Heather Roy's Diary

National Security issues were highlighted yesterday when SIS director Warren Tucker announced that Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui is no longer a security risk to New Zealand. After almost five years, and a legal bill to Kiwi taxpayers of $2.3 million, it's hard to see what prompted the move - some think it a clever move by the SIS to rid themselves of an embarrassing problem; others believe we will now be seen as a soft touch for illegal immigrants.

September 15 marks the anniversary of the Battle of Britain: a timely reminder that security cannot be taken for granted - even down in the bottom corner of the world.

Protecting our people and shores is a core Government role. I spent a day this week with 5 Squadron RNZAF on a P3 Orion on a border security flight. The main task was monitoring boats entering New Zealand waters, identifying them and making contact to determine their intentions. Much of 5 Squadron's work involves customs, fisheries and Search and Rescue operations, both monitoring our EEZ and working around many of the Pacific Islands where we have regional responsibilities.

Lest We Forget - The Battle Of Britain

The Battle of Britain is commemorated September 15, marking the day in 1940 when major German attacks on London were repulsed with such heavy Luftwaffe losses that Adolf Hitler ordered the postponement of 'Operation Sealion', his plan for the invasion of Britain.



While the British Army had narrowly escaped annihilation at Dunkirk, all its heavy equipment had been destroyed or captured. No one seemed to have an answer to German armoured tactics, and Britain appeared very vulnerable - Hitler even began giving instructions for the disposal of the populace after invasion, with men aged 18-40 to be sent to Labour Camps on the Continent.



But, like Napoleon Bonaparte before him, Hitler was stopped by the English Channel and the power of the Royal Navy. Although experts on both sides differed as to whether an invasion was possible, it was generally agreed that the Royal Navy could be destroyed by the German Air Force if the RAF were defeated - leaving Britain open to invasion by sea. Thus, the 'Battle for Britain' was predicated on establishing air supremacy.



From July 1940 - with French forces 'hors de combat' - Reichsmarschall Goering tried to destroy the RAF by attacking radar installations, aerodromes and, finally, English cities. The British were outnumbered and the German pilots had considerably more combat experience. The authorities were persuaded to create an auxiliary air force - staffed by women pilots and by men too old for combat - to do all flying other than frontline duties. This helped even the odds and Britain attracted a number of international volunteers. Many New Zealanders fought in the RAF and some squadrons were designated as New Zealand squadrons at the outset of the war.



One New Zealander's part in the Battle of Britain, Air Vice Marshall Keith Park, would justify him as one of the greatest aerial commanders of all time. He commanded No11 Group, which lay closest to France and to the German aerodromes. While Air Vice Marshall Park has received remarkably little recognition in New Zealand given his contribution to the defence of civilisation, he was not totally un-noticed:



"If any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I do not believe it is realised how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save, not only this country, but the world." - Lord Tedder, Chief of the Royal Air Force, February 1947.



Modern Day Security



The eve of the anniversary of the Battle of Britain is a fitting time to re-evaluate the role and operations of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Today's threats - once determined - must be used to decide our role in protecting Kiwis, protecting New Zealand, and playing our part in the Pacific region and on the world stage.



Since the Air Combat Force was de-commissioned in 2001 - at the instruction of the Labour Government - our 17 Skyhawks have been mothballed and essentially left to deteriorate at Marlborough Airport. Our 17 Aermacchi air trainers have also been mothballed, but are periodically flown at Ohakea Air Force Base.



A sale for the combined fleet was finally agreed to in principle in 2005, but is dependent on US State Department approval for the Skyhawk sale only. The sale has been a bumbling affair and the time is long overdue to re-examine what should be done with these aircraft. A very conservative estimate is that RNZAF is already $12 million out of pocket - the funding taken from its operational budget - as it is responsible for maintaining the aircraft for sale. The Government needs to make some decisions quickly and repay the RNZAF for its bungled handling of the sale.



Re-commission the Aermacchi Jets



The Aermacchi jets are in good condition and could be sold separately from the Skyhawks. A much smarter choice, however, would be to put them back into service in the RNZAF. There are four outcomes or capabilities that could be achieved by this course of action:



1) Return them to the Flying Training Squadron - Kiwi Air Force pilots currently undertake their advanced flight training in Beechcraft King Air B200s. Ask pilots what they think of this and you'll get a predictable answer ... but their eyes light up at the thought of flying jets - something those trained in New Zealand since 2002 have no experience of. Advanced training in jets is one of the many things that sets apart the pilots of the Armed Forces from others, and this capability could be used to contribute to security alliances and the MFAT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP). Training opportunities could be extended to those from other countries, who would contribute to the cost of the operation. This would bring opportunities for counter-trade deals - something our Government has not properly addressed in relation to past defence purchases.



2) Begin a re-generation of military jet capability. This would take around six-eight years but would provide an incentive for instructors, pilots and mechanics to stay with the RNZAF and would attract Kiwis and others back to New Zealand. Air Force capability has suffered significantly since the de-commissioning of the Air Combat Force, but this is reversible. The Territorial Force component of the RNZAF is tiny, and the jets would provide opportunities to grow this and establish it as a strong specialist component.



3) Provide an operational role within parts of our Exclusive Economic Zone in support of the Navy, Fisheries, Customs, Immigration and Police to complement and enhance their current capabilities.



4) Provide an Opposing Force (OPFOR) for New Zealand and international exercises, just as 2 Squadron RNZAF did when based in Nowra, NSW for the Australian Navy. This would operate, as it did previously, on a user- pays basis. It would have the added advantage of contributing to regional alliances in a more constructive way that our Defence Force currently has the capability for.



The Skyhawks are problematic, but the Aermacchis have huge potential for the New Zealand Defence Force. All that is required is for Defence Minister Phil Goff to stop sitting on his hands and show some commitment to the security of New Zealand. The ideas are all here - he has the power to act but, sadly, lacks the courage to tackle the real issues.