Peter Gibson's last formal duty as base commander was to hand over the role to Group Captain Mark Whiteside.
Peter Gibson's last formal duty as base commander was to hand over the role to Group Captain Mark Whiteside.
Group Captain Peter Gibson has left his role as base commander at Ōhakea after being appointed Deputy Chief of Air Force and promoted to Air Commodore.
Group Captain Mark Whiteside takes over the role at Ōhakea.
Gibson said highlights during his two-year tenure included the introduction into service ofthe P-8A Poseidon aircraft and the opening of its purpose-built building, extending the MC-12K King Air’s maritime surveillance into the Pacific and overseeing the nearly completed new fuelling depot, which will triple the amount of aviation fuel available to aircraft at Base Ōhakea.
“Having such a dedicated workforce has made my job so much easier and allowed me to focus on the bigger strategic picture,” Gibson said.
The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb said the role of base commander was a pivotal one.
“Base commanders are not just symbolic figureheads who quickly sort out problems and provide elegant solutions; instead they are immersed in the challenging and complex daily issues, providing often least-worst solutions that require pragmatism, flexibility and compromise.”
He said base commanders need to be able to view issues through a strategic lens and then develop outcomes.
“They must have thick skins, but at the same time demonstrate empathy and compassion.
“They must have the best interests of the mission and the people uppermost in their minds, balancing those two, often contradictory requirements.”
Outgoing Base Commander Group Captain Peter Gibson hands over the role to Group Captain Mark Whiteside after being appointed Deputy Chief of Air Force, taking up the post in late January, on promotion to Air Commodore.
He said Gibson had been an excellent base commander who, over the past two years, developed and delivered a clear plan for Base Ōhakea.
“While the shiny hardware can clearly be seen on the airfield tarmac, Pete’s focus throughout has been on the people, his people, the thing that motivates all of us to do the best we can every day.
Base Ōhakea continues to be a vital part of defence.
“Alongside Linton and Waiouru, it forms a cornerstone of the central defence triangle, and it is from here that much of our preparedness and responsiveness is generated,” he said.
