When!?
All the projects/plans mean squat until the the jet is on the OH flight line! How long was the A4 replacement planned for? Project cancelled.
You mention a LONG term plan; how long mate? Why should RNZAF personnel believe NZDF. Nothing has come of their past promises; in fact entirely the opposite.
When do the P3 Navs have to stop buying their own laptops because a school kid can pick up better Nav programs at Dick Smith? When can a Iroquois pilot go on a SAR without his/her own mobile?
In 1988 the Sioux was to replaced by the Bell 407. Cancelled by Labour! Casa replacement for the Andover...never happened. C130J has been on the cards for well over 7yrs..... Huey replacement since ever. Mate the Huey hasnt even got a DME! The Airtrainer has better avionics than our frontline combat aircraft........ Why? Because we dont own it, its a civilian aircraft.
Lets look at the whole RNZAF.......
Current RNZAF Aircraft (2002)
2 x B727 - no change
6 x Orions - no change
5 x C130 - no change
5 x Bell 47 - no change
16 x Hueys Crashed 1 brought 2, now 16
Lost since 1989
13 x Airtrainers SOLD/Civilianised
4 x Airtourers SOLD
3 x F27s/ NATTS SOLD/DISBANDED
3 x C421/141 Flight SOLD/DISBANDED
14 x Andovers SOLD
18 x Aermacchi AXED
22 x Skyhawks AXED
Bases: Wigram, Shelly Bay, Hobsonville, Te Rapa - CLOSED
We know that man for man the RNZAF is up to the game (you cannot say better than most, you cannot prove that!) This is not about the quality of the people....dont take it personally.
But please look at the facts....morale IS low. And it is low because history would indicate the future is grim, very grim indeed.
Your people have had every capital project squashed in the last decade..... and on top of that the Govt has actually taken away the very essence of an Air Force.....STRIKE. (You were incredibly proud of your Fighter Pilots and their reputation)
Why should personnel believe their Govt this time?
PS: Why does an Air Force of 32 Aircraft have a 2 Star Chief, 4 1 Stars, 18 Gp Captains, 68 Wing Commanders and 156 Squadron Leaders??? (248 Senior Officers!)
If you want to raise morale...... perhaps you should start at the top! (Start with th PM and move south from there)
Last edited by jungly; 19th Jul 2002 at 05:06.