|
|
Post by SEAN on Nov 2, 2010 5:44:01 GMT 12
CAF announced yesterday the formation of 488 Wing at Ohakea WEF 08 Dec 2010.
No 488 Wing will command and supervise Ohakea based flying operations.
All part of "Project C2" which is a major review of the future requirements for Command and Control in the RNZAF in order to prepare for the changed operating environment post DTP.
They picked 488 Wing based on 488 Sqn as it represents the pacific theatre or war, as 485 already represents the European theatre.
Will be responsible for 3 Sqn, HTU, COFT, CFS, PTS and 42 Sqn.
|
|
|
|
Post by nige on Nov 2, 2010 8:28:20 GMT 12
Interesting (and busy) times ahead then!
Not familiar with the acronym COFT - could you elaborate by chance?
|
|
|
|
Post by phil on Nov 2, 2010 16:08:27 GMT 12
Even I'm not familiar with COFT....? CO Flying Training perhaps??
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 2, 2010 16:55:48 GMT 12
Though it is nice to see some RNZAF history being recognised here, let's not forget No. 488 (NZ) Squadron had a lot more success as a New Zealand night fighter squadron in Europe as well as it's less than successful period in South East Asia under RNZAF control.
Is this a downgrade from a Group structure formally controlling all these units or has it been a Wing for some time without a name? When I was at Wigram the flying training elements all came under Support Group, from memory.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Nov 2, 2010 17:03:13 GMT 12
488 is definitely appropriate (and no disrespect to 488 sqn people here) Thinking Singapore... small but hard working and dedicated group, equipped with limited and obsolete equipment, in the midst of people trying to escape the present situation, isolated from the rest of the world and largely ignored by the powers that be......  na....., in all seriousness a great choice of title for the new wing. A sensible reoganisation after the demise of the Strike Wing. |
|
|
|
Post by errolmartyn on Nov 2, 2010 22:24:18 GMT 12
Though it is nice to see some RNZAF history being recognised here, let's not forget No. 488 (NZ) Squadron had a lot more success as a New Zealand night fighter squadron in Europe as well as it's less than successful period in South East Asia under RNZAF control. Is this a downgrade from a Group structure formally controlling all these units or has it been a Wing for some time without a name? When I was at Wigram the flying training elements all came under Support Group, from memory. No.488 Sqn RNZAF was under RAF control/command (not RNZAF) in both the Far East and in its reincarnation in the UK. The prime difference between the two 488s was that in the FE the squadron (formed in NZ) was manned 100% (or close to it) by RNZAF/NZ personnel. In the UK only some of the aircrew were RNZAF/NZ and very few of the ground crew. Errol |
|
|
|
Post by corokid66 on Nov 3, 2010 1:52:23 GMT 12
And since we are getting extra LUH's - which is very pleasing, - wouldn't it be the decent thing to honour a past RNZAF Squadron with now naming them as a separate unit using that past squadrons name.
|
|
|
|
Post by phil on Nov 3, 2010 14:40:22 GMT 12
And since we are getting extra LUH's - which is very pleasing, - wouldn't it be the decent thing to honour a past RNZAF Squadron with now naming them as a separate unit using that past squadrons name. I think in this current climate of reducing duplication there's little chance of that. |
|
|
|
Post by sqwark2k on Nov 3, 2010 20:28:12 GMT 12
Slight thread drift, but is anyone aware of the current post of GRPCPT Stephen Davies-Howard, formerly Commander RNZAF Training at Woodbourne. Apparantly he's a AIRCDR now, and wonder if he's tied up with this new 488 Wing.
|
|
|
|
Post by guest on Nov 3, 2010 20:38:30 GMT 12
Slight thread drift, but is anyone aware of the current post of GRPCPT Stephen Davies-Howard, formerly Commander RNZAF Training at Woodbourne. Apparantly he's a AIRCDR now, and wonder if he's tied up with this new 488 Wing. Cripes! At that rate he will be Chief of Air Force in six months. |
|
|
|
Post by SEAN on Nov 4, 2010 5:35:06 GMT 12
He is still lsited as a GPCAPT on email. I notice too that he has only been a GPCAPT since Jan 2009, and that he is 5th from the bottom re seniority for GPCAPT's...
But you never know... if current CAF becomes new CDF which is a good rumour, it could be all on. Stranger things have happened, look at Bruce Furguson.
|
|
|
|
Post by sqwark2k on Nov 4, 2010 10:33:35 GMT 12
Stephen Davies-Howard, as i understand it, is a former RAF fast jet pilot and is "apparantly" destined for higher honours with the RNZAF. As if head hunted and groomed for a very senior role. Rumour speculation though. Have met him and is a very approachable, genuine gentleman. Hope to meet him again.
|
|
