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Navy reservists help regenerate Irish patrol ships – EX-Lake-class Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV), HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki.-

Three Royal New Zealand Navy reservists have assisted the Irish Navy in the regeneration of one of their fleet acquisitions from New Zealand.

27 JUNE, 2024

In 2022 the Irish Department of Defence purchased two of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s retired Lake-class Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV), HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki.

They were sealifted to Ireland in early 2023 and renamed LE Aoibhinn and LE Gobnait.

At the request of the Irish Naval Service, former IPV Commanding Officer Lieutenant Fletcher Slierendrecht, Warrant Officer Marine Technician (Propulsion) Wayne Freeman and Leading Marine Technician (Electrical) William Ikenasio travelled to Haulbowline Naval Base in County Cork.

The three personnel, all from Auckland reserve force unit HMNZS Ngapona, brought extensive experience in operating Inshore Patrol Vessels during their Regular Force careers.

Their task was to work with the Irish Naval Service to carry out initial sea trials for LE Aoibhnin.

LT Slierendrecht says the Irish commissioning crew had been well prepared, with key members previously visiting New Zealand for sea rides aboard IPV HMNZS Taupo when he was in command.

“They had also had sea trials aboard their own purchased IPV during the acquisition process,” he says.

“With that, on top of the preparation they had done prior to us arriving in Ireland meant they had a very good baseline.”

The RNZN team provided informal training and advice across a variety of areas from ship handling, davit operation and machinery and auxiliary system familiarisation.

“We were really there to provide that additional five to ten per cent from our experience operating these vessels in New Zealand.”

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IRISH NAVAL SERVICE SHIP LE AOIBHINN, FORMALLY HMNZS ROTOITI, GETS UNDERWAY FROM HAULBOWLINE NAVAL BASE IN COUNTY CORK, IRELAND.

He says Royal New Zealand Navy personnel often have other ancillary roles outside of their chosen trade, while the Irish Naval Service personnel tended to keep to their specialisations. For their IPVs, he says the Irish were looking at adopting the New Zealand model, with the benefit of having a smaller crew.

The sea trials involved 10 days at sea off the south coast of Ireland, achieving Initial Operational Capability for LE Aoibhnin.

LT Slienrendrecht says it was a successful tour of duty. “Every day the ship’s company got more familiar with systems and by the end we became passengers. The North Atlantic treated us pretty well and we had the opportunity to see some of Ireland’s rugged coastline.”

LE Aoibhnin’s captain, Lieutenant Commander Aonghus Ó Neachtain, says the New Zealand team were “professionally excellent, and great shipmates”.

Commodore Michael Malone, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service in Ireland, complimented the team in a letter his New Zealand counterpart, Commodore Andrew Brown, Acting Chief of Navy.

“The team was invaluable in assisting the ship’s company in becoming familiar with the operation of the ship, which is a new class for our Navy. Your team integrated seamlessly with the ship’s company, and their conduct and enthusiasm was a credit to themselves.”

Tech, science and weaponry on board NZ Navy frigate

A passion for science and technology has steered Lieutenant Oli Cook on a career as a Navy Weapon Engineering Officer

26 JUNE, 2024

Lieutenant Cook, from Warkworth, is the Assistant Weapon Engineering Officer on board HMNZS Te Kaha.

He attended King’s College in Auckland, and says the idea of a Defence Force career popped up on his radar when a recruiting truck came to school.

“I ended up looking at the Defence Careers website for a while. I went to the University of Canterbury to study mechatronics engineering, and there was a careers expo there. The recruiter told me about the scholarships with the Navy, and said what I was doing was very applicable for a weapons engineer.”

He said it came at a time in his degree when you start thinking about jobs. “Once I had the bit between my teeth about the Navy I didn’t think of anything else.”

He joined the Navy in 2020, becoming a Navy Reserve Officer, and continued with his now-sponsored university studies. The Navy also provided LT Cook with the required internship time needed for an engineering degree.

He then undertook the 22-week Junior Officer Common Training to graduate as a Royal New Zealand Navy officer.

“It wasn’t an easy adjustment going from university to officer training,” he says. “It was a learning process to be humble and learn from mistakes. I soon came right.”

He really enjoys being at sea. “There’s so much variety. And I’m doing what I enjoy. I’m a big technology nerd. This trade is about science and technology, communication, radar theory, learning how acoustics work underwater, and explosive theory. We’ve got the five-inch gun. You really feel like you’re at the pointy end of things.”

When asked what his typical day at sea is, he says there isn’t one. “You wake up, do Physical Training, shower, have breakfast, check signals to find out about flagged defects and update our onboard database. You’re sending and answering emails. And there’s a lot of work during the day, because officers have a lot of ancillary roles – other jobs. On top of that is your task book. I’m working towards my competency certificate.”

His advice to others is something he’s learnt: be humble. “Learn from your mistakes and don’t take feedback personally. You only get out of this what you put in. You develop your leadership in training, but you really get to practise collaborative leadership when you’re at sea.”

Five-month deployment for Royal New Zealand Navy vessel includes military exercises, operations and engagements

A series of international operations and exercises in the Western Pacific, South East Asia and East Asia will form part of a significant deployment for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) HMNZS Aotearoa.

19 JUNE, 2024

The RNZN’s maritime sustainment vessel sailed from Devonport Naval Base last week with a Seasprite helicopter on board, and will spend the next five months at sea involved in a series of regional engagements, training exercises and operations.

The largest of these will be Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), which is held in Hawaii every two years. The US-hosted event is the world’s largest multinational maritime warfare exercise and this year New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel and platforms will join 40 surface ships, four submarines, 171 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel from 30 nations.

The crew from HMNZS Aotearoa will be among approximately 250 NZDF personnel deployed to RIMPAC. The NZDF is also deploying a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft and air surveillance personnel, RNZN divers from HMNZS Matataua and staff officers for headquarters roles.

RIMPAC is one part of the ship’s overall five-month deployment, named Operation Crucible. The RNZN regularly makes this deployment to the Asia Pacific region, to carry out engagement activities including training with other navies and replenishing ships at sea.

Commander Joint Forces, Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour, says Operation Crucible demonstrates NZDF capability, and its commitment to the international rules-based system and security and stability in the region.

“This is a continuation of the NZDF’s work with partners to support maritime security and defence matters while enabling collective training exercises,” he said.

During the deployment, HMNZS Aotearoa will also support the NZDF’s contribution to efforts to detect and deter evasions of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions which impose sanctions against North Korea.

North Korea continues to launch ballistic missiles in violation of UNSC resolutions and to import and export prohibited goods and materials. The sanctions are intended to persuade North Korea to denuclearise and abandon its ballistic missile weapons capabilities.

While on operations, HMNZS Aotearoa will maintain a presence, conduct surveillance, and re-fuel ships at sea, including those from partner nations conducting maritime patrols to detect and deter sanctions evasions.

Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Garin Golding, says the RNZN has a long history of deployments in the Asia Pacific area.

This is an important deployment, enabling our highly trained personnel to further upskill while working alongside partner militaries in the region, undertaking both exercises and operational missions.

“The Aotearoa’s participation in efforts to detect and deter UNSC sanctions evasions is a great opportunity, one I know the ship’s company is looking forward to undertaking,” Commodore Golding said.

For the Commanding Officer of HMNZS Aotearoa, Commander Rob Welford, the deployment is shaping up to be one of the career highlights for the crew.

“The ship’s company are really excited as this deployment is exactly the reason why they joined the Navy,” Commander Welford said. 

“They’ll be sailing more than 30,000 nautical miles, conducting port visits in four countries and creating bonds with their shipmates over the next 18 weeks that will last a lifetime.

“Plus they will be advancing New Zealand’s interests from the sea, one of the key reasons our Navy personnel choose to serve.”

The newest additions to the Naval Service are a pair of former Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) with the first of the cutters, expected to head out to sea this month based on an initial operating capability, writes Jehan Ashmore.

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The P70 class Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) twins LÉ Aoibhinn (P71) as above and LÉ Gobnait (P72) which is to serve in the Irish Sea, on the east and south-east coasts. Of the pair, the crew of LÉ Aoibhinn are preparing the cutter into an initial stage of service this month and thereon into a full operational role. These stages see the vessel’s capabilities tested and armament installed and with their entry, they will mark a new era in Ireland’s commitment to EU fishery protection, the EEZ and in other roles tasked. Credit: irishnavalservice/facebook

The newest additions to the Naval Service are a pair of former Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) with the first of the cutters, expected to head out to sea this month based on an initial operating capability, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As previously reported, the names of the IPV’s which were acquired from the New Zealand Government in 2022, were officially announced as the LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait by Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Michael Martin. The ‘Lake’ class cutters were built in Whangarei in the north island of New Zealand, by BAE Systems Australia and were commissioned into the RNZN in 2009.

Afloat has inquired to clarify the previous names of the IPV’s and that of the newly renamed twins, which reflect a previous tradition in the Naval Service to name ships after admirable historical Irish females.

In addition the IPV’s also have been given their respective new P70 class pennant numbers. P71 has been assigned to the LÉ Aoibhinn (as above), the former HMZNS Rotoiti, while its twin, LÉ Gobnait, was formerly the HMZNS Pukaki, which is now the P72.

Each of the IPV’s / P70 class will have a core crew complement of 20, with additional capacity to take up to 16 personnel. The IPV’s are to operate in their new northern hemisphere career, specifically patrolling in the Irish Sea on the East and the south-east coasts. In a measure by the Irish Government is their primary role in patrolling fishery waters as a member of the EU and Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and other roles among them maritime surveillance operations.

In response to Afloat’s questions on the entry of the IPV’s, the Naval Service said they are currently working LÉ Aoibhinn up to Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and all going to plan we expect the IPV to proceed to sea towards the end of this month, on May 24. Once LÉ Aoibhinn goes through its IOC process, the IPV will then commence working up to Full Operational Capability (FOC).

The Naval Service added that, subject to successful recruitment and retention of personnel, it is planned to commence LÉ Gobnait’s IOC process and onwards to FOC.

Afloat also posed the question of which port will be used, and the Naval Service said that the Concept of Operations for the IPVs is for East Coast operations. This will include a Forward Operating Base (FOB) however, such a location is still to be confirmed.

The twins which replaced the decomissioned Peacock / P40 class pair LE Orla and LE Ciara (see scrapping story), will be formally named and commissioned later in the year.

RNZAF Hercules, NZDF personnel arrive in Papua New Guinea to help distribute relief supplies

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The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has deployed a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H (NZ) Hercules and personnel to Papua New Guinea to help with the distribution of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies.

10 MAY, 2024

Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces.

The Government of Papua New Guinea recently asked for New Zealand’s help in transporting approximately 30 tonnes of aid from Port Moresby to affected communities in outlying areas.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour said NZDF personnel would work with Papua New Guinea authorities on transporting the supplies to affected communities in 10 provinces.

New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to working with and supporting Pacific partners in humanitarian assistance and disaster responses.

“Our Hercules aircraft are well suited to this task. We have deployed the aircraft and personnel to support our Papua New Guinea partners with their distribution plan and to help get relief supplies to communities in need,” Rear Admiral Gilmour said.

The Hercules departed Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland on Thursday, and will be flying over the weekend to transport the aid.

The relief supplies include tents, blankets, plastic sheets, sleeping pads, water purifiers and portable jerry cans.

The Hercules and NZDF personnel are due to return to New Zealand on Monday.