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Post by luke6745 on Apr 3, 2012 15:26:52 GMT 12
RNZAF parade in Wellington todayUnder clear blue skies, the Royal New Zealand Air Force marched through the streets of Wellington this afternoon. As part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, more than 200 members of the RNZAF marched from Civic Square to Parliament just after 11am, where they were reviewed by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae. About 200 people gathered in Civic Square for the parade. Despite the sunny skies, a planned flyover by spitfire aircrafts was abandoned due to a weather forecast that was less than promising. In its place, a P3K Orion flew over the proceedings on Parliament's Forecourt. As the RNZAF band played 'Hine E Hine', Prime Minister John Key, Speaker Lockwood Smith and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman were saluted. After inspecting the troops, General Mateparae praised the work of the RNZAF in New Zealand and overseas. "It's history is not defined by single battles. Our air force's history is filled with the exploits of people who did remarkable things." The way the RNZAF had thoroughly engaged in peacekeeping activities all over the world was something to be incredibly proud of, he said. "The honour and dedication of our servicemen and women is the true strength of our air force. "That a military power can march onto our Parliament and lower their weapons shows the strength of our democratic traditions." The parade was followed by a commemorative service at the Cathedral of St Paul. Today's celebrations were part of a series of events organised as part of the jubilee, following the air display over Wellington by the Red Checkers yesterday. - The Dominion Post www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/6684613/RNZAF-parade-in-Wellington-today
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Post by luke6745 on Apr 3, 2012 15:27:49 GMT 12
A bit disappointed that only a single Orion did a flyover. I have some footage of the parade though which I'll post later.
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Post by luke6745 on Apr 3, 2012 16:21:08 GMT 12
Apologies, they are a bit shaky.
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Post by luke6745 on Apr 3, 2012 16:44:22 GMT 12
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Post by Medic1nz on Apr 3, 2012 21:48:47 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 4, 2012 0:29:57 GMT 12
I was sat outside the Railway Station waiting to meet an old schoolmate who I was also in the RNZAF with when I heard a familiar brass band tune and saw a line of blue uniforms marching up to Parliament in the distance. I then saw the Orion do a nice low beat up which was very neat to see.
The public where I was seemed very uninterested, even when the Orion went over most continued to eat their lunch as if nothing had happened. It's sad but not surprising to read only 200 people gathered. Back when we did charter parades in Christchurch in the 1990's we got thousands turn out. The public has no interest these days it seems and are blinkered, if it's not on their phone screen they don't care.
I'd hate to be those poor blighters that had to do a general slaute for Jonathan Coleman, the man who's out to slash as many of their jobs as possible.
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Post by tbf25o4 on Apr 4, 2012 16:40:41 GMT 12
Greetings all,
I attended the parade to get pics and quotes for NZ aviation News. However, it became very obvious that the onlypeople looking on were defence civilians and service personnel not on parade, a small number of parliamentary staff, and the odd member of the public. Seeing me with a camera one of the public approached me and asked what was going on. when I explained that it was the RNZAF's 75th anniversary ceremonial parade his response was "Oh Okay" and wandered away!
In my article I have made the observation that such is public interest that neither TV channels had anything on their 6.00 pm bulletions (even though they had cameras and reporters there) and that the Dom Post coverage was one closeup of a bandsman with his drum sticks across his mouth and a couple of words!
The lone Orion made a quick pass overhead that was mostly missed by those present!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 4, 2012 17:19:26 GMT 12
Here in the little town of Cambridge I have seen parades for sporting heroes from the town like rowers, cyclists and other types and litterally thousands of people have turned out even on a weekday.
I think the RNZAF has lost its connection with the public. People no longer think of the RNZAF as heroes of daring do, or cool jet jocks, or with esteemed respect, like they used to. It's really sad to see. Personally I think the lowliest baggy or erk in the RNZAF is far more worthy of a parade than some over paid, over promoted rower.
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Post by meo4 on Apr 4, 2012 18:41:44 GMT 12
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Post by Freighter5910 on Apr 4, 2012 20:03:53 GMT 12
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zolteg
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 82
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Post by zolteg on Apr 4, 2012 21:18:53 GMT 12
Apologies, they are a bit shaky. Jeez Luke, you were standing about three metres to my left. |
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Post by nige on Apr 4, 2012 22:14:25 GMT 12
I wasn't there but saw heaps of positive media coverage at the time. I reckon the difference between the RNZN 70th and RNZAF 75th anniversary events in Wellington being received by the public is that the RNZN went all out to make it an occasssion to remember by having all its vessels concentrate in Cook Straight (bar Resolution from memory?) and then sail into Wellington Harbour, tie up and be open to the public. With heaps of publicity, media (and Defence) photos and videos to back it all up. Incidentally people/media also had a point of comparision or precedent - which was the 4 Frigate sail by in Wellington harbour and display in about 1978/79 from memory. ("Frigates on Way to Spectacular Port Display" or therabouts was how the Evening Post headlined their reporting of the event). The RNZAF on the other hand mainly had the Red Checkers, which was neat but then a sole Orion? Didn't know there was to be an Orion flypast until this thread. (Yes, there was a march and associated ceremonies etc). If only the RNZAF could take a leaf out of the RNZN's approach and do something a little more spectacular, for example, have a number of aircraft over fly Wellington (I dunno howabout a couple of P-3's, C-130 and 757 in formation? ... or a flight of Hueys etc?) and then have some of these land and park up at the Govt hangar at Wellington airport for a few hours to let the public go and see them and look inside? That would have brought the public out and go someway towards making up for those from the Wellington region that got stuck in traffic and was late or missed the Ohakea airshow. Granted, I realise the RNZAF is tight with funding saving requirements and aircraft are also scarce with the various upgrades and operations affecting availability, but surely something along the lines of a Huey flight or C130/757/P3 combo could have been attempted? They could also have conducted flights over other NZ cities and towns en-route (Cambridge included  . Lack of RNZAF fast-air is also an issue, I recall circa 1981 there was media hype surrounding a sole A-4K overflying Wellington airport and myself as a kid and probably hundreds of others turned up to view this event (must dig out some photos of that for the A-4 pile sometime)! Oops I don't mean to sound negative about our fine Air Force, after all the Ohakea airshow was the main spectacular event, but surely something else could have been done? |
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Post by meo4 on Apr 6, 2012 11:24:33 GMT 12
Definitely would have been good to have static display would be bit hard with Wellington being working airport. Could of had a static NH90 UH1H A109 on waterfront and plenty of positive media coverage . PR is good tool to Educate public on the NZDF and what its about ,getting the support of the NZ public .It makes it politically easier to push through replacing aircraft ,ships and vechiles spending extra tax dollars etc.  |
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Post by meo4 on Apr 6, 2012 11:28:21 GMT 12
 Similar sized service same town different media coverage. |
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Post by beagle on Apr 6, 2012 12:35:46 GMT 12
at least the weather was nice.
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Post by corsair67 on Apr 6, 2012 13:26:22 GMT 12
Geez, it looks like the RNZAF parade was held on a Sunday, compared to the RNZN one!
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Post by Medic1nz on Apr 8, 2012 17:19:54 GMT 12
Interesting that the RNZN was on a Saturday around 0900 and they got that turn out compared with RNZAF at 1100 on a weekday
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