Closure of the Air Combat Force

E nga mana, e te reo, e nga iwi o te motu, tena koutou tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Nga mihi o te tau ki a koutou.

The Hon Mark Burton (Minister of Defence), Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence, Chief of Air Staff, distinguished Air Force personnel, past and present members of the Air Combat Force, support staff and invited guests.

It is customary to compliment members of the parade on the quality of drill, dress and bearing. And today, the quality of this formal parade has been excellent.

Of particular note is the circumstance. Your ability to perform faultlessly at a time when emotions are high reflects discipline and integrity that inspire us all.

The squadron standards are regarded as the symbol of the spirit of the squadron. On these standards the battle honours and badges for gallant deeds are borne. Squadron standards are awarded by order of the Sovereign to a RNZAF squadron after completion of 25 years of service, or having earned the Sovereign's appreciation for especially outstanding operations.

In the past, unit standards were used as a rallying point for troops at the end of the day. This is appropriate symbolism for us gathered here today. We acknowledge the courage, sacrifice and contributions of personnel and squadrons of the Air Combat Force throughout a long and proud history. And we gather to lay up these standards, at the completion of a chapter in the history of the RNZAF.

The history of the No. 75 Squadron can be traced back to 1916, when the No. 75 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed.

During World War II, the Squadron served with distinction as one of the New Zealand Squadrons in RAF Bomber Command.

The Squadron was awarded the following Battle Honours - Fortress Europe 1940 - 1944, Invasion Ports 1940, Norway 1940, Normandy 1940, France and Germany 1944, Dunkirk and Walcheren.

To mark the contribution of the New Zealanders, the RAF transferred the number to the RNZAF in 1946.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the No. 75 squadron standard at Palmerston North on 6 February 1958. No. 75 Squadron was the first RNZAF squadron to be presented a standard.

No.14 Squadron was formed here at Ohakea in 1942 and was equipped with New Zealand's first Kittyhawk fighters. During World War II, the Squadron completed six operational tours of the South-West Pacific.

The squadron received the following Battle Honours - Pacific 1941 - 1945, Rabaul 1943 - 1945, Bougainville 1943 - 1945 and Central Solomons 1943.

No. 14 Squadron's standard was approved by Her Majesty the Queen in April 1969 and presented at Ohakea on April 25, 1971.

No. 2 Squadron was one of the Air Force's original Territorial squadrons formed in 1930. During World War II it served in the bomber role before being disbanded in 1946. Since then, No. 2 Squadron has played a major role in the training of New Zealand and Australian military, including our own Skyhawk pilots.

The Squadron standard was approved in 1995, and was presented at Ohakea on 31 July 1998. It earned the following Battle Honours in the Pacific Theatre during World War II - Pacific 1941 - 1945, Rabaul 1943 - 1945 and Bougainville 1943- 1945.

This long and proud history is symbolised in these squadron standards paraded here at Ohakea for the last time. On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank every person associated with these three fine squadrons during their many decades of service.

I will now invite Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Hamilton to speak. Kia ora koutou katoa.