KAIKOURA: OUR FORCES AT WORK

Transcription

1 THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE DECEMBER 2016 ISSUE NO. 7 KAIKOURA: OUR FORCES AT WORK Aircraft, ships and ground forces deployed as North Canterbury suffers 7.8 earthquake. THANK YOU TO OUR FORCES This year the Defence Force proves its ability to adapt, deliver outstanding humanitarian support and grow our reputation as hosts for international events. OUR FRIENDS WHO CAME They came for a birthday, and did not hesitate to offer aid in the South. THANK YOU DEFENCE FORCE Our picture story and messages of thanks FORCE4NZ 1

2 CONTENTS FROM YOUR CDF FROM YOuR CDF OPERATION AWHINA 04 EARTHQUAKE TIMELINE 05 ADVANCE TASK FORCE Force4NZ magazine provides information about our Defence Force and the activities of our people in New Zealand and around the world. People are welcome to republish articles and images appearing in Force4NZ, but we ask that you first contact us at: What do you want to see more of? Force4NZ is a new publication for everyone in our Defence Force. We d like to hear your ideas on things you would like to see and read about in your magazine. We d gladly receive your feedback what worked for you; what didn t; what would you like more of? The only way we ll get better, and better deliver what you want to see, is if you tell us! You can your feedback to Force4NZ@NZDF.mil.nz. ISSN THE BIG RESCUE 07 OUR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS DRIVING TO KAIKOURA AIR FORCE ARRIVES What New Zealand said about our work in Kaikoura FROM YOUR CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCE IF NOT US, THEN WHO? IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN? I want to start this final Defence Force magazine for the year with a simple message: Thank you. It is probably something we should do more of as a Defence Force, congratulating each other on a job well done. There is perhaps something in our nature as a military organisation, where we expect so much of ourselves so often delivering and doing an outstanding job. Yet we find it hard to say thanks. Maybe we are reluctant to single some out because our culture is so focused on the collective and not the individual. Perhaps some of it too, is related to the Kiwi way, where humility is New Zealanders first and most important rule? But when I glance back across 2016, and look at our delivery on operations; in being prepared and remaining ready for the next contingency; in reforming and making improvements to our organisation; in commemorating our heritage and history; in keeping the "lights on" 24-7; in looking after our veteran community; in recalibrating our culture to be better focused on respect; in how we have responded to crisis and shocks it has without doubt taken a mammoth effort by everyone in our Defence Force. AND SO I UNASHAMEDLY SAY: THANK YOU. We It was are the also 2010 a Defence White Force Paper made which up noted: both of people in uniform Regular Force and Reservists and civilians. It s The NZDF is the only agency of state that maintains disciplined my experience that our civilians are no less committed to forces available at short notice and that operates large-scale and our Defence Force and its important role as a force for good integrated fleets of vehicles, ships and aircraft. in the world and being a Force For New Zealand. That White Paper, and the one since, noted that while conducting Over military the operations past few is months our core I ve task, had we are a chance as an organisation to travel in person nonetheless to most able of to undertake our camps a range and bases, of missions running as part what of a we ve whole-of-government been calling leadership effort, including engagement maritime resource sessions. protection, They are, humanitarian in essence, assistance just a and good disaster conversation relief, counter-terrorism between myself and and bomb unit disposal, commanders/managers, search rescue. where they can hear directly from me, and I can hear directly from them about what s OUR MISSION on their mind. IS TO KEEP NEW ZEALAND SECURE. One New Zealanders of the interesting rightly expect recurring to go questions about their that affairs popped both up at domestically most of the and camps internationally, and bases with I confidence visited was, and what free from does fear. our Our F35 Defence strategy Force mean has a vital when role it guaranteeing says we ll be these more freedoms. integrated It is an important by 2035? job, some In fact, say the when most I ve important dug a little function deeper of any with country. most questioners I think they ve really wanted to know if this is code for some strange future where we all wear the It puts me in mind of a famous quotation, I once heard: If not us, same uniform, and no longer have the single services as then who? If not now, then when? they are today. I think that sums up pretty well the attitude of our service personnel My answer is simply no that isn t something we ve ever and civilian staff. contemplated. Having strong single service cultures is vital to The each commitment, service s courage success and as comradeship the experts you of the show maritime, on a daily land basis and allows air us domains to deliver respectively. for New Zealanders and New Zealand s interests, time and time again. At the same time, we have been and will continue to build This issue a unified of Force4NZ Defence magazine Force culture picks up or on identity. just the latest A team in couple Defence of these: HR our did response a really interesting to the Kaikoura project earthquake, about 18 and the months International ago Naval looking Review at this, (INR), and that they has cemented found we New already Zealand s have more relationship in common with a myriad across of our nations, Defence but especially Force than been we a critical do in difference, catalyst for advancement especially our of the ethos NZ-US of service relationship. to New Zealand, our In times commitment of natural disaster, to military we should professionalism, not underestimate and our the values. peaceof-mind The recently brought released to our fellow Defence New Zealanders White Paper when paints they see a picture their Defence Force turn up en-masse, with the supplies and organisation of an exciting decade or so ahead with new or replaced to keep communities functioning. SO I THANK YOU FOR YOUR AGILITY. platforms As I write this and column, capabilities of course (see our story normal on Defence page 18). Force How we use Headquarters these tools in Aitken to best Street, effect Wellington, within our remains Defence closed. Force, Staff as in well Wellington as partnership have adjusted with to makeshift other agencies, working arrangements, and in concert but with critically, our support military for partners Kaikoura and was allies, seamless. is important. We SO aren t I THANK waiting YOU till FOR the YOUR year 2035 SPIRIT. to be integrated. We As mentioned, are well down Navy s that 75th path anniversary now, and and I see the associated one of the big outcomes International of Naval delivering Review our has been 2020 a goal huge of undertaking, enhanced but combat capability has lifted our as reputation being all as of a us host being and supporter even better of international and smarter at engagement working together. and dialogue. But I THANK this won t YOU happen FOR YOUR just HOSPITALITY. by chance. We As you need receive to continue this edition practising of Force4NZ and magazine, deploying many our integrated will be approach looking forward (see to page the Christmas 16 for an break. article But on let s the remember NZDF s also the participation many Defence in Force RIMPAC people 2016). committed And we on operations need to mirror abroad this and joined-up ready at home way through of working the festive on operations season. And in let s the way remember we deliver their services families doing and it support a little tougher across as the a consequence. rest of our NZDF. This SO I is THANK how we ll YOU continue FOR YOUR to ensure CONTINUED we ve got COMMITMENT. the right team culture to win. To our whole Defence Force, wherever you may be, I wish you a very Merry Christmas to you and your families. Thank you all. lieutenant Lieutenant general General Tim Keating Tim Keating chief Chief of of Defence Force Force 2 FORCE4NZ FORCE4NZ 3 force4nz 3

3 OPERATION AWHINA ADVANCE TASK FORCE KAIKOURA QUAKE TIMELINE: MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER Two NH90 helicopters and a P-3K2 Orion survey Marlborough and North Canterbury to assess infrastructure damage. Advance Task Force HMNZS CANTERBURY and HMNZS WELLINGTON head south from Auckland, around 11pm. TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER Four Air Force NH90 helicopters land in Kaikoura. They pick up 200 evacuees and deliver 1.3 tonnes of water, 300kg of food and jerrycans of diesel. Overseas ships HMAS DARWIN, HMCS VANCOUVER and USS SAMPSON, along with HMNZS TE KAHA, are diverted from the International Naval Review in Auckland to head south. QUAKE STRIKES 12.02am Monday 14 November WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER HMNZS WELLINGTON at Kaikoura. The embarked Littoral Warfare Unit carry out surveys of northern and southern sections of the peninsula. CANTERBURY arrives at Kaikoura and begins evacuations with assistance from WELLINGTON s boats, taking aboard 450 evacuees, 7 tonnes of baggage and four dogs for transport to Lyttelton. 3 Squadron helicopters rescue 165 people and deliver 5000kg of aid. An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft airdrops about 5000 litres of water to Kaikoura residents. THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER CANTERBURY returns to Kaikoura to continue evacuations. DARWIN, SAMPSON, VANCOUVER and TE KAHA arrive at Kaikoura. 3 Squadron helicopters evacuate another 60 residents and deliver two tonnes of supplies. Army convoy due to depart Burnham on inland route but halted due to renewed risk of slips. FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER ENDEAVOUR arrives to restock Navy ships with fuel and supplies, plus contribute to relief works in Kaikoura. 27 NZ Army trucks make it to Kaikoura with fuel supplies, with 22 remaining to help shift supplies from CANTERBURY. A further 160 people are evacuated using NH90s and CANTERBURY. SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER Kaikoura marae holds a powhiri for rescuers from all services. CANTERBURY evacuates 192 people together with 2.3 tonnes of baggage, one cat, 14 dogs and about 30,000 bees. Overseas helicopters transport 216 tonnes of aid from CANTERBURY to Kaikoura. TE KAHA departs Kaikoura with VANCOUVER, DARWIN and SAMPSON. SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20 Having established Kaikoura as a hub, NZDF now able to investigate rural and isolated communities using A109 helicopters. ADVANCE TASK FORCE FIRST SHIP TO ARRIVE HMNZS WELLINGTON - Littoral Warfare Unit leading the Advance Task Force from Auckland. Survey the seabed on the northern and southern sections of the peninsula. Assist CANTERBURY in evacuations of tourists. HMNZS WELLINGTON the weather station for the region. MetService lose their automatic weather station at Kaikoura HMNZS WELLINGTON has a new MetService Automatic Weather Station on board. NZDF and MetService link up to provide information direct to forecasters. Weather forecasts vital to aviation operations were able to continue. WE WERE BASICALLY OPENING THE DOOR FOR CANTERBURY, SAVE THEM TIME. IT MEANT THEY COULD JUST ROLL UP. IT WAS A LONG DAY 0430 TO 2030 AND WE SMASHED IT OUT IN A DAY. Lieutenant Commander Matt Kaio, Captain of WELLINGTON. IN NUMBERS HELICOPTERS 4 NH90 (RNZAF) 2 A109 (RNZAF) 2 SH-2G(I) Seasprite (RNZAF/RNZN) 1 S70B Seahawk (Australia) 2X MH60 Seahawk (United States) 1 x Sea King (Canada) AIRCRAFT 1 C130 Hercules 2 P-3K2 Orion (United States and NZ) 1 Kawasaki P-1 (Japan) 1 B200 King Air SHIPS Multi-role vessel HMNZS CANTERBURY Offshore patrol vessel HMNZS WELLINGTON Frigate HMNZS TE KAHA Replenishment tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR Australian frigate HMAS DARWIN Canadian frigate HMCS VANCOUVER United States destroyer USS SAMPSON AID DELIVERED IN WEEK 1 HMNZS CANTERBURY 216 tonnes Army convoys 67 tonnes RNZAF helicopters 25 tonnes PERSONNEL Navy about 410 sailors Army about 160 soldiers Air Force about 50 aircrew and some 200 support personnel on the ground at bases in Whenuapai, Ohakea, Woodbourne and Christchurch PEOPLE EVACUATED Nearly 1000 people 9.3 tonnes of baggage 1 cat, 17 dogs, Around 30,000 bees 4 FORCE4NZ FORCE4NZ 5

4 THE BIG RESCUE OUR INTERNATIONAL XXXXXXXXX FRIENDS SHIPS IN NUMBERS 640 PEOPLE RESCUED. 450 RESCUED ON THE 1ST DAY MEALS COOKED ON 1ST DAY. 9.3 TONNES OF BAGGAGE CANTERBURY 1 CAT, 17 DOGS, 30,000 BEES NZDF VIDEO OF 1ST CANTERBURY EVACUATION VIEWED 160,000 TIMES ON SOCIAL MEDIA. AID DELIVERED: 13,000KG OF FOOD 2780KG OF FRUITS & VEGETABLES 200KG OF POTATOES 350KG OF BREAD 6000KG OF RICE, PASTA & FLOUR 300KG OF BLANKETS 500KG OF TELECOMS EQUIPMENT FOUR TONNES OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES 10,000KG OF PET FOOD 80 PORTABLE TOILETS 500KG OF TOILET PAPER LITRE CANS OF FUEL TWO PORTABLE PUMPS AND FOUR GENERATORS 24 PALLETS OF SUPPLIES DELIVERED TO TASK FORCE SHIPS 4.3 MILLION LITRES OF FUEL PASSED ACROSS TO SHIPS Using RHIBs from HMNZS WELLINGTON and HMNZS CANTERBURY, evacuees were transported from the shore to CANTERBURY s Landing Craft, and transferred on board. One of the Kaikoura residents we evacuated carried his most valuable possession: a hive with about 30,000 bees. Many people took what they could fit into a suitcase or two and this would be the things closest to their hearts. One of the evacuees just could not leave his bees behind. Commander Simon Rooke Commanding Officer, HMNZS CANTERBURY ENDEAVOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Provide fuel and rations to the Task Force at Kaikoura. Ship s company have been working around the clock to fuel, store, replenish and support all the ships contributing to Operation AWHINA, and will continue to leave nothing unattempted to allow the force to provide aid to the region of Kaikoura. Lieutenant Commander David Barr, Executive Officer, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR THE SUSTAINER OUR PARTNERS AND FRIENDS LENDING A HAND AUSTRALIAN FRIGATE HMAS DARWIN + 1 S70B Seahawk helicopter sailors CANADIAN FRIGATE HMCS VANCOUVER + 1 CH-124 Sea King helicopter sailors US DESTROYER USS SAMPSON + 2X MH60 Seahawk helicopters sailors US NAVY P-3 aerial surveillance aircraft JAPAN MARITIME SELF-DEFENSE FORCE P-1 aerial surveillance aircraft WHAT OUR FRIENDS SAID We re here to offer any kind of support that we can. We re proud to be part of a broader effort to bring some relief and help those affected by this tragedy. Commander Tim LaBenz, Commanding Officer USS SAMPSON Within an hour of the call, we were tanking up, heading south. We came together in Kaikoura. We did make a difference in Kaikoura. Commander Phillip Henry, Commanding Officer HMAS DARWIN 6 FORCE4NZ FORCE4NZ 7

5 FROM THE SKIES FROM THE SKIES AIR FORCE FIRST ON SCENE 14 November Aerial surveys by NH90 helicopters and P-3K2 Orion. It is clear from the photos taken by our personnel that the major route from Christchurch to Kaikoura is impassable. Air Commodore Darryn Webb, Acting Commander Joint Forces New Zealand. 15 November onwards Airlift of stranded tourists and Kaikoura residents begins, supported by NZ Army personnel in processing and preparing residents for flight. WATER BY SKY ,000 WATCH LITRES OF WATER AIRDROPPED FROM C130 HERCULES TO KAIKOURA. THE NZDF AIRDROP VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA. OUR PRIORITY TODAY IS TO EVACUATE THE TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS OF KAIKOURA WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE EARTHQUAKE AND ARE NOW BEING ACCOMMODATED AT A LOCAL MARAE AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDINGS. Air Commodore Darryn Webb, Acting Commander Joint Forces New Zealand. WHAT THE PEOPLE TOLD US I love seeing how the Defence Force springs into action with all the different methods for disaster relief. The real defenders of New Zealand in every sense! Phillip Hines. From someone who has family isolated in Kaikoura I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for what the NZ Defence Force is doing out there. I hope you know how appreciative the people of New Zealand are of your efforts. Angela Cox 8 FORCE4NZ FORCE4NZ 9

6 DRIVING TO KAIKOURA DRIVING TO KAIKOURA IN NUMBERS CULVERDEN TO 105KM KAIKOURA 04 HRS 60 MINS TRAVEL TIME BY CONVOY BEFORE EARTHQUAKE 27 TRUCKS OVERLAND FORCE At a spot known as Whales Back, the FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER slips are near biblical in scale. Entire DAY SEVEN: hillsides have slipped away, bringing A convoy of 27 Army Who else needs help? down a slew of earth and debris. Giant trucks reaches boulders as big as a Honda Jazz sit Kaikoura with supplies. staunchly both sides of the road. Aid convoys accounted for 155 tonnes, or 38 per cent of total aid delivered up to Wednesday 23 November. The rocky and undulating terrain, and the steep drops, are very similar to Afghanistan. - Staff Sergeant Dan Rosewarne. At spots where the boulders and rocks still teeter above, the convoy spreads out a little. Better to have one or two trucks wiped out than several, it s explained to me. The brutal logic makes sense. - Kurt Bayer, Christchurch-based NZ Herald reporter, aboard an NZDF convoy from Culverden to Kaikoura. Since we have arrived here a lot of our focus has been just moving stuff in to the hub that is Kaikoura but over the next few days, we will be trying to do whatever we can to make sure the essential support goes out to those rural and isolated communities. The job s not over. We still have a lot of work to do. We will continue to work alongside Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Police, the Urban Search and Rescue Team and the council staff here, civilian organisations, Red Cross you name it, there are a lot of people involved supporting the relief effort here we will continue to work alongside them and hope to deliver the best possible service to the people of Kaikoura. - LTCOL Michael Van Welie, Deployable Joint Task Force The roles we are playing are many and varied. Members from the Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters have immersed themselves into the Emergency Operations Centre, advising and planning. The remainder have coordinated action on the ground along with police and USAR. With all roads into Kaikoura closed, warships and helicopters have been used to bring in aid relief. Soldiers and sailors are out and about in the communities lending a helping hand. Once the army convoys started arriving the mood picked up in the township. The feeling of isolation has abated. There have been many challenges, however none so far have been insurmountable. - Colonel Glenn King, Commanding Officer, Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters 44 PD P SPEED: 30KM/H DELIVERED 44 TONNES OF SUPPLIES 7320 LITRES OF DIESEL 1540 LITRES OF PETROL 10,000 LITRES OF WATER Very proud of our own service girls and guys when needed by their own country they responded and got stuck in. Darryll Senior I think we are all proud - and for very good reason - of our Defence Forces and the work they are doing. Well done guys and girls. And thanks. Tony Watkins 10 FORCE4NZ FORCE4NZ 11

7 OUR STORY WELCOMETO SHIPS AND COUNTRIES OUR STORY OUR "Goes to show how vital ships are in a country like NZ. When the roads fall to bits and the railway lines get buried, you can still get a ship to somewhere fairly nearby." Judy McDonald. "We were really honoured to be asked to help, and get involved in real-world operations to help the people." Lieutenant Ariel Baltis, captain of a US Navy P-3C Orion. PEOPLE AT WORK Thanks for such a wonderful insight into the great work that you are all doing in Kaikoura and the surrounding areas. Norma Pearce. "I m glad our Defence Force are so great at doing this type of work and so professionally, and for as long as it takes." Shona Church. "You guys rock big times Navy and Defence Forces! So glad we have you, our unsung heroes!" Carol Rawhiti. Thank you for keeping us updated you are all doing a great job. Good on the army. Margaret Stensness. 12 FORCE4NZ FORCE4NZ 13

8 THE OUR OPEN FLEET STORY DAYARRIVES WELCOMETO SHIPS INR AND FLEET XXXXXXXXX COUNTRIES OUR REVIEW STORY OUR Thank you to the team who kept us happy & full with delicious food. A good meal makes all the difference when you're working long hours in a stressful environment" Maria Boot. Brothers in Arms. Brothers in Peace. Brothers in Spirit. Thank you HMAS Darwin and thank you NZ Defence Force." Scott Tansley. PEOPLE AT WORK "Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the tears of gratitude spilling from my eyes!" Elizabeth Gough. "You guys do an amazing job, thank you so much for getting us out safely on Thursday!" Heath Melville. "Great work by the Defence Forces who are working tirelessly round the clock!" Paula Rongo-Apanui. We salute you guys and the whole team for the great work done. Thanks for the awesome job done. God bless you all. Torika Kumar. 14 FORCE4NZ FORCE4NZ 15

9 THE WORK CONTINUES... Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, alongside NZ Police, Fire Service and other rescue coordination crews, pose for a photograph in Kaikoura. Read more in our December service magazines FORCE4NZ