RNZAF 75th Anniversary Reception

E nga mana, e nga reo e nga iwi o nga hau e wha, naumai haere mai, nga mihi māhana ki a koutou.  Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, welcome and warm greetings to you all.

There are so many distinguished people here tonight, too many to name.  However, I specifically acknowledge: Rt Hon John Key,  Lt Gen Rhys Jones, Chief of Defence Force; Mr John McKinnon, Secretary of Defence; AVM Peter Stockwell Chief of the Air Force; and Air Force veteran John Claydon.

It’s a great pleasure for Janine and me to welcome you all to Government House this evening for this reception to mark the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 75th Anniversary as an independent service.

This is evening’s event is special for a couple of reasons.  First, as I’ve alluded to, it marks a significant anniversary for New Zealand’s Air Force.  It is also special because as Commander-in-Chief I can host this reception that allows us to see so many friends from the RNZAF family, the New Zealand Defence Force and the wider defence and security sector, from New Zealand and abroad who have contributed to ensuring our Air Force is ready, resilient and respected.

I’ve had many connections with the RNZAF throughout my career with the NZDF.  I’ve also had some disconnections, most notably when I’ve jumped out of your aeroplanes at 12,000 feet!  I’m sure that many flight crews have wondered why people like me have jumped out of perfectly serviceable aircraft.  I say that it’s because we both share the joy of flying!

And it’s a joy of flying that brings us here tonight.  History records that on 1 April 1937, an Act of our Parliament came into force and the RNZAF, which until then had existed, if you’ll excuse the puns, under the wing of the Army, took flight in its own right.

Tonight’s reception comes in the middle of several weeks of events to mark the RNZAF’s 75th anniversary.  The Red Checkers have been undertaking demonstration flights throughout the country.  Last weekend Janine and I joined thousands of people in watching and enjoying the Air Force Air Show at Base Ohakea.

Earlier today I had the honour of being the reviewing officer, and taking the Royal salute from an RNZAF guard of honour on the forecourt of our Parliament.  I also attended the Commemorative Service at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul.  The celebrations have been a fitting tribute to our Air Force and will come to an end with the Auckland City Charter Parade at the end of the month.

These various events all tell aspects of the RNZAF story.  The Air Show, with its displays of RNZAF aircraft, both past and present, highlights the evolution of New Zealand’s air force and its role in the 21st Century.  From flimsy fabric-covered biplanes in the First World War, to Wellington Bombers, Catalina flying boats and Kitty Hawk fighters in the Second World War, to the jet aircraft and modern helicopters of today, the story of the RNZAF has been one of constant change, both in equipment and in strategy and tactics.

The presence of military aircraft from other nations at the air show underscores New Zealand’s strong security relationships with its friends and allies.  And again, I welcome our friends from the air forces from around the world who are here tonight.  At this point I want to acknowledge our overseas guests: General Gary North, LG Duane Thiessen, MG Yvan Blondin, AVM Mel Hupfeld, BG Sarbjit Singh, BG Jean Francois Parlanti and Col Laurent Marboeuf.

Likewise, the exploits of the Red Checkers demonstrate the skill, precision and discipline of military flying.  The Red Checkers bring to their work the professionalism that is the hallmark of an Air Force; the professional edge that sets military aviators apart from other aviators.  I’d like to acknowledge a former Red Checker Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson who is here tonight.

The commemorative service at St Paul’s was an opportunity to reflect on the service of the New Zealanders who answered the call to serve our nation, either directly in the RNZAF, or earlier in the RAF.  The RNZAF has served in times of conflict in Europe and the Pacific, and more recently, supporting peacekeeping missions, joining with the Navy and the Army in attempting to bring some semblance of peace and security to troubled lands.  And many paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of New Zealand, the values we espouse and the security of our people.

The notion of service was also emphasised by the RNZAF Guard of Honour on Parliament’s forecourt.  That a military force can march on to the grounds of a nation’s legislature and lower its weapons underlines the fundamental principle that in a democracy, the use of military force is directed by elected civilians.  I’m reminded of a conversation I had with Air Marshal Carey Adamson earlier today when we recounted the decision to send 3 Sqn aircraft into West Timor in 2000.

The Charter Parade in Auckland will represent the strong connections between the RNZAF and the New Zealand public.  For it is upon community support, and service to the community, that all military forces ultimately rely.

You have served your Queen and your country well, equally in good and sad times.  The response of the RNZAF—and the rest of the NZDF—in the aftermath the devastating earthquakes in Christchurch and Canterbury will always be remembered as a time when you answered the call to serve, and did so without question.  I salute the RNZAF’s professionalism and commitment.

As the RNZAF marks its 75th anniversary it enters a new phase in its history.  By 2014 you will have introduced into service 28 new or upgraded aircraft, across six different fleets while developing the skills and capacity to operate them to their full potential.  It will be a challenging period, which will call upon the proud legacy of those who have gone before you, it will be a challenge I am sure you rise to meet.

Finally, this reception is an opportunity for me, as Governor-General, and as your Commander-in-Chief and representative of the Queen of New Zealand, to honour the people of the RNZAF, the officers, airmen and women who represent 75 years past, and the many years yet to come.  I pay tribute to your service and allegiance.  I pay tribute to your integrity, discipline and teamwork that you demonstrate in the work that you do.  I also pay tribute to your professionalism, traditions and history that benchmark your future.

In the vein of being celebrated, I’m reminded of Winston Churchill’s often quoted remark at the service of those who fought in the Battle of Britain—“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”  Other folks—invariably from the other services—have wondered if Churchill was actually referring to the RAF's bar tab!  And on that note of caution, kia ora huihui tātou katoa.