Post by Ykato on Jun 7, 2013 14:36:02 GMT 12
Top choppers get top brass
As the new commanding officer of No 6 Squadron based at the Royal New Zealand Airforce Base Brendon Clark has assumed control of around $242 million worth of advanced weapon technology.
The Hauraki father of three is now heading the unique joint force which includes personnel across both the navy and airforce which operate a fleet of five Seasprite helicopters.
The helicopters are stationed on navy frigates the HMNZS Te Mana, Te Kaha and multi-role vessel the HMNZS Canterbury and are used in warfare, surveillance, search and rescue and delivery missions.
Last month defence minster Jonathan Coleman announced the purchase of eight Super Seasprite helicopters with advanced capabilities to replace the existing models that have been in service since the late 1990s and have been plagued with maintenance issues in recent years.
"These helicopters come with modernised sensor, weapons and flight-control systems and will be a major boost to our maritime surveillance and search capability," Mr Coleman says.
As the newly appointed commanding officer Mr Clark is responsible for training and preparing the squadron for transition to the new model.
"We are working through that now.
"They are not too different they are just more modernised and have upgraded avionics," he said.
The SH-2G (I) Super Seasprite is designed to fulfil anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, troop transport, search and rescue and utility missions.
It is said to be the most powerful small ship helicopter in use and is operated by both the Egyptian Air Force and the Polish Navy.
Mr Clark became the third generation, after his father and grandfather, to join the navy in 1992 in the General List Executive Branch.
Upon completing his helicopter approach controller and anti-submarine aircraft controller training he was posted to the HMNZS Wellington before joining the HMNZS Endeavour on deployment to East Timor from 1999 to 2000.
In 2001 he graduated dux of the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School in Winnipeg before completing a basic rotary wing course in Australia.
He has been to South East Asia, Australia and other areas of the South Pacific as a flight observer on the HMNZS Te Kaha and Canterbury and in 2005 he was promoted to flight commander.
In late 2011 he became an observer instructor with the No 6 Squadron and a ship's flight commander before his current promotion.
www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/8764473/Top-choppers-get-top-brass
As the new commanding officer of No 6 Squadron based at the Royal New Zealand Airforce Base Brendon Clark has assumed control of around $242 million worth of advanced weapon technology.
The Hauraki father of three is now heading the unique joint force which includes personnel across both the navy and airforce which operate a fleet of five Seasprite helicopters.
The helicopters are stationed on navy frigates the HMNZS Te Mana, Te Kaha and multi-role vessel the HMNZS Canterbury and are used in warfare, surveillance, search and rescue and delivery missions.
Last month defence minster Jonathan Coleman announced the purchase of eight Super Seasprite helicopters with advanced capabilities to replace the existing models that have been in service since the late 1990s and have been plagued with maintenance issues in recent years.
"These helicopters come with modernised sensor, weapons and flight-control systems and will be a major boost to our maritime surveillance and search capability," Mr Coleman says.
As the newly appointed commanding officer Mr Clark is responsible for training and preparing the squadron for transition to the new model.
"We are working through that now.
"They are not too different they are just more modernised and have upgraded avionics," he said.
The SH-2G (I) Super Seasprite is designed to fulfil anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, troop transport, search and rescue and utility missions.
It is said to be the most powerful small ship helicopter in use and is operated by both the Egyptian Air Force and the Polish Navy.
Mr Clark became the third generation, after his father and grandfather, to join the navy in 1992 in the General List Executive Branch.
Upon completing his helicopter approach controller and anti-submarine aircraft controller training he was posted to the HMNZS Wellington before joining the HMNZS Endeavour on deployment to East Timor from 1999 to 2000.
In 2001 he graduated dux of the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School in Winnipeg before completing a basic rotary wing course in Australia.
He has been to South East Asia, Australia and other areas of the South Pacific as a flight observer on the HMNZS Te Kaha and Canterbury and in 2005 he was promoted to flight commander.
In late 2011 he became an observer instructor with the No 6 Squadron and a ship's flight commander before his current promotion.
www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/8764473/Top-choppers-get-top-brass