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All RNZN/NZDF News Past and Present

Whangarei sailor on deployment to South East Asia

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Former Bream Bay College head boy Cameron Wright says no two days are the same in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

19 September, 2024

Able Communications Warfare Specialist Wright (ACWS) is serving on board maritime sustainment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa, which is in the vicinity of the Korean peninsula. HMNZS Aotearoa is contributing to the monitoring of United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea, undertaking replenishment of international naval vessels on patrol.

As a Communications Warfare Specialist, his job is to provide secure, reliable and effective communications using radio, satellite, visual and information technology.

“When we are travelling with other ships my role turns into being a Watchkeeper. This means I work different hours throughout the day and night.

“Sometimes we stop voice communication and signal to other ships using flashing lights or signal flags.

“I am also a part of the ships Standing Sea Emergency Party team, to respond if there is an emergency on board.”

In posting to Aotearoa, ACWS Wright has recently been to Exercise Rim of the Pacific 24, the world’s largest maritime exercise, based in Hawaii. From there, the ship is undertaking a South East Asia deployment, including port visits to Japan and Korea.

This deployment has definitely been the highlight of his Navy career so far.

“Something I am particularly proud of is the opportunity to lead my department through a dual refuelling at sea that involved two American destroyers.”

“What I like about this job is that no matter what tough moments I have on board, I can always count on my shipmates to cheer me up. It’s the personnel I get to work with on a daily basis and the chance to interact with other nations.”

This included Aotearoa spending time at sea with Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver between Hawaii and Japan, with selected personnel from both ships swapping over for 24 hours to experience life in a different ship.

ACWS Wright, 22, is from Ruakākā, south of Whangarei. He joined the Navy in 2021.

“I’ve had family that have served the military in the past, and I liked the idea of being paid to travel.”

His advice to someone thinking about the Navy is to consider all the possibilities offered.

“If you want to do something different with your life and travel the NZDF has so many options to cater for everyone’s interests.”

RNZN – Strength in numbers for PTIs

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Strength and mobility combined with legacy and symbolism when Devonport’s Physical Training Instructors combined for a photoshoot.

19 September, 2024

Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) are seen as inventive moral boosters, even if a bit of sweat is involved.

So it was hardly surprising when Devonport Naval Base’s PTIs got imaginative when they requested a staff photo.

They wanted to pay homage to the staged images of the 1950s and 1960s, where PTIs demonstrated improbable feats that blended acrobatics and gymnastics.

Leading Physical Training Instructor Hayden Rogers, based at the Fleet Fitness Training Centre, says there is still that aspect of gymnastics with PTIs, but times have changed. Mobility and strength are key factors.

Physical Training Instructors at the Fleet Gym. Some of the PTIs hold brown clubs in the foreground while others are suspended from ropes in varied positions in the background, showcasing their strength and agility.

Physical Training Instructors at the Fleet Gym, Devonport, in a set piece for their staff picture.

And it’s not all Navy at the Fleet Gym; the instructor in the photo wearing Multi-Terrain Pattern (green camouflage) pants is NZ Army, posted to the gym.

“That, and the red shirts, show that we are a tri-service trade. We’re all the same, apart from the different insignia. The red is also handy because it means instructors don’t blend in with the trainees.”

In the photo, the PTIs are holding crossed Indian clubs. It’s the trade symbol of Navy PTIs, who are known as ‘club swingers’ due to the legacy of a Navy exercise technique.

Originating in colonial India, Indian Club Swinging is a form of rhythmic and circular weight training while gripping two clubs. It was adopted by militaries, including the Royal Navy, as an upper body exercise. It became a fitness fad worldwide in the early 19th Century.

“The clubs shown are gifts from PTI and they are more for show, but they have a great backstory. When the Royal Navy adopted it as part of their training regimen, the Royal New Zealand Navy naturally copied it. If you come into the Fleet Gym, just on the right at the entrance there’s a good write-up about it.”

The photo was tremendous fun, he says.

“There’s not many times we can all get together, especially when there’s a lot going on and we’re everywhere. I currently look after facilitating inter-unit sports and assist in the running of inter-services sport. We’ve even got an E-Sport competition going on next month.”

New Warrant Officer of the Navy

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A Tokomaru Bay man has been appointed as the Royal New Zealand Navy’s top sailor.

18 September, 2024

Warrant Officer Communications Warfare Specialist Darren Crosby, Ngāti Porou, is the new Warrant Officer of the Navy. His role is an advisor to the Chief of Navy, to speak for the sailors, and elevating any matters affecting the people, command, leadership and management of the Regular and Reserve Forces. He is the 10th Warrant Officer in the role, which is for three years. 

He joined the Navy on his 19th birthday, 1 June 1988, as a radio operator.

“I had wanted to join the Navy since I was at intermediate school after I visited frigate HMNZS Wellington during an open day in Gisborne. After finishing at Gisborne Boys’ High School I went to the Gisborne Recruiting Office and started my application.”  His recruiter was Warrant Officer Reece Golding, the father of current Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding.

From his first posting, frigate HMNZS Southland, WOCWS Crosby served in frigates HMNZS Te Mana, Te Kaha, Canterbury and Wellington. He was promoted to Warrant Officer in 2007 and has held Warrant Officer positions as the Devonport Naval Base Whole Ships Coordinator, Career Manager for the Operations Trades, Warrant Officer Leadership Development and the Command Warrant Officer to the Deputy Chief of Navy.

He describes his best experiences as two consecutive Multinational Interception Force deployments to the Arabian Gulf, enforcing a United Nations embargo on Iraq in HMNZS Wellington in 1995, then HMNZS Canterbury in 1996. It was first time the RNZN had operated in the area.

 He says he is both humbled and proud to take up the role, and by the many messages of congratulations. One of them this week was from the former 7th former who just beat him for the Head Boy position at Gisborne Boys’ High.

“I acknowledge the kaitiaki and mahi of our previous WONs – ka pai te ahi! There’s a deep sense of pride and duty in upholding the Navy’s proud traditions. The responsibility of advocating and supporting our sailors and their families is really important to me.”

He says in looking to the future, it is essential to reflect on where the Navy has come from. “It’s the sacrifices, the successes, and the dedication that have brought us to this this point. Our history is not just a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which we build our future.

“Our Navy has a proud tradition of service, excellence and commitment to Aotearoa. But as we look to the future, we must be prepared to evolve, to strengthen and harden, and to lead in new and innovative ways of doing business.”

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JS SENDAI conducted a Japan-New Zealand bilateral exercise.

JS SENDAI conducted a Japan-New Zealand bilateral exercise with Royal New Zealand Navy HMNZS AOTEAROA in the East China Sea.
New Zealand is Japan’s important partner to maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law, and we are working together through various opportunities, such as monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean vessels.
The Commanding officer of JS SENDAI, CDR YODA Masahiko said, “Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capabilities and strengthened cooperation with the Royal New Zealand Navy. We also contributed to maintaining the rules-based international order by demonstrating our opposition to attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the waters surrounding our country in order to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.

NZDF contributes to Solomon Islands explosives disposal work

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Fourteen NZDF personnel have joined a multinational contingent in Solomon Islands to dispose of dangerous explosive remnants of war (ERW) under Operation Render Safe.

09 September, 2024

The Australian Defence Force-led operation will see up to 250 personnel from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and United States in support of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to dispose of the munitions left from the Second World War. 

The Kiwi team is made up of seven Royal New Zealand Navy and seven New Zealand Army personnel in EOD, command, medical, logistics and catering roles, supporting the largest ever land-based Operation Render Safe.  

Captain S (identity withheld) is the Senior National Officer for the New Zealand contingent and an EOD operator, and says that the operation will make a real difference to the safety of communities in Solomon Islands’ Western Province. 

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Seven Royal New Zealand Navy personnel are part of the 14 strong NZDF team locating and disposing of explosive remnants of war in Solomon Islands under the ADF-led Operation Render Safe.

“More than 2600 explosive remnants of war have been removed from communities in Solomon Islands’ Western Province so far, and it has been a privilege to be a part of the multinational team dedicated to reducing this number and improving the safety of the local population. 

“The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, as regional experts in explosive ordnance disposal, play a crucial role in this effort. We are proud to collaborate with them and our military partners to reduce the potential harm to communities here.”

The Kiwis arrived in Australia in mid-August to conduct Force integration training, which gives all participating nations a good understanding of how each other work, before deploying into the area of operations in Solomon Islands last week. 

Reconnaissance operations to locate ERW have been underway since the end of August.

The Kiwis will return to New Zealand in mid-September.