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Post by jonesy on Jun 14, 2011 19:49:30 GMT 12
Just hearing through the grapevine that some severe restructuring/civilianising is taking place within the Air Force. Whats up with that? Surely there cant be much left that hasnt had the guts ripped out of it? Other word is that married quarters near Hobsonville have been sold and the occupants are on a pretty limited tenure.....great way to appreciate your servicemen isnt it?? Some of these guys have given a great deal of service only to be shat on like this. Guess its all about money isnt it....sigh...
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jun 14, 2011 20:44:38 GMT 12
A thread or two on this in the forum jonesy, but yes it is amazing what can still be torn out of the existing structure isn't it?
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Post by jonesy on Jun 14, 2011 21:38:38 GMT 12
I guess the distressing thing is that some personnell will just no longer have that desire to get on with the job, doing their best etc etc....pretty hard to have a great attitude with the axe hanging over you!
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Post by beagle on Jun 14, 2011 21:46:37 GMT 12
How many people still live in those MQ's
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Post by jonesy on Jun 14, 2011 21:53:49 GMT 12
No too sure, but last time we drove through there it looked more like the Bronx than MQ's. Crappy fences, long lawns and tatty looking houses. Nothing like the palaces we lived in on Devon Crescent!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 14, 2011 22:30:33 GMT 12
There was a rumour that new MQ's were being built at Hobby in the news housing plan to replace the old ones, and extras were to be built to house the Singaporean F-16 squadron that's moving into Whenuapai. Any truth in that?
The Navy's MQ's were all given away some years back in a Treaty deal and now the Navy has to lease them back to use them, the houses they built and owned!
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Post by beagle on Jun 15, 2011 7:47:33 GMT 12
McFly was a Kay Cresent resident like me. those were the days. he did have a gallon bottle of whiskey till I popped over one night.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jun 15, 2011 10:23:43 GMT 12
Singapore F-16's based at Whenuapai? First I have heard about that. There was talk of them coming to Ohakea a few years ago. Ohakea would be a more logical location for them (longer runways, spare hangars, less people living nearby to compain about the noise, etc).
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 15, 2011 10:53:50 GMT 12
Yes, as strange as it may seem, that is a genuine rumour. And from a good source!
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Post by strikemaster on Jun 15, 2011 11:40:06 GMT 12
Renta-Airforce? Having F-16's here would be like salt in the wounds.
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Post by Chris F on Jun 15, 2011 12:33:10 GMT 12
Is this some temp training base on a short term basis?
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Post by beagle on Jun 15, 2011 15:25:22 GMT 12
you been talking to miss Roy again
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Post by pjw4118 on Jun 15, 2011 15:48:39 GMT 12
Living in Hobsonville we get some of the right and plenty of wrong gen.The word is that the existing Air Force houses at Hobbie dont meet, and cant be upgraded to meet current building codes. Forget that they are solid well built places they will go. Some service accomodation will be provided in the newly developed area and of course the Land Company just cant wait to get hold of the W/C houses on the waterfront to flog off, how about $1.5M each. That said ,the current plan is a long way from hated helens instant ghetto model with lots more foreshore reserves and preserved buildings. So far I would give them 8/10. While its a shame to see ex RNZAF houses left to rot , go and have a look at the displays in the Catalina cafe. It looks like that as well as the Sunderland lounge becoming our local hall, the HQ is now also being retained. As for the F 16s my lips are sealed.
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Post by nige on Jun 15, 2011 20:11:11 GMT 12
Beags, get some of that infamous whiskey 'round to pjw's pronto to make 'im talk
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Post by Officer Crabtree on Jun 15, 2011 20:15:27 GMT 12
Helen Clark would be all "Told you it would be fine!" But it's not fine!
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Post by beagle on Jun 15, 2011 20:49:05 GMT 12
Beags, get some of that infamous whiskey 'round to pjw's pronto to make 'im talk you would have to ask mr Mc Fly if there was any left but that was around 1991/92
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Post by nige on Jun 15, 2011 22:42:31 GMT 12
On a serious note & back on the topic, a serviceperson I spoke to recently whom is the subject of civilianisation, reckoned they may (or possibly may not) be re-employed as a civilian, but the thing is, they joined the NZDF as a way of life i.e. they wanted to be part of that military community. To be civilianised is not the same thing, which could influence their decision to remain serving the NZDF as a civee or not.
Which got me thinking, it's clear that the bean counters responsible can't quantify such "dedication to service" etc, which potentially means in future the NZDF may not attract such people (even if they are in a support role) committed to the military as a unique way of life working to protect NZ's interests.
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Post by lesterpk on Jun 15, 2011 23:00:54 GMT 12
Exactly nige, its all about the $ these days. And thats why me and the family have given notice and are off to Perth to start a new life in a country that actually appreciates its service people.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 16, 2011 0:44:31 GMT 12
If you have signed the contract for 20 years RNZAF service and always honoured that contract, but the Government decides to break that contract by terminating your job with the RNZAF to 'civilianise' your job, are they in breach of contract? I seem to recall the ways of being dismissed from the RNZAF were Medical Discharge, Disciplinary Discharge or Discharge at the Service Person's Request. Is there a clause for redundacy and job downgrade in the contracts signed up all those years back?
I recall my old Sgt at Ohakea, I have forgotten his surname but he was Steve, was getting out with a 20 Year Service DCM just weeks after I did and he had a case all drawn up with a lawyer to sue the RNZAF for breach of contract as the contract he';d signed 20 years before had terms of pay scale in it and in more recent years the Govt had markedly reduced that scale without any consultation or agreement from the other contract signee, him.I always wonder how far he took that, not far enough obviously.
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Post by phil on Jun 18, 2011 19:40:40 GMT 12
What 'contract' did you sign Dave?
I bet you didn't. You signed an offer of service, which outlined your starting pay, trade and what type of engagement it was, ie standard engagement for most of us.
Even when I joined in '96 I'm pretty sure DFOs contained a section on release due to your services no longer being required due to no fault of yours.
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