Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies (right) presents the Baigent Memorial Shield to Pilot Officer Andrew Sledger at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies (right) presents the Baigent Memorial Shield to Pilot Officer Andrew Sledger at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
A double celebration marked the latest graduation of pilots at Ohakea Air Base.
The eight Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) pilots were the first trained using the T-6C Texan II integrated pilot training system and received their brevets on November 24 after witnessing the presentation of a new Standardfor the re-established No 14 Squadron.
No 14 Squadron was formed in 1942 as the RNZAF's first fighter unit. The squadron deployed into several theatres then took on the role of advanced pilot training in 1972. It was disbanded in December 2001 and re-established with the introduction of the T-6C Texan II trainers in 2015.
The new Standard was blessed by three chaplains before being presented to No 14 Squadron by Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies.
"The re-dedication of these honours represents another significant milestone in 14 Squadron's long and proud history," Mr Davies said.
"The importance of such tangible indicators of our past cannot be overstated as a source of pride and inspiration for the men and women of today's Air Force as they reflect on the sacrifices and effort of all those who have gone before."
Pilot Officer Andrew Sledger made a clean sweep of the awards presented to the students, including the Baigent Memorial Shield that is awarded to a graduate with exceptional results.
The Baigent Memorial Shield has been awarded just seven times since it was donated to the RNZAF in memory of the late Wing Commander CH Baigent, DSO, DFC, AFC, in 1955. It was last awarded in 2014.
The other graduates were Pilot Officers Corey Fothergill, Mickey Crisford, James Erskine, Magnus Holding, Tom Peterson and Paul Robinson and Flying Officer Robert Kenyon.
The graduation included a fly past of T-6C Texan II aircraft and NH90 helicopters and a display by the RNZAF Black Falcons aerobatic team.
