\u201cThe job market for both helicopter pilots and fixed wing is incredibly attractive right now,\u201d Johnston said.<\/p>\n
One benefit of Defence Force training was not racking up a student debt. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a 10-year return of service tied to pilot training, which is where the individuals are bonded to the organisation for that period.\u201d<\/p>\n
That decade might go faster than a loan repayment, he said, plus recruits were paid while studying.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s quite a different set-up from your conventional, not just university, but even a private flight school. And the quality of training here is a real point of pride as well. We have an obligation to ensure that [we] train in an economical fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnston said the NH90 gave Air Force pilots expertise in flying a modern twin-engine helicopter capable of operating in a wide variety of weather conditions.<\/p>\n
Rapid response required<\/p>\n
No 3 Squadron of the RNZAF operates helicopters including the NH90. Photo \/ Airbus, Ned Dawson.<\/p>\n
If an emergency happens, New Zealand\u2019s No 3 Squadron has to be ready to respond fast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe requests will typically come from the other government agencies, but the decision will be made at the highest level, by the Chief of Defence Force and orchestrated, I guess, from the joint forces in Trentham, our higher headquarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re there to respond on other people\u2019s worst days. We hold a varying degree of notice to move, which could be one aircraft airborne, and within a few hours, to two to three aircraft.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Air Force has an aircraft crew and maintenance team on standby all day, every day.<\/p>\n
Sometimes the squadron can help search and rescue teams or other operators if a local civilian helicopter lacks the resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarlier this year, we assisted in the aeromedical transport of a patient, which they weren\u2019t able to make … by other means.\u201d<\/p>\n
And what if the Prime Minister calls up and says he wants to hitch a ride?<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, the response would be well above my pay grade, you know.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are but humble servants, and that discussion would ultimately be had at the high levels. If there was an appropriate use of resource, we\u2019d do what\u2019s required.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo \/ Kaipara District Council<\/p>\n
If you need to be ready to deploy at short notice, it\u2019s helpful living close to base.<\/p>\n
When Johnston started in the Air Force, there was cheap Defence housing on base or close to the base for most people.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably 15-plus years ago, there were policy changes that enabled and better supported people to go and buy their own home.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got people on my team who live across the whole region \u2013 Whanganui, Marton, Feilding, Palmerston North … so it is quite different to say when I came through.\u201d<\/p>\n
But if they need to deploy at short notice, team members can still get to where they need to be pretty quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarlier in the year, we recognised that there could be potential flooding in the area, and we made sure that people stayed on base, in case there was a callout in support of that flooding response.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the NZDF was aware that extreme weather events might be getting more frequent. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe do what we can when these things do kick off. Gabrielle, as an example: the response from the squadron there was above and beyond anything that was otherwise mandated. We\u2019ll just put everything into it that we can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnston said New Zealand was an outlier for NH90 operations. The Australians did not use it, having decided to withdraw their variant called the MRH-90 Taipan three years ago. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m lucky I get to turn up as aircrew and do all the fun stuff, do all the flying.\u201d<\/p>\n
But he said the NH90\u2019s success is a testament to the maintenance and logistics teams.<\/p>\n
Johnston said they had done some \u201cpretty typically Kiwi sort of clever planning\u201d to ensure the RNZAF could have multiple aircraft available at any time.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur strategy has been to have a larger supply of spares, which would be the envy of most other nations, and yeah, that means when the aircraft do break, we can turn them around in a lot quicker time.\u201d<\/p>\n