Defence Chiefs meet in Wellington

The Chief of Defence Staff, United Kingdom Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the Chief of the Defence Force of Australia Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and New Zealand’s Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae met this week in Wellington for the biennial BRITANZ Principal’s meeting.

Lieutenant General Mateparae said, “I am pleased to be hosting this year’s BRITANZ meeting with our much valued partners the United Kingdom and Australia. Over the past two days we covered a lot of ground, discussed a wide range of security issues and have been briefed on topics of mutual interest. Each of our countries has areas of special interest around the World, and the BRITANZ meeting provides a good opportunity to share information.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston agreed that the meeting was a very important forum for the three countries to regularly exchange information and experiences.

There are several areas around the world where the three countries have common interests; from the long-standing Five Power Defence Arrangement based in Malaysia, to operations in a number of countries. The situation in Afghanistan has been discussed in detail at this years meeting; an area of the world where each country is significantly involved in with their respective Defence Forces.

The three Defence Chiefs made an office call on the Minister of Defence, Phil Goff. A number of strategic issues were discussed, including Afghanistan.

While in New Zealand Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington.

At the ceremony each Defence Chief inspected a 50 man Guard of Honour, and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. A catafalque guard comprising personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force was paraded in support of the ceremony.