Air Force weathers storms and looks to bright future

The Air Force is on the road to recovery, says the Chief of Air Staff.

Air Vice-Marshal John Hamilton said the number of recruits was up, and the force was retaining staff in all areas.

"Morale seems to be pretty good and we have had good numbers of recruits," he said.

Air Vice-Marshal Hamilton said that last year the Air Force was dancing on a knife edge, despite the Government's promises of aircraft upgrades.

The number of recruits was critically low, many people were leaving and the force's future had looked bleak.

There were a number of reasons for the turnaround, Air Vice-Marshal Hamilton said.

The Government had shown its commitment to the Air Force in the long-term defence plan, giving up to $3 billion over the next decade for upgrades or replacement of all four of the Air Force's remaining aircraft type - Iroquois helicopters, P-3 Orions, Boeing 727 transport aircraft and C-130s.

Plans to close the Whenuapai base and move its staff and aircraft to Ohakea over the next four or five years were also a positive factor, Air Vice-Marshal Hamilton said.

The Air Force was being used in an active role, helping change a public view that it had died when the Skyhawk strike force was disbanded.

"The fact that we are being asked to do activities and deployments that are meaningful and challenging and enjoyable for people - that buoys people's opinion about our role," he said.

An extensive advertising campaign had helped the public see there was life in the Air Force without Skyhawks.

"It still niggles away in the background. But it was two years ago. We can't keep heading to the future looking over our shoulders," he said.

"With the projects coming up, we have a focus and picture for the future."


- NZPA