhanced Basic training will have on the continuing success of New Zealand soldiers on operational deployments cannot be underestimated   

Warrant Officer Class One Kevin Andrew YORWARTH  
Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)
WO1 Yorwarth was serving in Tonga when riots broke out on 16 November 2006,  leading to widespread destruction.  After moving his family to safety, he volunteered his services to the NZ High Commission. He then planned and led the evacuation of staff to the Residence when the High Commission was in direct danger of fire and potential looters.  In the following days, despite fatigue and ongoing risk, he acted as escort for High Commission staff.  He also escorted and assisted the Consular Officer to negotiate with a group of anxious Chinese people seeking access to the Residence and transported them to a safe place. Concurrently, he continued to collect information about the disturbances and maintained critical communications equipment for the High Commission. His local knowledge and the intelligence he gathered proved invaluable to the combined New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces task force, which deployed to Tonga to restore order.

Ends

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